Style expert Micolle takes on the white shirt

Stylist MICOLLE CANIDO takes on the white shirt

What if I told you there was ahhh-mazing treasure hiding in your closet?

I just found a cache thanks to style expert Micolle.

Here’s the background. Two months ago Micolle & friend Marnie hosted a clothing swap. I was lucky enough to snag an invite. Each guest was asked to bring 5 items. These tops, bottoms, shoes, scarves, bags, dresses, hats and bling became stock for the Swap store. One by one we selected an item and the process repeated until all choices were made.

Of course the BIG BONUS was following Micolle’s take on what would be ‘perfect’ for each of us! I came home with 5 things I absolutely LOVE but wouldn’t have even looked at without Micolle’s urging.

It got me thinking.

For someone (me) who thinks she’s reasonably creative and makes a habit of stepping out of her comfort zone I could see that I was LOCKED into what I wear and how I wear it. In the days following the swap I looked at my closet with new eyes. I pulled everything out. Mixed things up with things I wouldn’t normally have and…..BINGO!

I unlocked a tomb of treasures not to mention a whole new wardrobe!

It seems I had devised a system over the years. I’d take an item—say a white shirt— lock in a favourite way of wearing it and then wear it only that way forever more. What a crazy, inefficient, uneconomical way to run a wardrobe!

Hmmm….I’m thinking there (must be) others like me. So I asked Micolle if she would help me establish new behaviors! We began by taking something that most of us have in our closet—the famous WHITE SHIRT . Micolle got to work offering up 5 great ways to wear the white shirt that lives in my closet!

Cheryl: Before we see you work your magic put on your stylist/therapist hat (I’m almost certain you’ve got one of those) and tell me why I get locked into wearing a piece of clothing only one way?

Micolle: Well I think it’s safe to say, the majority of us are creatures of habit and often put on things that we are most comfortable in without thinking too much about it. I feel some of us create such a “busy” world that taking the time and effort to look our best becomes a chore. That’s why I always recommend putting an outfit together the night before…it really shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.

That way there’s no rush in the morning and we can push down that snooze button one more time.

Cheryl: OK…so planning the night before…anything else can we can do to break this uneconomical and inefficient habit?

Micolle: It’s easy! Go through your closet regularly! Look at what you’ve worn and haven’t worn in the last few months. Make a few piles and switch things around. If it’s been years since you’ve worn something either consign it, ditch it (depending on the condition), donate it or offer to swap it out with a girlfriend. Lastly, get inspired…pick up a magazine, see what’s happening each season. See what’s trending, build on an idea that inspires you and buy something to build into your wardrobe. Best way to change up a piece of clothing you love to wear often is with an accessory…scarf, jewellery, belt, or shoes!

Cheryl: Back up one sec to the ‘few piles’ you mentioned. What are the headings?

Micolle: The headings can be as easy as…love it, wear it, swap it, donate it, or my personal favourite…consign it.

You won’t see me wearing anything back to back from week to week because I’ve gotten myself into a good habit of rotating my clothing. I only have seasonal items in my bedroom closet…everything else is either packed away or in my spare bedroom awaiting the next season.

For those that may be struggling, the easiest way to keep a seasonal wardrobe at its best is by rotating your clothing but only after you de-clutter it first by using the above headings. My closet is organized and my clothing is either folded or hanging and colour coordinated on a really good dayJ AND there is never anything on the floor!

By being organized it’s easy for me to pull and create outfits on a daily basis. Now, I know this isn’t easy for everyone so my two simple suggestions would be to:

1. Flip your hanger the opposite way when you’ve worn something and push it to the back of the closet,
2. When you wear an item from your folded section like a tshirt…put it at the bottom of the pile you pulled it from

This is a good and easy start in rotating your clothing and keeping things interesting all at the same time…

Cheryl: A white shirt is so classic. Is it a must have for all of us?

Micolle: Nothing says summer to me like a crisp white shirt. It’s that quintessential piece that should be in every women’s closet. Last month, my sister and I hit up a few amazing designer consignment stores in Toronto. And what did my sister scoop up but the best white linen shirt of the season! The cut was clean, the sheerness of the linen gave it that little bit of sex appeal and the side pockets at the bottom of the shirt gave it that much more detail. I loved it so much that I borrowed it and wore it out to brunch with a pair of black skinny jeans…

I was so inspired with her white linen shirt that when I came home I revisited my own collection of classic white shirts and cracked out this JCrew Endless shirt. I bought mine last year but you can still but it now and it’s on sale! I wore it exactly as you see below with a bold statement necklace, and Marc Jacobs clogs…simple, clean, and the necklace made it fun.

Cheryl:  I do love my white shirt…but I wear it ONE way — with jeans. I really want to turn over a new (fashion) leaf….show me how to be more creative and playful!

Micolle: While I can probably think of 50+ ways to wear the “white shirt” in a few different styles and cuts…I’ll give you my summer top 5.

Every time I’m with Micolle I come home inspired and I rediscover stuff I forgot I had or pushed to the back of the closet. My husband was the cell phone wielding photographer for this piece and throughout he kept saying, “you should dress like this more often.” I know what he meant I felt different. It was Fun, Playful and free. Colourful.  With Micolle’s help I shall bravely continue…just call me a (fashion) work in progress. I saved this Top 5 pic for last…look at the sign! Is this a message or what??!!