– By Brian Lyon

So here are the issues you maybe facing. You have a function coming up for which you have nothing to wear that is appropriate. Your wardrobe is looking a little ratty and you know you have to do something about it. Co-workers are getting pretty tired of your day- in-day-out, same old, grey, white and blue business uniform. You haven’t been to a clothing store in two years and you know it’s time to simply get to a store and get it over with. If any of these are true for you, continue reading. If this is not the case, skip this column and considered yourself truly blessed.

When it comes to selecting clothes you don’t need to be overwhelmed. In fact, the process should be quite the opposite. It should be fun, easy and not time consuming. This of course is only true if you employ a winning strategy. Do you have a strategy for clothes shopping? No? That’s okay. I’ll share one with you.

In the same way you have a mechanic, electrician, plumber, dentist, doctor, lawyer, and so on, you need to find at least one great clothier. This clothier will help you just like any other professional does. It only stands to reason. If you have a tooth ache you go to a dentist, if your car is knocking you see your mechanic, if you need a new 200 AMP fuse panel put in, you call an electrician. Why should buying clothes be any different?

The only reason it’s different is because fashion changes. It’s like trying to hit a moving target. What’s in style? What’s not in style? What colours are in? What colours look good on me? It’s enough to make your eyes roll back in your head. The truth is, getting dressed is a highly complex and organized ritual. That’s why you need a great clothier. With the right professional you don’t need to know the rules or have good taste in clothing. All you need to do is show up. It’s like dropping your car off in the shop. You’ll get an estimate, the parts will be installed and the experience will be easy and simple.

The following guidelines serve two functions.
1. How to find a great clothier.
2. What to do once you have found, “your guy in the clothing business”.


Finding a great clothier
To find a clothier you’ll need to go out and meet some. When you get the typical “Can I help you” question, ask these simple questions. Who buys the clothing for your store? Can I meet with him or her? If not now, when? If the answer is, no you can’t meet the top dog, you’re off to the next location on your list.

If the answer is yes, introduce yourself and simply tell the truth. “I’m looking for the best clothier I can find. My budget is tight. My time is limited. I want to transform myself from fashion-challenged into GQ material immediately. And I want to have fun doing it. Can you help me without asking me any questions about fashion, style or my colours?”

Relating With Your Clothier
Treat your newly found best friend clothier as the expert. The more information they have about you, the better. You need to trust their opinion. If they are informed, you’ll be a happy camper when you leave their store.

So what does your clothier need to know?
1. What do you have in your wardrobe currently? Ask if you can bring in some clothing so you can review what you have, what you like, what you don’t like, and what needs to be tossed, altered or kept. Top clothiers will meet with you after hours to do this. The rule here is if you do book an appointment to meet after hours, keep the appointment.
2. What is your budget? Set a realistic budget and state it up front. It’s also important to have realistic expectations for your realistic budget. Your expectations come from what type of performance durability and number of outfits you are looking for from your clothier.
3. What are your dress codes (how do others expect you to dress) at work, with clients, with employees, with clubs or associations, with leisure activities, with up-coming special occasions, etc.?
4. How long do you expect your clothing to last? Do you send out your clothing or do you home launder?
6. Do you need help mixing and matching your clothing? If you are colour blind, tell your clothier. There are numbering systems for clothing items that can help you.
5. How often do you want to rotate your outfits? A good rule of thumb is that you should have at least two weeks of clothing. This way while clothes are being cleaned, or pressed, you have at least one week of clothing left in your wardrobe.
7. How often can you come in and see me? This is not a self-serving question from the clothier. In fact, it is quite the opposite. If you only go clothes shopping every two or three years, chances are you will need to replace almost everything. If you visit your clothier 3 to 4 times a year, you can build a wardrobe slow and steady. This means you’ll inflict less pain on yourself when you put down your VISA card for your purchases and your clothier will get more and more information from you to perfect your wardrobe.

Asking for help from your clothier is like asking for directions when you are lost. I know you don’t want to do it, but you’ll get to where you are going a lot faster without having to consult any fashion map. And that is a good thing!