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Back to School:
Wardrobe Planning 101
Does this sound familiar? You’ re rushing to get the kids out the door to school, but you can’ t find anything to wear. You stand at your closet door, staring into the abyss. It’ s packed with options, but you can’ t figure out what goes with what. So, you grab the same outfit you always wear and charge out the door, realizing you’ ve spent more time and energy deciding what to wear than you did preparing your breakfast.
Consider wardrobe planning. While it does take time, it can result in a stylish, simple wardrobe that fits your lifestyle, making it easier for you to find outfits that make you feel good every day. Here are five quick tips on how to get started with your wardrobe plan.
Evaluate Your Lifestyle
What you wear should be in sync with how you live. A closet full of little black dresses and stiletto heels may work for a New York executive, but isn’ t very practical for a work-at-home mom or elementary school teacher. Make note of your habits for a week or two. How do you spend your time? How much time do you spend on each of your activities? What do you wear? Write it down.
Take an Inventory Make a list of all your garments – whether in your closet, your drawers, the dirty clothes hamper, or at the drycleaner. Divide your pieces into four piles:
• Clothing you wear often: Clothing that is figure-flattering and current, and that suits your lifestyle and personality.
• Clothing you wear sometimes: Trendy pieces or pieces that don’ t fit quite right. Restyling or altering out-of-date or ill-fitting garments can make them more current and extend their wearable life.
• Clothing needing repairs or cleaning: worth saving, but need attention before they are worn. Getting these pieces professionally cleaned or altered is like getting more clothes for less money.
• Clothing you haven’ t worn in a year or more: Be honest, these pieces are just taking up space in your closet and drawers. This pile can go right into the donation box to make room for pieces you’ ll use and love.
Build a Backbone
Take the items you’ ve decided to keep and mix and match them to make new combinations and outfits. Try these outfits on to make sure they really work. Take pictures of the outfits so you can remember what looked good. Do you have any orphans( i. e., pieces that really don’ t go with anything else)? Consider whether they’ re worth keeping or if you should get rid of them to make room for something more flexible. Organize your wardrobe by groups of items that can be mixed and matched to create a number of looks for a specific purpose( i. e., work, entertaining, casual). Figure out the items you need to complete or expand these groupings, or identify entirely new groups you might require. Identifying the existing combinations in your closet creates a backbone for your new wardrobe plan.
Make a List Now that you’ ve made an inventory of what you currently own, and put together some outfits with what you have, make a list of what you need to fill in the holes. Use your new awareness of your lifestyle to outline pieces that you love and that you’ ll be comfortable in. Focus on core pieces like white blouses, black slacks and pencil skirts, a well-tailored blazer, or simple black dresses.
Go Shopping!
Stick to classics and pay for quality so your pieces will last. Create a cohesive color story by focusing on neutrals; add color and create drama and flair with your accessories. Remember that fit is everything – a professional seamstress or tailor can make anything look amazing. Once you’ ve bought the core pieces your wardrobe needs, splash out on some seasonal updates like a colorful bag, some trendy costume jewelry, or fun new heels. This is the“ fun stuff” that adds a jolt of personality and life to your wardrobe, so let loose a little bit!
Once you’ ve revamped your wardrobe with a little planning, you’ ll find that your mornings are less stressful, and you feel great in what you’ re wearing all the time. Remember to care for your newly refreshed wardrobe with professional cleaning, and consider reducing your stress further with free pickup and delivery of your garments by a quality drycleaner.
North Allegheny | Fall 2016 | icmags. com 41