New looks, old wardrobe?

[groovypq]

I have a lot of clothes in my closet, and I'm sort of getting bored with them. (That sounds way snottier than I mean it to...) Basically, I made the mistake of buying too many pieces that only go with one thing, like a print skirt that can only go with one top. So I wear everything the same way all the time.

Most of the clothes, if a few years old, are in good shape, and still pretty basic instead of overly trendy. I just need a new way of looking at them.

For example: I have a pair of dark brown pants. Brown is a neutral, yet I can never seem to wear anything but a tan/white/cream top with these pants. Any other color suggestions? The "boldest" I've gotten is olive green.

Same thing with a pair of navy pants. I only ever wear white/cream, or this white shirt with red stripes because I think that looks kind of nautical. According to Stacy and Clinton, navy is a "new neutral" too.

Any ideas? Where are my fashionistas?

[RaggedyAnn]

With brown, you can wear pink, teal, light blue and even black. With navy, you can wear anything but black.

I'd try pulling out all your shirts or bottoms (whichever you have less of) and put every bottom or shirt with it to see if you can make an outfit. Sometimes adding a few new accessories will do the trick as well.

Good luck!

[ree-Xi]

You can do this by yourself or with a good friend - who will be HONEST with you.

1. First, take everything out of your closet and try every piece on.

2. Make 3 piles - Mend, Swap/Donate/Trash, Keep.

3. Once you have tried on everything, go to your KEEP pile. Anything you haven't worn in two years or more, put into the swap/donate pile (unless it's a timeless piece like a dress that you would wear only on very special occasions).

4. Now start mixing and matching tops and bottoms (and shoes!) in ways you might not have thought about before. Even if you think it won't work, try it anyway. This is a good time to bring out your accessories. When you find a "look" or an outfit that "works", take a picture of it. (If you have a friend or a tripod, get a pic of you IN the outfit. You can also play with your hair - some tops look better with hair up or away from your face, while others look better with your hair down.) At some point, load the pics onto your computer, shrink the pics so you can fit maybe 4-6 shots on a page (landscape works best) and print it out on plain paper. Keep this near or in your closet -maybe on your wall.

* about neutrals - Neutrals with neutrals work well together, and can be brightened up with brighter accessories. For example, black pants with a neon or really bright top can look a little 90s, or look like you are wearing a uniform. But black pants with a cream colored top and a kelly green belt or turquoise scarf can be stunning. I also think that muted colors like olive green, slate blue, or mauve can look great with neutrals. Just play around.

5. Once you've gone through all of your KEEP pile, organize your closet. I prefer to keep dresses on one rack, then pants, then skirts. On the other rack are tops. I organize first by sleeve length - tanks, short sleeve, long, then by color. Some people organize by color and THEN go by sleeve length. THIS SOUNDS TIME CONSUMING AND OCD - but it helps on a day when you have little time to pull an outfit together. I like to wrap scarves or necklaces on the hangar of particular tops or dresses that absolutely define the outfit.

6. Once you know what you have, you can identify "holes" in your wardrobe. For example, do you need a pair of dressy black pants? Perhaps a casual dress? Maybe a few accessories? What about underwear? Do you have the right size/style/coverage for your outfits? Might be a good tie time to get a bra fitting - many women wear the wrong size. When you have the time/money, this is the list you take shopping.

7. You can also have swap parties with your friends. One person's "never worn because it's too bright and too long tunic" may be another person's "absolutely gorgeous top that goes great with my skinny jeans". Bring anything you don't wear or like or that doesn't fit - clothes, shoes, accessories - you'd be amazed what other treasures are in other people's closets.

8. What doesn't get discovered by someone else can go straight to Goodwill or the Salvation army or a women's shelter. Also, there are organizations that supply unemployed or underemployed women (many who are in poverty, or homeless or just returning to the workforce) with new & used good-condition suits and workwear to wear to an interview.

Also remember:
- get items that need new buttons or hems or cleaning to the tailor/cleaners - sometimes a small fix can transform how something looks on you
- trash anything that is ratted, holey, ripped or otherwise unwearable.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

[groovypq]

Thanks, both of you!!

Oh, here's another one if anyone wants to take a crack at it. I just bought a really cute Ralph Lauren dress on clearance. It's a halter top with a chain around the neck, navy blue and red striped, falls just below my knees. I'd say it's semi-formal - I'd wear it to a dressy occasion. Do you think there's any way to casual it up a bit to wear to work? It's so cute, I hate to wear it just once in awhile.

[agzg]

Wear a cream colored or white shrug or cardigan. Covers your back to make it work-appropriate and I've found that cardigans "dress down" pretty much any dress.

[Scully]

Old habits die hard for me and shopping is one of them! But in this economy, trying to mix and match older pieces and adding accessories is a good way to keep current, be creative, and save money. Basics are great, you just have to build on them. Every 6 months or so, I go through my closets and drawers. I try everything on that I think *might* just fit! See what I want to keep wearing and if I haven’t worn it in the previous 6 months, I most likely won’t wear it again. Then I make piles – one to trash, one to donate, one to hang back up and keep. I also share clothes with my sister, even though it’s harder because we’re not living in the same house anymore.

I too keep my closet organized. Top rack are dresses, cardigans (in sleeve-length order), button downs (in sleeve-length order), and jackets. Bottom rack are pants, shorts, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, and longsleeve shirts. It’s my attempt to move a bit faster in the morning when getting ready!

