It’s an emergency call that for some reason always comes in the wee hours of the morning:

“Something has happened. How soon can you be here?”

Perhaps you’ve experienced such a family emergency or a work situation that had you suddenly throwing clothes into a suitcase and buying an e-ticket for the next flight on your smart phone. No time to make a plan or give thought to what to pack so you can be dressed for whatever situations you will need to deal with once you’ve arrived.

A situation I experienced earlier this year was a text at midnight in below-zero temperatures. “Angela’s water broke, we’re going to the hospital.” The hospital my son was referring to was six hours away if the roads were clear, but we had several feet of snow on the ground and icy roads. Also, this was three weeks before she was due, so I had not pre-packed. It was on my to-do list for the following week.

I have the prescription to always be prepared like a good Girl or Boy Scout: A well-edited closet. Yes, if you live every day in a well-edited closet and build a wardrobe that completely supports your life, then packing in any situation will be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

• DRESS IN THE DARK! Only kidding (well kind of). Set up your closet so you could potentially dress in the dark. Organize hanging items by type, shirts, jackets, etc., and then within those parameters by color, lightest to darkest.
• READY-TO-WEAR CONFIDENCE: Group a monthly cluster together, items that can easily overlap and mix with each other from casual to business-appropriate outfits, including accessories. This way if you find yourself getting super busy during a regular workweek or if the emergency happens, you can grab the pieces and go.
• ROAD-READY TRAVEL KIT: Collect those sample sizes of your favorite hair care and grooming items. Ladies, most cosmetic companies make a sample size of foundations and other necessities. I usually always have in my purse a duplicate lipstick and powder for daily touch-ups. When I buy mascara and the expiration date starts ticking away once it’s open, I always buy two at a time. The last thing you want to do is to hunt at a store for whatever items you need in a city you are not familiar with – or paying top dollar, like I did in Paris when I forgot to pack my foundation many years ago. Oh, and go for a clear bag to be ready to fly if needed. Just makes your life easier!

Editing Your Closet is KEY to always being prepared for anything that happens in life. Last time I checked, no matter what the situation is, you need to wear clothes. No exceptions!

Only Own What Honors You! Now, be honest, is there a section in your closet right now at home that you haven’t touched, considered, looked at or put on your body? That is very precious real estate, so get rid of it. Move it out now. Now if you have excuses like “I paid $$$ for it,” then you really need a professional like me to show you either how to wear it or why it doesn’t work on your body or with your goals or lifestyle.

Embrace the POWER of COLOR: Color really is the fountain of youth! You can look like you just got back from vacation every day. Another way to celebrate color is to shop in your personal color wheel. Creating a multitude of cohesive outfits that give you more bang for your buck really does simplify your daily routine, and when those emergencies happen, packing is a breeze.

Master the Tools: Organizing tools are the easiest way to keep track of everything. I love the felt-covered slim hangers. No longer are my clothes sliding off onto the floor and getting lost. I also enjoy hanging soft shelves from the rod, so folding and then rolling my casual tees and tanks saves hanging space, but I can also see the colors I need at a glance. Stacking really isn’t effective for this; those that do either wear only what’s on top or the stack topples when trying to get to something near the bottom.

Seeing is Believing and Wearing: If you can’t see your clothes and accessories at a glance, you tend not to wear them.

Editing your closet is a perfect way to really know your wardrobe inside and out. When you know what you have, you tend to get more wear and enjoyment from your investment of time and money. You end up exuding confidence in everything you do. The bonus is you will be prepared for any emergency that pops up, giving you more time to focus on what needs to be done rather than stressing over what to pack. If all of this seems overwhelming, reach out to a professional wardrobe stylist like me. I often collaborate with professional organizers to create a well-edited closet that serves you every day.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.

As soon as December 26 arrives, every other email or Facebook posting is about resolutions, health improvement, diets, getting organized, finances, buying a house, remodeling your house, and head-to-toe makeovers. In my many years on this earth, and with my experience in the business of image, it seems most of us won’t make huge sweeping changes. And if someone does make huge sweeping promises, they promptly forget them  and then go back to the usual day to day. Heck! It’s usually freezing outside and all our bodies want to do is hibernate and eat comfort foods, right?

Perhaps you are ready for a different approach — Change One Thing. Tiny, medium or large — your choice. Perhaps it’s matching up your socks. Some of you might consider that tiny, but since it’s my least favorite thing to do (I really don’t understand why), I think it’s a large task. Yes, in full disclosure, I have been known to buy more socks to avoid pairing up the bins of socks I own. Silly to some, but we all have something we avoid for apparently no reason.

