A True Sustainable Closet

My relationship with thrifting and consumerism has changed as of late. This is probably because I am in the planning stages of moving out of my place where I have lived for seven years. In the recent past, I have had a somewhat strict policy of “one in, one out.” But the reality is I would do a monthly closet clean out, then replace with a bag full of new thrift finds. To me that is sort of missing the point of trying to be sustainable and to use what is already there. How can you be a more mindful shopper, and what are some things to chew on when it comes to the fashion landscape in general?….

Shop your closet….

This is step one. Look at your closet and think outside the box of how to style the clothes. Try things on and make sure things are your true size. If items don’t fit consider a clothing swap with friends or go to your community and try to organize one. It’s fine to donate things, but not for the intent of replacing.

Are your clothes for fashion or function?….

I just found a chunky knit infinity scarf in the back of my closet. Any fashion person would say, “oh an infinity scarf that’s so cheugy!” However, it serves a function meaning you don’t have to constantly flip the scarf or have it accidentally dangle in a toilet. This is just an example, but you should be thinking is this accessory or clothing item practical versus is it out of style?

Learn how to style your clothes you currently own….

I know you have enough clothing. Maybe you need to tuck a shirt, throw on a belt, wear a long sleeve shirt under a summer dress, etc. I keep learning how to style my clothes from trial and error and also saving styling videos on Instagram.

Sell your good clothes that you can get a profit from….

You might have been gifted expensive fashion items that are not your taste. It’s a great idea to start a Posh-mark and sell these types of clothing.

Alter your clothes….

I have become obsessed with dying my clothing. Once you do it you will become addicted. It is a great way to make your clothing flatter your personal color palette ( winter, warm spring, summer etc.), or to just change up a boring shirt. I also crop my shirts and the bottoms of jeans that are too long on me. The best shirts or pants that look great cropped is denim. It creates a beautiful frayed look that I love. For those who know how to work a sewing machine tailor your own clothes. You can take it a step further for advanced sewers by designing your own outfits or even starting a side hustle. Or go to your local tailor. They can help make a cheap thrifted jacket or pants into a custom fit.

Don’t make shopping a routine….

This can get tricky with some people, since shopping can be social, and it’s just a fun activity to do with family members or friends. You naturally will be influenced by who you are with and how much they eat or spend . It’s importantly to communicate with your shopping buddy that you are doing a “no spend month” just to see how that goes. You will naturally find another way to be social and spend time together.

Stop obsessing about micro trends…

Look, no one is immune from trends. There will always be influence to what you decide to put on. However, there are extreme pendulum trends where you go from maximalism to bare minimalism. You need to recognize that being in the middle and within your own taste is where you need to remain. Always recognize when an extreme is happening and resist the urge to burn down your closet and start fresh. It’s what they want you to do.

The “classics” are a lie…

Instead of “buying the classics,” which is a sneaky way of getting you to buy an expensive item, go with what is flattering to you or just something that you love. The classics always change, even if at a slower rate. Wear what speaks to you on a personal level.

Bottom Line….

When people read an article about cleaning out a closet, they gasp and panic about all of their special items being thrown in the trash. That is not the case here. Instead the message is to actually wear your items that you already own. And alter clothing that you want to tweak. It will breathe a new life into a garment and make you wear it more. It is also important to educate yourself about how to style your clothes. Watch stylists on social media or to read styling books. You can also use mood boards on Pinterest to help shape your taste and how it could be worn. I promise you have enough clothes to style an outfit. Consider a clothing swap and sell your designer items with Posh-mark. Lastly, resist the loop of closet clean out to filling the gap with more thrifted clothes.

How To Do The “Mob Wife” Trend Without Looking Like A Character

In case you don’t have social media, the “mob wife” trend in fashion is a hard pivot from “quiet luxury”. This trend in particular gives permission to have fun with fashion and go in a slightly divorcée gaudy direction in the best way. However, most people do not want to copy a runway look and prefer to make it their own. Here is how to embrace the trend without looking like you stepped off the Soprano’s set…..

Fur….

This is the first giveaway that you are participating in the trend. Feel free to thrift, in fact, please thrift, do not purchase new fur. I would personally prefer to wear faux fur, mainly because I don’t want PETA to throw paint on me. I feel certain trends like this that popularizes fur again can be a problem, simply because most people do not thrift and demand new fur to be manufactured. Again….thrift, get it from your grandma, wear faux, be ethical.

Animal print….

Google pictures of Kate Moss or the “Indie Sleaze” trend. It’s sort of a rocker look that is timeless and brave. It can give you ideas of how to style your outfits.

French tips….

It is perfectly fine to glue on some press ons. For those who get manicures regardless, go more brave and bold. Try a long red nail or French tips.

Red lips….

Makeup goes back and forth between layers of makeup versus the clean girl “no makeup” look. You can pull a French girl classic and wear a red lip with minimal other makeup. This is in fact a classic look that looks great on everyone.

Logos….

