If you're like me, you get a new toss pillow and rearrange the whole living room! You never noticed before, but all the old toss pillows look tired and outdated next to our new one, don't they? New curtains give your room a brand new look...add a pretty throw, maybe an area rug, and you have a whole new room! A little punch of color in a nice new fabric can be so uplifting!

Well, it can do wonders for you, too! We can redecorate our bodies with new clothes in fun, trendy styles and appealing colors and prints in sumptuous fabrics the same way we perk up our homes. Here's how to start.

First: call a girlfriend. Brew a pot of coffee, open a bottle of wine, or whip up a batch of Chocolatinis! Whatever your pleasure.

Next: Open your closet and take out everything in there one piece at a time. Try each piece on and take a sip of whatever you're drinking and wait for the response.

Your girlfriend is not going to approve of your old, tired limp sweat pants and baggy old shirts with soup stains on them. She doesn't care if they're "comfy"!!!  Get rid of them. The shirts and dresses that have that nice little "gap" where they don't quite close....toss 'em! Yes, you love them, you paid a fortune for them and they looked great on you back then......but even if the DO come back in style, your body has changed since they fit you and they won't look the same as they did when you wore them back in college, or before the kids were born. Breathe deep and start the discard pile. And NO CHEATING!!!!

Now:.......that you've done this a hundred times, take inventory of what's left. You probably need to go shopping! Better wait until tomorrow when the effects of the alcohol have worn off!

So.......how do you replace 15 years worth of clothing on a budget? By shopping smart. You may want to call the same girlfriend for this part, because obviously you can't be trusted!

Depending on your lifestyle, here's what you need to get started on a wardrobe you can build on:

Start with basics like pants and jackets.  Tapered pants (like "Mom Jeans") are taboo! No one, absolutely no one looks good in these, and on a plus size girl...they  emphasize exactly what you are trying to minimize. Everyone needs a black pant. A nice boot cut or flared leg is the most flattering on a plus size. They balance your figure, and show off your great shoes better than your old "mom jeans" ever could.

A good, structured, jacket can dress up any casual outfit and is essential to any wardrobe. Fit is key, so shop carefully. Even if you never wear it buttoned up, a jacket should always close properly!!! If it doesn't fit around your bust or tummy, go one size up. Don't worry, you aren't going to wear the size tag on the outside.

Think brown! It's warm, neutral, looks FAB with all your black tops and sweaters, and pairs well with almost every color you can think of. A textured fabric like a nubby linen or tweed gives you a very upscale look.

Don't look past those leggings! OOOOOOOH I wish I would have kept all my leggings from the 80's! You can't even buy them used today for under $20.00! Be careful what you wear them with! They are adorable under tunic tops, and give you a young and fun style under a skirt and cute top. They serve double duty because they hold everything in and slim you out with no fashion injuries from zippers or too tight waistbands.

Tops and dresses...... should fit! Wearing loose, baggy old tees and shapeless, saggy  housedresses do not make you look smaller, they make you look like you're wearing a big ol' baggy thing! You want to highlight your best features, and minimize the ones you aren't so happy about. This varies from girl to girl, but generally speaking, you'll want to create curves where there are none, and lessen others. Pay attention to the details. A big point collar may look wonderful framing a small face, but not as nice if you're trying to camoflauge a chubby chin. Experiment with different necklines and you may find the simpler, the better.

An empire waist or bust is absolutely the most flattering and forgiving style out there. They create a beautiful, sexy profile, accentuate the bust, and hide the tummy, while giving the illusion of a small waistline. Because they don't cling where they shouldn't, you are not going to be pulling and tugging on them all day, and you will feel comfortable and confident in them. But.......beware of that "crossover" or semplice neckline! You know, the ones that you have to safety pin to keep from getting arrested? Why bother?!?!

Some girls with a little more boobage, may not like the idea of accentuating this area. All is not lost here. There are fun, trendy tops and dresses in trapeze cuts that have no defined seams, and just flow on your body, Fabric is key when wearing a trapeze style. You'll want a natural fiber, such as linen, or one of those lovely new "slinky" fabrics that we all adore. A trapeze cut fits under the arms, then flows in an A line cut to a sweeping hem at the hips.  Even a poly blend, if the fit is correct, will look amazing in this style.

Get a cardigan...or two! Again, something you can layer over your tanks, camis, and sleeveless dresses. You can stretch your Summer wardrobe well into Autumn with a simple cardigan. There are many styles that range from button front, to single button, to open....loads and loads of friendly fabrics to choose from and they are all flattering and timeless additions to your closet.

If you prefer easy, basic dressing, then invest a little more in accessories. I'm not proud of it, but I dress in black a lot. Not because I think it makes me look 10 pounds slimmer....but because I'm busy and a lazy shopper! But I go crazy with accessories!

Scoop up big handbags and totes in every style and color you can imagine. Shrugs and boleros add pops of color to your boring black and let you wear your summer things pretty much all year round.

Look for fun, fashion jewelry in eye popping colors! Stack rings and bracelets look wonderful with 3/4 length sleeves, thick chunky and layered necklaces frame and highlight your face and ......thank goodness for the big earring! Get them in lightweight metals, shimmery crystals and huge hoops and just have fun with them.

No...we can't re-arrange our bodies like we re-arrange our homes, but we can redecorate.
Get out there! Have some fun and let your self confidence show.
It's the best accessory you have............ it's timeless and beautiful and it goes with everything!