'WOMEN'S WARDROBE' TOME INVITES READERS TO ENHANCE THEIR PERSONAL\STYLE, TOO.

Byline: Kansas City Star

If the long winter days ahead offer you the leisure to read a good book or clean out your closets, here is how you may do both.

Settle in with "Women's Wardrobe" (Alfred Knopf), a new hardcover book meant as a how-to guide on nurturing your personal style. It is another addition to the "Chic Simple" series, assembled by editors of Esquire magazine.

If you wish you had more help planning your wardrobe, making decisions when you go shopping and putting yourself together for an evening at the last minute, this tome could help. It's not revolutionary, but it offers basic suggestions to remind you of what your mother told you.

What is this thing called style? "It is making something your own," the editors report.

With that established, instructions come forth on everything from building an all-black wardrobe to judging quality of a white cotton shirt. (Look for finished button holes, sufficient sleeve room and long tails.)

A few more reminders:

Combine the unexpected to look interesting.

Deconstruct a suit to get more use. Mix unlikely colors, textures and, especially, attitude.

Unless you can mix different hues "like an alchemist," build a wardrobe based on neutral colorss and shades.

Navy goes with everything, including chartreuse and lavender. But not another navy.

When you wear beige, buy a matching suit. Beiges are hard to match.

Opposites attract. Long sweaters often work with short skirts.