I have a seen a recent shift in client's desire to get real with their wardrobe and I have helped clean up many of my client's wardrobes over the last months before hitting the shops for a shopping expedition. They discovered "The Staples", "The Goners", "The What was I thinking?", "The Unexpected Stayers and Great Buys" and the "Fantastic Colours". But most importantly we simplified their wardrobe, identified the Gaps and created a good starting point. One of my online clients called it "Shopping In My Wardrobe" and I just love that so hopefully it will inspire you to do the same!
I have said it before in previous newsletters but over and over I see people being extremely bored and unhappy with their wardrobe and needless to say only the favorites get worn leaving about 80% sitting there gathering dust (and working on your conscience). If you do the sums that works out to be at least $6000 tied up in your wardrobe with items you don't like and don't wear.
So why not take a different approach and stop this cycle this month and set a goal for having a wardrobe where you love all of it! The weather is getting cooler so a perfect time to start.
Here are some Quick Tips:
– It all starts with spending time sorting out all of your cupboards, start with bottoms, skirts, tops, jackets, dresses, accessories, bags, shoes etc. use your bed and the floor and create piles of "Keepers" (because you Love them) "Recycle" and "Needs Fixing".
– Look at where the best access and light in your wardrobe is so you can visually create the best possible spot for those items you wear often so you get inspired and you can get ready faster in the morning without missing things. Often I see clients having chest of drawers in the way of doors to the wardrobe so be smart about where you hang what.
– Return the "Keepers" and try and hang as much as possible and sort clothes by types (pants with pants etc.) so you have a good view of what you have. In my perception the more that is tucked away in a cupboard the more likely that you will forget that you have it or it gets messy. This also counts for accessories like necklaces, the more that is in a box and packed away the less you will want to make the time to wear it.
– If you want or need to fold items due to room restriction make sure that you colour code piles ie. white with white, pink with pinks etc so you can easily find it and you can see what colour is missing so you can add it to your GAP list. I would also recommend to split the life styles meaning that you keep casual, sport and work separated if the items do not mix and match.
– Forgive yourself for "those" purchases that should have worked but didn't and move on to clear your mind for some great new pieces that suit you, are one of your best colours, match a lot of your existing pieces and …. you LOVE!
– The Clearing Out Process will take a bit of time as it involves the physical clearing out, the decision of which pile it belongs to, the cleaning of the wardrobe, the returning of the "Keepers", the clearing of the "Recycle" pile and the organising of the "Fixing" pile. Ideally it is great to have a break between Clearing and the Gap list just to give yourself some time to sit with what is in your wardrobe.
Shoes
Shoes usually get a big hammering and a lot of dust gathers at the bottom of the wardrobe. Favorite shoes that get worn lots in one season and not in another can get out of shape and dusty if not damaged by other shoes (and whatever else) on top. So with the change in each season perhaps give the shoe a polish and fill the toes up with newspaper or tissue paper and store it in a soft fabric bag or invest in a plastic see-through shoe box.
If you don't have the space to stand all your shoes on the bottom of your wardrobe perhaps find a shoe hanger with pockets to store the shoes you wear all the time for easy access and protection from dust and damage.
Your Life Style
Quite often you fill find that you have gone crazy with one kind of style, colour or trend and that you are missing some items to pull it all together. You will find that you have different looks for different parts of your life, for me personally that is Me as a Mum, Me as a Style Angel at Work, Me as a Corporate Style Angel, Me Relaxing, Me Going Out and Me on Holidays. All Looks are very different but are all me and I love them all.
It is a great idea to identify firstly what % of your wardrobe serves what % of your life and comparing that with the activities you have in your life. Basically you are making 2 pie charts one with the breakdown of your wardrobe based on lifestyle and one with the breakdown of your lifestyles. If you wanted some help with the lifestyles perhaps start with Work, Casual, Going Out and Fitness. Compare the two pie charts and see if they correspond, if not where are the Gaps. Do you perhaps have lots of work clothes but no Casual clothes. An easy yet eye opening exercise and fundamental to a realistic Gap list.
GAP List
So now we work on the Gap list… there could be a difference to what you need and what you want so now is a great time to stay focused on a mix and match wardrobe that you love and will last you a few years. Ask yourself what look you would like to create, serve the internet for inspiration or buy some mags. I personally love cutting things out and making dream posters with images and people who inspire me. I truly believe that each person has their own look and style that suits them so great to pick items across brands and shops combing them with great accessories.
For one client who had a fantastic wardrobe built up over the last 15 years it meant that after some serious recycling she only need a few singlets in her best colours, a pair of shoes and a brown belt to pull all of it together.
Many clients who book me have come to a crossroads and have lost their sense of direction with their wardrobe so this process will certainly help you to get real with "what is" and to determine where you would like to go. This process certainly is cleansing and for most people uplifting and an experience that brings room to the mind and the wardrobe.
Leave a Reply