It’s time for the first Signature Style post of 2022 with my compatriots, Cindy and Sarah and we decided to begin with a post that encourages you to look in your own closet before you buy anything this year. As Sarah, who came up with the idea, says can you ‘relove’ what you already own? I think we all need to try and on today’s blog are ideas on how.
A lot of us are addicted to shopping, to that high we get from a new item, but we can retrain ourselves to stop looking at stores and online ads for inspiration. We can look right in our own closets if we spend some time seeing what we own and what we can do with it.
I know I’ve said this before, but the best way to prevent yourself from buying what you don’t need is know your closet. That means spending a couple hours taking the closet apart every season, (that’s 4xs a year), clean it out, straighten and organize by type and then color. Try on every sweater and pair of jeans and shoes, dress and coat. Lay out the hanging pieces on your bed and then look at each and every one.
If you’re able and have the space, store some of your out of season clothes in another closet or space, so you can see only what you are able to wear now. A crammed closet isn’t conducive to shopping it, and I like my clothes to have space to breathe.
Think of your closet as your own personal boutique and make it appealing.
Start arranging your closet to be attractive and inspiring. Make it smell pretty with sachets or a candle (unlit). If you have the space hang cool art, wallpaper it or create an inspiration board. Then get it curated by season.
Go through your jewelry, shoes and accessories and select things that will work for that season.
Right now in winter, I like to have my sweaters folded neatly by color, and put coordinating accessories in same tones near them just as a shop would. What I see when I walk into my winter closet now is coats, jackets, leather bags, scarves and sweaters and boots. In spring and summer, I have blouses, sundresses, woven bags, sandals and short
If you can’t see things, you won’t wear them. You can’t have everything out at once, so each season pretend you’re a buyer for boutique and select accesories for this particular time of year. An example is my crystals and colored stone earrings have been on my tray for the holidays and in summer I’ll drape my Hawaiian pearls on a cord on my small mirror and have my vintage white Chanel enamel earrings and colorful clip ons from my grandmother on my tray.
I’ll pull out all my flat sandals and slides and put them in cute baskets in warm season. Now they are away and boots, sneakers and loafers are on the shelves. Another idea is to pull forgotten scarves out of a basket and pair each one with a jacket or coat by wrapping them around the hanger with it. You can do the same with necklaces if it helps you to remember to use them.
When you like an outfit, snap a photo and save it on your phone
Take a photo when you leave the house in something you like or in a look you’ve pulled together when going through the closet. Then group them on your phone as work outfits, date night, evening look, or weekend, travel, etc. You’d be surprised how you can forget pieces you own, and looks you’ve worn. When you’re feeling uninspired, look at that album.
For example this is one on my phone with outfits so I can remember what worked and what is in the closet.
Try new ways to wear what you own..
- Take jeans and denim and update them by cutting the hem yourself with sharp scissors and chalk. There are many tutorials online. Hello new fringy cropped that look like expensive brands. Mending jeans and adding stitching and patches has become a look. This book is a good one for unique jean hacks.
- Sweaters have so much potential. Turn a sweater backwards for a sexy back v neck. Wear one as a scarf around the neck, or draped on your shoulders as a pop of color or and tied around the waist of a dress. I also love layering my sweaters and try them with different blouses you own to see which ones work well together.
- Dresses don’t need to sit out winter. Wear your dresses layered over jeans or leggings. Play around with the proportions and see which jeans work best. Try a sweater over your dresses or a long sleeve top under a spaghetti strap type. Add sneakers to dresses to update them, (preferably not the ones you hike or run in.)
- Pull apart 2 piece outfits like a suit or a skirt and matching top and wear the pieces separately. You’ll have exponentially more outfits and looks.
- Don’t let your evening wear be just for night and gather dust. Bring these fancy pieces down to earth by pairing them with everyday items. Try a sequin top for day with denim, chandelier earrings with a sweatshirt, a velvet dress over skinny jeans with flats, a black dress worn over leggings with a leather or denim jacket.