This is where you can screw up the trend and look like a character. Be mindful of how loud your logos are and how many you are wearing. (Also certain logos aren’t a flex to wear). If you happen to have high-end designer logos, feel free to wear them in a belt, bag or accessory.

Jewelry….

This is your chance to get away with wearing a matching set. However, it’s smart to go by the Coco Chanel advice and take off one piece before you leave the house.

Bottom Line….

Get out of your comfort zone and embrace this trend. You can dip your toe in by just wearing a leopard-print pant or jacket. You don’t have to look like a pimp by wearing a floor-length fur coat. Thrift a coat that has a fur trim or wear a fur shrug. Look up the “Indie Sleaze” trend since I think they are pretty related. With any trend you don’t have to wear everything at once. It’s best to pepper in a few bolder pieces and maybe wear a little more jewelry if that suits you. I like fashion trends where you are allowed to have fun, so wear it while the trend is still alive and well.

New Year, New Look

Lately, I have seen the importance of dressing up. Even if you are running errands or grocery shopping, you should put in that extra ten minutes to look good. You would be shocked by what people notice about us and how we are treated because of it. When we choose to dress ourselves, brush our hair, and wear makeup, it is showing the world that we respect ourselves. Usually, when appearance is stepped up, a promotion at work is on the table and suddenly there are more dates on the calendar. Like attracts like; dress for the life you want….

You don’t have to spend a fortune on makeup and clothes….

I often shop at thrift stores for clothes. It’s wild how expensive new clothes are. On top of that, shopping at thrift stores practices sustainability. A great thing to do with your girlfriends is a clothing swap. Bring clothes that you are tired of, but still cute, and do a trade. As far as makeup goes, I like the cheaper options. I don’t think every makeup item should be high-end, especially since most makeup goes bad after a few months. Don’t be tempted to spend your whole paycheck on makeup and skincare at Sephora.

Has your taste in clothing changed?…..

There are many styles of clothing and trends out there. Maybe one year you hopped on too many trends and then regretted it a year later. Ninety-percent of trends only look good on 6’1″ models. Really go though your closet and decide what fits well, and what is the most flattering for your body type.

Take quizzes online…..

If you are clueless about what you should be buying or even your preferred taste, then take a few quizzes. First take a quiz about your body type. That will tell you what cuts and silhouettes look best and what to avoid. Second, take a quiz about your overall preference on style. Maybe you like more of an edgy look, or more girly. Make sure to have a feminine twist to the style. Stay away from super masculine or unisex clothes. And lastly, take a quiz on your coloring. You will figure out your most flattering palate for your skin tone. Make a few Pinterest boards for reference and you will be good to go.

Fear of looking good…..

I have a trillion fashion phobias, but they all break down to fear of actually looking good. I feel super safe wearing leggings and a large hoodie. Most people say to a new outfit, “Oh, that’s too fancy–where would I wear it?” You have to accept that it’s ok to look slightly more dressed up than the people around you. Maybe you will get pushback from family and friends. This is why it’s best to improve your appearance in secret and to not broadcast it on social media.

Date Outfits…..

There is a science to a great date outfit. Men respond to a feminine look: heels, dresses, long hair. Pencil skirts, A-line dresses, V-necks, and a belt to cinch the waist are classic cuts of clothing that highlight a woman’s body. To attract a man’s attention your clothes should not look vulgar; you can turn more heads by wearing a curve-hugging dress. Certain colors make you appear more attractive. Red is a classic, but softer pastels look great, too. Types of fabric can add luxury to a simple outfit, such as silk, cashmere, and suede.

Baby Steps…..

In my fantasy, I redo my entire wardrobe from scratch. However, that’s not realistic. There are a few transitions to get to dressing better.

1.Get a full-length mirror- You might be sneaking out of the house without glancing at a mirror. When you have a full-length mirror you can see your outfit from head to toe.

2. Get better lighting in your bathroom or wherever you get dressed- I recently bought LED bright light bulbs. What a world of difference! I can actually see when I put on makeup and notice if I have any slight imperfections on my clothes.

3. Don’t donate all at once- There needs to be a bag in your room where clothing is on the chopping block. Don’t just immediately toss them or donate. You might have been in a bad mood that day and taking it out on your clothes. Give them a second chance and really evaluate if it’s unflattering.

4. Seek outside help- Maybe you have a super-fashionable friend. Ask for his/her honest opinion when you are trying on clothes. You can invite them over for a fashion party and make an evening out of it.

5. Go to the professionals- There are certain stores that have personal shoppers or stylists. The only downside is some stylists are working on commission and need to make a big sale. Trust your gut if they are only handing you the most expensive items.

Bottom Line…..

Clothes can make you invisible or make you stand out. Black, gray, and other muted clothes will make you fade into the background. It does take some inner work to actually want to look attractive. Your inner voice might be screaming, “You are way too fancy! Everyone will think you are trying too hard!” Our ego loves to cradle us and keep from changing, even for the better. You don’t need to go from zero to one hundred. Take steps to improve your current closet, then begin to buy new flattering outfits. Seek professional advice, take online quizzes, and get into the frame of mind that you deserve to look good and receive attention.