How To Overhaul Your Wardrobe for a New You in the New Year
I have a confession to make: I am a fashion hoarder. When I was in university I had some amazing clothes and accessories that I threw away as soon as they were deemed “unstylish.” Years later, I am still mourning the loss of those now chic pieces.
To remedy that, I now keep everything just in case I might want to wear it a decade down the road (or that I might fit into those too-small jeans or too-short dresses again). As a result, my closet is a cluttered, jumbled mess and I risk being buried in a handbag avalanche every single time I open those doors (FYI: it has totally happened before).
If you’re like me, and many women are, then it’s time to give your wardrobe a much-needed overhaul and reclaim that closet space because, hey, spring is on it’s way and you’ll need the room for all the ladylike lace and flirty floral warm-weather dresses.
Below I break down how to overhaul your wardrobe, with the help of international image consultant and owner of Personal Power Image Consulting Christie Ressel, in four easy steps: keep, alter, throwaway/donate and fill in the blanks.
To start, take stock of your wardrobe. It’s time to start sorting! Go through your wardrobe and sort your clothes into three piles: keep, alter, throwaway/donate.
Keep
Keep all of your wardrobe basics, all the articles of clothing that make for a functional day-to-day wardrobe, as well as any items that you absolutely love (visit Slice.ca later this month for my comprehensive list of must-have wardrobe essentials).
“Just because you may be “bored” of an item doesn’t mean you should toss it,” says Ressel. “Oftentimes, it just takes a fresh pair of eyes to see how many amazing outfits you can make from what’s already in your closet!”
Alter
Alter anything that looks out-of-date. “Items that you purchased in another era, or that look dated but are still in good condition, can often be altered slightly to make them look new again,” says Ressel. “For example, boxy or long blazers from the Eighties or Nineties can be shortened and altered to fit your body better.”
Throw Away/Donate
Throw away or donate anything that looks tattered, worn or old as well as items that you just don’t like (I’m sure I’m not the only one who bought something that I wasn't sure of and then ended up hating it). Don’t let items that you feel ‘meh’ about take up valuable closet real estate.
Fill in the Blanks
Now that your closet is organized it’s time to stock up on any wardrobe basics that you may be missing.
“Create a list of any items or gap you feel need filling in your wardrobe. This way, you’ll have a plan when you shop next time and can avoid impulse buys that may not work for you,” says Ressel.
Make sure to only buy pieces that go with the clothes you already own and make you feel confident.
What are you fashion resolutions for 2012 Slice fans?
Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion
enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has
appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca,
and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.
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