Baby Steps

Nifty image above from stylespyblog.wordpress.com

While I was putting away my holiday things, I boxed up some to purge December year, when the thrift stores will be happy to accept my Christmas-themed decorations and train sets. (Why I have two train sets is a mystery.)

Naturally, this weeding out led to other projects, and I began to feel giddy but also a bit overwhelmed. So though January is an excellent time to think about editing your wardrobe, I advise you to take baby steps. Start with one drawer or shelf in your closet. Take everything out, and make a pile of items to keep, ones you are unsure of, and ones to donate or discard. Revisit the maybe pile in a week and make a decision!  I went through my workout clothes drawer and found some shirts could be demoted to rags, my sock orphans could be tossed, and a few tops that no longer fit could be donated. Tomorrow I am going to tackle another drawer, and by the end of the month, my entire wardrobe will be trimmed down. I know that will feel fantastic!

More from Chef Lebovitz

 Image credit: wssdv.org

I have a feeling pastry chef David Lebovitz would be surprised and amused to learn that I quote him in my Wardrobe Wisdom blog since he makes no claims to be a fashion writer. However, he is living in Paris and has a keen, observant eye for how people dress there and why.

His partner used the phrase, "Les francais ne jettent rien" (The French throw away nothing), and David says he fits in well since he also cannot "bear to throw away things either." I love this description he gives to illustrate his point:

"Those perfectly good designer pants that were such a bargain at 60 percent off, even though they felt just a bit snug at the time. In the years since I bought them, sometimes when I'm getting ready to go out, I'll try them on. Yet neither I, nor the waistband, seem to want to change. I reason to myself that parachute pants with more pleats than a Broadway theater curtain will eventually come back in style, even though space is lacking in my French closet."

Now is a good time to look at clothing you have that you try on and immediately take right off. No matter what, you will never feel fabulous in such garments, and they are just taking up physical and mental space. So go do some editing!

More Wardrobe Wisdom from Tim Gunn

Photo Credit: Ingrid Abramovitch

I've been re-reading Tim Gunn's excellent book, A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style. It's hard not to use my highlighter pen on every page as he doles out one pearl of wisdom after another. Here is what Gunn has to say about items that don't fit:

"There is no reason to have something taking up space in your closet that does not make you feel good. These items must go. Clothes do not exist to humiliate their owners. Please do not force garments into performing psychological tasks for which they were not designed. Furthermore, please be kind to yourself. They don't fit. Toss 'em."

If you need help with this process, please give me a call! 680-2640.

Could Clinton Kelly Be More Wonderful?

Readers of this blog and my newsletter know what a fan I am of Clinton Kelly. Go here to watch a video clip from his show, The Chew, which features Kelly's handy laundry tips. It's worth watching just to learn how to fold a fitted sheet without losing your mind.

What Do I Think?

More than one person has asked me to opine about InStyle magazine's "Closet Commandments" in its August issue. I got several good ideas from this piece (I love the clear acrylic clothing rod), and recognized some familiar tools and systems of the trade. I also noticed some storage "solutions"  that have not worked for me or my clients. Much of the suggestions assume you are a single woman who lives alone; therefore you can do things like hang your jeans decoratively, display your handbags as works of art, and install pretty accessory holders throughout your bedroom in plain sight. Since I have already taken over our big closet, I have given up my rights to any more clothing and accessories real estate in my house. I also worry about the dust that would accumulate on jewelry, scarves, and belts if they are left to the elements.

Overall, I do think this article is worth reading, but keep in mind your particular needs and space. I must also recommend that you do NOT purchase the belt and accessory loop or scarf hanger set (page 157) unless you enjoy battling with these dubious tools every day. My belts are hung on hooks on the back wall of my closet, and my scarves are stacked in piles of 4 or hung two to a hanger. The Baroque hangers at Unitrex, featured in the photo, were new to me. They appear to be attractive and functional!

Two Wardrobes

Many of my friends, especially those who live in cool climates, are amused when I tell them I have put away my winter clothes. This changing out of wardrobes is a ritual I go through twice a year, and I think it's invaluable.

I find that going through my clothes in the fall and spring helps me edit out things I have not worn. It also reminds me what I have loved wearing and why. When I bring out the "new" clothes, it is like seeing familiar friends. Of course I do not have two entirely different wardrobes. I am not a movie star after all! Instead, I put away my heavier wool sweaters and dark colored skirts, dresses, and tops in the spring. Around September, I get out these clothes and put away my linen, light cotton, and brightly colored clothing, including my shorts, bathing suits, and cover ups.

Make sure that the clothing you store is clean and is put away in breathable bags or boxes. I like to put cedar in with any wool items.

Go here to read about the benefits of packing away clothes, according to Apartment Therapy.

Gwyneth Does Some Spring Cleaning

I would have happily helped Gwyneth with her closet project if only she had asked! Nonetheless, she did get some expert help and then shares the experts' tips with others. Go here to read her latest Goop newsletter on getting a closet edited and organized.

There is just one piece of advice I question, concerning when or when not to hang items. I think all sweaters should be neatly folded instead of hung and using some tissue helps to prevent wrinkles. This goes for knit dresses and skirts as well since they can lose their shape, stretch out,  or retain the shape of the hanger if they are not folded neatly.

Now THAT is a System

Every fall and spring I change out my wardrobe. Clothing gets carefully cleaned and folded, then put away in breathable canvas bags containing cedar blocks. It is always thrilling to become reacquainted with my pieces when I take them out of storage. I am fortunate to have a large closet with a lot of space up high where I can store my things. My girls' rooms also have space for me to store some some of my things though they are not always happy with this encroachment.

People often ask me about my husband's closet, assuming that I am a total space hog. I must come clean, so above is a photo of his closet. Let me add that he also has a large wardrobe in which to store his folded items! He also has a lot more dress shirts than are shown here. And he does not complain about this seemingly unfair allocation of space. Of the two of us, he has way more stuff stored in our house.

What is my point? That we use whatever space we have. Women who lug around huge purses know this, as do people who make due with very little space. I was floored by an article I read recently about one woman's clothing storage system that she has turned into a business. It is called Vault Couture and is universes away from the kind of work I do in my own and other's closets. WOW!