17 October 2022

I tossed half my closet … again! Here’s why

What’s in my closet? Cinq a Sept blazer | Cami | 7 for all Mankind coated denim | Schutz sandals | Balenciaga bag | Pearl earrings

I tossed half my closet … again! Here’s why 😉

We’ve lived in our house for over 20 years, and believe it or not, my closet has always been a disaster. So, when The Closet Factory in Portland, and their talented designer Veronika, put my design ideas (and hers) into a beautiful and functional plan and implemented it, I was thrilled! The result? A beautiful, new closet that has completely exceeded my expectations. I only wish I had done it sooner!

The best time to reevaluate your closet and wardrobe is when one season is ending and another is beginning. So, if you haven’t switched from summer to fall yet, now is the time! For example, anything you didn’t wear this past summer needs to be assessed for value, and if it won’t work in the fall, it needs to go into storage or be donated. My rule: keep things streamlined so it’s easy to make outfits; everything has to “earn its spot.”

Today’s post is about what to toss and what to keep (or replenish) when editing your wardrobe for the new season. I highly recommend a full closet refresh, because most of us have way too many things that we don’t actually wear. Trust me, an edited closet makes getting dressed much easier, and it feels really good! Now I get to enjoy this beautiful space every single day, and share it with you on my IG stories 🙂 Good luck!

 

My beautiful, new closet that I’m thankful for every day

 

 

Top left: Reformation blouse, similar | Paige Cindy jeans | Sandals | Top Right: Bathroom baskets | Bottom left: Weezie towels | Serena & Lily stool | Fermois lampshades | Bathmat | Bottom right: Elizabeth Blackwell engravings from Ebay | Bedside lamps | Pottery Barn quilt | Blue throw pillows on bed

The details

Here are a few closet details I love and highly recommend to everyone!

First: valet hooks. These work for any closet; you can purchase them here, and they are the perfect accessory for making outfits.

Second: extra deep cabinets. I’m really appreciating the extra depth of the cabinets — 24″ makes all the difference and feels boutique-like.

Third: closed doors — they hide a mess, and your focus goes to the shelves that display the pretty things.

Fourth: matching hangers — these are a total game changer!  I included photos of the bedroom and bathroom since the closet remodel had a domino effect 🙂

 

Denim

Tossing: Low-rise, dingy white denim, super super skinnies and any poorly fitting styles

Keeping/Adding: Flares, straight leg, full length slim boot styles and cropped flare styles

Nordstrom cashmere sweater | Mother “Weekender” denim | White bootie | Givenchy bag

If you’re like me, then you’re most likely rotating through 3-4 pairs of jeans at any given time … that’s why it’s best to toss anything that’s dated. This includes low-rise denim, super skinny denim and anything that’s ill-fitting. While you’re at it, before you store white denim, toss it if it looks dingy! Since denim is the backbone of our closets, the ones you do own should fit perfectly.

I’m adding flares or slim boot cut styles — love these Mothers, these by Fidelity and these Paige Genevieve — available in petite sizes here. I’m keeping slim, straight leg styles, like this Frame style and these coated denim also by Frame, and I’m also keeping cropped flared jeans like these by Frame. Here are some other favorites I think you’ll like!

 

Pants

Tossing: Trouser pants that look like work pants, anything low-rise, anything else not worn in years (!!)

Keeping/adding: Favorite Vince pants, these new Frame trouser style ones (love!), this new Cinq a Sept style, these full trouser style and anything faux leather

Faux leather jacket, similar | Faux leather pants | Sandals | Cami

Most of us don’t need many pants, unless we’re regularly going into an office. Making sure to have several great black pants on hand, including this favorite Vince style. It looks good on everyone! And, check out this newer one by Frame — SO good, and it keeps selling out. Faux leather is everywhere, look at  these. Lastly, a fuller trouser style like this. You’ll be covered for almost any occasion!

 

Lingerie

Tossing: Stretched out bras, dingy panties, and anything not worn in years

Keeping/adding: Soft and comfy bras, black bras for winter, hosiery for dresses

Vince silk blouse | Vince pants | Strappy sandals | Wacoal bra

For some reason, lingerie drawers tend to fill up quickly — not really sure why! Since it’s easier to have several well-fitting, comfortable bras to choose from, just toss your old ones. I love this black stretch lace one, Soft Sense by Wacoal, this one called Softly Styled. And, we all need a great strapless bra — this is the best one. The only two panties I wear and recommend are Natori Bliss thongs, and Chantelle Soft Stretch panties in any of the styles (a stylist favorite). Of course, let’s not forget shapewear — this and this are what I’m keeping in my drawer.

