topic Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please in Fashion

Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

carlotta — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:46:24 GMT

Ok...I need some serious steps in cleaning out clothes, shoes, purses, and scarves...by step-by-step, in order of importance, please...I am retired but still want to look good...I need four seasons.

I just have a hard time letting go...need one step at a time so that I can finally do it.

Advice?

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

lolakimono — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:50:51 GMT

Did you just retire or are you just fed up with the stuff?

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

Tallgal — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:07:41 GMT

Letting go of items can be hard because of our emotional attachment to our belongings. A good place to start is to ask yourself 1. Do you love it? 2. Does this clothing/fashion item fit your current lifestyle? There are numerous web sites with suggestions/plans on uncluttering closets. Good luck.

http://recoveringshopaholic.com/the-keep-or-purge-question/

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

jlkz — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:32:53 GMT

To start: select 2 or 3 basic colors for your wardrobe. Then, remove all non basic colors to another room. Shoes and handbags can be scaled down to go with these basic colors. Suggestion: try to use one handbag/ season. Keep the extras with the non basic colors for at least six months until you're sure of your choices. It'll then be easier to give to someone you know or to donate the items. Also, by narrowing your basic colors and coordinating accessories with them, your packing for trips will be much simpler. And, if you have to tote your own luggage, it'll be easier. I discovered these tips when I had to do a lot of traveling for my job. ( You'll find by selecting neutral toned shoes that you won't need as many pairs. )

You'll be able to spend money more wisely on accessories to give you the style and color punch to look current and well dressed. An added bonus: you'll save time when you need to get ready for social or other events. Hope these streamlining tips are helpful!!!

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

151949 — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:54:41 GMT

I was so lucky when i worked that I wore scrubs to work in so my personal wardrobe stayed the same after retirement. My main criteria for purging out clothing is to try it on - if I am not 100% satisfied with how it fits - out it goes.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

busygirl — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:06:42 GMT

Where I would start is put together the outfits that you will need and use. Decide what kind of things you will be doing. Going out with friends, church and or social events and maybe some traveling too. Pick out some other pieces that can be mixed and matched to change it up. Add in the scarves and accessories along with the shoes and handbag. Keep only the things that look good on you and are in great shape. If you can't wear a piece with other pieces then out it goes.

You will need clothes for your day to day activities also.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

pattypeep — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:16:38 GMT

When I retired six years ago, I knew I was not going to go back to work. First thing I did was get rid of 80% of what I used to wear to work. I saved a few nice dresses (for wedding or a funeral ~ LOL), the shoes to go with what outfits I saved and then waited a year or so and went through the closets again. I still purge yearly. I really don't need four seasons because I tend to layer, so use most things all year except for boots and a couple of winter coats. PS: I bet I buy more clothes now than I did when I worked ~ just different kinds of clothes ~ more fun, too.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

busygirl — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 02:25:47 GMT

Where I am lucky is I can wear jeans to work and don't need dresses and skirts or fancy things. I have dresses and skirts for church, weddings or when the occasion arises or when I want to step it up a notch.

I like jackets and sweaters and cardigans and that kind of thing. I see me wearing those when I retire too. I like to shop and change up my clothes so I try not to buy too much for any one season. I also try and buy things I can wear for more than one season and things that mix and match. Nothing too trendy but I still want to look trendy too.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 03:35:55 GMT

IMO, there's two approaches ..... one is to "thin out" the closet, reducing each category by, say, 25%.

Or ..... take EVERYTHING out of your closet ..... vacuum and dust ..... and then go one by one, and JUSTIFY putting the garment back in your closet.

If this is too dramatic, then take everything that is not put back in (wasn't adequately "justified") and put it all aside for a month to see if you made any mistakes. Oftentimes, you won't give those items another thought.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

goodstuff — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:15:51 GMT

I saw this suggestion a while back and have posted it before, but I think it's the best advice I've seen on the subject: Go through your wardrobe a few pieces or a section at a time. If you haven't worn an item for some time or ever, you MUST wear it in real life and determine if it actually works for you before you can keep it. It's amazing how many things we cling to because "it's too good to give away" or "I spent a lot of money on that" or "maybe I'll want to wear it one day". Nope; none of that. If you want to keep an item, you must actually put together an outfit with it and wear it. This week.

Amazing how fast this helps you determine if you really want to keep pieces in your wardrobe.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

esther22 — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:35:52 GMT

Good idea, Goodstuff. I have 4 closets full of clothes, and I wear scrubs to work!!!!! How stupid is THAT? I also have a couple hundred pairs of shoes--flats, heels, boots, tennis shoes. I give away a lot, particularly to my daughter-in-law who is appreciative. I sort through things tring to be RUTHLESS, but that doesn't always work. What really works is making an outfit and WEARING it. Many times I get ready to go, take a look at myself and do a "what was I thinking", and out it goes. I also put things in a BLACK trash bag and don't go thru it again. I just get rid of it. I am so blessed and I feel like I just wastw money on CLOTHES, shoes and jewelry. I Do look nice though LOL!

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

~Lucky Lu~ — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:43:20 GMT

One of my facebook groups just posted this:

Cut down your closet by 25% by asking yourself this one question:
"If I were shopping right this second, would I buy this?" If the answer's no, out it goes.

I have been lax since losing weight/buying transitional pieces/losing weight/plateauing, etc., but as I was going through my closet over the weekend, I realized that I have too much. Right now I'm rather tired of my winter clothes, so hitting 25% won't be hard at all.

Re: Advice for Closet Make-over, Please

Daysdee — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:17:42 GMT

On 3/10/2014 ~Lucky Lu~ said:
One of my facebook groups just posted this:

Cut down your closet by 25% by asking yourself this one question:
"If I were shopping right this second, would I buy this?" If the answer's no, out it goes.

I have been lax since losing weight/buying transitional pieces/losing weight/plateauing, etc., but as I was going through my closet over the weekend, I realized that I have too much. Right now I'm rather tired of my winter clothes, so hitting 25% won't be hard at all.

That is a good suggestion re: would you buy it today? I have a hard time parting with items since: 1) everything fits; 2) I like a huge variety; 3) to replace items would cost a lot more now. However, my closets are way over-crowded. When I get started, I think I will use that criteria and try to part with some items.