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The Working Closet is about creating a wardrobe that works for your body and your life and your budget. It's about feeling polished and elegant and pretty no matter where you're going. It's about wearing what you love and loving what you wear. It's about having a closet that works for you.

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The Future of The Closet Is In Your Hands

Categories: basics

36 comments

Dun dun DUNNNNNN. Can you handle the responsibility?

As I sat down to write this week’s post (about my love affair with several new shoe brands), a thought occurred to me. Are TWC readers interested in new and fabulous shoe brands? Are top ten lists (similar to last week’s laptop bag entry) something they would look forward to reading?

Looking back, I just dove right into last week’s post, didn’t I? I mean, YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW ME. However, I have a feeling some of you enjoyed it considering the one bag I wanted to buy on that list is now sold out. (Thanks for nothing. Really.)

Back to the task at hand, my friends. What do YOU want from The Working Closet?

Lists of new items/trends on the market? Q&A posts? Tutorials? A continuation of The Working Closet Flickr Pool? (I love this one, and am hoping to add some weekly themes this fall.) An integration of beauty-related posts? All of the above?

I’m just trying to get a solid idea of what you all would enjoy the most regarding The Working Closet. You know, so we can live in perfect harmony. While I teach the world to sing. (Did I just date myself?)

Any and all suggestions are welcome here. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

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36 comments so far...

  • i do love suggestions of new things to buy and covet, q&a, and flickr pools.
    i also love shoes.

    jcristg  |  July 25th, 2008 at 9:11 am

  • Welcome to your new gig!

    One of the things I have always been preoccupied with is building a wardrobe that matches your style but also doesn’t need to be rolled over every season because it’s all trends. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as I’ve shifted to freelance, no longer need to deal with the mediocrity that is business casual, and can pretty much wear anything I want, every day. With such endless possibilities, I’m near-overwhelmed!

    Hope that helps–I’ll be reading!

    deb  |  July 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am

  • 1) staples! Who/what/when/where/how to buy them.
    2) incorporating trends to the staples on a budget
    3) putting outfits together that will go from work to your child’s basketball game
    4)dressing for your body
    5)creating/finding your style
    6) lastly dressing for your age because I see way too many 25-35 year olds wearing mini skirts that would fit a barbie.

    La La Lollipop  |  July 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am

  • I’ve just joined the feed for this blog (so I’m new too!) and I joined based on the description at the top: “creating a wardrobe that works for your body, your life, and your budget”. I enjoy reading style magazines, but I do it for some easy entertainment because I know that a) I can’t afford the vast majority of what’s in them (hello, $450 blouse!) and b) I wouldn’t wear a lot of what’s in them (way too avant garde).

    As long as The Closet delivers what it says it will up top, the format doesn’t matter to me. (Although, I loved the top 10 laptop bags list!).

    Good luck and have fun!

    Rebecca  |  July 25th, 2008 at 10:07 am

  • So far, I like the way you write - a lot. So I’ll be reading no matter what subject you bring up :-)
    I mean, as long as it’s about clothes, shoes or bags, of course.

    Lullaby  |  July 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am

  • Ditto to everything people said above. And tutorials are good too - finding style, chosing items, building a harmonious wardrobe, accessories, make-up, how to wear stuff.

    Ellen  |  July 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

  • This is a ridiculous question. OF COURSE I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FABULOUS SHOES. But they can’t all be flats, Ms. Flats.

    slynnro  |  July 25th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

  • I’ll enjoy anything that you post about, but my request would be advice and photos on what to buy/wear for the work-at-home-mom life. I have the job, the kids, the school and sports activities, the occasional social life, and the exercise. Also, I am in the process of losing my baby weight since my baby is seven. Ahem.

    I am not a spring chicken (39), but I’m not a Golden Girl, so I don’t even know what department I belong in anymore.

    It takes talent and an eye to shop and know what to buy/wear. I don’t have it, but I need it! Remember Garanimals? That’s me. I walk into a store, and if something is available that matches, I buy that, and I NEVER digress from wearing those pieces together. HELP!

    Chris  |  July 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

  • I have lots of cool clothes but I’d like to know how to accessorize when you never accessorize. I have two pearl bracelets and a few pairs of pearl earrings and that’s as far as I’ve come. I like that they’re so clean. I don’t like too much thingies, like charm bracelets (ugh) and preferably not too big too.

    Also, how one would wear wedges. I love them but they’re always so bulky on me.

