New Year, New You, New Closet!

Every day starts in your closet. It is one of the first places you will visit before heading out into the world! Have you ever heard the phrase “start out with a clean slate?” This concept is applicable to your closet as well. If you start your day in a clean, organized and focused space, you are automatically setting yourself up for success. As a wardrobe stylist, I work with women and men on establishing their personal style. But first you need to have an organized and edited wardrobe.

Tips from your favorite stylist
Go through each item in your closet and ask yourself three questions. Do I love it? Does it fit correctly? Is it still in good shape? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then keep it! But what if the answer is no?

No, I don’t love it.
Clothing is an expression of you. If you love a piece, you will feel more confident wearing it. Many people hold onto items they don’t love because they feel guilty for getting rid of something. I totally get this feeling, especially if it was a gift or has sentimental value. However, if you are not wearing something, it is taking up valuable real estate in your closet. If you catch yourself trying to incorporate it and taking it off over and over because it doesn’t quite work, you are wasting your time. Wasted time in your closet becomes frustrating. You have better things to do in 2017! If you don’t love it, let it go.

No, it doesn’t fit.
How many times have you tried on something in your closet, only to realize it doesn’t really fit? Can you alter something in order to help it fit correctly? Assess the item to see if your tailor can alter it and if it’s worth it. A good tailor can make all the difference in the world. If the item is beyond repair, it is time to part with it.

Would I be proud to wear this?
Many of our beloved basics such as T-shirts, sweaters and jeans will start to show their wear over time. Inspect garments and check for pilling, discoloration, holes or snags. These imperfections can be magnified in natural light and immediately impact your presentation and goal for a polished, sophisticated look. If a garment is beyond repair, it’s time to send it packing.

Quick Tip
Turn your hangers around. Once an item has been worn, you can hang it back up the correct way. This is an excellent visual exercise to understand and evaluate what you are wearing and what is wasting space in your wardrobe. Reassess your closet every few months and look critically at the things hanging backwards. Are these items actually important to your wardrobe?

Style starts in the closet. The clothes you keep in this space dictate the way you present yourself to the world. If you are struggling with your style or what to wear each day, it’s time to take a hard look.

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions and new beginnings, take the time to conduct your own assessment of your closet. If you need some expert help, contact me at abby@abbywoodwear.com and we can start working together to make you look and feel your best for 2017! ■

Abby Wood is a wardrobe stylist and style blogger in Kansas City, and her education in design plus retail experience make her an expert in fit, fabric, style and trends. Her professional experience in fashion began with an apprenticeship with a bridal designer, shifted to creating and showing her  own line, moving up to management and training at a retail level and now professional styling as an independent consultant. Abby loves to work with individuals and help them develop and evolve their own sense of style. Find her at abbywoodwear.com. For daily style finds and tips, you can find Abby instablogging as @abbywoodwear on Instagram and Facebook.