by Rudy Reed, Womenswear Director

Wardrobe: Necessities of Reinvention

It comes with no surprise that when time progresses, things in our surrounding world tend to adapt, change, and redevelop to make better. To keep up with changing times, we sometimes need to replenish our homes, automobiles, and even technology to adjust to society’s evolution. Ladies this should also take place in your wardrobe. Most of you can identify with this, but for those of you who are just afraid of change - thinking that you have found your look, your image, your style,

I hate to be the messenger of bad news but you're probably the ones in serious need of a reinvention. You have gotten stuck. Your once stylish garb has now become... well irrelevant. Sure the word reinvention may come off as sounding a bit strong or harsh, and I understand that. When we hear reinvention, we think of changing and making different, and I assure you if you follow this advice you won’t be changing (not completely) or losing yourself. You should see your reinvention as an upgrade, a more in tune you a new and improved you.

Whether it’s high end, moderately priced, or even costume- accessories are most definitely needed for your revamping. From shoes, to handbags, to jewelry, I have always found it fascinating how the smallest details could add a certain jolt to an outfit. Accessories should be seen as your friends. Friends that help take your look from the possibly boring and drab and converting it to the chic and fab. Jewelry in more recent years has made a comeback. I have known women to develop great insecurities if they accidentally forgot to put on that certain statement piece just before leaving the house. They end up feeling half dressed or even naked.

The purchasing of new shoes, belts, and handbags is key if you don’t necessarily have the means of replacing an existing wardrobe all at once. Shoes and handbags are critical additions to any outfit because the wrong pairing of them to an outfit will just have you looking wrong, resulting in your friends not wanting to even be seen with you, because you will be a mess. Or worse, being photographed by a tabloid with yours eyes blocked out so they wouldn’t fully embarrass you on there worse dressed list.

In my opinion accessories are the easier part of reinvention because your selections are simply a product of your taste. Silhouettes of new designs in fashion trends will be an obstacle we will all eventually run into having. Though possibly the most difficult- one should never get discouraged from taking the time to know your body and learning away to accentuate the sexier portions of your body.
When trying on new silhouettes, you will have to train yourself to think outside the box. Those things that you always said that you would never wear could in fact be the perfect thing to enhance your best features.

Incorporating color into your wardrobe shouldn’t be a part of the reinventing process, in fact it should already exist. BBut as I said before; some of us get so comfortable with seeing ourselves in one particular way, we begin to limit ourselves. Just because you are of a fuller physique doesn’t mean that you should always where black. The majority of the women I have noticed as of lately who resort to this escape reminds me of miserable black holes walking around attempting to hide something or go unnoticed. Ladies, little do you know, you are drawing more attention to yourselves than you know. Black is the most chic color there is, but when you wear it 24/7 some of us may get the impression that you are in mourning. Well while you are at the grave, I suggest you bury those ideas and take better charge of your image.

The fair skin beauties that insist on wearing nothing but pale shades, you are possibly committing an even worse crime. Women with these features should steer away from lighter shades of yellow, cucumber, and light gray’s. It does anyhing but give off the illusion that you are sick, or in desperate need of a sandwich.


Once the new you have begun to emerge, devoting time to hair and make-up changes will obviously have to occur. It would be a disservice if you don’t. Hair styles should always be worn to compliment the features of your face. 2009 has delivered a vast number of trends, one can’t possible say she doesn’t have options. While short pixie cuts can be spotted on the likes of Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, and yes the beautiful Halle Berry (who has decided to go back to the cut she made famous), others have chosen to grow out their locks to longer lengths wearing them straight and sleek, while others choose to take on the wavy yet free flowing coifs.

Your reinvention wouldn’t be nowhere without this last and probably most important ingredient. Just before stepping foot outside that door, and to reveal the new you, all I ask is that you dome one favor. Take a look at all of your accomplishments and walk out with a great burst of confidence.