With a new season comes the itch to mix things up. Be it reorganizing the home after a long summer break, new flowers for the planter beds, lipstick, skincare, a new journal…you get the idea. But before you rush out and start shopping for pieces to elevate your wardrobe, consider a visit to your closet.
- Evaluate: Are there items in your closet you haven’t worn in a year? Consider pulling those pieces out of the closet and try each one on. TRY IT ON. It’s important to try it on and not just look wistfully at it. If it still fits in a way that flatters, and you love it – keep it to style up later. If it doesn’t fit or make you happy – donate or re-sell it. And, if you don’t even have the energy to try it on – need I say more?
- Pieces You Don’t Wear But Love: Does it need alterations? Are the straps too long? Does the hem drag on the ground? Did you have it altered for a pair of sky high pumps, yet now you prefer to wear flats? Is it too revealing? Does it need a hook closure to be comfortable? If you LOVE it, but NEVER wear it…why? Closet Orphans: you may not wear something you love, because you have nothing to wear it with…which takes us to #3.
- Does It Need A Mate? I try to shop with a list – buying pieces I NEED to create more outfits in my closet. But sometimes I am guilty of buying something for no darn reason at all; I just love it (usually it is a color or print that makes me happy). We all know, it doesn’t matter how fabulous something is, if you get it home and have nothing to wear with it. I call that a Closet Orphan. Does it require a different pair of shoes? A top that will flatter the bottom in question, or vise versa? What does the piece need to become an outfit?
- Make a List. Figure out what piece or pieces you are missing to create more outfits. Often times it’s a simple white tank that you can half tuck. Or, it may be a belt, shoes or special bra is needed to complete the look. Keep the list in your phone.
- Visit the Tailor! If you have a few pieces you WOULD wear if they were altered in someway, visit your tailor or DIY.
After this exercise you may find you need to shop for a few items, or not. I have helped many women clean, organize and style their wardrobes over the years. Most often, by the time we are finished, only a small list remains of pieces needed to purchase. But there are always pieces that need alterations, a mate to complete the look, donate, and/or re-sell.
My Story
After returning from NYC mid-June, I was obsessed with finding a wide-leg crop jumpsuit. I wanted one with my new favorite color in it, yellow. I looked and looked, until one day, while evaluating my closet, I came across a LONG wide leg floral jumpsuit that I had bought at Anthropologie back in February. I loved the print and wrap front styling. It one of those random Anthro Sale Closet finds. You know those pieces that go from $180 to under $20? I hustled up to the register hoping the price did not go up between the dressing room and the cash register. Once back home, I proudly hung my find up in my closet – and never wore it. The issue? In all my excitement, I bought this piece, despite the fact it was a size too big AND too long in length for any of the shoes I would wear with it. So it sat, and sat, and sat until one day in July it dawned on me to alter it. For $20, I had the length of the pant cut to a crop length and had the tailor adjust the straps to fit my body better. Done and done. A new piece, one like what I was on the hunt for, found right here in my own closet! Voila!
Let’s Chat!
Before you shop, do you evaluate your closet? Do you have process that is similar to my 5 step analysis, or do you have your own? Do you keep a list of items that you are missing – ones that would complete a look in your closet? I’d love to know how you evaluate your closet and get it working for you. Drop me a line and join the discussion down below! Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!
NEW POST on RickandSuzanneBell.com!
We are often asked about the process and economics associated with purchasing a property for the purpose of tearing down the existing structure and building a new home. As there are virtually no remaining vacant lots in Los Altos, this will most often include the demolition of an existing structure. For today’s article, we have selected 3 recent Los Altos sales where the buyer may have purchased the property for the purpose of tearing down the existing structure and intends to rebuild a new single family home. Read more on the Anatomy of a Los Altos Tear Down by linking over to RickandSuzanneBell.com (HERE).
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I am learning to embrace tailoring eSpecially being petite. I too have been evaluating my clothes that i am not wearing.
Yes, petite gals need a good tailor! ANd it is amazing what can be done with just a few little adjustments! I am a rectangle shape, tall but with a petite torso and shoulders – it creates all sorts of fit issues. But as you know, clothing can’t possibly be designed to fit most women off the rack. Which is why having a good tailor or sewing machine handy can work wonders! Fit is so important to feeling comfortable in what we wear!
Thanks for dropping me line!
Have a wonderful Weekend!
Suzanne
Great to see you at luNch the other day!
You looked so stylish!!
Who do you use for a tailor?
Love, Pamela
I use the Paris Tailor on State Street in town for simple alterations – which is mostly what I need done. They are quick and do a pretty good job.
If I need something re-worked, then I go to Nordstrom. I buy most of my bottoms at Nordstrom and they offer free alterations on regular price pieces and do the best job in my opinion. AS a card holder I get a alteration credit as well, so if an item needs tailoring beyond the basics – even if I didn’t buy it there, I take it to them. It is more costly, but for complicated jobs, I prefer Nordstrom.
Great to see you as well Pamela! Have a great weekend!
Suzanne
Your post is spot on and reminded me of 2 pieces in my closet that have been orphaned (missing bottoms) for s while and 1 that needs help from the tailor.
Always enjoy readung yOur postS Suzanne!
Yay! That is 3 new pieces that you can now have some fun with in your closet for back to school! Thank you for dropping a comment Nalini! I hope you find a compliment to your closet orphans! Enjoy your Sunday! xx Suzanne
I defenitely need to evaluate my closet as I have items that I keep on FORGETting about! I hope to see you on my Fancy Friday linkup party!
ME TOO! It’s always a good reminder to shop our closets FIRST! you never know what you will find!
xx
Suzanne
Yes! Tailoring our clothes is important: it makes us want to wear them. Fit matters. and you’re right about reviewing our closets. I purchase at thrift-stores so my wardrobe is stuffed with stuff that needs editing.
All good ideas. I need to get my closet sorted.
Thank you for stopping by and happy to hesr you found the post useful! Always nice to get things all sorted out before a new season!
xx
Suzanne
I always feel better when I get things all sorted out!
LOVE that jumpsuit on you! ( dont know why i always get caps. my cap lock is off)
Beautiful length and the duster is a lovely addition. great tips for the closet. i do the same each season and resell on posh. now, i am adding pieces for fall thinking about what i have and how to make outfits with additional pieces.
Enjoy your day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
thank you Jess! I have worn this jumpsuit so much since I shortened it…and I am a collector of dusters, can never have too many!?? So nice to get things sorted out before a new season, right?
Have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Suzanne
Love this look Suzanne, and what a great purchase, I do this a lot with thrifted PIECES as they are inexpensive and I don’t mind spending a little more on alterations.
Great Ideas! xxx
Hi Helen! Yes, I am often taking my thrifted pieces to the tailor, but money well spent, right? I do love this piece now that is it not so long, fits my lifestyle much better!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Hi Helen! You and me both! One of the many reasons I love to thrift. I can get a unique quality piece and then afford to customize it to my body shape, now thats a win! thank you for stopping by and dropping me a line. Apologies for the delay in response by the way, it’s been a bit crazy…hope all is well with you! xx Suzanne