Tips for Simplifying your Wardrobe
We all know the feeling of getting dressed in a hurry and not having enough outfits. It can feel like we're wearing one shirt over and over again, or putting on sweatpants every day before work! But there is an easier way: wear what makes your heart sing so that when those moments arise where dressing up washes with ease instead Of being complicated.
Here are six secrets to simplifying wardrobe without sacrificing style or quality.
#1. First off – try picking 3 different types (or styles)of wardrobes/outfits; such as professional, casual, or dressy, secondly, pick how many of each item you need for each style. How often do you wear clothes from your professional, casual and dressy wardrobes? The same goes with pants or skirts--do they all get used equally too? If so it's easier to simplify the number of pieces in your closet without having an overabundance that is just sitting there unused most days because you don't know what will match or you don’t feel comfortable in it. Picking the right number of items for each style will streamline your closet. For example, if there are five different tops in your professional wardrobe and only wear two of them on a daily basis then get rid of the other three! This will help reduce clutter as well as make sure what's left over isn't still sitting around collecting dust (like mine was).
#2. You can't dress yourself if your wardrobe is cluttered with clothes that don't fit or go together. So, start by purging and making sure each piece has a home in an appropriate category like work clothing, (home), casual weekend wear (out)---and so on! Clear out any items with tears or stains in your closet and start reusing them for new purposes - like rag material, cleaning cloths etc., It's time to get rid of those old pieces that are no longer usable or items that need mending. Rather than just letting them sit around taking up space until next season when you plan on sewing it again...remember that even if you have not fixed it it's okay. You had good intentions- now let go so they can live on again...maybe someone will love the project. You never know….
#3. Find your neutral colour. For me, black is always a go-to. It's the perfect shade to wear for any event and I love pairing it up with other colours because let's face it - who doesn't want their outfit completed by just adding some killer jewelry? Almost all of what I own and purchase now goes with black. You can never go wrong with a classic, dark shade like this one that'll look good on everyone no matter their skin tone. Decide what your neutral colour will be, white, beige, black or dark grey.
#4. It can be hard enough trying to think through everything we need without adding another dozen options. So many choices, so little time! The joy of owning just one great item is lost when you're surrounded by more clothing and it becomes difficult for your style preferences or personal taste in fashion get noticed amidst all the other things vying for attention like work deadlines and date night plans. What's your favorite piece and how do you wear it? Can it be worn for work, events, weekends or date night? One of the secrets to making an outfit work is by adding different elements. You can change up your entire look just by switching out some accessories and clothing pieces - maybe try wearing a sweater rather than showing off skin with no coverage, or the style it with different shoes?
#5. After I had narrowed down a lot of clothes from my closet, there were still some items that didn't quite fit the bill. I wasn’t quite ready to let go if yet, so instead of just getting rid them right away for whatever reason. I put them in an transition area where I can see if I do actually reach for that item again! Decluttering your closet is the first step in creating a more manageable life for yourself and those around you. You don't need to declutter everything --the idea here is simplify by using what we already have; don't buy any more unnecessary stuff! If I had my say about how many items should go into that "narrowed down" pile? (I’m ruthless, which is why a transition area is sometimes necessary. You don’t have to eliminate everything right away, this can be a process. As time goes on you will see that many items that are in your transition area haven’t been taken out. So it’s time to say good-bye to them and make space for the life you want. When we simplify our lives, it allows us to be better at managing time as well as stress levels because there's less stuff that needs attention all of the sudden!
#6. Experiment! What would it be like if you got rid of half of your clothes? Do you have too many clothes? What if I told you that there was a way to get rid of half your closet. All it takes is changing how we perceive closets in our minds, and by doing so getting more out than what’s actually being put back in! Start by keeping only clothing appropriate for each season. The other half of your closet that you don't plan on wearing should be placed in a different location. Go for one month and then decide if it needs to stay or go because this will give an accurate idea as to what you wear, but really without trying this experiment first, how will you know what it would be like to get rid of half your clothes?