Spring Cleaning: Wardrobe Rehab

Imagine opening the door to your closet. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? If it’s agony – I have nothing to wear! – or even ecstasy, read on. Here’s a 5-step plan to ramp up your wardrobe.

1. Find Your Style

First, start by visualizing the outfits you wore last week. Did your clothes make you feel good? Did anyone pay you a compliment? If the answers to the above are yes – you’re on the right track. If you’re tending towards no, not really, here’s the deal: spend some time and really think about how you want to present yourself. Choose a style icon, tear out inspiration from your favorite magazine, ask yourself how you would dress if money were not an issue. The bottom line is – what you wear reflects and affects you every day. Make it your priority to look good so you feel good, all the time.

2. Wrangle Your Wardrobe

Discover what you can really do with what’s in your closet. If you’re feeling ambitious, tackle this task yourself (and if you’re not, email me: april@thehautecloset.com) for a major Spring cleaning. Go through and assess every single item of clothing, including accessories, intimates, and denim. Organize by type. Hang tops and blazers on the top rack, skirts and pants below. Make sure you can see all of your belts, accessories, and jewels. Donate or sell what you haven’t worn and won’t need in the future.

3. Scope It Out

Admit it – there’s something missing from your closet and no, it’s not that trendy top you have your eye on. It’s something that can totally open up your wardrobe. Can you identify it? What I find when I’m in my clients’ closets is that they buy a lot of great stuff, but are missing the basics. Sure, we all have jeans and LBDs, but do you have a really great white collared shirt? This staple can go everywhere. Even if you aren’t missing this piece, is yours absolutely amazing? Take stock of what you’ve got and pick up a few, very well made, basic pieces to make infinitely more outfits.

4. Shop Around

Do you love shopping or love to hate it? This spring, stay away from the places you most often play and go on a shopping adventure. On thehautecloset.com you can find lists of great clothing resources both new and vintage (nowadays vintage stores tend more towards Diptyque than eau de must). Basically, if you’re a Banana Republic and H&M girl, get off the Ave. and get down to Bucktown. If you’re crazy about thrifting, see what a little trip to Barney’s can do. Trust.

5. Play It Up

Finally, make a date with your wardrobe and lock the door. After you’ve purged your closet and popped your shopping cherry, dedicate this time to your spring look. Prepare to fail. Prepare to be fully amazed. Go through and pull together looks for work, dates and play. Try on that shapeless dress with every single one of your belts. Can you make one outfit or two? Make complete looks with shoes, jewels, coats and bags and then, when it comes time to look totally fab, you’ll have a slew of go-to looks. Get to it!

Getting a sense of your personal style – and throwing together a great outfit in a moments notice – is absolutely priceless. If you find yourself unsure about any of the above or you need some help making the most of your wardrobe and your clothing budget, email april@thehautecloset.com for a Closet Edit. It’ll change your life. And save you a ton of cash.