If your closet looks anything like mine usually does (embarrassing photo example!), you have a hard time finding ANYTHING to wear. If your clothing is disorganized, you probably CAN’T find anything to wear and therefore think you DON’T own anything worth wearing at all even though you’re staring at a closet full of clothes! I assure you, a couple of hours spent wisely caring for your clothing and therefore your image, will solve your getting dressed woes!
The first thing to do is go through your closet, piece by piece. I know it sounds tedious. If you don’t want to do it, just call me! I do that sort of thing here at Common Couture! :) Make organized piles: 1. Need to Try On, 2. Don’t Know How to Wear, 3. Off Season/Special Event Wear 4. Give to Charity.
The Need to Try On clothes are those pieces that you aren’t sure fit you anymore… And I mean fit you well, nicely, comfortably. We start here because it can be the most disheartening if you’ve gained weight or haven’t lost all the weight you’ve been wanting to. BUT, it’s all downhill after this!!! If you’re hanging on to jeans that are too small, it’s honestly just wasting space and holding you back. The only time to keep pieces that don’t fit is if you are planning on going through a pregnancy (or two, or three). Put these pieces in an air-tight bin and store them somewhere out of sight. :)
The Don’t Know How to Wear clothing should also be tried on… This is the fun part, I promise! It’s time to throw fear out the window and any false beliefs you have like, “I can’t pull that off!”. Just Try. If you’ve seen a celebrity rocking a wide belt over a tunic sweater and leggings and you’ve liked it but never tried it, try it!!! Anyone can follow any trend, as long as the size and fit are right. If you’ve bought something trendy but don’t know what to do with it, Google it. Honestly… like here’s an experiment. ”Cropped Blazer Looks”, just Googled it, switched my browser to show only Images, and here’s my favorite image that popped up out of hundreds… Easily styled with things every woman has in her closet.
And speaking of belts a few sentences ago, now is a good time to drag out your belts, scarves, hats, and any other fun accessories you’ve picked up along the way. Belts need to be tried on too – for fit and for style. Belts are funny things, I only throw them out if they’re extremely worn as they tend to cycle in and out of style very quickly and they’re easy to keep around. Experiment with your current “go-to” looks by adding accessories. You can very often freshen and update a look with a seasonal scarf, fun belt, or statement necklace.
Your Off Season and Special Event Wear (including costumes) should be packed away in air-tight bins or garment bags and put in the guest room/office closet. Once I pulled these items from my general wardrobe it freed up a TON of space!
Give To Charity: Or, if you have the time and space, host a clothing swap! ;) If you decide to donate, you’ll get a receipt from any donation center for your tax file!
And don’t forget to organize your accessories. I have separate bins for belts, scarves, and handbags. It’s also important to hang your necklaces so that you keep them in good condition and can see what you have. Go over your shoes as well – taking 10 minutes to pack away your winter boots will make your Spring and Summer feel so much better since your closet will only have what’s usable in it and feel much more light and airy! It’s also a good time investment to hang like with like… Ts with Ts, skirts with skirts, and so on. It will be so much easier to see good layering potential and know what you’re lacking before you do your Spring shopping! :)
Good luck ladies! And remember, if this sounds like something you need to do but just don’t have the time or energy for, please contact me to book a wardrobe consult (see my services page for details and pricing) and I’ll be right over!
Love, Jill
