I’m sure you’ve noticed by now when I share certain items from an outfit post, there’ll be a big OLD beside it. I know it’s frustrating, and I try my best to link something similar. But the truth is, I make a habit out of shopping my closet, mostly because it saves money, but it also saves time (most of the time). I wrote in THIS POST that I shopped my closet for a bracelet and many responded about how hard that is to do. It’s not that I don’t make new purchases, because I do, but I often buy non-trendy pieces that will go a long way. So, here are a few tips that I try to go by and I though I’d share them with you. The very first thing that you MUST do is set aside time. Next, grab a bottle of wine and be intentional.
TAKE INVENTORY : You don’t know what you have until you know what you have. We often forget about items because we are constantly buying new things and our old favorites get pushed to the back of the closet. Take the time to go through and find those items that have been forgotten so they can be made new again.
Start with a good purge
Having a closet full of things we don’t love can definitely put you in a style rut. Stop holding on to old stuff you don’t like (also a LIFE MESSAGE!) and purge to make room to display all of the items you love. Oh and don’t forget to keep those classics and basics that will continue to give your wardrobe life season after season. Think, does it FIT, FLATTER, and is it a FAVORITE??? If no is the answer to any of these, toss it in a donation or consignment bag.
Organize
You know what’s worse than not knowing what you have? Knowing you have something, but can’t find it when you need it. Handbags, baubles, belts, etc should all have a place of their own. Clothing, too. My closet is organized by item and color and it saves me so much time. For example, if you need a red dress, they’re all right there together and easy to pick one, depending on the occasion.
INSPIRATION : There are tons of looks all around to serve as a muse. Pinterest is my favorite! Just type in something specific and boom! Tons of pictures and tips to pull inspiration from. Find the pieces you already own and voila!
ACCESSORIES : If clothes are the bones of a wardrobe, accessories are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Yes, it’s a healthcare reference, but I think you get it. Accessories are super important and hold a wardrobe together, and some of our more loved and seasoned accessories can bring a new vibe to our current style. So grab that wide belt you purchased years ago, and change the look of a dress or blazer. Use a scarf as a necklace or purse accessory. Transform large statement earrings into a brooch. And my personal favorite, convert a wrap dress into a kimono. With a little creativity, the options are endless.
Jewelry
Loving your jewelry is super important, and storage is key. There are tons of chic ways to organize things and keep them visible enough to grab and go (25 cool jewelry DIY organization ideas can be found HERE.)
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX : Redefine and restyle are the name of the game. The whole point is to make our seasoned items feel new and modern again. Explore new layers and ideas. Throw a collared shirt under that sheath dress. Belt a cardigan. Turn a dress into a skirt by topping it with a cool chunky sweater. Style is supposed to be fun, so have fun with it!
According to Q, You don’t have to be that girl that needs to shop or run to the mall for every occasion! Shopping your closet will save money and time, and let’s you have fun switching up your style and making old things new again. All you need is a little time to purge and organize. As we transition into a new season, now is the perfect time.
Cheers to great wardrobes and endless style!