Q&A

Hachette Book Group: What piece should every woman have in her closet?
Kim Johnson Gross:

• Body shaping underwear to hold you in, smooth you out, and lift you up.
• Jeans that flatter your body—they're our new Closet Classic.
• Fun accessories—they can take you from frumpy to fabulous.
• Work out clothes—use them!

HBG: How do you think a woman should go about finding her own sense of style?

KJG:

• Find Style Mentors—women your age or older whose style can inspire you to get out of a rut and experiment. For some it might be the colors and style of clothing Oprah wears and for others it might be the chic but casual look of Gyneth Paltrow.
• When there is a consistency to what you wear it becomes your style signature. It might be a color or pattern like leopard prints, an accessory like chunky necklaces or scarves. Or a type of clothing like dresses or tailored jackets.
• Dress for your assets. If its your legs, wear more skirts. If its your shoulders, show them off.
• Choose your colors, so that when you open your closet you see a consistent color palette that blends together. Keep the basics neutral and add a few colors that make you feel happy and energized and that flatter your face.
• If you still have trouble finding your personal style make an appointment with a personal shopper (free at larger stores like Nordstrom's) or a trusted sales person to help you find shapes and colors that flatter your body. Try on new ideas! Consider it a free lesson in learning what to wear and not to wear and most importantly what you enjoy wearing.

HBG: Do you think that making over one’s closet can actually make over one’s life?

KJG: When you're out of sync with your closet you're out of sync with yourself, which is not uncommon when you're in transition—a reason why many women think they have nothing to wear. As their bodies and lives have changed, their closet hasn't kept up.

Make a small space in your closet for Feel Good Clothes only. What you choose to put in it will reflect where you are in your life and where you want to be. My feel good closet has become more adventurous, more colorful, more fun and much happier.

When you wear clothes that you enjoy, you will feel better about your body and in turn feel more confident when dressing for the rest of your life.