Have you heard anyone say ‘shop your closet’? (you might have heard it from me!) But what does it mean, anyway? When most people say ‘shop your closet’, they mean going into your closet and creating outfits from what you already own. Basically, instead of going to a store and finding something new to wear, treat your closet like a store. Discover something you haven’t worn in a while and then play with it to come up with new combinations.
Easier said than done, right? I hear you on that. We all get into the habit of wearing things the same way, for a couple of reasons:
Time – when you’re getting dressed in the morning, the easiest outfit to wear is one that you’ve worn before. Which is helpful – but it doesn’t really support thinking of new ideas or using your items in a versatile manner.
Lack of creativity – so, you want to wear your plaid blazer in a new way. But where do you even get ideas?
If you’re willing to put in a little time and energy, the benefits of shopping your closet can be amazing. You’ll get more wear out of items you already own. You’ll actually get to enjoy your favorite pieces more often. You’ll curb your desire to shop, since you’ll have new outfits without buying anything new. Which means that you’ll end up saving money!
So, how about this? The next time you feel like you need something new (and you’re not even sure what), instead of heading to the mall, shop your closet. Whether it’s on a weekend afternoon or you find a random hour in the day, I can almost guarantee that spending a little time with what you already own will help you think of your existing clothes in new ways. And here are 3 ways to get started.
NEW COLOR COMBINATIONS
One of the easiest ways to breathe life into tired outfits is with color. And I don’t necessarily mean that you need to jump out of your color comfort zone. I simply mean that you can look at new ways of combining colors, so that you’re not ending up with the same light colored top/black pants combo every single day. Here are a few ideas:
Two colors in one outfit – If your everyday outfit formula is picking a brightly colored top and then pairing it with neutrals, that’s great. But how about creating an outfit that features two brights or two pastels, or even a mix? It’s easier than you think once you start flexing those color muscles – read this for 10 color combinations that always work.
Monochromatic – If you’re already comfortable with unexpected color combos, how about sticking with just one color? Monochromatic outfits look sleek, modern and sophisticated – you just need to pay attention to the details. Click here for some monochromatic outfits I created for my clients.
Accessories – If all this talk of bright colors makes you nervous, you can start by playing with color in your accessories. Add a pop color shoe to a neutral look or colorful jewelry to a white shirt and jeans or a big hit of color in a bag. Accessories are an easier way to play with color, but they can be just as impactful. And if you don’t think accessories can totally change the look of an outfit, you have to read this.
My client wanted more color in her wardrobe, so she asked me to go shopping. I told her that she had enough color in her closet and we just needed to create some new outfits. So, I put together this red blazer and fuchsia top for a combination that she never would have tried on her own.
COMBINE PRINTS
Prints can be an amazing way to make your outfits more dynamic, whether you like color or not. They add visual interest and dimension – and even more so when you start combining prints. If you’re daring, wear two printed pieces as the main part of your look. And if you’d prefer to start smaller, pair a printed piece with a patterned accessory. Here are two quick tips on combining prints:
Stick with the same color palette – two different prints based in the same colors are naturally harmonious. A black and white check with a black/white floral or a navy and red stripe with a similarly toned dot print are just a couple of options.
Vary your scales – one print should be in a larger scale and one should be smaller, so they don’t compete.
And if prints are new to you in general, check out a bunch of my clients’ outfits that started with a print.
This is a great example of a few print combining techniques - pairing prints in the same colors, varying the scales and wearing a print top with a patterned accessory.
RETHINK HOW YOU WEAR IT
Sometimes, the best way to shop your closet is by ignoring how you normally wear something, and thinking of it in a completely different way. When is a blazer not a blazer? When it’s a lightweight jacket. When is a dress not a dress? When you throw a sweater over so it looks like a skirt. When is a dressy skirt not so dressy? When you pair it with a t-shirt and sneakers. See examples of all of these in this article, along with a few tips to keep in mind.
When is a blazer not half of a suit? When you throw it over a t-shirt & jeans and it acts like a spring jacket.
So, are you ready to shop your closet? Here are a couple of things that will be helpful:
Lay out your outfits the night before – I’m sure you’ve already heard this, but 5 minutes the evening prior can save you 15 minutes of indecision the next morning. And especially if you’ve been in leggings and sweats for the last year, you might need a little time to get back into the outfit groove.
If you’re at a loss for where to even start, find some inspiration – Check out your favorite bloggers or Instagram accounts or style websites to see how they pull things together. And then look at the details – maybe it’s a photo of a striped jacket over a floral dress. You don’t need to copy it, but just get inspired to wear a striped t-shirt with floral flats.
Are you looking for more inspiration to enjoy what’s already in your closet? Click here to sign up for Style Mail – my best style advice delivered right to your inbox (along with a great freebie!). And if you want style inspiration more often, follow me on Instagram!