However, this is a daunting task because you lose motivation right around the time it looks like a tornado hit your room. Nonetheless, now is the perfect time to learn how to shop your closet!
Why, you might ask?
Because if you are anything like me, your online shopping addiction is at an all time high. Not to mention that, if my husband sees one more package, he might begin to stage an intervention…. 🙂
Furthermore, these tips can help you save money which, pandemic or not, is always a great idea! It is also a fun way to give new life to some older pieces because as the saying goes: “What’s Old is New Again”.
I know what you might be thinking: “My clothes are old and boring, and I need something new and fresh!”
This is a natural response especially when you love trying out new trends! But, I also know how exciting it is to find an old clothing item and style in new ways! Plus, recycling and sustainable clothing is an amazing initiative, but that is a blog post for another day!
How to Shop your closet steps:
Step 1: Clean Out Your CloseT
There are times where I skim my closet and straighten up, but this isn’t really cleaning. As cliche as it might sound, you need to go full Marie Kondo mode (google: “Tidying Up”). Not only does it declutter your closet, but it also declutters your mind!
Not only will you feel better with less clutter, but you will be able to see your full wardrobe. I am embarrassed to admit that I have bought things I already own because my closet wasn’t organized (oops!) Although it might be challenging to find the time, it is worth it to start organizing.
Step 2: Sort by Item Category (i.e Dresses, Blazers, etc.)
One of the ways to sort is by same color (which you can still do within the category). However, my favorite way is to keep the same category items in one place. It is a lot easier to see how many dresses you have, sweaters, jeans, etc. when they are grouped. This also will come in handy in our later steps when you are trying to plan your outfits!
Another tip is regarding when to hang your clothes and when to fold them. For sweaters, cardigans, and any knit items should always be folded! If you hang knit items, they will stretch and eventually could be unwearable. Any type of wovens (i.e. jackets, no-stretch dresses, blazers) can be hung to save space.
Step 3: Toss or Donate What You Don’t Need.
A good rule of thumbs has been: “if you haven’t worn it in a year, then it’s time to donate”. But sometimes, even if you haven’t worn in a year, you might wear again (speaking from personal experience).
With that said, try to focus on your own, personal style. For example, try to think if the item gives confidence or something you will wear again and again. And if the answer is no, then it is time to say goodbye! Although this might sound deep, it goes with the idea of “dress for the job you want”. If you have outgrown the piece, it might be time to move on, and let it be part of someone else’s story!
Step 4: Now is the Fun Part, Let’s Go Shopping!
Now that you have cleaned out the clutter and organized, you have an at-home boutique ready to go! Here are some of some of my tips to a satisfying shopping experience:
Tip #1: Layer, layer, layer! The obvious choice that comes to mind is throwing on a jacket or sweater to revamp the look, but this can also hold true for less expecting items as well! I love taking a slip dress and knotting a shirt over it or pairing with sneakers.
Tip #2: Add Accessories! Accessories are a great way to transition pieces and give them a totally different vibe! I have been on the hunt to incorporate more unique and vintage pieces into my collection to make the outfits stand out.
Tip #3: DIY your look! This is a great alternative if you have some time on a rainy day or looking for a fun activity to do! There are so many cool trends from painted jeans and handbags, to embroidery, to macrame t-shirts that are easy to do yourself and express your own creativity!
Tip #4: Have A Clothing Swap Party with Friends! You can do this over zoom and then drop off the items they selected or exchange the next time you see them! This is an awesome and free way to get new clothes and can also give you new inspiration by how your friends style your old pieces.
Tip #5: Sell Clothes on Consignment Apps. Poshmark and RealReal are just some of the online consignment retailers that are great for swapping out old clothes for new ones! In my experience, the accessories (handbags, etc.) tend to sell the best but you can find some great steals on clothing too!
Now that you have learned how to shop your closet like a pro, I hope you find new and creative ways to give a second chance to your old pieces.
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