Closet Audit Revelations

This spring season has been a busy one for me because of the many closet audits I have done for clients. I really enjoy helping them feel more confident with their wardrobe during this process.  Most of the time I hear things like, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” and “I feel so much lighter and less stressed out now that my closet has been cleaned out!”  A lot of the women I work with are so busy with their careers and families that their closets takes a backseat. So I come to their rescue! Here are some ideas that I put forth to many of my clients that also can help you manage your wardrobe better.

If you haven’t worn an item in a year, say goodbye.  I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have seen pieces in closets that have been sitting there for years.  I understand that you think that blazer with the shoulder pads from the 80′s might work again but all it is doing is making life harder for you by crowding up your closet.  A good thing to do is to go through your closet in the beginning of every season and pinpoint what items are sitting there and not getting worn.  If you are unsure of getting rid of an item, put it at the front of your closet and make a point to wear it in the near future (one to two weeks). If you still haven’t worn it, get rid of it.  Another closet tip – organize all your sections by color, left to right, light to dark.  This will make it so much easier to find pieces when putting outfits together.

When having clients try on all their clothes, I discover there are a lot of issues with the proper fit.  Stop wearing oversize clothes! I see a lot of women who think they are camouflaging their flaws by hiding in bigger sizes.  They end up looking bigger than they really are.  Try to go with clothes that just graze the body.  If you have a body type that is hard to find clothes that fit just right, make the tailor your best friend.  The right tailoring will make you look like a million bucks. One last tip on fit – jeans need to feel a little snug when trying them on in the dressing room.  They almost always stretch out.  I promise.  A more fitted jean will always look more polished.

Now let’s talk about styling your clothes once you have purged.  Always think about balance when putting separates together.  If you are wearing a looser top, pair it with fitted bottoms and vice versa.  Also, consider doing layers to show off your figure. Many women are afraid of revealing to much when putting a look together.  Try putting a fitted blazer over longer blouse.  This way you are showing off those gorgeous curves while keeping areas you are sensitive of hidden.

Being a child from the 80′s myself, I was groomed to think that everything had to match.  No one would ever go outside without having their shoes exactly match their clothes. This is not the case anymore in the 21st century.  Feel free to be adventurous and mix colors. It’s fair game to mix neutral colors (black, white, navy, tan, brown).  Dip your toe in the water and try black and navy together. This is one of my favorite color combos. It is very chic and makes a look more interesting.  If you are nervous about mixing colors with separates, add a pop of color with a handbag or your shoes.  If you are really adventurous, mix prints.  Just make sure the prints have some colors in common.  It’s all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new.  In the end you will feel exhilarated and much more excited about your wardrobe.  Still unsure about to how to move forward with you closet?  Need more styling tips? Call me to make your closet a more peaceful and happy place.