New Year, New Closet

New Year, New Closet

(written by Lauren Lefevre, white table)

Why do most of us have a closet full of clothes and wake up, most days, feeling
like we have nothing to wear?

I think it’s because, one, we keep thinking we’ll find something
“new” inside our closet; and two, are are all terrified at getting
rid of anything. The vast majority of us are pack-rats at heart, afraid as soon
as we give away something, it will come back in style or we will {finally} lose
those extra pounds and that pair of jeans from high school will fit again…

So, we keep our closets jam-packed with sentimental sweaters, jeans that have
been through at least two presidential administrations and bright colored
bridesmaids dresses we are certain we might wear again one day. {Have you
actually ever worn a bridesmaid dress more than once?!} And each morning, we
open our closet doors to mass quantity of clothes that just no longer work for
us. The “good” clothes are stifled out by the “bad.”

Ever hear the saying “less is more?” Well maybe we should all begin
using that mindset when it comes to our wardrobe. I believe that doing a closet
audit, even if it means ridding yourself of half of your clothes, will make you
feel like you actually have more clothes and more outfit options! Why?
Simple: the articles hanging in your closet will fit, be stylish and be more
visible. This is a difficult task best not done on your own! Just like it’s
difficult to push yourself in a gym workout without a trainer, it may be hard
to say goodbye to clothes that have lived with you for a long time. So grab a
fashion-forward, honest friend {who can say “yes, your butt really
does look big in those pants!”} or a professional to help cull through the
trash to get the treasures.

You’ll have to try a nearly everything one, so have a full length mirror, good
lighting and a few hours to complete the task. Here are simple tips:

Rules of good riddance ::

1. If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it. {Unless you’ve been
pregnant or nursing this past year!}

2. If you don’t love it, get rid of it.

3. If someone gave it to you as gift and you hate it {but feel guilty not
hanging onto it}, get rid of it.

4. If you don’t feel fabulous in it, get rid of it.

5. If you bought it because it was on a great sale, but have never worn it, get
rid of it.

What to do with the banished goods ::

1. If it is a designer brand item, consider selling it on eBay. You just might
be surprised by what you can get!

2. If it is good quality, take it to a local consignment store.

3. Take the rest and donate to your favorite local charity.

Your reward will be having more to wear that actually fits, and maybe even a
little extra in your wallet. Just be sure to spend the newly earned money on
something you really LOVE and feel fabulous wearing!

–

Edit by Lauren Lefevre

Wardrobe Consulting | Personal Shopping | Stella & Dot Jewelry

Website: http://www.editbylauren.com

Fashion Blog: http://www.editbylauren.com/blog

Stella & Dot Jewelry Line: http://www.stelladot.com/editbylauren

770.280.7370