Are we all striving to be the best versions of ourselves? And is that best version of ourselves, with all its beauty and dignity, being represented in the clothes that we wear and in our outward appearance? These are questions that we should be asking ourselves each time we get dressed – but how do we do that? How do we make sure that what is hanging in our closet translates into a message from our appearance that says, “Confidence! Beauty! Intelligence! Modesty! and a Sense of self”?

Well, we get some help! It’s So You! written by personal fashion consultant, Mary Sheehan Warren, is an informative guide to fashion and a practical application of style techniques that can be applied to any lifestyle.

Warren guides the reader through a series of exercises that force you to come face to face with the wardrobe that stares back at you from your bedroom closet. In one exercise, she has you take out three things that you don’t feel comfortable wearing and ask yourself, “Why? What was going through your mind when you made the purchase?” Other exercises ask what you currently communicate with your style and what you wish to communicate. My favorite exercise was called “I’ve Got Personality.”  This is a quiz to determine which of the four fashion personalities you are; relaxed, classic, romantic, or expressive. I turned out to be dominantly expressive with a touch of classic. That explains my dependence on my pearl earrings, but the overabundance of statement shoes in my shoe rack! The idea is that by combining these exercises with the three “elements of style”, body type, fashion personality, and color palette, that you will have purged your closet of the bad and the ugly and be left with the good – a perfectly streamlined wardrobe that is uniquely you, as well as updated and fresh.

Not only does the book consist of practical exercises, it also teaches about the substance and content of fashion – what the difference between a hobo bag and a tote is or even the “anatomy” of a shoe! This book applies to women of all ages and professions – stay at home moms, professional career women, college students, grandmothers, and yes – even teenagers! Every woman is meant to look and feel her best and many times the mainstream media leads us astray. What is walking down a runway in Paris doesn’t work for 90% of women walking down the street – but this book is set up to get your style to work for you in a way that is modest, complimentary and supportive of your lifestyle, and current.

Mary’s wisdom in this is abundant. She says, “Demand what you need from fashion. Approach the market with you in mind by picking and choosing pieces that are acceptable to you…Modesty isn’t retro. It isn’t weird or even self-denying…It blends. It’s real and works for real women and promotes our material well being as well as our dignity. It can be fashion-forward and will work in anyone’s personal style – even the trendiest.”

This book has been invaluable to me as a fashion consultant in serving my clients and in serving myself as a woman. Inevitably, when I get out of bed in the morning I need to put something on. Armed with this book in hand and the fundamentals of fashion that it has taught me, I’m guaranteed to greet the day with a fresh look all my own.

About the Guest Blogger: Gina is currently a teacher in Chicago, IL and is originally from New Jersey. Gina blogs about budget friendly fashion on her personal blog, and reminds her readers to take pride in their personal appearance. Gina is also a fashion consultant and is excited to help you look and feel like the best version of yourself. Read Gina’s blog here: www.ginajosephineaggie.blogspot.com