{{ LYDIA’S LIFESTYLES}} SHIFT+CONTROL
WHAT’S IN YOUR CLOSET? BY BY LYDIA DEAN-REESE, MASTER STYLIST
It all starts with knowing your body type and an organized closet. Did you know we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time? If so, do you know why? One reason is because we feel comfortable in those regularly chosen garments. Another reason is because we cannot see the rest of the items that have gotten pushed back and are no longer in sight. Let’s talk about your closet first, or the idea closet. If you can see the items and they are organized, you may wear more of the items you already own. If you want to make the most of what you already have and you are willing to take the plunge. To begin, you must be willing to take everything or almost everything out of your closet, place it on your bed and/or several chairs. Create signs or piles that indicate, keep, donate, or toss. And let me say, I no longer believe the rule, if you haven’t worn it in two years, give it away. Fashion repeats itself, therefore, at some time that item will be trending or in vogue again and now it will be a classic or vintage. Which leads me to the point that you want to primarily purchase classic garments that you can get more bang for you buck and add a few trendy pieces to your wardrobe per season.
As for the sorting: Keep it if you can still fit it, you still like it, it’s your favorite color, or it is a quality piece that can become vintage one day. Donate it if it is in good condition and it is something that you would buy
from Goodwill or a consignment shop. Toss anything that needs repair or is in disrepair. Next you want to gradually switch out all your hangers, no wire at all, ever. Get rid of those bulky,
thick plastic hangers. Invest in wooden hangers for your suits, blazers, and coats. Purchase some velvet hangers, you can get all black or you can get different colors for different pieces, i.e., blue for blouses, sage for skirts, teal for trousers, etc. The greatest challenge about wardrobe analysis and closet updates is the emotional part, sometimes, we want to keep everything. Next, you want to organize in categories, suits, blazers, jackets, blouses/shirts, slacks/ trousers/pants, dresses; (you can put vests with blouses and kimonos with dresses). Then you want to go light to dark, then prints and patterns. The most challenging part about making sure the contents of your closet is becoming to you is confirming that the items in it are flattering to your body type. That’s where I come in. I tell many of my clients, I can make you red carpet ready or everyone on the red carpet who looks like they have the perfect hourglass shape, they have a good, no great stylist. For more information: lydia@ lydialifestylecoach.com
ROCHESTER WOMAN ONLINE :: MAY EDITION 2022
265