| Presentation |
When you go to get dressed, do you ever feel like you have nothing to wear or what you do have doesn’t fit or look good? I know I have had many occasions where I could answer yes to those questions. If you’ve found yourself feeling like this also, read on for some ideas from my workbook on how to go from feeling uninspired by your wardrobe to a wardrobe filled with clothes you love, that reflect your style, fit well and are comfortable.
Clothes can be expensive. So, giving away all your clothes and buying a whole new collection isn’t a practical option. With that in mind, the following steps are what worked for me.
1. Assess and Sort
For the first step, clear some time to do an assessment. Go through all of your clothes. I mean everything from jewelry, purses, wallets, scarves, hats, and jackets to shoes, underwear, and socks and everything else in between.
Then sort everything into four different piles…
- The first pile is for items that have holes and are falling apart. These are items you can’t even give away.
- Next, make a pile for items that do not fit, that make you feel self-conscious, or you just don’t like.
- Now, make a pile for items that aren’t your favorite, but they fit. After all, you do have to wear something.
- Finally, make a pile for the items you love.
2. Get Rid of Items
Once everything is sorted, it’s time to move each pile to where everything needs to go. Here’s what I want you to do with your first two piles…
- The first pile of damaged clothes goes to the trash or fabric recycling center.
- The second pile of clothes that don’t work for you goes to a donation center.
For the last two piles, find a way to divide your closet and drawers into two sections. This is also a good time to make sure your closet and drawers are clean and organized.
- In one section place the items you love and will keep.
- In the other place the things you’re keeping for now until you find replacements that can be placed in the love section.
3. Build a Wardrobe You Love
Now remember the goal is to have a closet filled with items you actually like, reflect your style, fit well, and are comfortable. As you are able, start replacing the items from your “keeping for now” section with items you love. Depending on your budget, you may just replace one item a month. If that’s still too much of a strain on your budget, just save up and replace as you can. If you can replace more at a time, go for it. Just don’t buy anything that doesn’t fit and doesn’t make you feel good. Remember, you’re going to be putting these new items into the section you love. It’s okay if it takes time to save for and find the items.
Each time you find a replacement, give away something from your “keeping for now” section.
I also recommend making sure you have all the basics you need. Here is a general list to check through. As you do be sure to factor in your work, daily activities, hobbies, and climate. You can even create some vision boards for the different categories to inspire you.
- Underwear/bras
- Socks
- Sleepwear/loungewear
- Bathing suit/cover up etc.
- Camisoles/undershirts/shapewear
- Accessories (jewelry, purse, wallet, sunglasses, hats, umbrella etc.)
- Coats/gloves/scarves
- Clothes/shoes to work out in (check for all seasons)
- Everyday clothes/shoes (check for all seasons)
- Work clothes/shoes (check for all seasons)
- Special occasion clothes/shoes (check for all seasons)
With jeans and pants, if you wear heels sometimes, make sure you have lengths for both heels and flats. Also, don’t forget about having clothes tailored as well. That can make a huge difference in how something fits.
Enjoy the process of curating a collection that you’re excited to wear!