How to Shop Your Closet

September 14, 2012

* This post featured on the lovely site Ashley Nicole Catherine

Hi there little top knots! I’m delighted to be posting for Miss ANC, who has asked me over to discuss the term “shop your closet.” Her request was quite timely, as it turns out; seasonal transitions are an apt time to reevaluate your wardrobe. Let’s get into it, shall we?

First things first, you need to organize and edit. Your aim in shopping your closet is to compose a very wearable wardrobe, and those pieces that don’t fit, are monstrously ugly, etc etc, won’t be helpful in making that happen. Rather, they’ll distract from the pieces that you want to really be utilizing. If it’s not serving you, get rid of it!

“Shopping your closet,” for those who use the phrase in its most devout sense, means drawing upon the bounty that’s already in your possession. If that’s your goal- some personal experiment thing- or if you’re limited by funds and truly can’t afford to buy additional goods then please: stay within the confines of your current closet/ don’t read the next paragraph.

If you can afford to purchase a few items, then this would be a good time in the process to do so. Evaluate what basic, key items are missing as you organize. Then fill in those gaps with pieces that can be used in loads of different ways. This step, is course, optional.

When you’re ready to start shopping your closet, it’s optimal if you can call in the eyes and honest opinion of a close friend or relative. Someone who’ll be able to see your clothing objectively/ tell you that shirt looks heinously unflattering on you. That’s what friends are for!

Your next step is to begin outfit building. You can approach this from the angle of the type of look you want to create (work outfits, date looks, etc) or from the items of clothing you want to showcase. Either way, you want to try to use your clothing in new ways.

[Another optional step for those limited by funds, etc- consider having pieces that are almost-to-your- liking-but-not-quite altered or updated. For instance, sleeves can easily be removed from coats, legs can be shortened, fur can be added to collars. A quick trip to the tailor can land you with a whole new item of clothing through just a few slight alterations.]

Forget how you always wear that navy dress– paired with nude heels, your gold watch, yadah yadah– the outfits you now reach for out of habit. While they may have worked for a while, if you’re feeling bored and fed-up with your clothing situation, chances are those ingrained clothing combo’s aren’t cutting it anymore.

Instead, reach for combinations you haven’t or wouldn’t normally put together. Think about working with different patterns and colors. Use your imagination to the greatest of your abilities and pretend that you’re in a store, selecting items from this rack and that to style and merchandise. Try to have fun with it! If a glass of wine is a necessary ingredient towards making that notion a reality, then by all means. Perhaps the alcohol will reveal some ingenious fashion wisdom! Potentially also really slutty and/ or sloppy, so know your limit folks.

Don’t just go halfway here, either. We’re talking full on outfit building. That means that once you’ve assembled the clothing, you should go ahead and add in the accessories, the shoes, the handbag. Then the three magic words– Try. It. On. Get ready to try on the entire contents of your closet times three if need be. This can take time, but if you end up feeling as though you actually have desirable ways to cover your little body then it will be well worth it.

Winning looks can be photographed for later reference. It sounds a little- no, make that a lot- Cher Horowitz-esque, but can be immensely helpful. A personal lookbook, if you will. When you’re in need of an outfit, simply find the picture that captures the appropriate look/ utilizes the chosen garment.

So there you have it peanuts! I hope I’ve inspired you to access and employ your clothing in a fresh way. Many thank you’s to the lovely ANC for having me.

Image credits: The CoveteurSassy Hong KongBelle EpoqueCharade StyleSassy Hong KongIHeart Organizing

3 Comments

  1. ashley on September 14, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    ahh love this!! thanks so much for the great post! did you check out all comments??

  2. hausandhome on September 16, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Great job Annie! I loved your ideas and especially the photo with the “safari” style jacket made into a vest. Brilliant!

  3. Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} on September 17, 2012 at 4:33 am

    Hopping on over now xxx

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3 Comments

  1. ashley on September 14, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    ahh love this!! thanks so much for the great post! did you check out all comments??

  2. hausandhome on September 16, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Great job Annie! I loved your ideas and especially the photo with the “safari” style jacket made into a vest. Brilliant!

  3. Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} on September 17, 2012 at 4:33 am

    Hopping on over now xxx

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