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Welcome to week four of our Wardrobe Challenge!
Today we wrap up our last set of challenges for our Wardrobe Edit Challenge.
But before we jump in, I have to thank everyone for participating with such enthusiasm!
This week is going to wrap up the challenge, but not the process.
Remember, it takes time to put all this into practice.
Once you figure out what you need, it’s time to do the work to not only find those items but figure out how to translate all those gorgeous inspiration pictures into an outfit that will work with your lifestyle, budget, and body type.
If you are new to our community, I encourage you to ask specific questions and request posts covering different topics.
Our readers influence every piece of the content we share. I base my daily recommendations and tips on our conversations.
Use our archives while searching for inspiration. Every style post is filled with inspiration and guidance and offers recommendations for all sizes.
Simply type what you’re looking for into the SEARCH box on the ride side bar of our homepage.
Week 4: Create New Outfits and Write Your Wish List
If you haven’t completed week 3, please do that first.
Do not stress out if you are just starting, or feel like you’re running behind. This is suppose to be fun and support is available in our Facebook group no matter where you are in the process.
If you are having a hard time letting go of some of your items, read this post about the mindset shifts we need to make in order to gain control of our closets.
Challenge #1: Create New Outfits
Spend some time in your clean and organized closet.
Doesn’t it feel so good?
With the clutter removed you might be amazed at the outfit combinations you never noticed.
Every time I go through this process I always find a new way to wear something, discover an old favorite, or simply get re-inspired.
And there is just something so motivating about a clean, tidy closet.
So now it’s time to build some outfits.
To guide you, use your curated Pinterest boards and your lifestyle diagram.
The idea is not to replicate each look.
Instead, be inspired by them. Look at the color combinations, pattern pairings, layers, and accessories. Those are the essential elements.
Use your Lifestyle Diagram as a guide and try to create 1 -3 looks in each category.
Mix and match pieces, repeat a basic, see how far you can take it.
You may be please with what you can make with less, OR you may need to begin rebuilding your wardrobe.
Here’s an example of how I recreate a look:
I pinned this image of Victoria Beckham because I love how it mixes casual and elegant elements.
To be clear, there is no one on earth LESS like Victoria Beckham than me.
We have very different body types, she’s petite, I’m a foot taller, probably a hundred pounds heavier, and our lifestyles and budgets aren’t even in the same stratosphere.
It’s not the same outfit.
Instead, it’s inspired by the pin, which is likely made up of pieces from her collection and other brands I can’t afford.
Instead, I pulled out my favorite dark skinny jeans, an inexpensive white blouse, a camel coat I found at H&M a few years ago, and heels.
If you don’t want to wear heels, wear neutral pointed flats instead.
I would put this in my Social category; I’d wear this to lunch or a casual meeting.
Then I would swap out the blouse for a white tee and add a pair of sneakers and put in my Mom-ing category.
So you can see how elements of one outfit will carry through multiple categories.
Do not try to recreate looks, be inspired by the feel. See here for another example.
Challenge #2: Write Your Shopping List
As you work through your wardrobe, creating new looks, you’ll start to notice what is missing.
Jot down what you need to create more outfits.
- Could you use a different style pant?
- Maybe an updated shoe would pull several looks together.
- You might need something as simple as a cami so you can start to wear a lightweight sweater.
Write down anything that would add more life to your existing wardrobe.
Keep this list with you (I keep mine on my phone) and only purchase from the list!
By doing so you will stay focused, and your wardrobe will become more functional.
If you buy things that are not on the list, you’ll end up with a closet full of items you don’t need all over again.
Bonus Challenge #3: Your Three Words
Now that you have some clarity, how would you describe your style?
Come up with three words and keep them with you as you make decisions going forward.
In full disclosure my words have changed over the years, because our preferences change and new styles are introduced. So you are not married to these words, rather, consider them an every-changing guidepost.
Mine are: Timeless | Casual | Feminine
Timeless my core wardrobe pieces are fresh versions of classics.
Casual: because my lifestyle which is far from formal.
Feminine: I like pretty things, soft make up, “girlie” accessories.
Bonus Challenge #4: Where Do You Make Your Mistakes?
Now that you are wrapping up the challenge, take a minute to think about where you are making your shopping mistakes.
I realized only recently that I have two BIG areas of improvement.
The first is when I panic shop before a vacation. I end up not liking/needing/using 80% of what I buy.
So I know I have to be more organized before a trip. I need more time to pull outfits together and not wait until 48 hours before a flight.
The second is discount stores. I need to stay away from them. I buy the dumbest stuff because I fall into “oh, it’s on sale” and get all impressed with myself, like, look, I can save money!
But my truth is, for what I spend on a visit to TJ Max or Off Fifth, I could have bought one or two investment pieces that would better serve me.
Think about your areas of improvement; they’ll be different than mine. And consider solutions to avoid them in the future.
Enjoy your new space and the fresh start!
Your closet won’t always look this great.
Life will get busy, and you’ll need to regroup. The good news is it will be so much easier to keep it tidy now that you have a system.
I follow this process twice a year, only it doesn’t take four weeks; it takes about an hour to get back on track.
Remember that your wardrobe is ever evolving.
You’ll never be “done.”
There will always be something on your shopping list, an item that needs to be replaced or a new look you want to try.
I hope that after this exercise, you start to hold your purchases to a higher standard and realize you don’t need so much, you just need the right options for you.
Join me in our Private Facebook Group for a LIVE Q&A!
This week we’re doing our last Facebook Private LIVE Chat today, October 9th at 3PM EST.
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