We’ve talked before about building a basics wardrobe, and about how important it is to have go-to outfits; now it’s time to think about ways to keep that closet of essential, workable pieces interesting and fresh.

The answer, of course, is accessories.

Kashmere scarf, Bluefly, $65.00

The idea of accessorizing scares a lot of women, though — they don’t know what to choose or how to wear it. Here is a short list of five accessories you really need in your closet; over the next month, we will talk about how to make them work, for every day and and for special occasions.
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As those of you who are hanging out at The Working Closet Flickr pool know, October is “Does this work?” month; we’re all digging around in our closets for things we’re ambivalent about and asking the Internet to help us decide what to do. So far, I’ve given away a shirt I never wore and I’m following up on some terrific recommendations for jeans.

I love Flickr.

As you may ALSO know, I gave up shopping for the entire month of September; I didn’t buy a single pair of shoes or article of clothing or handbag, just a new refrigerator and a full Cub Scout uniform for my son. I learned all kinds of things about myself from my thirty day shopping fast (not surprisingly, I often shop when I am bored! and stressed! because new shoes will solve whatever problem I am facing! or not! it’s hard to tell!), but I learned even more about how to know when your wardrobe is and isn’t working.

And now I will share that newfound wisdom with you. You’re welcome.
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Are you just DYING to know who won the Superhero necklace? I’m sure you are!

But first I want to thank everyone who participated in The Working Closet group here at WIM. You were kind and funny and not a single one of you wore flip flops to the office. You all are doing the work world proud.

SO who won the necklace? Well . . .

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A Superhero necklace would look terrific with that outfit!
Upload your photos to The Working Closet group pool here at WIM by MIDNIGHT on Sunday, September 30 (THIS SUNDAY, PEOPLE!) to be eligible to win the Superhero necklace of your choice. ONLY photos posted at WIM are eligible; every photo you add to the pool equals one entry in the drawing (post one photo, your name goes in the hat once, post ten photos and it goes in ten times, and so on). Drawing will take place on Monday, October 1, and the winner will be announced RIGHT HERE on Tuesday, October 2.

Lessons from the Flickr pool.
This month I learned that I wear a lot of black, which surprised me because I don’t think of myself as someone who wears a lot of black. But it’s hard to argue with four weeks worth of photographs.
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Molly has a question:

I always love clothes and shopping, but I’m really obsessed right now because (1) it’s fall, and I love the back to school thing, and (2) I’m getting ready to go back to work part time in the next couple of months.

I’ve gotten rid of a lot of my work clothes, so I’m going to need to get some things. Tell me what new clothes to buy for work! What should someone who has been wearing t-shirts and capris or khakis for the last 3.5 years start with?

The first step when you’re moving from the Mom Uniform to the Office Uniform is to look at what you already have in your closet. Even if your place of business is dressy, there are probably pieces–nicer tees or sweaters or a skirt or two–that can be mixed and matched with some new things to give you a good start on getting dressed. And of course, this is a good time to clean out the closet and get rid of things that aren’t working, to give you more room for the things that ARE.
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Have you joined The Working Closet Flickr pool? You really should, not only because these women are smart and funny and so very nice, but because it’s a chance to see what real women are wearing and how they are really getting it right.

What do I mean? Well, let’s see. Read the rest of this entry »

Today we have two questions about shoes, and an announcement about the contest. Let’s start with the shoes, shall we?

I have a question for you. What to wear with the cute mary janes in the shoe stores for fall. I’m lusting over some brown suede ones but I don’t have a clue as to what to wear with them. I work in a very casual office so I’m in mostly jeans and kahakis. I’m thinking they would work with both of them but would I wear hoses with them? (please say no!!) socks? or just go bare? I’m in the south so that would work for a while but eventually even in South Carolina we do have winter.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Shelly

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Actual things people have said this week in the comments on your Flickr photos:

“I’ve got to get myself more Aerosole shoes.”

“Some days, the only thing keeping me from hopping on a plane back to the States is that there’s an H&M on every corner in Germany. That, and the preponderance of ZARA stores.”

“You dress the way I’d like to, if I were an actual grownup.”

“This looks like a catalog photo. You seriously should frame this photo and put it on your husband’s nightstand.”

“I taught English as a Second Language in China for a year when I was 23. I was only the American woman in a city of four million. And then I was mugged. And then I was almost deported. And then I bought a lot of jewelry. And then I moved to Alaska, back to New York, met a Canadian, got married and landed in Toronto. The end.”

“This whole project has made me think more when I’m getting dressed.”

I hope you all are enjoying the Flickr pool; I certainly am. I love seeing your faces and your outfits and learning more about you. And I thank you, from the bottom of my fashionista heart, for your kindness and incredible effort this past week.

Only three more weeks to go! You can do it.
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It’s still hot here in Oklahoma, despite the fact that, as my five-year-old announced this morning, “It’s not summer any more!” I have a few weeks (like perhaps six) before I will really be able to get out my fall duds, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about cleaning and storing summer clothes.
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Britney Spears poses for the September cover of Allure

Tomorrow is September 1, which means that it’s time to start showing us what you’re wearing to work. I hope it will be a shirt and some pants that fully cover your backside. Unless you’re Britney, and then I guess you can wear whatever you like.

I’ve been getting a lot questions about The Working Closet Flickr pool, so I thought it would be worthwhile to take a minute and address some of them. Are you ready? Okay then!
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