French leader Charles de Gaulle once asked: “How can you govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?” Tough indeed.

While freedom of choice is one of the hallmarks of a democracy, it can at times be overwhelming. From the nothing-but-shampoo aisle at the drug store to the paint department at the hardware store, consumers are faced with innumerable choices in every facet of their lives.

This can be true even with selecting and maintaining a wardrobe. If you break out in an anxious sweat at the thought of this daunting task, you’re not alone. Yet, with spring fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for a shift from heavy layers to lightweight styles.

Finding clothes that truly fit well and suit your style – and your pocketbook – at times can seem impossible. That is why zeroing in on a brand that works for you can be a huge time saver, and a stress saver as well.

To find what works for you, consider the following approach:

* Make a list of the items you need to complete your wardrobe, trying to include as many “mix-and-match” pieces as you can, and keeping overly trendy items to a minimum, as they need more frequent replacement.

* Let your fingers do the walking. Spend some time browsing on the Internet before you set out for the actual shopping.

* Even if they’re stylish, don’t buy items unless they look good on you and suit your body type. Don’t buy without a long look in a three-way mirror, and bring along an honest friend.

* Check out multiple department stores for their national and private label brands. With intense global competition and consolidation in the apparel industry, department stores are working diligently to distinguish themselves from the pack. While you can typically find many of the same national brands across stores (i.e. Nautica, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger), unique department store private label brands (i.e. Parisian’s Signature, Macy’s INC, Sears’ Covington) have lately received a shot in the arm, with department stores devoting increasing design resources and floor space to these segments.

* Don’t forget the specialty stores. From Gap to Ann Taylor to The Limited, specialty stores are honing in on their target consumers and working hard to keep them coming back.

Once you find what works for you, stick with it. You’ll find the clothes you want, and you’ll have more time to contemplate all of those specialty coffee drinks at Starbucks on your way to work.

Let’s get to this week’s letters.

Dear Jordan:

Over the years I have acquired beautiful fine jewelry and enjoy wearing it to work. However, most of the ladies wear costume jewelry even though they also own plenty of the real stuff. I don’t want to keep mine tucked away, but what is appropriate?

– Nina, Roseland, N.J.

Dear Nina:

If it is appropriate to wear costume jewelry (which can be quite costly) or the real thing in and around your office, just make sure it is tasteful and accentuates an outfit, instead of overwhelming it.

Unless you are overly concerned about losing your valuables, there is no reason to keep your beautiful jewelry tucked away and unseen in a box at home.

Dear Jordan:

Are cuffed pants with a suit in or out?

– Chuck, Flushing, N.Y.

Dear Chuck:

As I said last week, there really is more of an “anything goes” mentality with some general rules. Cuffs usually go better with pleated pants, while a hem is a better match for the increasingly popular flat front pants. Remember the rules about height: cuffs cut off, while hems elongate. Good luck!

Ms. Speer is the senior editor of an apparel business magazine and she has been writing about the industry for more than nine years. Please send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com.