MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style Article Volume 8 ...media.theoratech.com/msp/data/pdf_Shopping_Guides/...Apr 04, 2013  · 1. Classic-styled trousers 2.Classic jeans 3.Pencil

MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 8 Week 14 April 4, 2013

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Wardrobe Simplicity

How functional are the clothes in your closet? Can you rely on them when you need to create an outfit for a specific occasion? Can you go into your closet and easily create something fab to wear...even when you are short on time?

Too often, we don't have what we really need in our closets and can’t find anything to wear--although we’ve got lots of clothes! Actually, that’s what the problem is: we have way too many clothes! Most dressing dilemmas are solved when you simplify your wardrobe. That's right. A better wardrobe starts with a small grouping of fabulous fitting WARDROBE BASICS...

First, you’ve got remove the clutter...and organize what’s left!

~Your closet is NOT a dumping ground—it’s your special place for your clothes, shoes and accessories" ~MissusSmartyPants.

Do you use your closet for a last-minute “stash n’ dash”? You know what I'm talking about. Suddenly, you've got company coming and you don’t know where to hide that old bowling ball you always leave in the middle of the living room or that over-flowing basket of dirty laundry…your closet becomes the answer! Don’t know where to hide those Christmas gifts from the kids? Your closet becomes the answer. The only problem with hiding Christmas gifts in your closet is that they are always "found" again in July, LOL!

Closets become a storage area for outdated clothes. Maybe that style will come back again? Perhaps you will fix those clothes that are ripped or stained--but more than likely you won't. Your closet becomes a holding place for clothes and accessories that were once a "bargain" but you no longer like them. You also store stuff that cost you a fortune even though you know you’ll never wear these things again. Closets are used to store a range of ‘past sizes’--all of these things not your current size. Clothes that are too big or too small—only to remind you of the size you once were or wished you could be again. You can’t organize this stuff!! You've to purge your closet of everything you do not need, love or will ever wear again! WHY WAIT ANOTHER 10 YEARS? Get this stuff out of your closet today. After all, a great wardrobe is all about simplicity.

An organized closet brings peace to your daily life and re-energize your spirit!

The hardest part is letting go is you think you might need it again. I get it. I understand you find it hard to declutter because some things are still good and you paid good money for them. But, remember what FlyLady says, “You can’t organize clutter”. It’s time to let go of clothes that are past their prime—trust me you won’t look good in them by the time you are that “perfect” weight again. And when that “some day” does finally come around--you won’t want to wear those outdated things—you’ll want something new and current in today's styles!

Most closets are full of clothes that are hardly ever worn. Up to 80% of what’s in our closet will not worn on a regular basis. Every morning we pass over this 80% is as we hunt for something to wear.The reason you have “nothing to wear” is because nothing you own goes together because it was purchased willy-nilly! You do NOT yet have a wardrobe plan.

This week we build a better wardrobe. With the right closet organization techniques and the right “must-haves” in your closet; you will be able to put together more outfits, save money and time. Wardrobe simplicity is what creates stylish outfits.

Try to figure out from the clothes you love (and wear all the time) what it is you love about them. Is it the way they fit? Their color?

IF YOU’VE BEEN SKIMMING THIS ARTICLE THUS FAR, READ THIS: IF THERE IS ONLY ONE (1) TIP YOU GLEEN FROM THIS IS ARTICLE, LET IT BE THIS...STOP SHOPPING THE SALES RACKS! That’s right. You’ve heard me right. You know that 80% of clothes in your closet that never (or hardly ever) gets worn? Most of your closet clutter (the unworn 80%) is an accumulation of “bargain” purchase you have made over the years. As a stylist, I know this to be

a fact because I get into women’s closets on a regular basis and this is what I hear over and over, “Oh yeah that. I got that on sale for only $35 but it’s a designer brand name. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit me right (or the color is bad for me, etc.)”. There are lots of “I got that at a big sale” stories for all the garments we cast off onto the give-away pile. This is sad and a waste of $! STAY AWAY FROM THE SALES RACKS.

The “savings” of discounted merchandise is enticing...but often these bargains are not going to save you money OR make you more stylish...they end up as closet clutter!

Your closet becomes a storage area for:

1. Clothes that are outdated. 2. Clothes that are ripped, or stained.3. “Bargain” clothes and accessories that you no longer care for. 4. Expensive things you don’t want to part with because they were expensive, but

you’ll never wear because—again, you don’t like them or can’t fit into them. 5. Clothes that are not your current size. Clothes that are too big or too small—they

remind you of the size you once were or wished you could be again. Why not concentrate on dressing the woman you are today???

You can’t organize this stuff!! You have to purge your closet of the clutter!

To encourage you to change your attitude here are 3 tips to get you purging:

1. Messy closets waste your precious time. If your closet continues to be cluttered you will spend more time trying to find something to wear.

