Loudoun County Magazine's Closet ReHaul with Maryl Nylund

JULY 2018

Closet Rehaul

MARLYS NYLUND PHOTOS BY ALEX MANGIONE

Create a Closet for Success

by Marlys Nylund Photography by Alex Mangione

Our closets give a lot of insight into who we are as people. What does your closet say about you? If you’re someone who is overwhelmed by your closet and you avoid looking in your closet, then it is probably more difficult for you to get inspired when you get dressed. Getting dressed with inspiration can help you achieve your best self. Letting go of clothes that no longer serve you and your lifestyle may be holding you back. To truly be motivated when you get dressed, no matter the occasion, you’ll want to consider each piece held within your closet.

Marlys Nylund, Creator & Chief Stylist with Emerald N Oak offers a “Closet Cleanse”, as part of her vignette of styling services. Emerald N Oak has one goal in mind, to maximize the longevity of your coveted pieces while injecting newness, offering personal shopping services to fill those gaps. Free from judgment, this “step by step” guide is done in the comfort of your home to make the experience more personalized. Here are a few of Nylund’s tips for creating a closet that inspires you, no matter what your goals may be: 1. Create a Blank Canvas.

Begin with a blank canvas, completely emptying out your closet.

Place all items outside your closet. Be sure to set aside 2-5 hours for your closet cleanse.

2. Host Your Own Fashion Show With your favorite music on, evaluate each garment objectively, why haven’t you worn it? Is the piece out of fashion? Does the item fit you in a flattering way? Is the piece relevant to your lifestyle? Reflect on these questions as you evaluate what to include in your refreshed closet.

3. Be ready to make hard decisions.

Make your first hard passes on parting with items you haven’t utilized in awhile. Pack them up and prepare them for donation. Put these items out of sight.

4. Review those items that you are not sure about.

When you are on the fence about an item, take the time to try it on. Again reflect on the questions: is this piece in fashion?

Does this piece fit well? Is this piece representative of your lifestyle? Do you feel good when you wear it? Asking these questions can help you make your decision.

5. Hang it up.

Once you have streamlined what you are keeping, now it is time to hang everything back up. Consider purchasing hangers in a uniform style and color. Organize your items from light colors to dark colors, by category (sleeveless, short sleeves, and full length sleeves), and only keep in season items in sight. Hang your items for other seasons out of sight until that season arrives. Crisp white garment bags can do the trick!

These tested steps for a refreshed and inspiring closet reorganization work wonders. By taking the time to clean your closet and create a more refined and defined wardrobe results in less stress, less duplication and less money wasted. Pat yourself on the back and enoy the inspiration you have given yourself by taking the time to create a welcoming dressing space.