Tim Gunn's 'Guide to Quality, Taste and Style'

Imagine a gin martini served in a pint glass or a Wagnerian opera–version of Sex and the City. Both might have their . . . intoxicating charms, but neither would be a flawless fit. The martini would be undrinkable because it would get warm much faster than you could quaff it. The glass the martini is served in is an essential part of the martini itself. Carrie Bradshaw wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if she and Mr. Big both drank a magic potion and sang the same infernal love duet for four hours. The thirty-minute television format is the ideal medium for her banter and romance.

So should it be for you and your clothes. For Kierkegaard, a “classic” results when form and content meet in perfect harmony. In our case, the content is the person inside the garment; the form is the garment itself. Some form and content marriages are quite obvious. Examples that come to mind are Paris Hilton and the line Heatherette, or Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy. Rarely, if ever, have those four names appeared in the same sentence. Nonetheless, what is important is that the particular strengths of the content—Paris and Audrey—are showcased by the form. What isn’t successful is choosing a rigid form and trying to wedge one’s unhappy content into it. If one is lucky enough to have a Monica Bellucci-esque figure, wearing a Hedi Slimane Dior man’s suit might be difficult. Borrowing androgynous elements while respecting the line of one’s figure, though, will be chic. A more quotidian example might be the financial consultant who goes to work every day in black slacks and pumps, but loves anything related to ballet. By switching those black slacks for a softer, slightly full skirt, paired with a slim black turtleneck and a belt at her true waist, she can bring some of the form she loves into play without sacrificing loyalty to her content.

“Yes, yes,” you say, “form and content are fine, but what about this collection of soul-stirring clothes now outside of my closet?” lovely question! Those are your clothes for the next seven days. each day you must wear one soul-stirring item. Think of it as strength training for the style muscles. Too often we “save” things we love for a special occasion; as a result we rarely wear the very things we love best. Perhaps that silk slip dress could go to work with black tights, flats, and a cashmere cardigan. Throw that sparkly cardigan on over a tank top and jeans. Just get them in the rotation. The confidence you’ll gain is the reward for all your hard work.

The Blind Spot: If getting rid of things were easy, there wouldn’t be an overstuffed closet to be found. After you have assembled your soul-stirring Pile, take another look. Does everything deserve to be there? Be ruthless. If the thought of giving away an item that was so fun five years ago makes you sad, by all means grieve. Then get rid of it.

Excerpted from “Tim Gunn's Guide to Quality, Taste & Style” by Tim Gunn and Kate Maloney. Copyright © 2007 Tim Gunn, Kate Maloney. All rights reserved. Published by Abrams Books. No part of this excerpt can be used without permission of the publisher.

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