JRo’s Rules of Couture - Q&A with OFab’s CEO

My very first job in 1985 was at The Gap, and thus, a lifetime of passion for fashion - and spending my entire paycheck where I worked - began.

Over the years, I’ve collected a basic interchangeable wardrobe that rarely goes out of style (as far as I’m concerned) and what I like to call my heirloom pieces.

When I’m helping my Clients go through their closets to make more room, the main thing I stress is limiting the “fast fashion” and “trendy” pieces vs cultivating quality styles that are flattering no matter what weight you are.

Here are a few rules of thumb:

Always have a “wardrobe” eg, several different styles of white shirts and black pants.

Always have one great fitting blazer (I have this one in 3 sizes because I will always be 3 sizes.)

Always invest your money in quality footwear. (But you can buy cheap bags.)

These are some of the burning questions we hear when evaluating what space you need for your couture:

Question: What is the best way to put cute outfits together?

Answer: Everybody’s got their ways but for me, the answer to that is - you have to see everything you own, which means an organized closet.

Solution: The key to organized closets is separating seasons, sizes, sleeve lengths, and then colors.

Question: In CA, how do you separate seasons?

Answer: Glad you asked! There are really only 2 seasons in CA - hot and a tiny bit of a chill.

Solution: Use other closets in the home for really heavy coats, sweaters, socks, pajamas and outerwear.

Question: What is the best configuration for a closet that is tiny?

Answer: I was a renter in LA for a looooong time, so I totally understand this question. My answer is - by using organization products wisely. Typical closets usually have one hanging bar and one shelf that goes all the way up to the ceiling.

Solution: We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: shoe shelves! $17.99 at Target, stacked on the shelf above and below your clothing They can be used for anything from sweaters, scarves and accessories to shoes and handbags. Using the space underneath, make sure that your clothes are hung from shortest to longest to have more space for stacking said shoe shelves. Another option is stackable clear bins - they function the same way. Do not waste space on hanging fabric shoe shelves or sweater shelves. You will have no room and they fall apart.

Question: Why are hanging fabric shelves not great?

Answer: if you have a tiny closet, you’re taking up an extra 6-8 inches of hanging space and most of these only hold one pair of shoes each, so the most you could store is 10 pairs of small shoes - not high heels, boots, booties or men’s athletic shoes.

Solution: Stackable clear shoe drawers - not shoe cubbies! Again, only one pair of shoes fit in shoe cubbies. With clear shoe drawers, you can possibly put two pairs of shoes in each - or a your flip flop collection. If you buy the sweater-sized drawers, you can use them for all of your sandals.

Now that your closet is organized, how do you put together a cute outfit?

My recommendation is to pick out a favorite article of clothing, accessory, hat or handbag and build an outfit around that favorite thing. It will make you so much happier! Just see how many compliments you get when you’re rocking an outfit that makes you feel great and you’re celebrating who you are through the art of your couture.

I obsess so much over closet conundrums and I’m dying to hear what irks you about your closet? What would make things easier?

Is your closet failing you?

Do you scrape your hand when you’re reaching into your closet to get your pants?

Do you only have 2 outfits in rotation because you don’t know what to put together since you can’t see anything?