Fashion

If you come by our house there's a good chance you'll find me in a good pair of cabin socks, over-sized shirt, and a blanket on hand.  Having been a swimmer I was that girl that would wear shorts with flip flops in freezing temps of December, but I tend to be the "go-to" for clothing advice for those in my life.  My closet may speak for itself.. follow along and I promise you'll find good tips on closet organization, fashion tips and tricks, and some fashion buzz.

What should you pull out of the back of your closet or pick up from the store to have the right look this spring?!

Nude shoes

 

There's still no such thing as too much denim!

  

Pleats

 

Acid wash denim (yes, think backstreet boys!)

 

Ribbon accents (on handbags, shoes, and more!)

Bell sleeve blouses

  

A- line Mini skirts

 

So check the back of your closet or hit the stores to be ready for spring 2017.

Are you down a couple pounds with your new workout?  Or is your closet just overflowing with clothes and it's time for some spring cleaning?  Do you have pairs of shoes just collecting dust?  Could you make some extra cash by cleaning out your closet?  (and not in an Eminem type way) 

It's said that the average American only wears 10-20% of their clothes!! 

Ask yourself.. is it time to say goodbye?  Trust me, I know better than anyone how hard it is to get rid of clothes but following these steps will make it easier!

First.. I'd empty your drawers, closets, everything.  You need to literally go through every piece of clothing for this to be a true wardrobe transformation.  You can go through one area at a time if you don't have hours on hours to devote to this.  Have 3 areas for clothes to go to after they have been evaluated.  Piles should be DONATE, SELL, and KEEP.


1. Ask yourself (about every piece in drawers, closets, wrinkled under your bed, all of it!)
Will I ever wear this again?
Does it represent my current style?
If it's damaged... will I actually make the effort for it to be repaired?
Do I feel confident when I wear this?

2. So you said "NO" to a couple things (then it's either a donate or sell piece) 
Is it two sizes too small or too big?
Does it have intrinsic value?
Would you buy it today?
Does it have sentimental value?

If it's two sizes too big or small.. it needs to go!
If you wouldn't buy it today.. it needs to go!
If it has intrinsic value.. wait.
If it has sentimental value.. invest in an underbed box or some sort of storage for pieces like this.

3.  So you want to make some cash 
You can sell an item if..
-it is in good condition
-it is not stained
-a friend would want to borrow it
(and you know you won't miss it, if it hasn't been worn in over a year!)

Now it's time to get organized! 

• Tops and dress shirts- should be hung.
• Sweaters- FOLD THEM!  So they don't loose their shape on a hanger or get little lumps at the shoulders from a hanger
• Jeans- hang them by the hem
• Dresses- should be hung and organize them by color, length, or day/night
• Scarves/bags/belts- Should be out and visible
• Shoes-visible/displayed or invest in shoe racks or over the door shoe organizer

Tips and Tricks

• Separate clothing by color within their type.. and then organize within the color.  It'll be easy to see what duplicates you have
• Hang all your clothes/hangers in the same direction
• If your budget allows for it, it will look more organized if only one hanger type is used

Yes, I do practice what I preach!  Other than the same hanger type (my budget isn't there yet for me to invest in that many hangers of the same type).  My closet is below. And I try to do a full closet transformation at least once a year!  

  

 

Remember- if things are visible you're more likely to wear your entire wardrobe.  Including accessories such as shoes, belts, scarves, bags, etc. 

It will also make you very aware of what types of clothes/color/fabrics you lean towards and realize items you wish you had.  

Don't forget for every new item, try to come up with an item to sell or donate! 

Now That's What I Call a Closet!

Do you have anything in your closet that you've had for years?
Like too many years to count...

Either your closet looks like my moms (she hasn't changed in size since she got married, probably actually lost some lbs) and she has clothes from the 80's, 90's, 2000's and today.. it's like looking into "Now That's What I Call Music" if cds had a closet.  I'm not hating on her though.. she's got some pieces that have definitely come back!  If your closet doesn't look like hers, then you probably have a couple (or more if you're me) pieces that you haven't parted with from years ago for whatever reason.

It makes sense. We do this because fashion trends are cyclical (or because we stink at going through things).  Last week I wore a denim jacket to school.  The girls were going on and on with complements, asking where I got it. HA! I've had this thing since I was in junior high.  It's been in the back of my closet since then, but it's baaaaaack. ☺ It's back in easy reach in my closet and it's back in my life.

Well how do we know if something will come back in style?
First and foremost.. you don't have to rely on trends.  If you absolutely love the piece- wear it!  Fashion is what makes you feel confident and completes your "you" look.  Which can very well change day to day.  If you have the space, and the fit is just perfect, or the shoes are in good shape- keep it!

We go through phases in our lives just as our style and the current style sees phases.  There are some outfits I wore in high school, someone would literally have to pay me to wear today.  Not because they were skimpy or cheap.. but because they just aren't a representative of who I am today.  My assumption is most of us have a phase in our life that we'd rather not have to "re-wear".  One for me from junior high would be to wear two polo shirts.. so that I'd have two different collars.  WHY oh WHY would I do that?

So what about now?  Denim.. you have it.  Whether you knew it was in style right now or not.  If you have anything denim other than the basic jean such as denim button up, denim jacket, and it is a great fit- KEEP IT!  It's, and there's a very good chance it'll be in again.  Just like my denim jacket from junior high.  It took up some space in my closet but it's money I didn't have to spend.

Do you have a great pair of duck boots?
Trust me, they took some time to grow on me.  Because all I could see is the image of my dad wearing them 20 years ago, and for some reason in my mind he was wearing shorts with them!  (I'm not even sure that ever happened, but it's scorched in my brain for some reason)  But seriously, if you spend the money on a good pair, or they are just a great fit and you have the closet space.. keep them because 1. they're great if you live in Cincinnati (15 straight days of rain in January) and 2. because there's a great chance they'll quack back right into style again!

Colors, we tend to love them or hate them.  Well if you haven't noticed army green, it's everywhere.  Not just on tanks or army paraphernalia, but dresses, leggings, shirts, blouses, scarves, and more!  And not just the army green color is in but camo is making a come back. And no not just coveralls for the field.  I've always been one to sport camo- attempting to be cute, a bass pro hoodie, or hitting the woods in Frankfort, OH.. but it is back.  In the time machine of my closet, you'll also find a camo jacket.  I haven't worn it since probably 8th grade (other than "theme days in HS or parties in college).  But now, it's making an appearance.  And IF I was a betting woman.. (since I am way too much of a penny pincher to gamble) I'd say camo will also be back after it falls out again.

Now I'm not saying you should keep your entire closet for the rest of your life!  Some people would still have go-go boots and leisure suits in the back collecting dust.  But if you love it and it fits, keep it!

leave the "eh' behind
hugs,
abi