Visit Laura K.’s blog, 
Do you have a closet full of clothes, but reach for the same old standbys over and over? Would you love to open that door and have some amazing new combination jump right out, without maxing out your credit card?
Welcome to Shopping In Your Closet. In a few hours, I’ll create multiple “new” outfits from your existing garments and completely change the way you look at – and wear – your wardrobe.
Here’s what I did for iList Paducah’s Mary Thorsby a few Saturdays ago. While Mary has some great pieces, she tends to always reach for the same combinations and feels like she never matches the right outfits to the right occasions.
Time for the Laura K. Iron Fashion Challenge! Similar to Iron Chef, where cooks put together fabulous meals from pre-selected ingredients, Mary handed me pre-selected pieces – most are several years old – to see what new ideas I could whip up, with specific events in mind.
Challenge 1Ingredient: Teal Cardigan
Event: Client Meetings
Mary often wears this classic Banana Republic cardigan with grey tweed pants. Let’s step it up a notch! I layered it over a crisp white shirt – by the way, buy a new one each year because they lose their crispness over time. The black pencil skirt and low-heel sling-backs are wardrobe staples for most gals. Adding the skinny black belt over the cardigan makes this look fresh and on-trend with today’s high-belted styles.
Challenge 2Ingredient: Buddha Shirt
Event: Running Errands
The Buddha shirt came from a yoga store – perfect for jeans. But look what happens when we pair it with this great gold vest with red accents and put the two together with brown pants! We can pick up the red again in these great mules. Now you have a polished, put-together look for running around town. And think of the errand karma!
Challenge 3Ingredient: Abstract Floral Skirt
Event: Artist Reception
Paducah’s vibrant art scene calls for art shows almost weekly. This gold and brown skirt pairs easily with a simple brown T-shirt and pumps. But let’s give it an artsy look with the ivory jacket and brown ankle boots! After all, you don’t have to be an artist to dress like one! (Tip: Keep the leg long and lean with this season’s opaque tights to match the shoe.)
Challenge 4Ingredient: Red Knit Top
Event: Drinks at Cynthia’s
Mary wears this red knit sleeveless sweater for more casual day looks. For an evening of socializing, I pulled a dressy skirt that she bought for the holidays and these black patent leather peep-toe pumps, which she tends to reserve for special occasions. Mixing casual and festive pieces is a great excuse to get more wear out of your dressier clothes. You don’t want them spending more time in your closet than on you!
Challenge 5Ingredient: White Satin Bubble Skirt
Event: Cocktail Party
Wedding dresses don’t have to be sealed up and stored in the attic! Mary’s was redone into a knee-length bubble skirt and a corset top that she can continue to wear long beyond her big day! Both are great for extra-formal events, but let’s get more mileage from the skirt by pairing it with this black knit top with fringe trim. Throw on a fabulous pair of black stilettos with scarf ties and gold accents, and you have a classic look perfect for almost any dressy cocktail party.
These five are a few of the many outfits I put together in Mary’s session, without causing a shred of shopping guilt. Whether you’re short on cash or closet space, or you just need some extra outfit oomph, email me at milehighlaurak@yahoo.com. If you’ve got the clothes, I’ll mix up some great new combinations for you!
