What I LOVE | What I HATE Closet Edit
What I LOVE | What I HATE Closet Edit
Ever ask a child about what they like or don’t like? They are VERY opinionated and most will tell you what they LOVE or HATE, not much in between. I have needed some closet honesty for a Closet Edit myself. So, for this fall’s seasonal switcharoo, I dropped my restraint and attacked my closet with the viewpoint of LOVE or HATE, nothing in between.
HERE IS WHAT I DISCOVERED
- I want fewer but better choices.
- Soft pastels annoy me (HATE), I want brighter colors for my accents.
- I don’t much love prints except in scarves.
- I’m obsessed (LOVE) with the idea of monochrome looks with or without an accent color.
- Clothes that follow my body shape are my true friends.
- I could live the rest of my life in a pullover and pants or pencil skirt, defintely LOVE.
- I still hate dresses even if they do look good on me.
- I have a lot of blue shirts and LOVE them all.
- I need a pair of black evening sandals with a 2 ½” heel.
MY CONFESSION
For those of you who are my clients or have followed me for a while, know how rigorous I can be. Giving myself some of my own medicine has been an interesting experience. Spring and Autumn I change out my closet but have been lax in culling and wishing I had a consultant to help me. Finally, I reread my all-time favorite book on style, French Chic by Susan Sommers. It gave me the backbone I needed to make some real changes just as it did so many years ago.
HOW I DID IT
I put up a portable rack and gave everything (really, everything in my closet) the LOVE/HATE test. For instance: I know I look best in a slim silhouette, but I had gotten carried away with some blousy, shapeless items because I liked the look of them, not because they flattered me. And then there were items I was keeping, just in case… Or the ones that are beautiful and serviceable and look good on me, but I just don’t LOVE them. Or the ones that almost fit.
MY RESULTS
- Having a few neutral capsules* (Ivory, Camel, Navy, and Black) gives me a discipline so that making/choosing outfits is effortless.
- I feel calmer and more purposeful, and my clothes are serving me, not the other way around.
- Fewer choices have cleared out the cobwebs and I have gotten more creative and playful with accessories.
- My closet has some breathing room that I’m not in a hurry to fill up, except for the elusive caramel pencil skirt I’m craving, and a red belt.
Need some new outfits or a closet refresh? Still wondering if you are wearing the right colors? Call or write me, I am here for you!
That does look calm! I notice your shoe organization by color and with a single shoe out. I guess you have the mate stored in a box or drawer? What a great idea!
Yes Lauren, I have clear plastic shoe boxes with pictures of the shoes taped to the end of the boxes. They are stored on the shelves above my clothes. I am the world’s worst about out-of-sight = out-of-mind. I need to see the items to remember to use all I have. Same with scarves, belts, jewelry, etc. All organized so that I can easily see and use. I’ll do a blog on storage ideas soon!
I noticed French Chic was published in ‘88. Is it just 1 of those timeless books about style?
I see where Susan Sommers also wrote Italian Chic in ‘92. Have you read that 1?
Coleen, This book is MY timeless book of style for sure. My whole wardrobe philosophy is closely aligned with the principles in this book. I also own her boo, Italian Chic. It is very different as it uses three main cities and their very different approaches to style and fashion. Since these both pertain to my profession, I am happy to have them. What I discovered is that I am more French than Italian when it comes to wardrobe and style.
You are the best and I need you to come soon and cull. I also want you to see my new house and my new closet in Travis Heights, almost your neighbor. Talk soon, keep up your style, we are watching. My email is aralyn@aralyn.com, but your system insisted on a google email that I don’t use.
I’ll send you before and after pictures once I am done. This is a project that I have had on my list for far too long, and now that its a change of seasons, its a perfect opportunity to have at it!!! Thanks for inspiring me!!
Garland
Most welcome! May I suggest you use my 4-part Closet Edit to help you on your journey? It starts next week!
I have a new rule that I can’t bring anything into my closet without getting rid of something that is already there. So before I buy it I must commit to getting rid of something else. I also clean out my closet every season. It makes it easier at the end of the season to say what did I not wear at all and should consider consigning or getting rid of. You may not wear it because it doesn’t fit, doesn’t look good or your style has changed. Anyway, it’s obvious what needs to go. Since I have to get rid of things to put in new things I always feel a bit excited when I am getting rid of stuff -because that means I can try something new.
Darcy, What a great discipline and one that I heartily endorse: looking to see what stayed in the closet all season without being worn. That said, I don’t know that we can count 2020 as part of the normal matrix. I usually give a garment 2 years because sometimes I’m just in a different frame of mind from year to year. Ex: this year I HATE color, except red and cobalt blue, last year I LOVED color, including pastels. Who knows about next year, I am mercurial!