By Lydia Schoonderbeek

Struggling with your wardrobe? If so you’re probably one of the thousands of women with fashion fatigue. Taking out stuff you don’t need can be hard but this is the best time to reorganize your closet and donate any extra or unwanted items.

Find out the best way to de-clutter and organize your wardrobe and the essentials every wardrobe should have.

Use Proper Hangers

Proper clothing care calls for appropriate hangers: satin padding for more delicate items and sturdy wood hangers for tailored jackets. Please do not use plastic hangers, it ruins the shape of the items you are hanging.

Don’t Hang Bags on Hooks

Hanging your bags makes large bags slump and lose shape. Instead it’s best to lay the bags flat on a shelf.

See Your Shoes

Make sure that all your shoes are organized by color and type. For example all your ballet pumps need to be grouped together and then by color. You should apply this to sandals, closed shoes, boots, flip-flops, trainers…etc.!

Stow Out-of-Season Pieces

Use large canvas boxes to store away neatly folded winter sweaters or clothes that haven’t been worn. The general rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it for 2 years you need to consider giving it away.

Store Accessories in Clear Plastic Drawers

Clear plastic drawers make perfect storage quarters for neatly rolled scarves, underwear, swimwear and belts (do not hang your belts, it creates a busy space, instead roll each belt up individually and store in separate compartments).

Denim should be folded

Denim jeans need to be folded according to the cut of the jeans, hanging your jeans ruins the shape and fabric of your denim.

Group denims by category: Skinny, Boyfriend, Loose cut, Casual and Dressy.

“ I have enough clothes and shoes, I don’t need to go shopping,” said no woman ever.

Categorize Clothing

It will make putting outfits together a lot easier. Group clothing by category and then by color:

• Dresses: Party, summer, and beach
• Trousers: Classic cut, casual/everyday
• Party dresses, summer dresses, beach dresses
• Tops: Dressy, casual, work
• Workout clothes: Need to have a separate drawer

Color-Code Your Wardrobe

Color coding your clothes is probably the easiest way to both sort out your wardrobe and figure out what pieces you need to buy on your next shopping trip. Without a clear layout of your clothes, you can’t see what skirt color you are missing, or if you need another skirt in the first place.

Eliminate Clutter

Wardrobe Nirvana? To streamline your space, constantly eliminate clutter: Every three to four months donate unused items to charity.

Have a big wardrobe clear out twice a year. Edit your summer wardrobe put everything away for the winter and vice versa. This way it will be clear in your mind what you have worn and what not and it won’t be as hard to part with.

10 Essential Wardrobe Must-Haves:

1. A Plain white t-shirt: It goes with everything and makes it all a lot better. You’ll wear yours under a blazer, tucked into a high-waist skirt/trousers or with cutoffs …you get the idea.

2. Black Leggings: Whether you wear them as pants with an oversize sweater, under billowy dresses for extra coverage, or kicking around running errands, black leggings are a must-have.

3. Ballet Flats: Chicer than sneakers and more comfy than heels, ballet flats are the best of both worlds.

4. A Skin-Tone-Matching Vest: A skin-tone-matching vest is about as basic as it gets. Layer it under sheer blouses or dresses to avoid overexposure.

5. A Black Cardigan: Black cardigans are seasonless, timeless, and effortlessly chic.

6. Classic Heels: Stock your wardrobe with a great basic, goes-with-everything pair of heels.

7. Dark Denim: Flattering and timeless, a great pair of dark jeans can do wonders for any woman’s wardrobe.

8. A White Blouse: Nothing says “I have my act together” like a crisp white shirt.

9. A Little Black Dress: When you find the perfect LBD…buy two!

10. Classic Black Pants: Black pants are slimming and are a wardrobe staple.

Adorning the Body with the Unconventional By Nahla Samaha   Knowing Nina Bakry is knowing a world where color, culture, art and life collide. Evident in her own personal fashion and décor style, Bakry has an eye for the unconventional and the flamboyant. Putting her aesthetic vision to work, Bakry fulfilled a life-long dream of creating her own jewelry line after years of making (self-taught) pieces. After enrolling in the Azza Fahmy Design Studio workshop, Bakry launched Nina Bakry Body Jewelry in 2014, and has catapulted to immense popularity locally and regionally since! Cairo East Magazine met with the designer to learn more about her line. The first thing we were curious to inquire about was what exactly is “Body Jewelry”? “Body Jewelry enhances any part of the body, not just the conventional parts like the arms or ears or neck,” says Bakry, “it plays by no rules, an arm cuff that can be worn on the leg, a chain that can be worn around the torso, a neck-piece that can be work on the head. It’s adaptable and can be something different every time you wear it.” Which all sounds well and good, and quite apt for the hot summer months when arms, legs, and even sometimes backs are bare. But what about the winter? “Because my pieces are adaptable, they can transform an entire outfit. In the winter, the cuff you wore on your arm in the summer, can now be worn on your sleeve, ear cuffs, head pieces, rings, can all add flavor and new character to an outfit and make it stand out more. A back piece can be worn in the front over a sweater; a leg cuff can be worn over leggings. The sky is the limit with your imagination!” she explains. But isn’t the local market saturated with jewelry designers? Every day you hear about a new designer popping up on Instagram or Facebook, “I believe what sets me apart from the rest is that I don’t follow trends,” asserts Bakry, “I don’t create conventional pieces. I am trying to redefine what jewelry is and how it should be worn.” And redefine she has done indeed, her unique pieces have come to fill a lack in the jewelry design business, literally and figuratively. “When choosing a piece of jewelry to enhance an outfit look for the empty space and fill it,” advises Bakry. “Wearing a backless halter? Wear a back piece. Wearing a sleeveless tee? Wear an arm cuff. Wearing a busy top? Enhance it subtly with rings. Wearing an all black dress? Wear an ear cuff to make your face stand out!” But not all aspiring designers have what it takes to make it. What makes a good designer according to Bakry is, “Perseverance. No matter the obstacles, don’t get discouraged, where there’s a will, there’s a way!”   Photography: Aisha El Shabrawy Styling: Sundos El Ayoub Makeup: Soha Khoury Hair: Raffi

How you dress in the office can affect your career prospects, yet many of us struggleto get it right.

By Lydia Schoonderbeek

Blazer Fun

If you invest in only one jacket this September, make it a cream or an army green blazer. Team it with tailored trousers (matching, it if possible, though it also works with jeans).  This look is decidedly a fresh take on warm-weather dressing.

Dark Accessories

Practical isn’t always fashion-forward, but sleek black accessories can make functional feel chic. Let the stacked heel by your friend for office dressing, team it with an exotic skin handbag, which is an excellent upgrade from the standard black bag.

Beauty Tips

Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring, aim for a barely there flow with sheer pink lips, bronze highlighter, and a shimmering nude nail.

Work Hair

Hair is an integral part of our personality. Besides make-up, your hairstyle also plays an important role in defining your personality and making an impression on others.

Work Hard

This is not a season for squeezing yourself into your trousers. Slouchy silhouettes are in. The key is proportion, choose high-waisted ones and pair them with a wide belt and a tucked in shirt.