Here are some options to “Change One Thing” in your personal image

Perhaps you’ve been wearing the same style of eyeglasses for a few years, and this one thing could easily modernize your look. Be bold. Order in your power color or a print.

Another common situation I see is building a wardrobe of all black. Now I like black too, but all black, day after day, will zap your energy and make you invisible. Perhaps 2019 is your year to change one thing with color contrast.

Perhaps you are ready to change one thing by adding detail. Stand out from the crowd and jazz up your expression of personal style.

Perhaps it’s a boutonniere or upgrading to leather. These details communicate polish, success, sophistication and credibility in more ways than you might realize.

Perhaps getting more looks out of what you already own is the “change one thing.” Have you ever played with your clothes? I like to call it master the mix. Blocking out time to do this for a few hours can really elevate your look and save you a bundle. Many times it’s not adding more to your wardrobe — it’s about getting more out of the wardrobe you already own.

Have you been wearing the same scent for years? Step out of your box and shop for a fresh new statement scent.

Keep it simple and just change one thing. What usually happens is you will get such a nice feeling and feedback from others that you will want to change one more thing and another one after that.

What is your change one thing? I would love to hear from you on my Facebook page or in an email. Happy New Year!

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.

As the party season begins,  we have many opportunities to attend some stellar events. These events are perfect for meeting potential clients, employers, friends, dates, and spouses — whatever you’re looking for, and sometimes not what you may have been expecting (in a good way).

Careers and relationships are impacted by our behaviors, positively or negatively, depending on the choices we make. I suggest you show up with the intention of having fun and connecting with others. If this event is sponsored by your company or hosted by a client or business association, err on the side of conservative in both behavior and dress.

I attend networking events on a regular basis, and I continually see many people that just are not comfortable being at these events. Usually from across the room you can recognize those who are not making the most of their time and are giving the wrong impression of who they are. First, let me share the signs of becoming invisible while asking: Do you recognize yourself or your colleagues in this description?

Invisibility Signs:

• Dressing safely – Many times it is all black, with little to no texture, shine or style. The only item that stands out is the white nametag they gave you at the door.
• Wearing poor-fitting clothes – Too big is frumpy and sloppy while too tight is desperate or night-clubish.
• Closed body language – Hands in pockets, crossed arms, caved or slumped shoulders, wall leaning, fidgeting, and hand grooming your hair or lint off your clothes. Texting or being on your phone tells others not to approach and is always rude.
• Odd facial expressions – Wearing your resting face, deer in the headlight, glaring or frowning.

How to avoid being invisible:

•  When you know better, you do better: read a book, take an online teleseminar or hire a coach on how to overcome whatever is your obstacle.
• Only wear what really works: Fit rules. Your clothes do not have to be designer to make you look your best. Fit your body shape, and have your outfit tailored to fit you.
• Wear what makes you feel confident: We walk, stand, and talk differently when we are dressed our very best and we feel it. Trust me, others will respond because they will feel it too.
• Know and wear your POWER colors: This tip alone will have you standing out for all the right reasons — not only for others to notice you but also for all those social media pictures. All those group pictures posted the next day will have everyone melting into each other with floating heads – except those wearing their power colors. They will stand out, and their connections will notice that.
• Dress to your strengths by knowing your body shape: This tip, along with your power colors, will save you an abundance of time, frustration, and money.
• Avoid all black all the time. I’ll repeat this that statement until the day I die. All black wardrobe = rut. Be deliberate wearing black. I prove this to my clients over and over again. Wear your power color near your face – always. Men, you can achieve this with your shirts and ties; ladies, with clothing, scarves or jewelry, even lipstick.
• Scale your accessories to your frame. There is nothing wrong with a flattering statement necklace — it’s when you wear the statement necklace, the statement earrings, the statement bracelet, and statement ring that you’ve gone way too far over the limit.

Mind your Ps and Qs. Ask more about the other person than sharing about yourself. Ask open-ended neutral questions that are not too personal in nature if you are meeting for the first time. Have a great handshake and give excellent eye contact. Avoid monopolizing one person’s time and have a smooth exit strategy should you get cornered.

It’s human nature to want to be noticed, valued, and respected. When you dress as if you respect yourself, others will give you respect. A little self-awareness goes a long way to practicing the body language and facial expressions that will encourage others to interact and engage with you.

ABOUT TRACI MCBRIDE: TRACI IS THE WARDROBE STYLIST AT TEEMCBEE IMAGE CONSULTING. SUBSCRIBE TO HER NEWSLETTER, SCHEDULE A STYLE STRATEGY CALL, OR REQUEST TEE SPEAKS TO INFUSE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PASSION AND STYLE.