- Dress down your ‘work’ or tailored pieces. Start wearing your blazers and jackets out as your daily topper. How many of us have beautiful jackets that never get worn? I use my jackets all the time and love them with a t-shirt or a sweatshirt to dress them down. I like them in winter with a big scarf wrapped over them for warmth and in summer over sundresses. Tailored skirts and slacks look fresh with a sweatshirt or a big oversized sweater, or white sneakers with and a t-shirt.
- Use your bags in new ways. Straw bags tend to be summer things, but Jane Birkin wore her woven totes with fur (or faux preferably), and people like my friend Contessa use their all year long. Leather bags can be changed up by switching your straps. So many have removable straps, or options to add a shoulder strap so look at what can be converted to a cross-body if you want. Guitar style straps here at Madewell, and some of the coolest ones here on Etsy. Older bags are more chic now than new, as seen by the huge market for vintage bags. If you are so lucky to have saved older bags start wearing them again! Or as we talked about in this recent post, take a load off and start using a canvas tote you might already have, like all the cool kids.
Spend a few hours playing dress up.
For fun, I thought I’d show you what looks I created with a old Equipment dress that has been sitting in the closet for a few years. I love this dress, but don’t have many opportunities to wear it, so I thought I’d show you looks I pulled together using other closet pieces, over blue jeans, grey skinny jeans, with leggings and with different boots. I also I tried an oversized sweater over it, a velvet bomber, and a moto jacket. I used bags I’ve had and it was fun to see all the options I hadn’t even thought of.
For Inspiration go to Street Style Instagram accounts or Pinterest.
I still read magazines, but I don’t think I’ve found an outfit I wanted to copy from one of them in years. Everything is so fantasy driven now. I do however find a lot to inspire me on Instagram and specifically for me, street style accounts where real people are snapped in various cities of the world. These people will give you ideas on how to style what you already own. Screenshot looks and out them in an album on the phone to refer back to.
Some of my favorites are
Photos below from the Street Style Global Instagram..
Pinterest is another place to find looks to love and I have been saving my own favorites under Jeans Love, The California Look, Style, Fall and Winter Style, and Spring/Summer Wardrobe.
I also love the Parisian Chic Look Book which has tons of ideas of how to add style to your wardrobe basics…
Also inspiring is Classic Style and How Not to Wear Black. Love all three so much.
Another fun idea is to do a wardrobe swap party with a group of friends. Everyone brings 5 or so pieces that are nice that they no longer wear and they are hung or displayed on tables or racks. You draw numbers and everyone takes turns selecting pieces. It is a great way to keep clothes in the cycle, not the landfill and pass something nice onto another.
Having too much is as bad as not enough. If you’ve paid a lot for something, and have a hard time parting with it, but will never wear it, as Marie Kondo says, be thankful for it and pass it on to another who can enjoy it. Don’t let things sit when others could be using them. Dress for Success in San Jose is a great place to help women who are trying to succeed in the world and can use those items that are gathering dust.
When you are ready to shop again, get to know consignment and thrift stores near you. It’s a great place to sell some of what you no longer want and also find unique and better quality things for a song. Make a commitment to bring only better quality items into your wardrobe this year. Save for the good stuff as I talked about in this post, or find them through thrift and consignment. Stop going for the quick high at places like Target if you can. I’ve yet to have a cheap item stand the test of time – trend wise or wear wise, but I’ve been grateful I saved for better items that still look good, even cooler, year after year and give whole wardrobe an upgrade.
If you find a consignment shop you like, the best thing to do is be a regular. That way you see when the better things come in and can grab them. In the Bay Area, my favorites are Crossroads Trading (the Blossom Hill location) and Filmore & Fifth in Palo Alto. Other options abound online too now.
I can’t wait to read Cindy and Sarah’s blogs today about shopping the closet. Stop by their blogs at:
Thanks for reading and please share below your thoughts on shopping your closet.
Kim
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YES, SHOP THAT CLOSET I DID THAT TODAY!
IT’S SO EASY TO WEAR THE SAME OLD CLOTHES…………..TODAY I LOOKED AT MY DRESSES AND PULLED OUT A LEOPARD PRINT AS I HAVE TO EXIT THE CASA !
THE BIG OUTING IS TO THE DRY CLEANERS and MAYBE THE GROCERY STORE!
WHY NOT!
