You didn’t think the Styling You Holiday Style Camp was going to be all glitter and fluff, without any hard work, did you?
Good.
I promise though that the hard work in the beginning is seriously worth it.
Worth it because the work starts in your wardrobe. With what you already own.
The truth is, you can’t really unlock your style, or shop successfully to enhance your style, without editing the clothes you already own.
The tricky part here is LETTING GO.
Letting go of past style “seasons”, letting go of clothes that no longer fit, letting go of the fact that you spent money on clothes you no longer – or never did – wear.
Rarely have I come across a wardrobe that doesn’t contain any or all of the above.
My own included.
Which is why twice a year – as the seasons change and before I go shopping to top up my wardrobe – I take a good hard look at every piece that’s in there.
I don’t have a lot of space so if something is going to retain my prime wardrobe real estate, it has to not only work for me, it has to make me feel fan-bloody-tastic every time I take it out to play.
Less really is more. All you need is a good, solid collection of wardrobe basics (we’ll talk about them tomorrow) and a sprinkle of seasonal show ponies (yes, they’re the day after).
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Style Work
Yes, you guessed it. It’s time to get stuck in to that wardrobe edit.
Here is the step-by-step method I recommend.
1. Get in the right frame of mind. If you need a glass of wine to help achieve that then go for it. I’ll wait here while you go to the fridge.
2. Lock the door so you don’t get any “helpers” in the form of small children. They will distract you with requests such as, “can I please have another biscuit?”, “watch YouTube on your iPad?” or “mummy, why are you drinking wine for morning tea?”.
3. Pull EVERYTHING out. I’m a cracked record on this one. There’s seriously no point flicking through the racks, offering only a cursory glance at that floral top you bought three years ago. That still has its tags on.
4. Look at your empty wardrobe. At this point another glass of vino may be called upon. You’re not wardrobe gazing here. You’re taking a good look at the space available to you and thinking how best you can make the most of that space. If moving your partner’s clothes into another room is what you think best, who am I to come between you and marital wardrobe bliss?
5. Unless you’ve had your wardrobe custom-designed by a company that builds in all those clever shelves (in which case I have serious wardrobe envy and may descend on your house just to sit in front of said wardrobe and stare) then it’s a good idea to invest in some sort of wardrobe storage system to maximise your space. They work particularly well when you have a lot of hanging space but next to no draws. The shoe insert is an obvious one but I also like the deeper boxes and drawers for my knitwear, jeans and tees.
6. When you have all your clothes out of your wardrobe, start to organise them in to type and colour. This is particularly essential if your week involves two completely different type of clothing demands. One client I’ve worked with is ultra corporate during the week and surf lifesaving all weekend. We were able to split her wardrobe into two, so that Monday to Friday she opened one section; on the the weekends and holidays another.
7. During this organisation process, you’re culling, right? Remember, if it doesn’t fit and doesn’t make you feel good it has to go (special consideration is given to sentimental pieces … I’m not that harsh!). If you want to hang on to those jeans (just in case … umm like my sass & bides I squeezed into for my 40th, drank too much and they’ve never fitted again), then store them out of sight. Otherwise, they will only make you feel like crap every time you see them.
8. Put things back into your wardrobe in a way that suits your space and lifestyle. I have a small wardrobe that I’ve been unable to convince my husband I should have sole custody of (despite regularly encroaching on his “side”), so I have taken up a sub-let in my daughter’s wardrobe to house the clothes from the season I’m not currently wearing. I figure I’ve not got long to go on this plan, though, as the teenage “must buy new clothes” bug has well and truly kicked in.
9. Bag up clothes for your favourite charity store, keeping aside any you might be keen to eBay. From experience, it’s new, near-new designer labels that will pull the most cash and make your eBay session worthwhile.
10. Sit back. Pour another wine and admire the glory that is a wardrobe ready for the season ahead.
Let me know how you go in the comments below.
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** The Styling You Holiday Style Camp {Unlock Your Style in 14 Days} is based on the Styling You Manifesto. If you don’t have your own, you can download it here. I’ll also be giving away a proper printed Styling You Manifesto from The Smile Collective every day to the reader who catches my eye with their comments and participation.
Unlock Your Style in 14 Days (Day 1 manifesto winner): Carla Harris. Carla, could you please email me your postal address: nikki@stylingyou.com.au
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