Judie Taggart - I Dont Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of Your Closet

IF YOUR CLOSET COULD TALK,
WHAT WOULD IT SAY ABOUT YOU?

Shes got clothes in here shes never even worn
with the price tags still attached!

That fuchsia suede miniskirt was an impulse buy
why wont she let it go, already?

Pssstshe hasnt fit into those jeans since the Clinton administration.

Cant she see that buying one pair of navy pants
would give those print blouses a whole new life?

Lets face it: our closets are finite spaces, while our clothing and accessories could have their own galaxy! So why do so many of them just hang there, unused?

Whether you love to shop for clothes or hate it, follow fashion trends or your own beat, you can now make order out of closet chaos. Much more than just an organizing guide, I DONT HAVE A THING TO WEAR gets to the heart of your clothing issuesfrom emotional shopping, to wardrobe blind spots, to someday thinking. Youll learn how to build a wardrobe, how to keep your wardrobe working for you when you move to a more or less formal workplace, or to another part of the country, and even when you gain or lose weight.

Here are the guidelines you need to shop wisely, organize easily, and create a wardrobe that makes you feel attractive, comfortable, powerful, sexy, and completely yourselfevery day!

POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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Copyright 2003 by Judie Taggart and Jackie Walker

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce
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ISBN: 0-7434-6644-6
eISBN 978-1-451-60431-3

First Pocket Books trade paperback edition August 2003

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To John, Shara and Jennifer, with love and affection.

Judie

To the three men in my life: Neil, Brian, and Mark, for always
being there for me with encouragement, enthusiasm, and love.

Jackie

O ur sincere thanks to our agents Stedman Mays and Mary Tahan for understanding, steadfast encouragement and diplomacy in guiding us while maintaining their unfailing sense of humor; to Micki Nuding, our style-wise editor, for her insight into our message, editorial expertise, and keen wit; and to Sherry Hutchinson, our marvelous illustrator, for effortlessly tuning in to our frequency.

Judie wishes to thank:

Bill Blass, Ralph Lauren, and all the designers and fashionistas Ive met, interviewed, and profiled who shaped my taste and propelled my career both in merchandising and as fashion editor of The Tampa Tribune; to Jay Stein, Jack Williams, and Mike Fisher at Stein Mart for entrusting me to represent your company and meet hundreds of women in twenty-eight states, many of whom became members of the stores Boutique Program of community advisers. These engaged, accomplished, and involved women are on every page. And last, thank you Jackie for your unfailing optimism, support, erudite knowledge about human resources, and friendship.

Jackie wishes to acknowledge and thank:

The many mentors who have come into my life with words of inspiration and wisdom, beginning with my parents, for dressing me beautifully on the inside and challenging me on the outside; Andy and Irene Katz, for wise business advice and friendship; Sharon Kummelman, for being a sea of calm; to Burdines, for taking me from the fashion area to human resourcesa true learning experience and the first step toward developing my company, Option Dressing; to Beverly Martin, for the opportunity to be the national spokesperson for womens conferencing for JCPenney, exposing me to female groups and helping me shape my philosophies. To Judie, my writing partner, for taking this journey with me. I treasure all of the moments and appreciate everything you have taught me. Finally, to all the women I have worked for and with, you have given me great joy, fun, and knowledge.

In closingwe extend special thanks to J. Kevin Thompson, Ph.D., a psychology professor, and Dore Beach, Ph.D., a psychology counselor, both of the University of South Florida, and to Johannes A. G. Rhodin, M.D., Ph.D., USF Medical College, for sharing your professional knowledge, research, and counsel.

CHAPTER ONE
THE CIRCLE OF YOUR LIFE
FAMILY, BUSINESS, FUN, AND ROMANCE

CHAPTER TWO
LETS DEFINE YOU

CHAPTER THREE
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF YOUR CLOSET

CHAPTER FOUR
DISCOVER YOUR FASHION PERSONAINTERNAL SELF-EXPRESSION

CHAPTER FIVE
CLOSETOLOGY 101: A BLUEPRINT TO CLEAR THE CHAOS AND ESTABLISH ORDER

CHAPTER SIX
PROPORTION POLITICS: HORIZONTAL LINE DRESSING

CHAPTER SEVEN
BUILDING A WARDROBE FROM THE BOTTOMS UP

CHAPTER EIGHT
THE HIGH SIDE OF B USINESS CASUAL

CHAPTER NINE
LETS GO SHOPPING!

CHAPTER TEN
PUNCH PIECES AND FINISHING TOUCHES

CHAPTER ELEVEN
TRAVELING: YOUR SUITCASE AS YOUR CLOSET

W hile traveling the nation meeting hundreds of women, the one phrase we heard over and over again is, I dont have a thing to wear. We asked, Why? No one knew. This statement was an emotional response, not a fashion dilemma, because the women often admitted their closets were full of clothes. We discovered that each closet represented a collection of their life experiences, attitudes, fears, ambitions, and hopes for the future. How you present yourself is deeply ingrained in your psyche. Clothes serve as props to build your image and self-esteem. Each item you select for your wardrobe is an emotionally driven extension of yourself. Dressing yourself starts inside, not on the surface.

Each chapter of our book encourages you to examine your motives, instincts, selections, and behavior patterns when selecting your clothing. In learning about the psychology of your closet and how you dress from the inside out, you will not only discover more about yourself, but also be enlightened about women around you: friends, fellow business associates, and family.

Certain sections of the book will resonate more deeply with you, resulting in moments of self-revelation you will find surprising and insightful. You may experience a change in perception, gain more self-confidence through self-knowledge, and find a touch of adventure and challenge teasing you to try to become more than you are now and what deep in your heart you authentically hope to be.