I HAVE THEM AND I MIGHT AS WELL WEAR THEM……………ALSO MAKES YOUR MOOD ELEVATED!
I DO USE BASKETS YEAR ROUND NOW AS I HAVE A FEW THAT WORK WELL FOR WINTER TIME AND WHEN YOU PICK UP SOMETHING SMALL SAY AT THE DRUG STORE NO NEED FOR A PLASTIC BAG!JUST POP IT IN THE BASKET BAG!AND AWAY YOU GO…………….
GREAT POST GIRLS!!!
XXX
Thanks so much Elizabeth! Sos right about leopard prints out to the store..why not? I love that clothes can lift your mood and make you feel great. Baskets are the best for all the things they can carry and the fact that they can look just as cool whether they are $5 from a corner store or $200.. They are the everyman bag! We need more of them. Thanks for weighing in here. Always love how you use all your closet! xo
Furiously taking notes!!!!
Fab
U
Lous
K i’m this was fabulous. So many great ideas that I wouldn’t even think of. I have never had a good closet situation but may soon. Such a good idea to place accessories that you might wear close to the coordinating garments. You are so darn stylish and always are conscious about what you choose… closet goals!! Love doing this with you youngsters you always inspire me to think outside the box!!
Love that dress over jeans look!! So happy to see it come back!! Lots of great ideas and advise I used to give my clients years ago!! xo
Fantastic post! So many gems here! Love the idea of making our closets our own personal boutique and displaying accessories in creative ways that inspire us to combine and enjoy what we have!
Your specific examples and photos are so helpful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing so many great resources too. I’ve been decluttering and organizing my closets and can’t wait to continue with more of a creative eye!
Hi Ginger, Thank you! Yes the boutique thing is helpful getting dresses and being more stylish I think. You are so sweet. Yes have fun with it.xo
Best post! I will use so many of your ideas. I too have been buying too much, and needed this push to do better. Love your blog.
Thanks so much Deb for the kind words. I am so happy it was a helpful post.
So on point! I know many folks who are talking about doing just this. I think the last 2 years was a wake up call. Materialism runs rampant across all income levels in the states and it is OOC! I keep a “seasonal” closet too, but never thought about boutique ing(?) it out! Such a fun idea! You really can work magic with just a few staple pieces and I wish I could just narrow my selection down that much, but I do love a little flair. Noneth less, I do find myself at a standstill and feel like I found my style and updated my closet accordingly over the last couple years- making it much easier to never dislike any outfit I throw on! I think it would be great if loving what you have and choosing quality over quantity became the norm here! Nice post!
Hi Nicole, Thank very much! So appreciate the feedback. I totally agree there is just too much materialism. I see it at the mall now. Everyone is lining up now to buy more and more of these designer bags and labels and it’s getting too much. It’s no longer chic and wasteful and dumb. It used to be you had a few nice bags and things. Now people are collecting them like trophies. The head to toe labels are yuck too. Yes the seasonal closet is hugely helpful in seeing what you have and using it! You can’t be pushing through sundresses to see what you have in January. So wonderful that you have gotten your closet to where you love all you have. That is the goal! Less, better and only what you truly love! We want so much less when we have that. xo
What a fabulous post, Kim!!! I love YOUR OWN PERSONAL BOUTIQUE AND MAKE IT APPEALING.!!! I will focus on this. So much good advice. And you look adorable in the looks with the dress! Thanks for this.
Thanks so much Mary Ann. I know the boutique thing kind of helps motivate me! You are so sweet.xo
Love this post Kim and will look at my closet in a different way. Such great ideas, thanks!
Julia
Hi Julia! Thank you so much. I hope it’s a little helpful. xo
I really enjoyed reading this. Lots of good advice and great links. I think I’ve been practising slow fashion for many years as I reuse what’s in my closet over and over. I find it hard to let things go.
Lorna thank you. Slow fashion is the bes. If we could all try more, we are going to make a huge difference.xx
Absolutely love this! So much helpful information and so many good ideas. I have been trying to do the OOTD photos, but I always feel like such a doofus when my husband uploads our photos to archive, lol.
