The last two years have been a really special time for everyone. There have been big changes in many parts of our lives, like where we work, how we take vacations, who we can see, and what we are allowed to do. Within this, our orientation toward what we wear every day has also undergone a metamorphosis that is less significant but still equally significant.
This year, many of us have changed the way we think about fashion, whether we’ve been living in our pajamas or shopping online more than ever.
However, spending more time at home has given us a chance to figure out what we really need in our closets. A new year is a good time to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
We all make bad choices when it comes to our wardrobes, like keeping old clothes that we never wear or buying things in a hurry that we won’t wear more than once. Still, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Don’t buy something you’ll only use once.
All of us are responsible for it. a wedding, a birthday party, or a Friday night meal with friends. When we’re going somewhere fun, we always feel like we need to wear something special, which means something new. Even if we really like the thing we buy, we don’t usually use it more than once.
Try to have a few dressier pieces in your closet that you can wear for a variety of events instead of buying different clothes for each one. You can wear it again and again if you choose something simple and classic rather than trendy. With the right accessories, the same outfit won’t feel the same.
Try not to buy or keep things that don’t fit.
It’s normal to keep holding onto clothing that doesn’t fit you anymore in the hopes that it will one day. You might buy something that is too small because you want to lose weight or because it’s on sale and they don’t have your usual size. But keeping clothes you can’t wear is one of the worst things you can do if you want to make your closet smaller. Be honest with yourself and be realistic. If it no longer fits you, sell it or give it away.
Don’t buy or keep anything that doesn’t fit your needs.
Many of us hold on to things that don’t fit us and also keep things that we know don’t fit. We often buy things on the spot because they are popular or because we think they look good on someone else, but we never wear them because they don’t look good on us. If a piece of clothing doesn’t make you feel good about yourself and at ease, it has no place in your life.
Never purchase something only because it is inexpensive.
Even though it’s simple to give in to temptation during a big sale, you shouldn’t buy something just because it’s cheap if you don’t really need it. This is especially true for designer pieces that are investments. Never purchase something only because it is inexpensive. No matter how cheap it was, it’s a terrible waste of money to buy something you won’t wear.
Before you buy something, get rid of something else.
The “one-in, one-out” rule is a great way to keep your closet from getting too big: if you buy something new, you should get rid of something else (and either sell it or give it to charity). we knowing that you’ll have to give up a favorite piece of clothing, you won’t buy anything until you’re sure you’ll love it.
Swap clothes with the most stylish people you know.
Swapping clothes with friends is a great way to make your closet feel fresh. Follow the “one in, one out” rule by getting rid of something you haven’t worn in a while and trading it for something you’ve always wanted but a friend hasn’t worn yet. Trading clothes is a great way to add variety to your wardrobe without spending money or hurting the environment. You can host clothes-swap parties with a lot of people or just make a deal with one friend.
Avoid making expensive purchases.
We often feel like we have nothing to wear, don’t like anything in our closets, and are stuck in ruts when it comes to fashion. When this happens, we often go on a big shopping spree and spend a lot of money on trend-driven items that end up sitting in our closets for years without being worn. Don’t let it get to this point. Instead, look for pieces you love all year, and if you realize you’re missing something, write it down. Instead of starting from scratch every few months, think of it as a process that goes on and on. Allowing oneself to make one high-quality purchase per month rather than two sizable purchases every year would probably lead to far better-considered choices and, as a result, a considerably more fashionable wardrobe.
Try to find out about different brands.
Another reason why we tend to get stuck in style ruts is that we like and feel comfortable in certain stores. It’s fantastic to have a core group of favorites that you can rely on and know will hold up well, but there are constantly so many incredible new brands on the market that are just waiting to be found. Keep looking all year long, from mid-priced to high-end designer brands. You’ll find some very unique and stylish things that, as a bonus, no one else has.
Make some hard decisions.
No one likes throwing things away. When getting rid of an item of clothing, it can be hard to let go of the memories that come with it. But you don’t need to hold on to anything you once loved, especially if you haven’t worn it in years. If you really can’t bear to give something up, try it out and keep track of how many times you wear it over the next six months. If it doesn’t see a way out, it has to leave right away.
Set up a uniform system.
One of the most common fashion myths is that you shouldn’t buy things that look like things you already own. No one wants to only have 10 identical pairs of black skinny jeans and 15 navy blue sweaters in their closet. But don’t be afraid to take advantage of what you know about what works for you. The most stylish women in the world all follow a similar style guide: they keep things simple, know their own style, and stick to this formula when buying new clothes.
Know every piece in your wardrobe.
Even if it seems obvious, it’s easy to forget what we have in our closets. Many of us have beautiful clothes that we haven’t worn in years or that we forgot about during the lockdown. So, before you buy something new, make sure you have a clear idea of what you already have in your closet. If you organize and clean your space, you’ll know what’s inside. This will keep you from buying things you don’t need by accident.
Use your money to buy things you already have.
We all tend to get rid of things as soon as they get broken, but just because something is a little worn doesn’t mean it has to be thrown away. Know where to go to get things fixed in your area, like a great seamstress or a shop that fixes shoes and handbags, so you can get the most out of the clothes you already have. Instead of buying the same thing over and over, it is better to spend a little money to fix things.
Accept rental style
Growing environmental awareness has led to a huge rise in the number of fashion rental companies. This makes renting clothes easier than ever. For a variety of reasons, renting is a terrific way to build a more fashionable wardrobe for yourself. First of all, you often feel like you’re wearing new clothes, which is great for special occasions like weddings or parties where you may have bought a new outfit just for that event. You can also be a little more daring with what you try. If you step out of your style comfort zone, you might find great pieces that you wouldn’t have been brave enough to buy before.
If you’re not sure if a piece is wearable, try putting it on a hanger.
At the start of the season, put all of your hangers in the same direction. Every time you take a shirt off the hanger, you should turn it the other way. Within the season, you will quickly decide what you want to wear and what you don’t. The co-founder of Vestiaire Collective, Fanny Moizant, says that most women only wear between 40 and 60% of their clothes. She swears by this hanger method. Click here for more of her tips on how to clean out your closet.
Never underestimate how powerful a capsule wardrobe can be.
You don’t need much to look good. You don’t need a big budget or three walk-in closets full of expensive clothes to be stylish. What you really need to do is make good decisions. Only buy what you need and what you like, and get rid of everything else. And look after your clothes. It can be put together with only 15 pieces. Don’t believe us? Learn how to make a capsule wardrobe here.
