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Ever feel like you have nothing to wear despite a closet full of clothes? It might be time to go “shopping” in your own closet. This fun and sustainable approach not only helps you rediscover forgotten pieces, but also encourages you to be creative with your existing wardrobe. Here’s how to make the most of what you already own.
- Start with a Clean Slate
Maintaining a clean, organized closet allows you to see all your options clearly, making it easier to mix and match outfits.
- Declutter: Remove everything from your closet and sort items into piles: keep, donate, and repair.
- Clean: Wipe down shelves, dust, and vacuum the closet floor.
- Organize: Arrange clothes by category (e.g., tops, bottoms, dresses) and then by color. This makes it easier to find items and create outfits.
- Take Inventory of Your Wardrobe
Knowing what you have helps prevent duplicate purchases and ensures you make the most of your existing pieces.
- List your items: Write down all the clothing items, shoes, and accessories you own.
- Photograph your wardrobe: Take pictures of each item to create a visual catalog. Apps like Stylebook can help organize and plan outfits.
- Identify Key Pieces
Recognizing versatile and foundational pieces in your wardrobe allows you to build multiple outfits around them.
- Basics: Identify staple items like a white shirt, black pants, and a little black dress.
- Statement Pieces: Pick out unique items that add flair to your outfits, such as a patterned blazer or bold accessories.
- Create New Outfits
Mixing and matching different pieces helps you discover new outfits without spending money on new clothes.
- Mix textures and patterns. Combine different fabrics and patterns to create interesting looks.
- Layer: Experiment with layering items like shirts under dresses or sweaters over blouses.
- Accessorize: Use accessories like scarves, belts, and jewelry to elevate and change the look of an outfit.
- Embrace DIY and Customization
Customizing and upcycling clothes can refresh your wardrobe and make items feel new again.
- Alterations: Tailor items for a better fit or change their style, like turning jeans into shorts.
- Dye and paint: Use fabric dye or paint to give old clothes a new color or design.
- Add embellishments: Sew on patches, buttons, or lace to personalize your pieces.
- Plan Your Outfits
Planning outfits in advance saves time and ensures you are making the most of your wardrobe.
- Weekly outfit planning: At the start of the week, plan your outfits for each day based on your schedule and weather forecast.
- Occasion-based planning: Create go-to outfits for different occasions, such as work, casual outings, and formal events.
- Seasonal rotation: Rotate your wardrobe seasonally, storing out-of-season clothes to keep your closet organized and fresh.
- Take Care of Your Clothes
Taking proper care extends the life of your clothes, keeping them looking new and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
- Follow care labels: Adhere to washing and drying instructions to avoid damage.
- Regular maintenance: Mend small tears, replace missing buttons, and clean stains promptly.
- Proper storage: Hang delicate items, fold heavy sweaters to prevent stretching, and store shoes in boxes or on racks.
- Stay Inspired
Staying inspired helps you continuously find new ways to wear your clothes and keeps your wardrobe feeling fresh.
- Follow fashion blogs, magazines, and social media influencers for outfit ideas.
- Participate in style challenges to push yourself to wear your clothes in new ways.
- Fashion Apps: Use apps like Pinterest or Instagram to save outfit inspirations and re-create them with your own wardrobe.
Photo: Pixabay