When choosing outfits for work/going out, I create looks. I layout the pants/jeans/skirts on the bed. Then with the shirts on hangers I begin to layer the pieces. Cardigan on top of tank, structured jacket over flowy top, etc. Match my shoes on the floor. Then I’ll lay my necklaces/bracelets/scarves/belts over that. I’m big into belts this year! If it looks way too outrageous, I’ll swap out one top/accessory for another. Work pants/skirts are almost always a neutral – black, brown, grey, or navy. I pair those with a color. Almost anything goes! You can pair your neutrals as well. The only two colors I will never, ever wear together are black and brown! For instance, right now I have on brown slacks, a light grey sleeveless top, long blue cardigan, with a silver skinny belt. Don’t be afraid of prints either. And when in doubt, try it on! Being monochromatic is alright once in a while, but I like to have something that pops. I love to layer my tops. That way I can keep wearing a summer shirt right through the winter with the right sweater and belt it to tie the entire look together. Get mileage out of the pieces you already own.

And right now, if you can’t spend the money on new larger, basic pieces – accessories make a huge difference! When shopping look for bangles, statement necklaces, or even scarves that you can wear one hundred different ways. And they don’t have to be expensive. Places like Forever 21 and H&M have trendy little pieces. And always check online. I find a lot of brands offer a much bigger selection on their website than in-store. And use your online coupons! Scour sites like http://www.retailmenot.com/ for codes at checkout.

As far as making your dress more casual - try tights and boots for the fall with a jacket or sweater. Good luck!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Scully

As far as making your dress more casual - try tights and boots for the fall with a jacket or sweater. Good luck!

I love pairing boots and tights/leggings with dresses! It can totally dress down a flashier dress.

And also, because I am wicked short, I have been able to make "dresses" out of tunics and still be modest and put together. I think this year I will have to retire my tall black leather boots. I bought them at a steal in Montreal quite a few years ago, when the US dollar was strong. They are in great condition, but they are more round-toed, and I would love to get a pointier (not super pointy) toe. We'll see...I usually end up buying a couple of fall/winter items and tell hubby that they can be my birthday/Xmas gifts (Bday is on Thanksgiving).

And I agree with the layering of summer items. I used to hate layering, because I get hot really easily. But I found that those lightweight tanks (that would usually be too thin to wear alone) work great under sweaters and cardigans. (I can't do long sleeve over long sleeve...shudder). I had tried those "shelf bra" tank tops but they don't offer enough support for my girls, and create the uni-boob look. These tanks are now on the clearance racks, so I will be able to stock up on a few neutrals and colors!

[LucyKKG]

Omg you ladies are amaaaazing! I wanna play dress-up with my own closet right now! When I first read groovypq's post, I only had one suggestion, but I'll still say it: check out fashion blogs. I've been reading a lot of fashion blogs online lately, and while some are ridiculous, you may get some inspiration out of it somehow.

[Xidelt]

Don't forget consignment stores, especially if you have things you don't wear but are still in style or in good condition.

[Scully]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

When you find a "look" or an outfit that "works", take a picture of it.

As soon as I read this, I thought of the scene in Clueless where Cher tries on her outfits has Polaroids taken of herself!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Scully

As soon as I read this, I thought of the scene in Clueless where Cher tries on her outfits has Polaroids taken of herself!

OMG I totally forgot about that!

I used the idea when I was doing an independent film and had seven wardrobe changes. The scenes were shot over a few different days, and I had to know exactly what I wore (clothes, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup) if I were working on a scene I had already worked on. I had the wardrobe stylist email pics to me so I can have a cheat sheet (I provided 90% of my wardrobe) and know what to pack for the day's shoot.

There's also a new TLC show with Trinny and Susannah from UK's "What Not to Wear", called "Making over America." Part of their service is to take pics of the different outfits they put together, and stick them to the wall. I think it's a great idea.

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

OMG I totally forgot about that!

I used the idea when I was doing an independent film and had seven wardrobe changes. The scenes were shot over a few different days, and I had to know exactly what I wore (clothes, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup) if I were working on a scene I had already worked on. I had the wardrobe stylist email pics to me so I can have a cheat sheet (I provided 90% of my wardrobe) and know what to pack for the day's shoot.

There's also a new TLC show with Trinny and Susannah from UK's "What Not to Wear", called "Making over America." Part of their service is to take pics of the different outfits they put together, and stick them to the wall. I think it's a great idea.

Your suggestions are spot on, and you are too right about Trinny and Susannah. I loved them back when they did the original "what not to wear"...they are so much better than Stacey and Clinton.

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I prefer to keep dresses on one rack, then pants, then skirts. On the other rack are tops. I organize first by sleeve length - tanks, short sleeve, long, then by color. Some people organize by color and THEN go by sleeve length. THIS SOUNDS TIME CONSUMING AND OCD - but it helps on a day when you have little time to pull an outfit together. I like to wrap scarves or necklaces on the hangar of particular tops or dresses that absolutely define the outfit.

I do this and it is unbelievable at how it saves time. It can be time consuming at first, but once the organizing is finished, it is really easy to keep it up.

[court4short]

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

I do this and it is unbelievable at how it saves time. It can be time consuming at first, but once the organizing is finished, it is really easy to keep it up.

I do it, too. My closet is organized by colors, then sleevelengths/heaviness (ie sweater vs. t-shirt). It might take a while when you first do it, but if you just put everything back where it belongs when you do laundry it's so easy. It really does help with outfits because you know where everything is!

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by court4short

I do it, too. My closet is organized by colors, then sleevelengths/heaviness (ie sweater vs. t-shirt). It might take a while when you first do it, but if you just put everything back where it belongs when you do laundry it's so easy. It really does help with outfits because you know where everything is!

I do the same thing. When I first started doing this, some people thought I was OCD and really nuts. It's made my life easier and I know where my stuff is.

Take that critics!