(Who needs another errand?) But the truth is, you do—to look more pulled-together and feel more confident. T H E C U R E : Take advantage whenever a store offers free or low-cost alterations. (What you lose in instant gratification, you’ll gain in compliments; even the least expensive item looks exponentially pricier when tailored to fit.) Ask around for a good local tailor, so that you’ll always have someone at the ready. And when you backslide and are tempted to skip the alterations, remind yourself that fit is a key component of style. If Katharine Hepburn’s trousers hadn’t sat just right on her waist and skimmed her shoes just so, she would have been a schlump instead of an icon.
T H E C U R E : Take a good, hard look at old faithful, and consider if it’s still earning its keep. If you have even once said to yourself, “Oh, no one will notice this stain/rip/fraying,” it’s time for a second opinion. Ask an honest and kind friend (of the human variety) to weigh in on its style (does it look up to date?) and attractiveness (does it flatter you?). It’s possible you have a genuine classic on your hands, something worth the investment of an alteration or a special cleaning. But there is a difference between a classic and something that’s just…old. If an item has deep sentimental value, you can treat it like a work of art: Frame it, take a photo of it, use it as a centerpiece for a quilt, or pack it away for posterity. If it’s not worth that treatment, bid it good-bye and trust that you will love again.
Is it time to retire your favorite old sweater? Ask a trusted friend. If you’re super-attached, then you’re in no shape to make the call.
UNDIE-LYING ISSUES ATTACHMENT DISORDER T H E S Y M P T O M S : You refer to a certain sweater, jacket, or pair of jeans as your best friend. When you look back through your selfies or when people tag you on Facebook, you always seem to be wearing said friend. You are experiencing creeping doubts about the health of this relationship.
Your panty lines aren’t just visible through your clingy skirt—they’re unmissable. You’re spilling out of the top or sides of your bra, and the lace cups are making your shirt stick where it should slide. Your shapewear is squeezing you like a sausage casing, you can’t remember the last time you didn’t have a wedgie, and you feel deeply unsexy. THE SYMPTOMS:
Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, and the mall stores Aerie and Soma all employ well-trained fitters with the know-how to address everything from back bulge to gaping shirt buttons. Second, explore the vast array of seamless panties. (Buy a single pair of a few different styles, then stock up on the winners.) Third, know that shapewear should not torture you. The key is to opt for breathable, lightweight raw-edge pieces (try the Vanishing Edge line from Soma) and select the size that you really are. Remember that underthings have a limited life span. Stretched-out elastic and wires that poke through are signs that items are ready for the trash. (Once the garments are purged from your drawer, there’s no chance you’ll accidentally wear them.) And, finally, as you restock, think about matched sets and pieces in your favorite colors. Then the first things you put on in the morning will make you feel comfortable, confident, and attractive. And that will make a happy difference in your day. Q
T H E C U R E : First, see a bra fitter at least once a year. Bodies are constantly changing, and skilled guides are at your service—free.
THE EXPERTS: Jenny Altman, lingerie expert at iloveagood.com; Kimberly Irons, director of styling at Stitch Fix; Clinton Kelly, creator of the Kelly by Clinton Kelly collection for QVC; David Mesquita, vice president of Leather Spa; Beth Penn, professional organizer at Bneato Bar; Bridgette Raes, personal stylist and president of the Bridgette Raes Style Group; Faith Rim, stylist with Keaton Row; Candice Smith, chief lingerie stylist at Rigby & Peller; Kit Yarrow, Ph.D., consumer psychologist and author of Decoding the New Consumer Mind; Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers; and Rebecca Daly, senior fashion editor at Real Simple.
JANUARY 2017
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REALSIMPLE.COM