Hey! There's an idea!At the beginning of each season I go on a free shopping spree. I shop my closet! Here are 12 tips for a new spring look:
- Make 3 piles: Reject, Repair, Wear.
- Try on anything you're not sure of. Reject the stuff that doesn't sing to you. Be heartless.
- Play dress-up. See what works together. Create outfits for your fashion show.
- Take pictures of outfits for various occasions. (Wedding, funeral, out-to-lunch, meeting.)
- Notice the orphans. Figure out how to make them belong, or send them to a new home.
- Chuck all the shoes that hurt. Stack keepers on the shelf, in a hanging shoe holder, or in boxes on the floor (write "black heels" or whatever on the box.)
- Untangle your jewelry, look over your scarves, and start looking for new ways to accessorize. (I peruse fashion mags, check out the news anchors, and window shop.)
- Pack the Rejects into a big garbage sack, put it in the front seat of your car, and drop it off at a charity the next time you go somewhere.
- Put on a good movie while you iron and mend your Repair pile.
- Tuck the out-of-season stuff out-of-sight.
- Hang your perfect wardrobe in a way that will help you get dressed: whole outfits together, separated by color, or by item. I have sections for jackets, cardigans, skirts, pants, dresses, "stand alone" tops, and "wear under something" tops.
- Give yourself a facial, a bubble bath and a manicure.
You look amazing!It's not selfish to spend time on yourself. In fact, I think more about myself when I'm dressed inappropriately. When I've put some thought into how I look, I can relax and think about making others feel comfortable.
(Come back to my closet tomorrow for some extra tips!)
I love to shop in my closet! It's amazing what I find. Plus, it's so nice to clean everything out. I'm doing my kitchen today, not as much fun as clothes, but needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteI do something similiar! And those are some great new tips...as spring approaches I am excited to pull out all my Spring stuff and sandals! My feet are dying to be free!!!
ReplyDeleteafter reading your post, i gave up on the kitchen and dug straight into my closet, the kitchen can wait, the clothes are much more fun, thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYesterday or the day before my google reader popped up a post, but when I went to your blog it wasn't there (hang your hangers backward at the beginning of the season...). I loved it. I'm hoping you'll re-post it and I'll star it for future reference.
ReplyDeleteLast year my niece came over and went over my wardrobe with me. She really purged, but I was amazed at what I had left. Then she went through each clothing item left, and told me all the other things in my closet that it would go with. I took copious notes, and pull them out every once in a while to give what I usually put together a nice change.
I've been hanging my hangers backwards for a couple of years now. It has really helped to see what I don't wear - and get it out of my closet.
ReplyDeleteIt's also good to purge with a friend. They are not emotionally attached and can be much more objective.
Yay! Thank you for putting these down in writing. Fabulous tips.
ReplyDeletethis post originally popped up in my reader a few days ago, and it was a lot longer. weird, huh?
ReplyDeleteanyway. i was originally highly confused by your #4 suggestion. now i'm only party baffled by it. the rest of the stuff... total genius.
although... in about ten more years, when my memory is absolutely and completely useless, i will probably implement the photo-taking suggestion.
ReplyDeleteif i can remember it.
ReplyDeleteSo, you may recall that not long ago I purged my own closet. I was indeed ruthless. Now I'm sad that I don't have many clothes, but SO MUCH HAPPIER that every single thing I have in my closet looks good on me. Now I just have to get over my fear of buying new clothes.
ReplyDelete