Shop your closet first

After spending hours with women in their closets doing Wardrobe Sweeps, I see a pattern.

What I hear most from my clients: “I have a closet full of clothes, yet nothing to wear.”

This is going to be part of a series as to why you may have “nothing to wear,” along some solutions.

Before you dash out to buy something new, look at your existing wardrobe with fresh eyes. Reconsider some of your older pieces that you may have overlooked.

Here’s a case study:

I was doing a Wardrobe Sweep on a Saturday, and my client Jill (name changed to protect the innocent) had a last minute invitation to a formal affair that Friday night. She had “nothing” in her closet and ran out to buy a black dress. I’ll admit that she got lucky and found something vintage at just the "right price" at a local thrift shop. It was "OK" in a pinch, but not the most flattering, a little matronly for her style & preferred look and probably something she’ll NEVER wear again. (So how much of a "right price" was it really!?)

I was going through her closet the very next day and found a classic chiffon skirt with at least 3 different toppers that would have been perfect for her to wear the evening before. They better suited her personal style and mixed & matched with other existing items in her wardrobe to look both casual & dressy.

When I first brought out the skirt, Jill's reaction was it's old and doesn't fit right and she wanted to add it to the “rag” pile.

I was persistent since the only thing it needed was a fresh bit of elastic and a new hem. Now she has a “new” item she can dress up for a formal affair or wear with a jacket and/or a more tailored shirt for business.

Here's a few things to think about when you’re buying for a specific event or formal affair:

It’s easy to get swept away by the fantasy of the occasion when you’re shopping. Try to find pieces that will work with other items in your closet. Something that you can dress up or down.

Also, don't ignore the clothing you already have for the instant gratification of having something new... just to have something new.

Every season; go through your closet and familiarize yourself with what you have. That old Chiffon skirt that you dismissed as being outdated could very well be the most versatile thing in your closet. If you still want something new, go for it, but you'll have a much better idea of what pieces to add to your wardrobe.

It never hurts to have fresh eyes and a second opinion, especially if you feel you're in a bit of style rut. If you need help, you know where to find me.

A little Fashion Friday Bonus:

This week would have been Prince's Birthday. I've always loved his bold use of color. Here's a little collage I put together in celebration of his iconic style.