2. You will also waste time (and $) by accidentally purchasing a duplicate you already have in your closet--but couldn’t find.

3. Messy closets make you feel guilty every morning you look for something to wear. If it was organized you’d probably set out your clothes the night before. Right?

A place for everything and everything in its place...

Let’s get going! You can do this. Purge your closet of clothes you’ll NEVER wear. Use your FlyLady timer. You can do it 15 minutes at a time.

Use my “Closet Purge” plan to help you decide what stays and what goes: http://www.missussmartypants.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=8

An organized closet is:

1. A closet where you can SEE EVERYTHING. Allow a ½” between each hanger. Nothing is out of view or shoved into the corner.

2. Where everything is arranged by clothing type. Then arranged by sleeve length and then by color. Do you have a lot of black shirts? This organization lets you see what you have--and what you don’t!

3. All clothing faces the same direction.

4. All hangers are the same style and color. Trust me on this…matching hangers make for a cohesive look you will really love!

5. A closet that has all the basic pieces you need for mixing and matching. These fabulous basic pieces allow you to create more outfits (it’s like wardrobe magic)!

6. A closet where you break up your suit pieces. Putting your suit separately (suit pants with the pants, suit jacket with all your blazers) will help you get more creative and create more outfits. Wear your “fancy” suit jacket with a casual pant for a change, why not?

Here is an example of how I created 3 different outfits using suit pieces...

7. A closet that contains ONLY clothes you love and ones that love you back (they fit well and flattering your body type).

8. Not jam-packed full. It contains carefully selected pieces (this means you are extremely picky of what you purchase). Each piece can mix and match with just about everything else.

9. A closet that has less clothes in it. But now, you usually spend more per item because you value quality over quantity.

10. Is YOUR closet. You’ve worked hard to make it your special place--or boutique!

“Wardrobe Simplicity” means your wardrobe is 70-80% basic garments.

For example, this LBD (Little Black Dress) can be worn these 5 ways...Fewer pieces = more style for you!

After you have purged your closet using my website’s closet purge help—here’s what you do NEED:

The Wardrobe Basics.

1. Classic-styled trousers2.Classic jeans 3.Pencil or A-line skirts4. LBD (Little Basic Dress)5.Pumps and quality walking sandal/shoes 6.Button-down dress shirt(s) (with stretch)7. Colored and white and/or black v-neck tees 8.Denim jacket, and classic fitted blazers (2 or more)9. A long sleeved v-neck sweater in your signature color (cotton blend)

__Your basics should be in dark neutral colors for the most wear-ability.

__All pieces should fit you well. (Use a tailor if need be)

__Adapt the list to fit your lifestyle and own personal tastes. These basic pieces will be worn regularly.

__You need enough basics to last a week of mix and matching (of course you can wear the same pants twice in one week).

__Your basics should be the best quality you can afford.

Additional Closet Organizing Tips:

Double hang your rods. This gives you twice the space to spread out your clothes. Makes it so much easier to keep your closet organized.

Get a valet hook (see a picture of mine under Closet Purge). A great way to set your clothes out the night before (including your jewelry). Best way to make your mornings stress-free!

Use rolled-up magazines to keep your boots upright. Roll them up inside and the boots will stay upright. (You can also use cut-up pool “noodles” like photo below) This keeps the good leather nice--without creases.

Invest in all the same style of hangers. Buy all matching hangers so your closet looks really neat and organized! Any style that you like will work. Wood, plastic or felt covered (my favs) because the clothes don’t slip off.

Use matching baskets ( I got some fabric covered baskets at Target—cheap). Not only does your closet look cute (and organized)--it really is! Use different size wire baskets for small purses, one for scarves, and another for belts and other odds and ends.

Use clear shoe boxes and under-the-bed storage containers. These containers allow you to see what’s inside without having to open them and keeps everything dust-free. Great for storage of out-of-season items.

Create your own scarf rack. Here is a DIY idea...

The fact is...when you SEE your accessories, there is a better chance you’ll wear them more often!

More DIY ideas for jewelry storage (or show-age is more like it!)...

Old ladder for scarves and jewelry...AND even a cheese grater???

Painted pegboard (in your favorite color) from the hardware store...

Use the back of the door for racks (or to hang your full-length mirror). Short on space...you can often use the back of the door for hooks and such!

Don’t let a empty corner go unused! Create your own dressing room with a mirror and area for planning a week’s worth of outfits!

REMEMBER: The only true wardrobe is one that can go the distance for you. It is one that is ORGANIZED! When you select clothes from an organized closet (hopefully the night before) it will bring you more peace to your mornings.

Think of how nice it will feel to go into your closet after you’ve decluttered it and NOT feeling guilty anymore. Now, you only have in your closet what you love and what you’ll wear (even if it’s not that much)! This is going to re-energize you and your style like nothing else. Congrats.

Love, Leslie MSP

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