Living in lockdown can be quite a challenge, so doing things that help you to feel better, is a great way to lift your spirits.
Having a good old sort out of your wardrobe might not be something that you relish, but as with any ‘sorting out and decluttering’ it can be very therapeutic!
Just think how nice it will feel to open your wardrobe afterwards knowing that everything that’s left in it is there because you feel good in it. You can look forward to starting your day with a smile on your face and that’s got to be a good thing.
So here are the core 5 questions to ask yourself as you appraise each item:
Do you like it? Do you feel like ‘you’ when you wear it?Do you feel good in it? This is THE most important question. If it’s not making you feel good, it’s time to pass it on. You only want things in your wardrobe that you feel nice in and enjoy wearing. (Unless they’re gardening clothes or the like, of course!)
Is it in a flattering colour? You want the things you wear closest to your face to be in colours that really suit your unique colouring – the mix of your hair colour, skin tone and eye colour. If something casts shadows on your face or makes you look washed out, the chances are you won’t feel good in it. If you love it and/or can maybe pair it with something else in one of your more flattering colours, then keep it. Or maybe you can dye it? If not, it’s time to pass it on.
Does it fit you well? Do you feel comfortable in it? Is it flattering? If it’s too big or baggy, a trip to a seamstress can pay huge dividends. Maybe you can turn jeans/trousers into shorts or a dress into a top or skirt if they no longer fit well? Why not get creative!
Have you worn it within the last 12 months (pre-lockdown)? If not, be honest with yourself and ask yourself why not? There’s little point having wardrobes upon wardrobes full of clothes if they aren’t being worn. If it’s an item that you only wear for special occasions, or it has sentimental value to you then by all means keep it, but otherwise just let it go.
If you’re not sure what you do and don’t wear, do the ‘hanger test’ over the next few months (maybe after lockdown when life is back to normal a bit more). Simply turn all of your hangers so that they face the same way. Each time you wear something, turn the hanger around so that it is facing the opposite way. Over time you’ll discover which things you wear, and which you don’t – it can be quite illuminating! Another way to achieve the same thing, is to move the things you wear to one end of your wardrobe – say to the right hand side. The things that are left hanging on the left hand side are those that you are not wearing.
Have you got at least 3 things to wear with it? Keeping ‘orphan items’ that literally only go with one other thing is costly and takes up space in your wardrobe. Ideally, you want to have clothes that mix and match so that their ‘cost per wear’ is lower and you’re really getting your wear out of them.
Someone else will be so happy to receive anything that you pass on. So whether you choose to give them to someone you know or donate them to a charity, you can be sure that they’ll enjoy longevity in someone else’s wardrobe. Good for you (no more wardrobe overwhelm), good for the recipient (new clothes) and good for the environment. It’s win: win all round.
If the thought of doing this yourself fills you with dread, then of course I’d love to help. I can help you from a distance via Zoom, or we can wait until we can safely mix again post-lockdown and I’ll pop round and do a Wardrobe Edit for you. We’ll make sure that your wardrobe is full of clothes in the styles and colours that make you feel good.
Let's talk - call me on 07917 663330 or you can email me at kerrie@kerrieellis.co.uk