 

PJ’s

Tossing: Old pj’s, ratty sleep t-shirts (we all have way too many), and robes with snags due to kitties 😂 Also slippers that look worn

Keeping/adding: Cozy pj’s, soft robes, new slippers, and comfy loungewear to look cute at home 🙂

Nordstrom pajamas | Bony Levy pear pendant and chain | Mug

Fall and Winter are the perfect time to give our pj’s a little refresh. Just added this pj set (in red stripes — thinking ahead for the holidays) and they’re so comfy. I always love anything by Honeydew, specifically these. Recently, I spotted this brand, and now I’m considering this set or this set — so cute! For loungewear, I’ve been wearing Papinelle. You’ll love this cozy robe and this comfy set too. I didn’t realize how bad my slippers are until writing this … bought them at the beginning of the pandemic and now it’s time to say goodbye! Look at this or this.

 

Sweaters

Tossing: Pilled and stretched out sweaters, old sweaters not worn in years — we all have them!

Keeping/adding: Cashmere, simple tees, J.Crew cardigans, shorter cardigans and brightly colored sweaters

J.Crew cardigan | Aritzia trouser | Chloe tote | Gucci sandals | Necklaces: here, here and here

I think we all agree: we ALL have too many sweaters. Toss any pilled and stretched out styles, and replace with classic ones like this lightweight cashmere tee or this cardigan. Also, anything in a bright color is super stylish right now, and I’m contemplating this red one and this pretty pink one. If you like jacket cardigans, J.Crew makes the best ones. I love the Juliette, and the Ella. All run quite large, so size down at least one or two sizes.

 

Coats

Tossing: Oversized coats that look bad, uncomfortable coats, and anything ill-fitting

Keeping/adding: Lightweight puffer, puffer vests and a classic coats in neutral colors

 

Left: Faux leather puffer | Black denim | OTK boots | Right: J.Crew puffer coat | T-shirt | Mother denim

Coats are one of those items that update every outfit, and since we’re heading into cooler weather, it’s a good idea to review what we already own. I shared a coat edit recently, and you can click here to see it. I also shared a Reels Video in my closet, which you can see here (and shop the boards here). For now, I am loving J.Crew coats, puffer vests, belted wool coats and any kind of faux leather styles — so cool and stylish right now!

 

Dresses

Tossing: Poorly fitting dresses, anything not worn in years (unless it’s a keepsake), and anything too short

Keeping/adding: Sweater dresses, midi-length dresses and anything leopard

Vince dress | Gold sandals | Gold clutch

These days everyone wants dresses to wear to all kinds of events, so it’s a good idea to have several on hand. This Vince slipdress works for almost everyone, and same with this strapless Norma Kamali one. I’ve shared them in Reels videos – here and here. I’m always looking for dresses, and recently I found this and this! Styles I’m keeping include sweater dresses (spotted this one by Paige today). I also love midi-style dresses like this one and this one. Having several good daytime dresses really does come in handy!

 

Accessories

Tossing: Dated, printed scarves, old jewelry that’s out of style, bags not worn in awhile

Keeping/adding: Elevated print and solid scarves, updated bags, and wear-every day jewelry

Alice & Olivia blouse | Mother Dazzler | Sandals | Tote

Accessories and bags are another area that likely need a good clean! I have 4 scarves I wear regularly: this camel wrap, this black one, this Gucci one and a printed AllSaints one. Also, a couple of belts is really all you need, and this tonal Gucci one is amazing. When it comes to bags, totes are practical and stylish, and this YSL and Chloe ones are faves. Most everyone can use a black bag — love this one. A neutral one like this goes with everything. Go through all your pieces, and edit, edit, edit, it feels so good 🙂

 

Blazers

Tossing: Older, suit blazers, ill fitting jackets, anything that doesn’t fit

Keeping/adding: This Rag & Bone favorite, Veronica Beard anything and anything you absolutely love 🙂

L’Agence blazer | Bodysuit | Frame flare denim | YSL Puffer bag

I love a good blazer, and just yesterday I shared this favorite by Rag & Bone in this blog post. Below are my all time favorites that almost everyone loves!

 

Thank you for reading! xx

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