    Uhm…let’s see…work vs. casual clothing, would be nice. I have a full time job and go into the city or sit on terraces by the beach after work a lot, without going home and when I’m there I’m often not comfortable in my work clothes. What to do about that, when you don’t have a car (so no place for storing a spare outfit).

    This is a long comment…what can I say… I talk a lot and I’m very needy! It would be great if you could write about these things.

    Catlin  |  July 25th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

  • All of those sound great, but I especially like the idea of bargains - where to find those items that fit well, look great, are trendy (but not TOO trendy, if you know what I mean!), and don’t cost a bazillion dollars! :)
    Shoes are great, but I really am a purse kind of girl, so do a post or two on those too, pleeeease! :)

    Sandy  |  July 25th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

  • I totally echo La La Lollipop’s thoughts, particularly:
    1) staples! Who/what/when/where/how to buy them (particularly those that don’t cost $150+ each!);
    2) incorporating trends to the staples on a budget;
    3) putting outfits together and mixing them up;
    4) dressing for your body; and
    5) creating/finding your style.

    My big request is for info on accessories and where to find them. I notice in pics of you that you have terrific necklaces and glasses–where do you find those?!?!

    monkeygirl  |  July 25th, 2008 at 3:16 pm

  • Shoes! The higher the heel, the better!

    regan  |  July 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

  • Please NO beauty tips!!! [Runs screaming from the room...]

    SoftwareMom  |  July 25th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

  • I love the lists. And lots of pictures.

    Janssen  |  July 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

  • Dressing for your body type.
    Finding a style.
    Updating your style.
    Finding *affordable* clothes AND splurges.
    How to dress up/down pieces.

    Heather  |  July 26th, 2008 at 1:47 am

  • There are some good ideas listed here. I’d like to add that I’ve never been good with fashion and would like ideas on what are the basics for a nice wardrobe. Also, how to mix and match pieces in a wardrobe would be good. and any other advice that will help the fashion impaired (like me)
    :)

    Janet  |  July 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

  • I would love to get back into the Flickr Pool, it’s so much fun. A theme would help me get motivated. Hooray!

    How about a tutorial on figuring out your body type and/or face shape? Sounds a little silly, but I’m never sure exactly what my body type is, it’s not something I think about and I definitely should. Maybe that could be a theme for the Flickr Pool? We post photos of ourselves and pool members (supportively and kindly as always) help point out features we should emphasize and suggest fun new clothes. Like a pool of friendly wardrobe consultants?

    Blythe  |  July 26th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

  • I’m surprised that more people haven’t mentioned the Working Closet Flickr Pool! More WCFP!! I like seeing how fashion ideas actually work on real people.

    Mayhem  |  July 27th, 2008 at 12:55 am

  • Yep, exactly what La La Lollipop said. Building a wardrobe of stylish classics. Instructions - tell us what to do (and what not to do!).

    I get annoyed by lists of clothes/shoes/etc from specific suppliers because I live in Australia so I can’t just click-and-buy most of the time. So I prefer general concepts rathe than specific items.

    Helen  |  July 27th, 2008 at 5:30 am

  • Definitely keeping an emphasis on affordable, and office-appropriate (understanding of course we have a wide variety of office environments.)

    What works for different body types - not just skinny minnies or fashion plates.

    Kelly O  |  July 27th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

  • I liked the bag list; practical, yet fun. I work in a casual environment, so the suits and dresses posts aren’t really applicable for me. Bring it on; we’ll comment!

    Daisy  |  July 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

  • I’m going to be singing that jingle for the rest of the day…

    Angella  |  July 28th, 2008 at 5:48 am

  • What I would value most are tips on dressing correctly for your body shape and how to find a personal style (the clothing equivalent of Hair Thursday).
    I’m tired of magazines/sites catering to women with perfect bodies and endless budgets. I can’t relate. I’m trying to the most of the shape I have (finally) accepted, limited funds, and 10 minutes to get dressed.

    Colette  |  July 28th, 2008 at 6:00 am

  • I’m totally new here, but I have an idea: How to find stylish clothes that are literally wash and wear– i.e. no ironing. I love watching What Not to Wear, but it always bothers me when a busy mom gets a new wardrobe and it is supposedly something she can throw on and go, but in reality the stuff needs to be ironed first. I think that’s why some people (me) resort to t-shirts and jeans/sweats– I really can throw it on and go.

    And I second Blythe’s idea about us taking pictures of our wardrobe. That sounds like fun!

    sharina  |  July 28th, 2008 at 9:02 am

  • Great suggestions here. I’d love to know about what’s in and what’s not. I want to be trendy also without spending a fortune. Let’s talk about shoes, accessories, clothing, and hairstyles. All of it affects us, so let’s discuss it.

