Re-Boot Your Wardrobe | A Virtual Styling Session

Right now, many of us are finding we have some extra time to explore areas of our lives we never have the chance to. Be it cooking, decorating, gardening, reading, or spending more time with family, this whole shelter-in-place mandate has challenged us to find new ways to work and spend our free time. Are some days are better than others? Yes. But with each new day, a move forward is a step in the right direction.

This past week I cleaned out my closet and I’ll admit, not much of what was left hanging sparked joy. If I’m being real, it sparked blah. Bored with wearing the same look every day, I wanted to spice things up a bit – but where to begin? When my wardrobe needs a re-boot, I get back to basics and bring out my Style Mood Board. Guided by my Mood Board, I “re-set” my wardrobe to reflect a space I am at with my style today. With my wardrobe “re-set”, I get to work putting together fresh looks, along with creating a shortlist of a few item’s needed to round out my wardrobe.

Today’s Virtual Styling Session is something you can do on your own, in your own space, on your own timeline. Looking to mix things up? Bring on a new happy mood with something different. You’ve got the time, are you ready to learn something new about yourself and your style?

5 Step Wardrobe Re-Boot

Before you can begin to build a wardrobe you love, you need to understand your unique Style Personality. Finding your true Style Personality is a journey, not a destination. I think you should forever be discovering your style; your style should always be evolving.

Step 1: INSPIRE | Create a Mood Board

• Go old school with magazines and poster board or create a virtual board, with the help of Pinterest.
• Grab a pile of magazines, tear out (or pin) any photo that catches your attention or inspires you, and add it to your “board”. This can be an article of clothing, a celebrity outfit, a blogger look, color, texture, accessories – anything that inspires you. 
• Try not to be influenced by what you think you want to wear, should wear or think works on you. The key of this exercise is to NOT overthink – just tear (or pin), and move on. 
• You can view my personal Virtual Style Board on Pinterest | (HERE).

Step 2: REFLECT: Look For a Theme

Study your Mood Board; if you didn’t overthink the process, chances are there’s a pattern to what you added to your board. What do you observe about your style?

Your Style Personality can be one, OR a combination of many style types. Think of your Style Personality as your own unique way of how you present yourself to world. It should be fun!

Here’s a look at a FEW of the many Style Personalities, do any of these resonate with you?

• Exotic Tribal: vibrant colors and intricate embroidery, fascinating prints and standout jewelry.
• Bohemian: wild and intricate patterns and exotic textures. Pieces that are free form and layer beautifully together. Less hippie, more gypsy with chains, fringes, and other eye-catching accessories. Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe.
• Preppy: girly blouses, matching collared tees, comfortable pants, sneakers, skirts, and cute accessories. 
• Vintage: flapper dresses, pinup clothing, retro swimwear, indie clothing – the vintage look is a culmination of fashion from the 20’s to the 70’s.
• Elegant Glam: classy, elegant and tasteful pieces of clothing and accessories for your wardrobe. There is a special focus on classy bags and stunning jewelry. 
• Girly: ruffles, hearts, flowers, bows, ribbons, hairbands, and bracelets. Pink and feminine.
• Classic Elegance: plain t-shirts, blue denims, simple sneakers, striped tees, tennis skirts, shorts and casual shoes.
• Sporty: Adidas, Reebok, Lululemon. Plain sporty tees, leggings, sneakers, athleisure. White, black, and gray are the colors ruling your wardrobe.

Step 3: EVALUATE | Set-Up Your Closet

• Without overthinking, quickly work from one side of the wardrobe to the other, pulling out any items you love, and hang them on one end of the closet. Do you notice a pattern? How do these ‘love” items match up with what’s on your board?
• You now have a “love” section, and a “leftover” section. Take a hard look at the “leftovers”. Are there garments you know you will never wear, items you dislike, gifts that aren’t your style, pieces that don’t fit, itch, aren’t flattering, etc? If something doesn’t spark joy – donate, consign, resell them yourself, or give it to a friend. The rest, leave it for now. 

Step 4: CLOSET PLAY | Shop Your Closet

• With your Mood Board as a guide, challenge yourself to create 4-5 (or more!) outfits that are truly “you”, from the “love” section of your closet.
• Try your new looks on in front of a mirror, how do you feel?  Happy, confident, successful, sexy? Wear those this week. 

Step 5: CURATE  | Life is Short, Only Wear What Brings You Joy

About Pieces You Love:

• Did you feel great when you wore your new looks? If not why? Is there a piece you need, to complete the look? Could an accessory make your look come together? Perhaps you have a tunic you “love” but are missing a bottom to wear with it. 
• Do you own enough tops to pair back to your favorite bottom and vice versa? What is it about that bottom or top that makes it a favorite? Is it the fit, style, wash? 
• If a friend looked at your “favorite” pieces, would they see a pattern? Pull out your Mood Board, do your favorite pieces work with your board?
• You will be missing pieces or accessories, but don’t go out and shop right away (unless you want to). Instead, jot down some notes, and create a wish list of what you’d like to add to your closet, to help round out your wardrobe – along with a list of what NOT to buy in the future.

About Pieces You Don’t Love:

Work through those “leftovers” till they are gone. If you are unable to purge a piece here and there, create a tote for “purgatory” items. Purgatory Storage is reserved for items that you can’t bear to part with (which is totally OK), to re-visit at a later date. Keeping stragglers out of your everyday space prevents “mind clutter” when you go to get dressed each day. Closet Orphans will haunt you and prevent you from feeling your best stylish self, each and every day.

Questions or Comments? I’d love to hear how you are doing these days! Drop me a line in the comment area down below and thanks so much for stopping by!