Clothes-Minded
Fall is SO in the air! Are you as excited as I am?! This is my favorite season. Unfortunately, with allergies it doesn't like me as much as I like it! Thankful for allergy meds.
There are so many fabulous style trends this Fall and the colors are some of my very favorites! There are colors for every DCC (Dominant Color Characteristic). But before we go too far in talking about the latest and greatest styles I want to make sure you understand that you may be able to find most of what you need in your own closet! Why? Because some of us (ahem, including me) have clothes in our closet that we don't know are there, or have ignored, or waiting for them to magically fit again. To tell on myself, I have what I call my small, medium and large wardrobes. This is not necessary, period.
I found this quote; love it: "Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets." ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960.
Too much stuff clutters your life. I learned from a professional organizer that when you buy something, say a new handbag, you need to take one that you have and either throw it away, give it to a friend, consign or donate it.
Let's talk a little "closet-keeping". Have you ever looked around you closet and said to yourself, "I've nothing to wear"? Yes, me too. Before we go barreling out to buy something....anything, let's take an hour (or 3 or 4) and go through our closets and drawers. This way we can at least find things that we don't like or wear anymore (and maybe a few things we forgot we had!) and make room for any new necessities. Also, don't forget consignment or thrift stores. If we consign clothes with a store, some will give their consigners a discount on purchases. I found a great consignment store today! It's called Divine Consign. It's located in The Fountains off of Ardrey Kell Rd. It's worth a trip; but please don't be in a hurry when you arrive. They have lots to look through. A lot of high-end brands as well as some like Old Navy and Coldwater Creek. Very reasonable prices too! Here is a link to their website http://divineconsigncharlotte.com/index.htm
Our goal is to keep our closets and drawers filled with things that we like, are in flattering colors and fit just right. You may want to have a box, bag or a pile keep, throw away, consign/donate ready. Here are 10 tips to follow when de-cluttering our closets and drawers:
1. If you haven't worn something in the last year, it's in a color that doesn't flatter you or it doesn't fit, take it out.
2. Now if that/those items that you've not worn in the last year are a great color and you believe that you will one day be able to wear them again (because of a size), then take them out and store them in a box or bag marked with the size and try to store them somewhere other than your closet. This also includes special occasion items that you haven't worn in the last year as well.
3. Make some time to try on clothes that you are unsure as to whether they fit correctly. If they need to be altered, then start a pile for those items.
Now you should have a pile of clothes that you like, fit properly and are in colors that flatter you. These things are what belong in your closet.
4. Next, organize your closet by color and style. Try grouping clothes together such as jackets, shirts, pants, etc.
5. At this point you can begin putting together an inventory list. Do you have more tops than bottoms or vice versa? Make a list of things you may need to buy (i.e., a black skirt, a pair of jeans, brown pants...) Don't forget to check your undergarments as well. If you have not bought a new bra in the last year, you are overdue! What about shapers? There is no shame in a shaper honey!!
6. Onto organizing your shoes. Group spring/summer and fall/winter shoes together, make sure they are in boxes labeled with the size and color/style.
7. If you have several handbags you may want to hang them together or have a clear box so that you can find the one you need quickly.
Ok. Ready? 1, 2, 3. Go! Let's own our closets (and drawers)! You and I may be surprised by what we find! And if you have some great clothes in great shape that you no longer will wear, talk to the ladies at Divine Consign about consigning them at their store.
Once you have inventoried you closet you can now shop on purpose, not impulse!
Blessings,
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