August is here and September (FALL) is right around the corner. Where did the summer go? I have been enjoying summer and wearing all my summer clothing. Thankfully I live in California where it will be summer for at least a couple more months- so I know what I will be wearing. As I have been sifting through the summer clothing, I started pulling items that were “tired” along with items that really didn’t work for me. I have donated at least 5 boxes of clothing and accessories to my local American Cancer Society Discovery Store in hopes that someone else will find some items that will work for them. While I have been busy “pruning”, I am far from being done. I know I have too many things that I haven’t worn or just didn’t work for me. So there’s more to be done.
The interesting part to this anecdote is that I was asked if I would share this article on “Closet Clean-out”. I couldn’t have asked for better timing because I have been doing it since April. Hope you enjoy it and find it useful !
Closet Clean-out: How to Shop and Save
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
Let’s be honest, doing a deep dive into all that’s in your closet is a challenging task. From digging out old clothes to discovering items you didn’t even remember you had, consolidating and constructing your everyday style is a must. As you begin to clean out your closet in preparation for back-to-school or simply to transition from summer style into fall fashion, consider these tips below on how to shop and save.
Identify What You Wear Most
Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash
Before you immediately go out and blow your paycheck on a whole new wardrobe, it’s always important to look through the things you already have. Pick out the items that tend to live at the front of your closet first, as these are the ones you most likely wear the most. Assess each beloved piece of clothing carefully, though most of us don’t like to admit it, some of our most favorite items tend to get pretty worn out. Determine whether or not some of your favorite pieces have outlived their use, and which pieces you will definitely be holding on to. Ask yourself for each item in your closet when the last time you wore something was, as this question will always help you to figure out the things you put on most.
Identify What You Wear Least
Photo by Caleb Lucas on Unsplash
Just as important as figuring out the items that get the most love is setting aside the items that get the least amount of wear time in your closet. These tend to be the pieces in the far back of your wardrobe. Whether you’re saving a top with the tag on it with the hopes of fitting into it one day, or you’re looking for the perfect occasion to wear that one funky jacket that doesn’t go with anything, these items are the ones to consider getting rid of. Not only do they take up space, they can also hold your style and your mindset back from being the best it can be. As you clear out these pieces, be sure to identify the best places to donate them or the best place to resell them for some money back. Online thrift store thredUP will buy back your gently used items, leaving you with some extra cash to shop used! Continue the circular process of donating your old clothes and then buying back used. With great brands like Lularoe, thredUP is a ‘one-stop’ shop for donating the old and shopping the new(ly) used right from the comfort of your home.
Establish Your Staple Pieces
Photo courtesy of The Budget Fashionista
Katherine Finney the founder and who is THE Budget Fashionista is known for her ability to create a great wardrobe
by presenting the classic styles in unique ways and partnering them with trendy options!
Now that you’ve determined what you wear most and gotten rid of the pieces you wear least, it’s always important to establish your wardrobe staples. These clothing items tend to be the most versatile, and the ones you get the most wear out of. Your staple pieces should include at least one blazer, cardigan, a pair of jeans, a pair of slacks, a casual dress, a professional dress, and a few blouses that can be worn both in and outside of work. Should you not have some of these items, don’t be afraid to splurge on them. As most of these pieces go with everything, it’s important to purchase items that you know are of high enough quality to last you a while. For business wear, browse shops like J Crew or even Kohls if you’re looking to save.
Shop Based On What You Have
Perhaps the best way to save when it comes to your closet clean-out is to always make sure you’re shopping based on what you already have in your closet. If you already own multiple rompers, you probably have that area covered. Be sure to shop for what you need, and then to shop for what you actually want based on the pieces you might know that you have less of in your wardrobe. Choose colors and styles that complement those you already own as this will allow most if not all items in your closet to work together and create the ultimate style!
I found this article amazingly useful and it’s helpful to have an article like this printed out so that you can reread it and realize you can find your style and work it so that it becomes so easy to get dressed. The things that are classics for you will be things you love and you will add in more trend-sensitive pieces and – voila! You walk out the door looking fabulous!
Update!
While clothing itself takes a monumental amount of time to go through and edit, once it’s done, it’s done. (Though personally, I keep editing every single month and pull out clothing that’s too “tired” as well as things that I stopped wearing or haven’t worn in a year, or I am not happy with the fit or color. One thing that makes my closet work well for me is my range of accessories. I have a fair amount of belts, lots of shoes, and jewelry that I have had for 20 years. While I do go through my accessories often and find certain styles or colors no longer work for me, I find that I have a great array of scarves, belts, jewelry, shoes, and boots. I have choices that make me pause and evaluate my outfit, along with the when and where I would be wearing the outfit. Do I want to be seen as “Classic”, “Preppy”, or “Sophisticated”? Or am I going California Casual or do I want to knock it out with a BOHO Chic look? Accessories help me do communicate a certain “style” messaging.
If accessories mystify and frustrate you on what to buy and how to wear it, I found a great website called Groom and Style that can walk you through the process of deciding which accessories you want to try and what “look” or style you want to feature. Below is the link to “The Only Accessories Guide You’ll Ever Need”
https://groomandstyle.com/only-accessories-guide-youll-ever-need/
Thanks to GroomandStyle.com for sending me their Accessories Guide!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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