If you are just joining us, or are running behind, don’t worry. You can go at your own pace, and still post your thoughts and interact in the comments in our group.
Be sure you finish each challenge before moving to the next. This week has two challenges, designed to help refine your style and make editing your wardrobe not so overwhelming.
Wardrobe Challenge Week 2: Pinpoint Your Style and Start Your Edit
Challenge #1: Edit Your Pinterest Board
This part of the challenge always creates the most conversation. You might be thinking that you need to pick a style and commit to it. We’re told we are either “classic”, “trendy” or “boho”. Like we have to pick a lane and stay there.
But the truth is we are all our own unique combination of everything.
For example, I use to think I was “preppy”. But I’m not, at all. I like elements of preppy style. I never pass up an opportunity to monogram something and a good chunk of my wardrobe is from J.Crew. But, I have a deep aversion to bright colors and prints, I much prefer saturated neutrals, and better fabrics.
After going through this very process for several years now, it’s clear that my style is classic and modern with a twist. That “twist” is usually an interesting detail, splurge worthy piece, or an unexpected personalized element – like a monogrammed bag, or bold accessory.
So to help you with this, go through you Pinterest Board and only keep the image you LOVE.
You must LOVE every pin. (I know! It’s hard.)
The Difference Between “Liking” and “Loving”
It’s not just what you like, but what you want to live your life in.
You can appreciate all different styles, but narrowing down to the ones you want to wear all the time is the point.
Doing so will help ensure your wardrobe mixes and matches and you always look like yourself.
Find Your Common Threads
Next, review your edited board and look for commonalities and consistencies. It might not be abundantly clear but stick with the challenge, it will start to show itself.
You can keep pictures of outfits not quite right for your body type; we’ll get to that later. Your board is pure inspiration.
Any style can work for any body type with proper adjustments.
What we’re looking for here is a theme.
Some a-ha’s you might have:
- You pinned lots of jeans and pants but have a ton of skirts collecting dust in your closet.
- Maybe you pinned a dozen monochromatic looks yet own a ton of patterned tops and skirts.
- Does your board have scarves and accessory heavy looks, but you never incorporate them into your daily outfits?
These are the kind of revelations you might have when you finish this exercise – and it’s fantastic.
Challenge #2: A Quick Closet Edit
You can do this next step all at once or over a few days, it just depends on the volume in your closet.
Set up a workspace in or close to your closet. Designate three piles:
Keepers: For anything you know you love, use regularly and fit in your style.
Donations: Something in good condition that doesn’t work for you but could help someone else.
Undecided: Use this as a parking lot for items you’re on the fence about, or not ready to part with.
Having a rolling rack for this exercise makes it easier to stay organized. I use mine for the “keeper” pile.
Next, take your Pinterest board or other inspiration pictures into your closet.
While you’re in your closet, ask yourself these questions and try to come up with an answer:
Is your current wardrobe reflective of the style you love?
If not, what is your motivation for making purchases? (Sale price, impulse, need, etc.)
What do you have more of, basics or trends?
For example, my Pinterest board is mostly neutral and solid colors, yet we I first did this I had at least a dozen printed blouses and tops hanging in my closet. There was nothing wrong with them, except I don’t like a lot of patterns and I wasn’t wearing them.
So why do I keep buying them? In my case, I thought I needed variety. I was also using Stitch Fix at the time, and kept a lot of pieces they sent because they were okay and fit.
Once I completed the exercise, I permitted myself to let go of what didn’t fit into my style.
You may not have many things in your current wardrobe that reflects your current style. (If you do, you’re way ahead of most of us!)
It’s okay to feel frustrated. Take a deep breath and trust the process.
Going through these steps will allow you to discover what you like, understand why you make certain decisions when shopping and eventually fill your closet with items you can’t wait to wear.
The process of creating a cohesive wardrobe is not immediate. That’s why so many readers do this challenge every time we offer it. It takes time to curate your look, find the pieces that work best for you and, of course, work those purchases into your budget.
But after this challenge, you’ll be off to a great start.
Quickly Edit Your Wardrobe
Now, with your inspiration pictures as your guide, QUICKLY, go through your wardrobe. (For more tips check out our post 6 Steps to Clean out Your Closet in 60 Minutes)
Hold every piece up and ask yourself, does this get me to where I want to be?
If your answer is “yes,” put the item in your keeper pile or rolling rack.
If your answer is “no,” put it in your donation pile.
If you have no idea or don’t want to deal with it, put it in the undecided pile.
We’ll deal with those items next week. Do this quickly. The undecided pile is there to take away any pressure.
You will likely have to keep a few pieces that are just ok so you can get dressed in the morning. This is fine and expected. Put these in the undecided pile too. The most important part of this exercise is to see if or how much of what you are buying is reflective of your personal style.
Once finished, put the donations in a bag and right into your car. Get them out of the house! Hang and fold everything else.
Put your undecided pieces back in your closet, behind the pieces you love, so your favorite items are the first thing you see.
Don’t focus on organizing anything yet (you can guess where we’re going next week).
Repeat the same editing process with your shoes and accessories.
Just getting started? Be sure to follow each challenge in order. For week one follow the link below:
The Well Dressed Life Wardrobe Challenge: Week 1
