FW2024 Mid-Year Style Check In + Video

Hey everyone! I originally planned to share this post in parts over the next few weeks, but with the weather cooling down and fall officially starting next Sunday, I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted to give you all the details now so you can get a head start on (1) how to identify the key pieces in your wardrobe, (2) organizing your space, and (3) letting go of items that no longer serve you (short video!). This way, you can avoid impulse buys and make thoughtful (if any) purchases for the new season. Let’s dive in!

A mid-year style check-in is crucial if you want a wardrobe that truly reflects who you are. This process helps you assess whether your current clothing choices align with who you are today. Are your outfits still a genuine expression of your current self, or do they reflect a past version of you or a life you no longer live (for more on dressing for your fantasy self, click here)? This reflection allows you to build a wardrobe that suits your body and resonates with your mind and soul—an authentic reflection of your true self. By revisiting your wardrobe, you can identify items that no longer serve a purpose and decide whether to donate, repurpose, or recycle them. This thoughtful approach curbs impulse buying and fosters more intentional, purposeful fashion decisions as we transition into the fall/winter 2024 style season.

Part 1: Identifying the Key Pieces that Make Up Your Wardrobe

Before purchasing anything for the fall-winter season, I review the online style diary I created on Canva to track my daily outfits. This diary has been incredibly helpful, revealing the pieces I truly love, what I wear day-to-day, and demonstrating how my understanding of my style words—Classic, Elegant, Relaxed, with elements of 70’s luxury—has led to a more intentional approach to my closet and purchases over the past eight months and will be super useful as I fill in the few voids I may have, for the upcoming fall/winter season.

Without Fail Pieces

Amy Smilovic, the founder of Tibi, refers to those items you can count on to create outfits time after time, as WOF’s (with-out fails). I can’t think of a better acronym to describe the pieces that make up the foundation of my wardrobe. For example, let’s take look at a few of my WOF pieces from 2024 so far. Longchamp Expandable Tote, now on sale in 2 colors (here) Citizen of Humanity ‘Kayla’ shirt (here) and (here) L’Agence Alicent Jean (here) | (new, darker wash, here) Cuyana slip dress (new colors here) | One Shoulder Top (here) Vuori Joggers (here) | Amazon designer dupe straw bag, $25.99 (here)

Look for Patterns in What You Wear

Notice a few patterns? I see a few…

• shoes in gold, nude, or black (with gold accents), bonus for a toe ring sandal!
• easy-to-move in bottoms (midi skirts, wide-leg jeans, jogger styles)
• pieces that tie – or can be tied at the waist
• drapey luxe fabrics like silk, rayon, sporty nylon, cashmere, denim that moves or stretch knits
• gold jewelry, simple large tote or hobo-style handbags, gold buckle belts
• 3rd piece layers; sweater tied around the waist, drapey utility jackets, unstructured blazers, oversized button down shirts

My personal style choices become very clear when I look at my choices through the WOF lens. And now, whenever I contemplate a new purchase, I first ask myself, will this item work with the WOF pieces in my wardrobe?

Part 2: Clean Your Wardrobe Space

While it may take some effort and planning, preparing your wardrobe for a new season can also be enjoyable and rewarding. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started.

1. I like to declutter my mind and space by removing EVERYTHING from my closet.
2. After sorting the obvious items into “donate,” “repair/alter,” or “trash” piles, I ask myself these questions about the remaining garments: Have I worn this in the past year? Would I purchase this piece today? Do I love how it makes me feel?
3. For the pieces you love—the ones you reach for regularly—place them back in the closet.
4. For items you love but rarely wear, try pairing them with your WOF pieces to see if they fit into your wardrobe. Remember, you bought each garment for a reason, so take the time to consider each piece beyond its original purpose and find a way to make it truly “you.”
5. For those few items left, those you just can’t decide to keep or purge – move on to Part 3, Letting Go of Closet Orphans or Sentimental Stuff.

Part 3: Letting Go of Closet Orphans or Sentimental Stuff

You’ve made impressive strides in decluttering your space, but it sounds like you’re still holding onto a few items that carry emotional significance. These might be clothes or accessories you haven’t worn in a long time, yet you find it difficult to let them go because of the memories attached. It’s completely normal to feel this way, as our belongings can often remind us of special moments or phases in our lives. To help you navigate this tricky aspect of decluttering, I came across a short video from the “Live From My Closet” 2016 Archives. Although the video is eight years old, the advice it offers is still incredibly relevant today. The video shares practical tips on how to approach those sentimental items with a fresh perspective. Whether it’s about finding new ways to repurpose these pieces or understanding the emotional reasons behind why you’re holding onto them, this short video could provide you with some valuable insights. It might be just what you need to finally make peace with letting go of these items as you transition into a new season, both in terms of your wardrobe and your life.

A mid-year style check-in is essential for ensuring your wardrobe reflects your current self. This process involves evaluating whether your clothing aligns with who you are today or if it represents a past version of you. By reassessing your wardrobe, you can identify items to donate, repurpose, or recycle, thus avoiding impulse buys and making more intentional fashion choices as you prepare for the fall/winter 2024 season.

Let’s Chat!

• What strategies have you found most effective for keeping your wardrobe aligned with your current style and lifestyle?
• Have you used a style diary or similar tool to track your outfits? If so, how has it impacted your fashion choices?
• How do you handle emotional attachments to clothing or accessories that you no longer wear?
• What are your biggest challenges when transitioning your wardrobe from one season to the next?
• And if you are ready to browse some fall 2024 inspiration, I just updated my Boutique Page, which you can check out (here).