Farewell flip-flops........
Hello sweaters, coats, boots and scarves. |
IT'S TIME FOR THE FALL SWITCHOVER |
 I know that many people break out in hives at the very thought of rotating out summer clothes to make room for the upcoming season's wardrobe, but the truth is, there's no better time for a closet make-over than right after Labor Day. So whether you're dreading the task or looking forward to it, I'll walk you through the process......See if you don't feel like a million bucks when you're done. Added benefit: You'll know exactly what's in your closet, so you won't run out and buy things you don't need (like a tenth black turtleneck).
Before you get started, you may want to pick up some supplies. I always recommend that you hold off on shopping until AFTER you've sorted and organized.....but here are a few exceptions: ------------------------------------------
 I think Joan Crawford was onto something when she said "NO WIRE HANGERS!!!!!!!!" Toss them and invest in space-saving Huggable Hangers . They take up a fraction of the space of your old jumbled assortment, and nothing gives a closet a more polished look than having all the same kind of hangers.
Simple Division Closet Dividers make
finding and putting clothes away a snap.
The tags come with 60 pre-printed labels
(in both English and Spanish) for every type of garment in your closet....pants, shirts, dresses jackets, suits, etc...Ooops! They forgot to inclde a label "when I lose ten pounds".
 Band together! Stop Sole-Searching......
Band summer sandals and flip flops in pairs with Plastibands ("rubberbands"). They're environmentally friendly and won't break, deteriorate, or discolor fabrics. Then store
in stackable sweater drawers or in a bin.
What's 9" high, light as a feather, and takes up almost no space when folded? It's the one item NO CLOSET CAN AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT. Give up????? it's the Easy Fold step stool. Keep one in every closet so you can easily access that top shelf without trudging to a different room and lugging out the heavy stepladder.
OK - Ready to tackle the closet??????????????
1) ASSESS SUMMER CLOTHES. Take them all out and go through each piece. BE RUTHLESS, NOT WRECKLESS!
as you follow these guidelines.
(The occasional exception is OK...NO hard fast rules here!)
The fashion police won't come-a-knockin' if you don't follow these to a tee. These are meant only as guidelines.............
DONATE, CONSIGN OR TOSS clothes that:
1) you haven't worn this season; the likelihood of your wearing it next summer is slim.
2) doesn't fit (unless you're on a weight-loss plan. Try to be realistic.)
3) doesn't flatter
4) is tattered or stained
5) you know you'll never wear
6) you're hanging onto for your kids - Possible Exceptions include the gown (or tux) you wore when you received your Academy Award, and/or your wedding gown.
7) you're waiting for to come back into style.
8) you're keeping just because it was expensive (Review
#'s 1-7 and then let it go. It's taking up space.
Not sure about what to keep? Ask a style-savvy friend for advice if not sure about what looks good. Sometimes it's hard to be objective, and a second opinion is invaluable.
RECOMMENDED KEEPERS: Evening clothes (which stay in fashion indefinitely), providing they fit and flatter.
2) RELEGATE SUMMER CLOTHES TO FARTHEST RECESSES OF YOUR CLOSET
Make sure to leave some lightweight pieces accessible for those hot days of Indian summer.
3) ASSESS FALL-WINTER CLOTHES - Now's the time to reacquaint yourself with last year's Fall/Winter clothes.Try them on to make sure they still fit. Take stock of what you have; make a note of what you need. Use guidelines above (See No. 1) to EDIT UPCOMING SEASON'S CLOTHES. Don't put anything back in your closet unless it's in ready- to-be-worn conditon. If something needs to be cleaned, repaired, or tailored, set it aside. Do it this week.
4) CONSIGN clothes that have a designer label and are in like-new condition. Time your consignments towards the upcoming season. Shops are now accepting Fall/Winter clothes, so get those consignables out of your closet. Email me for a complete list of Consignment Shops in Manhattan, organized by location.
Still need help with "The Big Switch"???????? Call or email for more tips. I want you all to FALL into the closet of your dreams.
As always, be well, be safe, be organized xxx's,
Nancy |
