Closet edit: Open Edit blazer | Mother denim, similar | L’Agence sandals | Marc Jacobs tote | Brinker & Eliza bracelet | Pearl pendant necklace

The closet mistake (almost) everyone makes!

Happy New Year! 🌟

I’ve helped A LOT of women with their closets over the years, both in-person and virtually. And there’s one closet mistake (almost) everyone makes: we all have way too many things! Believe it or not, this actually makes getting dressed that much more challenging. Probably the number one thing I hear on a daily basis is “I have the hardest time making outfits.” There are several reasons why, which I’ll be addressing in the next couple of weeks. But, the first place to start is to assess what you already own. Two years ago, when I did my own closet remodel, as I moved every thing back in, each item had to “earn” its place!!

So, before you make any new purchases, I highly recommend cleaning out your closet. This is the perfect new year’s day activity! It feels SO good — and then you can actually see what needs to be replaced, where the holes are, and of course make room for fun, new purchases for this coming year. Side note: another thing that I see in every single closet is that we all have things that need altering. So keep that in mind when you’re reviewing each piece, and make sure to start an alterations pile. When I was a Nordstrom Stylist, we used to bring an alterations expert in for each client visit. They were never bored!

Today is Day 1 of my personal goal  of “30 Days to Get Out of a Rut!” 😉 I have a long list going, and I will be sharing it here, as well as on the Saturday newsletter and on Instagram! It’s everything from the exercising more (obviously), to spending more time with girlfriends, to a little self care and tidying up. Hopefully you’ll find something that resonates along the way. Since January is known for cleaning, organizing and exercising, the timing feels perfect!

Closet clean-out 101

• January is known for cleaning, organizing and exercising, the timing feels perfect!
• Invest in a rolling rack
• Separate by category, and put everything on the rolling rack
• Evaluate each piece and either keep, store, alter or donate
• Put it back in the spot neatly, and always colorize light to dark
• Get a notepad and make notes of what you need to add/replace
• Message me back and let me know how it goes 😉

Susie’s closet inspo

 

 

Closet design: The Closet Factory, Portland

Here are a few closet tips I highly recommend!

Valet hooks work for any closet, and they’re the perfect accessory for making outfits

Extra deep cabinets are a detail that makes the closet feel like a boutique (24″ deep)

Closed doors hide a mess, and your focus goes to the shelves that display the pretty things

Matching hangers like these are possibly the most important detail of all 🙂

Cabinet lighting is the detail I love the most — it makes a big difference!

Special carpet — the antelope pattern hides everything

Acrylic dividers are perfect for organizing smaller bags – I use the ones below

What I’m keeping/tossing

Denim (the first category to start)

Tossing: Low-rise, super super skinnies, poorly fitting styles and anything not worn in months

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

Isabel Marant sweatshirt | Naghedi tote | Golden Goose sneakers | Mother denim | Prada sunglasses | Michele watch

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. P.S. We don’t need loads of denim – just a handful 🙂

I’m adding long length flares or slim boot cut styles — love these by Frame, these slimming ones by Fidelity and these Paige flare jeans — available in petite sizes here. Also keeping slim, straight leg styles, like this Mother and this coated denim by Frame. I’m also keeping cropped flared jeans like these by Paige. See below for my favorites I think you’ll like!

T-shirts

Tossing: Tees with holes or stains; graphic tees I’m no longer wearing

Keeping/adding: Fresh white tees, any Anine Bing tees and simple long sleeve tees

J.Crew cardigan | Mother straight leg jeans | ATM t-shirt | Initial necklace | Shoes, similar

I’m still puzzled as to why holes appear in strange places on our tees, but when they do, it’s time to toss! I still love ATM tees (I just refreshed my own), and I have my eye on this Anine Bing after seeing it on my friend. If you like a v-neck style, this one by Frame is a stylist favorite. Remember, t-shirts aren’t outfit makers – and so you only need a handful. I probably have less than 10, including graphic tees.

Shoes

Tossing: Shoes I haven’t worn in over a year, anything that looks dated

Keeping/adding: Comfy sneakers, stylish boots, slingbacks, neutral shoes, strappy sandals, loafers and block heel shoes

 

Left: Varley jacket | Varley legging | Tote | Rag & Bone sneakers | Right: Black sweater | Coated denim | Gucci sandals

For the first time ever, I took all my shoes out of boxes, and now I can see all of them — which is so exciting! Except … I didn’t want to see the old ones I’ll most likely never wear again. So, goodbye old shoes! Shoes I wear on repeat: sneakers – GG, Rag & Bone and this pair. Just added these boots. Splurged on a second pair of these! Everyone should own a gold sandal – I love these. When it comes to neutral shoes, make sure to have several since they go with everything. Ones I wear all the time include this pump, this sandal and this boot – they go with everything!

Blazers

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

Keeping/adding: This Rag & Bone favorite, Veronica Beard anything, this relaxed Cinq A Sept style, and anything you absolutely love

 

Left: Veronica Beard blazer | Frame coated denim | Right: Cinq A Sept blazer | 7 For All Mankind coated denim

I love a good blazer, and having several great styles in your closet is key! The Veronica Beard Miller Dickey jacket is a top seller, and the hidden zipper is a cool detail. See all the dickey options here. If you prefer something a little more relaxed, the Cinq A Sept style is a great option. Both are year around fabrications. This favorite by Rag & Bone feels more like a sweater and has been a go-to in recent months.

Lingerie

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

Keeping/adding: Soft and comfy bras, black bras for winter, new shapewear, sport bras and fave bliss thongs

Halogen cardigan | Vuori jogger | Wacoal High Standards 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. The Wacoal Softly Styled bra is the one I reach for daily. Also can’t imagine life without this strapless bra. For a black style, this one is a favorite. 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 the ones I’m keeping in my drawer.

Pants in my closet

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!), and trouser styles like this one.

 

Left: Denim jacket | Frame trousers | Gucci bag | Sandals | Right: Cardigan | Trousers | Wedge sandal | Chloe tote

Relaxed trousers are definitely trending again, and it’s nice to have an alternative to jeans. The Effortless trouser from Aritzia is the one I’ve found to work – it comes in shorter lengths, and they recently mad a crop style which I love. The one by Favorite Daughter gets great ratings – I have yet to try it. This crop style by Frame can hardly stay in stock (I’m wearing above left), and this flare style by Spanx is another good one!

Accessories

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

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

Rebecca Taylor top | Mother denim | Dior bag | Necklaces: here, here and here

Accessories and bags are another category that likely need a good edit! I have four 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 🙂

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

Wool coat, similar | Mother denim | Stuart Weitzman boot | Naghedi tote | Striped sweater

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.

Thank you for reading! xx