How to Edit Your Wardrobe lowstoluxe.com
Everyone feels it - too much stuff. !
I often find people (including myself) have endless pieces in their wardrobe but ‘nothing to wear’ !
For some it’s keeping things too long, some it’s shopping the wrong way & some it’s just confusion. !
I’m excited to launch this wardrobe guide which will hopefully shed some light on how to clean out your closet and find your personal style. After you have narrowed that down I hope to share some must have’s & classic staples you should have hanging in your closet each season.
The first step here is to CLEAN OUT. When I say ‘clean out’ I really mean it. Remove everything from your closets, drawers & nooks. Trust me: when you take everything off the hanger it makes it easier to visualize what you want to see in your closet. Once you begin filtering through clothes create 3 piles: Love, Like & Donate. Things you can’t live without should consist of basics you actually wear and those seasonal pieces you can’t live without. Keep the ‘Like’ pile small because at the end of this clean out I want you to go through this pile again and I bet you will get rid of most of it. !
The things you want hanging in your closet should be pieces you just can’t live without. For instance, I found myself with a ton of tee’s but only 2 or 3 I actually wore - why have them all? !
Once you have sorted through your whole wardrobe the only things left hanging should show you your core style. This is what you gravitate to and how you will know what to build on.
Once your closet is cleaned out (trust me this takes a while) you can explore what gaps or holes you may have. !
Make sure to focus on your lifestyle and what types of clothes you wear. For example, I wear scrubs to work so there is no need for me to keep clothes around I once considered ‘office appropriate’ because they will never get used. !
As a general rule I like to break up my basics into categories. I personally then stick to neutral tones because that is my preference but always feel allowed to add a pop of color or a shoe you have been lusting over to the mix.
The goal is to have your basics built so when you add to your wardrobe it’s deliberate and well thought out. Ask yourself ‘Where will I wear this?’ and ‘How Often Can I Use This?’ For me that last question is the biggest key. I don’t need things I can’t use often cluttering my closet!
For categories like outerwear it will vary greatly based on where you live. I limit myself to 10 pieces here in Chicago. That may seem like a lot but with puffer coats, fleeces and classics it’s not a ton. I advise using winter accessories to spice up your outerwear each season instead of buying new ones. You can easily add a fun colored beanie or scarf to avoid bigger purchases!
Now that we’ve gone through some basics on closet clean out and how to build that dream wardrobe of yours, it’s time to choose wisely. Each category included has a few must have’s I love for this season that should last you years. As a general rule, I always recommend investing in bigger pieces like a puffer coat or boots rather than tee’s and jeans!
Closet Checklist I created this easy checklist you can print at home to keep track of your needs! If you want to substitute something new make sure you get rid of something old that will help you realize how much you really need it!
Jeans & Pants: 1. Black 2. Ripped 3. Basic Blue 4. White 5. Coated 6. Flare
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sweaters Camel Black Grey Color Pattern
Shoes: Tall Boots Nude Booties Snow Boot Black Heel Colored Heel
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Tees: Black Grey White Stripe Color
Outerwear: 1. Puffer 2. Denim 3. Trench 4. Moto 5. Cocoon 6. Plaid
Jeans & Pants
When it comes to bottoms I advise 6 pairs of jeans to allow for different styles. Ripped, Classic, Flare & Coated are all ones I include in my own but again no need to repeat here. You don’t need more than one pair of black ripped denim or classic blues. Favorite Shops: Nordstrom, Shopbop, Anthropolgie, Rag & Bone
Tees & Tops
Favorite Shops: Nordstrom, Madewell, Anthropolgie, J. Crew
For tops and tee’s I follow the same rule. Cover the basics of grey, black, white & add a pop of color that you can use often. I always keep 1-2 striped tee’s in rotation and end up getting so much layering use out of them to make outfits look different!
Sweaters
I keep the majority of my knits in neutral tones. Allow yourself differences in length, turtlenecks & speckling to make them feel different but still remain versatile, Opt for 1-2 bold colors and patterns to keep it fun!
Favorite Shops: Nordstrom, Madewell, Anthropolgie, Club Monaco
Outerwear
Favorite Shops: Nordstrom, J.Crew, Forever 21 Outerwear is one key item I recommend investing in. Down coats, denim jackets & a leather moto jacket are all timeless pieces you will use forever. By investing in these areas of your wardrobe you will hopefully not be spending money in this department for years to come. When the urge strikes for a seasonal plaid piece or something fun I recommend Forever 21. I’ve never had any short term issues with their pieces and they always have trendy items.
Boots & Heels
Shoes are another place I think it’s smart to invest in but mainly in neutral shades of staple boots and booties. A pair of black tall boots or short nude booties will last you years and you want something that’s comfortable. Over time I have simplified my shoes a ton but the one color I always say is worth having around is red!
Favorite Shops: Nordstrom, Shopbop, Zappos
What do you think?
Hope this was helpful and let me know your thoughts! I am already looking forward to rounding up my favorites for the spring! Love, Shaheen