Sarah, Thanks so much! I know you made me laugh. My family is always ‘why do you have all these photos?’ Don’t let it deter you. Think of it as a way to stay organized, not being vain! It’s a great reference. xo
Hi Kim,
So much good advice here, and I love all your looks, you are always so stylish and the epitome of California cool!
I’m blessed with a huge closet, but still need to trim things down a bit and do it sort of on a regular basis. I try to delete something when I get a new piece. One in one out! (Well not always but often!)
I have things in my closet that I’ve had for years and still love, just wish I had more reason to wear more of my fun things. I don’t like being too dressed up while hanging around the house because I tend to get messy and the potential to ruin a sweater or whatever while painting or baking is very real! But I have gotten properly dressed everyday during this pandemic, lockdown or not, and will continue to do so. Wearing sweats or pjs all day reminds me of sick days. I’m going to have some fun trying new outfit ideas and shopping my closet like you suggest.
I’m actually looking forward to that! Great, thoughtful post Kim.
Xo Heidi
Heidi I am with you and get dressed everyday so I can feel good. The one in and one goes out philosophy is what we should all do. Crammed closets are not a good thing. Maybe you should try all your things on – and take photos since you have so much. Then look at the photos and see if you still want to keep it all? Sometimes, if you have a lot, the good things won’t get worn or seen, but I don’t know how much you are talking about. You have great style Heidi, so I am sure you are using a lot of it! Also you’re so fortunate to have daughters who probably will appreciate some of those items! xo
Great post, Kim! So many smart ideas that I want to try, especially your ideas for wearing dresses in winter. The OOTD photo is one I will start tomorrow.
Hi Annemarie! I’m so glad t was helpful. Yes snapping your outfits and saving them on the phone is such a good thing. And dresses over pants…so cool. xx
Totally with you on so many points. I often think my closet it too full to find anything good to wear … and I’ve been working on pairing back. I just did my first quarter edit. I’m still seeing things that need to go. One sweater in particular, from Joie, that I love. But, shamefully, I’ve never worn. I snapped a photos of me wearing it in the dressing room, with the enthusiastic store stylist who suggested it. It looked right there … but each time I reach for it in my closet I end up putting it back. Something about it doesn’t work for me. Why is it so hard to throw in the towel (i.e., place it in the consignment or donate bag) … I don’t know. This year I’m determined to be more ruthless. Not only with what I remove … but what I let in. I love how you hang your scarves with your jackets … so pretty, so chic. xo
Juliet,Thanks so much. I have the same issue with things that I initially loved in the fitting room, and somehow when I am home, do not look good with anything. I wonder who was in my body when I was shopping?? LOL. With those pieces I think we just have to chalk them up to a loss and pass them onto someone who will love them. Good for you changing up what you do this year. My big goal is as you say being a better gatekeeper and not letting very much in, unless I’m nuts about it. xo
I absolutely LOVE this post Kim 💕 … one of the best and most valuable that I have ever read about our clothes and our closets.
I’m blessed with large wardrobe space but it can also be a curse lol! As it potentially can hold so much. Also over time I’ve been inclined to buy items that are gorgeous to look at and work well “in my head” but less so in real life. I’ve overcome this habit by trying on new items immediately with the things I already own to be sure they really do go well together. If not, then I return the new item.
I’m also trying hard to enjoy wearing what I have and not buy new. Taking inspiration from all your ideas!
I especially love the idea of organising my wardrobe / closet space as if it’s a boutique. Such a great idea and honestly just the inspiration I needed to get started re organising! As I’m not the best at “letting go” 😂 especially if it’s something that I love but no longer wear!
Your Equipment dress looks really great over jeans … especially the grey ones, in my opinion, but all the ways you’ve styled it really work! More inspiration for me! Thank you!
Such a really great post … and so many helpful comments, sorry I’m so late commenting.
Rosemary
Hi Rosemary, I do believe that is a lot of us. We have moor room and have a lot, but not always what we need. I also have a crush on items and then they don’t work out week with my real life and wardrobe. Such a good tip to try what you buy on immediately to see what will feel good with it.I think by time we let things wait in the closet a bit, it’s harder to return them, and we can even forget about them! I am glad you like the boutique idea. I think it makes the closet more fun and inviting and inspiring to change up what you wear. Thanks and no worries. So nice of you to chime in. xo