In Fashion by Sharon Mosley

Attending a graduation, wedding or an outdoor garden party? Before you shout mayday, try putting your own fashion stimulus plan into action. Go from gloomy to glamorous in a matter of minutes with more dash than cash; it will bail you and your closet out of depression.

Take a few cues from Lloyd Boston, known to millions of TV viewers as a regular style contributor on NBC's Today Show, an expert guest on Oprah and author of "Before You Put That On" (Atria Books).

The fashion guru — who now has his own show "Closet Case" on the Fine Living Network — defines style as "taking your world and giving it shape." As Boston puts it: "What is the use of complaining? Life steamrolls onward, and facing it requires immediate style solutions that, for some women, are often created in the wee hours of the morning, when your better half may still be asleep, the light of day is yet to appear, and you're not even exactly sure what the weather will bring."

Here are a few ways Boston suggests shaping up that closet and creating a whole new attitude:

— Celebrate your originality. Don't compare yourself to others. Focus on what you've got and celebrate it today by wearing the one item that makes you feel like a million bucks.

— Banish the morning news or stifling silence. Get dressed to music!

— Give yourself a self-esteem boost. Wear workout clothes that make you look and feel good. Try a tank in a bright color, paired with darker, drawstring yoga pants.

— Embrace the colors you instinctively love. Your wardrobe will eventually fall into place as if a designer dressed you.

— Pick black and white when you want to take a break from color.

Both colors are appropriate for day or night.

— Make your jeans look as if you just stepped off a fashion show runway. Pair them with an unexpected evening top or tailored jacket. Push your denim jacket over the top by coupling it with anything out of the ordinary — from pencil skirts to posh satin pants.

— Look for these items to give your wardrobe some punch for all the events this season: A pale solid blazer or suit jacket, a basic white T-shirt, a flouncy skirt, high-heeled sandals or espadrilles, a fun clutch, drop earrings and a skinny belt to wear over a jacket for a 1940s edge.

— For work, switch to a crewneck summer sweater, cropped flat-front trousers, kitten heels, work tote, skinny belt, chunky bangles, huggy earrings, and a white or neutral-colored, long-sleeve cardigan sweater ready to toss over anything.

— Make warm-weather changes now. Swipe on lip gloss instead of lipstick; pull your hair back and get out the all-over-body bronzer.

— Balance your wardrobe with lasting, high-quality classic items, and mix it with fun, inexpensive trendy items.

— Shop by style, not always by name. Learn how to find your fashion fix at Tiffany's or Target.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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