REAL Exclusive Magazine

New Year Resolutions Undone…

What’s In Your Closet?

By Becca Smith

Ring out the old, ring in the new, and get REAL with your Closet in 2014. If de-cluttering your closet is on your New Year’s to-do-list it’s time to do some spring cleaning. In this issue REAL Style will help you obtain a workable, wearable wardrobe, a wardrobe that expresses your best self.

How would you like to open your closet and have everything in it match your fashion personality, lifestyle, and your body type? It’s possible by taking a long, critical look at what’s in your closet.

Someone once observed that women wear only 10 percent of the items in their closets 90 percent of the time! While you may claim a better record, most of us have stood in a closet full of clothes more than once and said, “I don’t have a thing to wear!” How can you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Perhaps the clothing in the closet no longer fits your body or lifestyle; maybe items are outdated or not suitable for a specific occasion. Probably some items were buying mistakes in the first place! Often the reason is we simply have a collection of garments, purchased to meet an immediate need, accumulated without adequate thought to an overall plan. Comfortable and flattering clothing that is appropriate for a variety of needs is an important part of our lives. Clothing provides comfort and protection, influences our acceptance by others, impacts relationships and the way we feel about ourselves, and is a source of enjoyment and recognition. In view of these implications, the effort to plan an adequate wardrobe is worthwhile.

First consider what you have. What do the clothes in your closet tell about you? Take everything out of your closet and try it on; check for fit, suitability, design and color. Then sort all garments into three groups:

Group 1 – Clothing that is unusable because it no longer fits you or your lifestyle, is out of date, too worn or faded, is unbecoming or you don’t like it, or for whatever other reason. Be realistic; if you haven’t worn it for the past 2 years, you are not likely to, so get rid of it. Take it to the thrift shop, give it to charity – or, if you must keep it for sentimental reasons store it away out of sight.

Group 2 – Clothing that fits and looks good but needs minor alteration, repairs, or cleaning. This is the “maybe” pile. If an item needs major restyling or alteration – is it worth the cost, and will you really wear it. If you haven’t had it altered within a year, assign it the same fate as Group 1. Again be realistic.

Group 3 – These are the “keepers” – items you actually wear and can work with to organize your “new” wardrobe. Start by separating them into colors, dividing clothes that have good lines and colors for you from those that don’t. Some may not be your “best” colors, but you can use them until ready to replace. Experiment by combining pieces in new and different ways with each other and with accessories. It is often surprising how many outfits you can now coordinate!

Keep in mind if you can coordinate for more than 2 weeks in advance without using the same items, you probably have too many clothes, and are they what you need? Think about your activities and time spent with each activity. Do you have too many for one activity and not enough for another? Also take a look at textures (too many polyesters, not enough silk?); at color (too many neutrals, not enough bright); at personality (too many tailored suits, not enough softness?). You may need more variation. You also may need to look at Group 1 and ask yourself why some items were not worn. Maybe they were mistakes in the first place, but evaluating could keep you from repeating the mistakes. Spending time to analyze why you dislike certain garments and why you look and feel better in some outfits more so than others, will help in selecting good wardrobe pieces that will be worn time and again. Remember … any fashion is only as good as it looks on you, and any garment is useful only if it meets your needs. Flattering clothing choices are available at all price levels. Your efforts in planning are rewarded by an enhanced image and the satisfaction of having spent your clothing dollars wisely.

Need help finding “what’s in your Closet?” For a workable, wearable wardrobe to match your fashion personality, lifestyle, and body type contact Becca at We’ve Got Style. Her professional expertise in closet organization/wardrobe planning, and personalized service ensures every client has the wardrobe that expresses their best self.

Rebecca Z. Smith, a fashion stylist/image consultant, is founder of We’ve Got Style. She offers wardrobe planning, closet consultations and is available for styling/personal shopping services. Rebecca knows fashion: the looks, the trends, the runway buzz, and how to put an outfit as well as a sustainable wardrobe together. More importantly she takes pride in knowing each client personally. This combination of professional expertise and highly personalized service ensures every client has the wardrobe that expresses their best self. For your entire wardrobe needs contact Rebecca at (941) 223-6643, beccarealstyle@gmail.com – www.wevegotstyle.biz.

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