Closet series - Step 4: Shopping

Now that all the previous steps are done, I can finally go shopping. But let's not get carried away right this second.

I started by making a list using the knowledge I gained in the previous steps.

I set up a budget of how much I'm comfortable paying for all those things keeping in mind somes personnal shopping rules I learned over the years.

• SAVE : On the fasionnable items that your gonna get tired of sooner than later and on the accessories that are a great way to spice up and elevate a look to the next level at a low price. I love Forever21 and H&M for those kind of pieces.
• INVEST : On staple pieces, like a pair of neutral pants with a good fit, that you'll wear over and over, that can be remixed numerous times and are not gonna go out of style over the years
• SPLURGE : Only when the budget is permitting and on special pieces that are gonna last years and years, like a great leather handbag, a great coat, a timeless silk scarf (you can see I tought about this one a lot !!!)
• DONT SETTLE : Don't buy a piece only because it's unexpensive, don't pay for a piece that doesn't fit perfectly (unless it can be altered at a reasonnable cost, working with the clothes is totally okay and sometimes necessary) and don't spend on a piece that is just okay, you'll get tired of it too soon.
• DONT FORGET TO REMIX: If you can't figure out at least 3 ways to wear an item, you're better off !

Before I headed to the store, I took a look around online to see what's out there and how much I can expect to pay for it. I usually prefer to buy in the actual store because I love to be able to try on the clothes first, but sometimes the selection and prices are better online, so I need to keep that in mind.

When shopping online, I always pay attention to

• Sizing charts (and for this one it is good to know your mesurements)
• Comments of users on the product: is it smaller than the average ? is the cut flattering ?
• Shipping charges and the possibility of custom fees and taxes if the store is outside Canada, I want to know exacly how much I'm spending.

And finally, here are some tips to score big deals

• Subscribe to the newsletter of your favorite stores so you'll be notified when there are sales, free shipping, etc.
• Shop the sales (of course)
• Susbcribe to private discount online stores like Beyond The Rack (if you need an invite grab one HERE).
• Shop in outlet or discount stores

So here it is ! I started my shopping, crossed some things off my list (you don't have to buy all of them at once) and now have a closet with practical, beautiful and easy to remix pieces. It was a lot of work, but it was well worth it. Now all I have to do is get dressed ! And blog about it, of course.

P.S. Friday I'm hosting a "What's in your handbag" post. You're all invited to share what's in yours, what you never leave the house without and there will be a Mr Linky to leave a link to your blog post for everyone to read ! Let's spill our secrets girls !!!



Closet series - Step 3: Get inspired, and know what you need !!!

Now that I got rid of the clothes that I don't or won't wear, and that I organised all the remaining of my closet, comes the part where the magic begin.

As I initially told you in this series, the whole point of this process for me is to create a workable and stylish closet for work. Since I'm a lawyer, I need a professional wardrobe. When I go to court or meet clients, there's not much room for something super stylish, but when I stay at the office, I can have more fun with my clothes. Also, at the office, jeans and denim are only allowed on friday. That's what I need to keep in mind while assessing what I need, and want out of my closet.

After I made an inventory of what's left in my closet and look back at the notes I took last week (of the possible outfits made with the pieces already in there). I can already tell that:

• I need pants other than jeans, one pair of black trouser won't do the trick
• I don't need any kind of black skirts, 5 is enough !!! I didn't realised I had that much.
• I have a lot of flowy tops that either looks great tucked in something high waisted (so I don't look like a block) or something tight (like skinny pants).
• I don't have any button down left wich could be an issue
• I need colorful tops (I have too much white, grey and black)

Next was so much fun. I have on my computer a file where I keep all my style inspiration pictures from bloggers, street style pictures, magazines and celeb. I tried to recreate some of the looks (or create inspired looks) with my current clothes, taking notes when I got an outfit I loved.

(via The Glamourai)

After that, I listed the pieces that were missing in my wardrobe to achieve the looks I like. But I had to keep in mind that I am on a budget and that the pieces I end up getting need to be versatiles

(via Style Scrapbook by Andy)

.

