Sometimes people remark that they’ve never seen me wear the same thing twice. Well, I assure you I do wear clothes more than once, but rarely do I repeat exactly the same combination of clothes. It helps that I have an enormous wardrobe.
Today’s entry is about one little trick I use to manage my crazy closet (which is actually a spare bedroom). If your wardrobe is sparse, this may not be helpful to you; but if you are a fellow shopping addict who stares into her stuffed-to-the-brim closet thinking “what the hell am I going to wear today?” then read on…
I came up with this idea at a time when I had lots of older stuff in my closet that I hadn’t worn in awhile but still wanted to wear, as well as several new things to add to the mix.
Start with a few index cards. You will use one for each week – 4 or 5 to begin, but you can always add more later. Now pick a category (for example: tops, jackets, shoes, accessories, skirts, etc.) and on the first line of each card, write down something in that category. It could be one specific item (ex: Ann Taylor striped turtleneck) or something more general (ex: patterned sweater). In the example below, I picked all items of the tops or sweaters variety.
Then pick another category and write down an item on each card. You see where I’m going with this… You can make as many categories as you like, or you can even pick random items. I started out with categories – tops, shoes, bottoms – then I did a round of randoms, then did two more categories – accessories, jewelry. The “rules” are really up to you. But in general, try to pick out some items that you’ve had for a while but have been neglected, as well as items that are newer. Then be sure to throw in some basics and favorites.
This project can easily be done on your own, but I consult with my trusty advisor, Coco.
Once you have your cards done, use them as a jumping off point each day that week when you’re deciding what to wear. You could wear multiple items from your card on the same day, or just pick one thing each day and build your outfit around it. Again, you make the rules so it really doesn’t matter! You can be as strict or as flexible with your cards as you like.
If anyone else decides to try my little scheme, let me know what you think! Did it work for you? Does anyone else have unique ways of managing their closets and thinking of new outfits? Leave me a comment!
Okay, this may or may not be helpful. I write down outfits as I pick them… but when I’m feeling at a loss in my closet, I usually try and pick out two things that I would NEVER pair together, start with those, and go from there. And I always have unique combinations of tops, necklaces, shoes this way.
I like the idea of picking two things you wouldn’t normally put together! Good tip.
Hi Sarah! I saw your post on Saucy Glossie’s page and thought I’d come by and visit! My methods are quite different. I used to plan my outfits, but I would keep changing my mind. You know, the clothes all over your closet floor thing? Yep. That was me. I discovered that my best outfits are when I don’t try. One thing I always do: I NEVER walk out the door in something I don’t feel confident in. You’re like me. I’m the only one in my group of friends who REALLY loves fashion and clothes. 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting! I usually don’t end up with clothes all over the floor. I tend to get something I like on the first or second try…it’s just the getting started part that I have trouble with! But I know what you mean about the best outfits coming from not trying so hard. That happens to me too. But then when I TRY to NOT try, I’m still TRYing so…you know. That’s why I’m usually a planner 🙂
When it comes to putting outfits together, my approach is very flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants and instinctual. What varies is my starting point- sometimes there’s a particular feeling I’m going for, other times I’m trying to dress for an occasion and other times there’s a particular item I want to wear and the rest of the outfit comes from that. Your organizational approach is such a contrast to what I usually do, I may have to give it a go just to see the results!!
I too am a frequent user of the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants technique. But then sometimes I’ll have a couple days of stylist’s block (a term I just made up), so I’ll create some new organizational scheme to use for awhile. If you try my little technique, I’m interested to know how it works out!