Time for a Closet Makeover?

Okay. So, I found some good advice and tips on building your wardrobe, and I wanted to get it up soon after Noelle's survey to go along with the whole fashion topic, but finally, here it is.

I like this, because most of my clothes are from high school (or earlier) and were picked out either by or with my mother. No offense to my mother, because she is WONDERFUL, but we don't have the same taste. And I am ready to do a good, major clean-out of my closet. Anyone else want to give it a go? If so, here are some thoughts and tips that may help.

All these ideas and tips come from the book,

"Daring To Be Yourself" by Alexandra Stoddard.

I'm just paraphrasing, so if you want the original, full thing... find the book! (It's easy to find for cheap online)

The best way to build your wardrobe is to empty everything from your closet and try on each item in front of a full length mirror.

Break up your wardrobe into 4 categories: work, social life, leisure, intimacy.

• What is your work? How do you dress for it?
• What do you do socially?
• How do you spend your free time?

REMEMBER that you are dressing to please YOURSELF.

10 Tips:

1. Be practical- Consider budget, materials (dry-clean only), etc. Make sure they fit your lifestyle.
2. Value- Indulge on good quality IF it is your style and size. Love every purchase you make! Make every clothing decision a major one. It is better to have fewer well-chosen things than to compromise.
3. Variety- Color adds variety, but pick only colors that look good with your skin and hair.
4. Accessories- Two general categories: real and fun fake. Gradually gather items over the years.
5. When to buy- Buy clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories as you go-when you find something you like, not when in dire need. Let your personal style guide you. And accommodate all areas of your life. Never buy what you don't want because it is cheap.
6. What will affect your choices- No one knows your body, finances, and how YOU feel in the clothes you try on. Don't let others lead you astray. Don't buy colors you hate. Don't buy clothes when you're feeling blue. Eliminate mistakes from your closet.
7. Wear what you love- Clothes should remind us of who we are. When we wear clothes we love, it shows in our being. Enjoy expressing yourself through your clothes.
8. Inventory- Twice a year, remove everything from your closet. Try everything on and arrange into categories. Spend time trying on different combinations to figure out what's best.
9. Flexibility- Think of all the ways and places you can wear your clothes.
10. Color choices- Color is the cheapest, easiest form of change and can affect your mood. It's best to have two basic neutral colors for shoes and handbags. Experiment.

[Use these thoughts and tips, but feel free to take them as just that-thoughts and tips-then do things your way! Adjust any of it to fit you and your life better. Go about your wardrobe your own way. This isn't scripture. But I hope it's at least a little helpful!]