how to do a basic wardrobe weed
how to do a basic wardrobe weed
The beginning of Spring and Winter is the perfect time to have a fresh start, clear out the cobwebs, and update your look. This will result in an organised space and make you feel more confident and organised.
The question is, where to begin? I can hear you screaming and panicking, not knowing what to keep, what to get rid of, what works for your body and style, and finally, not knowing how to put it all together. If it makes you feel better, we all feel this way. Building the perfect capsule wardrobe is so overwhelming; it takes time and knowledge to get it right.
So many of us hate shopping. We don't know what to choose, what suits us, and what colours work together. Nothing tends to fit us properly, so we either go home with nothing or buy some random piece that doesn’t work with anything else or sits in the wardrobe with the label on. Sound familiar? Hardly any of us are happy with our bodies, and our confidence is massively affected.
Well, I am here to help! Below are some fab tips on what you need to do before creating a perfect capsule wardrobe. I have provided some basics to help you shift your mindset into positive thoughts. Before you do anything, take a photo of what your wardrobe looks like now. This is so powerful to look back in six months.
So, are you ready to make some changes? Let’s go!
before photo of wardrobe
The first thing to do is to put all your clothes in piles on the bed.
Knitwear, trousers, skirts, t-shirts, dresses etc.
Bring all your shoes out, and put them into neat sections with flats, heels and trainers.
organisation
To have a polished look, you need to have clothes that are in good condition. Wearing tatty, beaten-up clothes is not the answer. Look at your garments carefully. If they have holes or are worn, faded, or stained, put them into a pile to throw or charity.
This includes going through your shoes. If they have turned up toes, are totally soleless, are scratched, or are full of mud, get rid of them!
For garments that are okay to keep, use good-quality wooden hangers and shoe trees in shoes and boots to keep the shape and remove moisture, keeping them fresh and in good condition.
2. condition
Susan feeling comfortable in outfit
3. comfort and fit
One of the most important things on a daily basis is to feel comfortable. If you don’t feel this way, you won’t enjoy wearing your outfits, which will seriously affect your day.
You will know garments that feel uncomfortable to wear as soon as you put them on. This could be the fabric being too stiff or itchy, the fit being too tight, or the other way around: the garment is too baggy, which bothers you. Go through and clear them.
If you have gained weight for whatever reason, you need to ask yourself, "Am I going to lose that stone?"
If the answer is yes, then great. When you have reached your target, then go out and purchase clothes.
Be honest with yourself! If you are not going to lose weight, that is fine. Be happy with your new size and ensure you have pieces in your wardrobe that fit and flatter your shape.
Don’t forget your shoes. They are the hardest items to get right in your wardrobe. If they feel uncomfortable, whether they are too high, rub or cut in the wrong places, or are just generally uncomfortable to wear, give them to friends, sell them to a dress agency, or give them to charity.
You will never want to wear shoes if they are uncomfortable.
4. up-to-date
One of the problems I see in people’s wardrobe, is there is always clothes, shoes and accessories, that have been in there since the 1980’s. My clients give me a great tale of when they wore it and get a little excited.
If you would like an up to date modern wardrobe, you have to move on!
You are not at university anymore.
You are not in a corporate role anymore, so why have all those clothes in the closet?
The Dallas look with the wide padded shoulder pads is no more!
Shapeless trousers with the large, low waistband is not going to look good on anyone.
Are you saying to yourself I have had that necklace since school?
Having modern, classic pieces in your wardrobe is going to make you look fresh, young and modern. I am sure, we all want that!!
5. fear and shame
If you have been good and achieved numbers 1-5, WELL DONE!!
This is great; you have done so well. Pat yourself on the back.
You might have experienced many emotions while clearing your clothes. Some of my clients feel like failures because they did not get it right or have spent so much money on clothes that were not right. When I first started doing this exercise, I felt the same way.
I need to say that it is very typical to feel this way. You need to remember that you didn’t know! You cannot achieve the perfect capsule wardrobe if you haven’t been educated about what to do.
You can now turn this around to a positive, clear out the old, and start with the new you! It feels fabulous when you get it right.
6. memories
There will be clothes that you have in your wardrobe that mean something. Maybe, from a loved one, funeral or wedding. This is not going to be part of your day-to-day wardrobe. A suggestion is to put these clothes in a memory box or in another wardrobe with a suit cover so they will be protected.
wrong colours on the stool
final future capsule wardrobe
You will have other clothes that again do not take part in your main capsule wardrobe. This could be gym wear, walking gear, gardening or cleaning. These clothes can be put somewhere nice and tidy away in a drawer or another part of the house.
7. other
8. visible
I have gone into many wardrobes that have four garments on one hanger, hidden shoes and scarves, or areas that you cannot get to.
If you cannot see the items, you will not know that they are there so that you won’t be wearing them.
When you put the right pieces back into your wardrobe, ensure that they can be seen. This will also make it easier to mix and match your garments.
Remember to follow these steps twice yearly to keep your clothes and wardrobes fresh and updated.
Doing the above will help your mind feel less overwhelmed before you get to the next stage of a great capsule wardrobe: understanding your colours, personal style, and body shape.
The photo shows the result after you have completed all the stages of achieving the perfect capsule wardrobe.