Posts Tagged ‘ Shop in Your own closet ’

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

As the world changes around us, we are all spending alot more time at home- either voluntarily or non-voluntarily. You can either sink into a binge filled, couch sitting, toilet-paper hoarding depression OR you can make productive use of this new time.

Right now seize the opportunity to do all those things you never seem to have the time to do, like rediscovering your closet thorough a closet edit.

I have shared before my secrets to a perfect closet edit and trust you have been editing a couple times a year, so today I want to focus on editing your closet with the purpose of rediscovering pieces you may have forgotten about and finding new ways to mix and match them. Trying to pair items that you may not have normally thought to put together during that morning rush preparing for the work day!

This takes a little time and an Olympic level try-on sesh, but I promise, it will totally be worth it in the end and will almost be like a shopping experience except you’re using your own clothes and don’t even have to leave the house!

1. Create a Staging Area.

Before you begin this wardrobe rediscovery, you will first need to have a designated space set out for yourself in your bedroom or living room where you can spread out your clothing. Make sure the area is clean and open. This is an important step because your clothes are going to be everywhere during this process and being too cramped will hinder your creative juices!  Make sure there is a mirror in your area preferably full length. (If you don’t have a mirror grab a partner and have them handle step 4 for you). 

2. Sort your clothing by color and type.

Now comes one of the hardest parts of this whole exercise. You will need to begin removing all the clothing from your closet and start sorting them into piles laid out on your bed, the floor, etc. I suggest sorting clothing by the type of garment (blouse, long sleeve shirt, jeans, dresses etc) and then group them by color family the way you might do while washing them and then by season. Once you have completed this step, all your clothing should be in piles around you. Don’t get overwhelmed! The next part can be super fun!

3. Start “shopping” your closet until you come up with at least 5 “new” outfits.

Go through your piles and take a good look at your clothes and accessories. Start putting together new outfits based on different combinations of clothing that you haven’t tried before. Try all the techniques you’ve been to afraid to try before like pattern mixing, layering, using belts to define your shape and new shoe combinations (remember one of my secrets is to always use the wrong shoe.  If you instinctively grab for heels, try a boot.  Test drive new combinations like sneakers instead of sandals with a dress, etc).

If you’re really lacking inspiration, take a quick scroll through some fashion bloggers on INSTAGRAM or flip through a magazine. I bet you if you look hard enough at the clothing you have in front of you, you probably have items right there to create a totally on trend outfit! You don’t have to own every item you see on a model in order to capture that style. You just need an open mind to find the pieces in your own wardrobe that could act the same way to evoke the style! No leather jacket? Try a denim one instead. Don’t be afraid to look at what you already have with a new perspective.

4. Snap a quick pic of your “new” outfit.

Your phone’s camera will be your BFF! Once you have an outfit together and styled, put it on and photograph it. Today you will master the mirror selfie. While some people have gone on to make livings off of mirror pics I use them to track outfits I love or that I wore. Step in front of the mirror in your outfit. Place the phone to the right side of your face pointed at the mirror,  make sure everything is visible from head to toe and snap a pic of your image in the mirror. This step is key because it helps you get a clear idea of what your outfit looks like AND it will give you a visual reminder of your look later on when you are back to the grid and rushing to get dressed in the morning.

Continue this until you have created at least 5 new outfits.  If you don’t have a full length mirror have a friend or family member snap the pic.

6. Clean up and organization.

At this point, once you have all your new outfits photographed and planned out and it’s time to clean up. If you change your clothing out for the season, put last seasons clothing away either in the back of the closet or in your spare closet and place the current seasons clothing front and center.

 

I recently shopped my own closet and rediscovered this dress (which had somehow gotten wedged between two maxi dresses), these cute woven shoes and macrame bag (TOTALLY on trend for SS20) which I had purchased when TOPSHOP was closing and totally forgot about- I hadn’t even worn these cuties yet!

Take the time to do this now while things are slow. It will help speed up those future hectic mornings and reduce decision fatigue when getting dressed.

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

Rediscovering Your Closet

How to Shop your own closet