Inside the Closet

Labor Day has always been about clothes for me. It was the day before the 1st day of school, and I had to plan my outfit! I remember the night before I started 4th grade, laying my new red plaid dress with the black velvet ribbon trim, my white socks, and black maryjanes on my striped bedroom carpet. As you can see, I've always been stylish.

By 7th grade I was making lists of what I'd wear every day of the first week. In high school I had index cards that I dated so I wouldn't inadvertently wear the same thing too soon. I wasn't the fashion queen or anything. I just loved mixing, matching and organizing. I can still remember events by the clothes I wore. (Day after braces came off: navy skirt, navy and white striped ruffled blouse, white fishnets, red sling back flats. Day Kennedy was shot: red and gray plaid pleated skirt, white poorboy sweater, black "suzy-long-legs," black T-strap shoes.)

September brings out the dress-up in me. I sometimes even start early, it's so fun. Although it's hotter than blazes, I can't wait to rearrange my closet and get out the sweaters and turtlenecks.

This is what I've been doing this week:

Reading through all my fashion books, learning to dress the body I have, rather than pining for the body I want.

Hanging all my skirts and pants and trying different combinations of tops and jackets, then listing them on index cards, which I file under Daytime, Dressy, Out to Lunch, etc.
(I'm sure some of you are thinking I'm definitely out to lunch!)

I have a bulletin board in my closet where I post suggestions to myself, laundering tips that came with clothing items, and sometimes magazine pictures to inspire me.

I went through all my necklaces and edited them. I also added and subtracted links to make them the right length. I hang them inside what I call my jewelry cupboard.

I use little divided craft box inserts to separate my earrings, and other stuff. My pin collection is hanging on the wall, so I won't forget what I have.

So, I have all my clothes hung by category and color, all my shoes shined and waterproofed, my scarves organized by length and my lists indexed and filed. My shelves are dusted and the hooks are hung. I can finally come out of the closet. Now I just need somewhere to go!