    I look forward to it!

    Lisa Willard  |  July 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am

  • Great ideas here. I loved the list of bags and always like to see ideas of fun & stylish items so that was a great post. It helps to weed out all the choices out there.
    I agree with the last couple suggestions on what’s in and what’s not and being current with out spending a fortune. Not everything looks good on every figure so what type of figure would be able to wear items is helpful. And, I agree that while I love the What not to wear show, they frequently will tell Moms not to wear jeans and t-shirts or shorts & capris but then they have her wear these dressy skirt outfits & heels! That doesn’t work for the soccer field!
    A final idea - versatile pieces -clothing, jewelry, bags. I feel like I have 3 wardrobes:
    1. Business casual work clothes
    2. Casual - jeans, t-shirts, shorts, capris
    3. Going out clothes - while it’s infrequent, this is where I stuggle. I don’t want to feel like I’m going to work but my casual stuff is too casual.
    Oh and bags & shoes!! :) thanks for asking!

    Gina  |  July 29th, 2008 at 8:44 am

  • i agree with everyone! i like the list, and the idea of ‘no ironing’ since my idea is usually to toss in the dryer until *most* of the wrinkels come out and hope that works. (hope is probably not the best accessory, i’m thinking)

    also we see lots of clothes/styles but accessories can make or break so help! and HAIR! i have no clue what to do with my hair… (long, straight, BORING).

    The flicker pool thing is awesome, but i need links because i am lazy. please, links and pictures to everything - this is why the bag thing was so awesome! we are suckers for pretty pictures!

    yay! very excited. love this stuff :)

    Kate  |  July 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am

  • I would love to see beauty tips thrown into the mix.

    Also, as much as I love to see helpful tips on what I should be wearing, I love even more to learn about what I need to stay away from. I have a much easier time identifying things that work well rather than identifying what should be banished from my closet. And that is why I turn to the experts :)

    Caroline  |  July 29th, 2008 at 11:48 am

  • I’d like to see ideas for outfits that are stylish, budget-friendly, and age-appropriate for working moms. I’m 37, and while I don’t want to dress like my 60-year-old mother, what I see in the fashion mags seems geared toward 20-year-olds. It would be great if you could give suggestions for those of us who are too old for Abercrombie and too young for Chico’s!

    Lar  |  July 30th, 2008 at 10:30 am

  • The 5 big trends for each season. I dont’ always buy them, but sometimes I get one or two to freshen things up, especially with shoes!

    Jean  |  July 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

  • Well uh… I kind of followed *you* here, so… I have no preconceived notions. So why am I posting?

    Boredom, mostly.

    caleal  |  July 30th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

  • I’d like to read more about stylish and comfortable working from home clothes.
    (How to stay foxy when it’s just you (and the baby) all day)

    Helen Jane  |  July 31st, 2008 at 10:51 am

  • How about how to dress when you just turned 30 (yesterday)? And when you just got a new position at work (yesterday) where instead of being shoved in a corner grunting along with all the worker bees, you’ll be working with the president of the company every day?

    ‘Nuff about me, but seriously, I haven’t bought pants in 2 years. Really.

    alison  |  July 31st, 2008 at 7:32 pm

  • i’d love to see how to turn basics into your own statement. i feel like i wear the same thing and get stuck in a rut and would like ways to update.

    also - fun etsy jewelry designers that you like?

    kat  |  August 2nd, 2008 at 9:45 am

  • I’m really new to this but I love your blog!!!
    Please write something about.
    - accesories: how to choose something to brigthen something classic… (I work in a office and business casual is the rule)
    - blouses : how to use them? inside the pants or out?
    - about your 5fabs, how to match them with different clothes to create completely new looks?
    If possible, more than brands or stores, please show pictures (lots!)… I leave in Peru, so no chance to go and buy where you suggest…
    Finally, pls consider pictures of NORMAL women, not abnormal twiggy-like women…

    Magali  |  August 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm

  • Hi! My suggestion would be for a post on how to tailor *almost* perfect clothes. For instance, what is the right length for walking shorts? For tops? Which tops can I shorten and which ones aren’t worth altering (i.e. knits–where do they fall?)?

    Also, I’m in the process of trying to define my style and incorporate the chic feel of the clothes I love (very Charlotte in SATC) with my working-mommy reality (khakis, cardigans, and boots). Any advice would be much appreciated!

    Rebe  |  August 5th, 2008 at 8:25 am