Closet Clear Out
As a great collector of fashion, I have a closet full of clothes that I love (I may have more than one closet for those of you who don’t know me). Every once in a while I need to edit out pieces that I haven’t worn in a while due to factors like season, size or just seeing it too often in the rotation. I always have fun with activities like a 30 day fashion challenge (see my IG highlights for the latest one) and I often discover pieces I’ve owned for a while that I had forgotten how much I love. Due to the fact that I love shopping so much, there is only so much room for storing these beautiful pieces and unlike society hostess Betsy Bloomingdale or “Clueless” lead character Cher Horowitz, I don’t have an automated system for organizing my clothes.
There are times when items just don’t suit anymore and when I come across more than a few of these, I know it is time for a closet edit. I will pull out all similar pieces, such as blazers, tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, accessories, or handbags and edit the pieces I no longer use on a regular basis. I have been known to store unused pieces in a different closet in my house, and then revisit that carefully stored pile to see if six months to a year later I still want to keep anything. If not, then off to resale or recycle it goes! It’s good to rotate your closet by season. Winter boots go into storage around mid April and summer wedges and sandals come out. Dark dresses and heavy coats go to another closet in the house and summer florals and light sweaters are brought to the front of the display. For those of you in very tight spaces (New York or even Paris!) you can find companies that will store your seasons for you in their facilities. They are usually associated with a dry cleaner so that your pieces will be stored properly. Remember your mother storing her furs for summer in a cold vault? This is the same idea.
It’s also important to take care of your collection. Hand washing, dry cleaning, leather repair, shoe resole and repair are all things on my check list for keeping my clothes in top shape. Slight alterations are an option if the style no longer suits your tastes. If you take care of your treasured pieces you will be able to wear them for a lifetime, or until you decide they no longer suit you!
