The single best way to get better style, I’m convinced, is to play around in your closet with your clothes. (Even better if you do this with a second pair of eyes, and better still if that second pair of eyes has a lot of experience.)

Exhibit A involves a client with a fabulous pair of shoes. She was wearing them in the expected ways, and even some that weren’t so expected, since she has a great eye. We brought them into even more outfits.

Here they are with a navy A-line skirt, and olive velvet jacket, an ivory ruffle shell, and a gold bar necklace.

Exhibit B involves the gorgeous silk print tunic dress by Etcetera that this client wanted to wear more often. We needed to find ways she could wear it other than just adding shoes. She also had a navy A-line sheath (that happens to be made of vegan leather). I showed her how she could get so much more mileage from her print dress by wearing it as a blouse under the sheath (or with a skirt).

Voila! Instant mileage for her fabulous dress.

(Ketura Persellin is a wardrobe and style consultant in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs. Please contact her for a complimentary get-acquainted session.)