As an example, I love the look of a feminine skirt with a denim button up BUT, since denim is allowed only once a week and I'm currently on a budget, I might want to wait to get a denim button up and keep my money for a more useful item. Unless I can score one at a low sales price right now. Or try to get a button up that is still casual but not denim to get a similar feel.

After all that, I not only have a good idea of how versatile my clothes are and how I could wear them, but I also have a good idea of what pieces I need to complete my closet.

Next week is the final step to my closet overhaul, just in time as I'm getting back to work real soon. And I will share with you my shopping tips !!!

P.S. I will have an outfit post tomorrow, and friday, I will premiere my new hair style, thanks for those who voted and help me decide what to do !

Closet series - Step 2: Organise and Remix

Now that I got rid of all the uncessary things in my closet begin the fun part.

Since there was still a lot of clothes in my closet at this point, I had a difficult time deciding what was ultimately going to work for me, how it would all come together in the end. So I decided I needed a fresh start. I have an hanging rack that I use to air dry my clothes, I put it in the hallway and put all my clothes on it. So my closet was completely empty at this point.

Then I shopped off the rack and the remixing begin. To gain a space back in my closet, a piece had to be versatile. I begin with bottoms and made different outfits with the tops, taking notes when I got a result I loved. If I made at least 3 outfits, it was in. And so I went.

Then in the rack the only things that were left, were the things I either don't feel like wearing anymore (those went) or special pieces like evening dresses, that I won't wear on a daily bases. Those went in the back of my closet, where I don't see them when getting dressed (so they don't distract, I'm easily distracted when getting dressed).

Then I organised my closet. In this department, I have a little OCD ! Everything is organised by type of garment, and then by color. Everything has to be easy to find in a minute, or less !!!

This is it for this week, nextweek  I will asses my needs (helped by some style inspiration). And finally, the fun part, I will go shopping, on a budget and with some important rules in mind.

Have a nice day !

Closet series- Step 1: The big clean up

I'm the kinda girl who never know what to wear with a full closet. Why ? Because it's full of clothes I don't wear ! Yes it's that simple. If when you open your closet and all you see it thing you won't wear (for whatever reason) you might miss out of all your closet potential.

Mine needed a complete overhall. Why ? Because in the last couple years, I've had two pregnancys (and yes baby's), my size got up and down as a result, and I've never really got rid of clothes (you know, just in case). When I started my maternity leave, 11 month agp, I put all my clothes in storage. In a month I'm going back to work and want a fresh start, a professionnal yet stylish wardrobe, all on a budget.

First let me tell you that Kendi did a fabulous series on how to create a workable closet (read it HERE ) and this series is inspired by hers. But I changed it up to fit my needs, switched some steps, added some... so what you will read here it my quest for my stylish and workable closet. So please read Kendi's posts, and mine, and take away what works best for you !

First I got all my clothes in one place (my bed) . I suggest (if you want to do this yourself), to get into clothes you can easily get off (tank top and leggins for me) and be ready for some serious dessing and undressing (a full lenght mirror might help too).

Then I sorted the clothes into 5 piles:

1. To keep
2. To tailor
3. To give away
4. To sell
5. To trow away

First I decide what to keep (keeping in mind that I will do a second clean up later, so a maybe goes in that pile). If it's damage, doesn't fit anymore and if I just don't want to wear it anymore, it goes.

There are some pieces that I kept but that needed to be tailored. As an example, I had two suits that I bought after my first son was born that are now too big. They are of good qualities, are in excellent conditions and are expensive pieces to buy back. Even if I spend 50$ at the tailor, it's still less expensive than to buy new ones. And let's face it, I'm a lawyer, I need suits !!!

What is not in good condition goes in the trash, and the rest, I gave away to charity (I actually gave 6 full garbage bags !!!). There are some pieces that I kept to sell (that will go in my closet sale soon, stay tuned). As an example, I have a beautiful BCBG dress I bought as a going away dress at my wedding, can't wear it anymore (there's tons of evidence of me wearing it) and it's stunning.

Next week, it will be organizing and remixing what's left in my closet (and doing a second clean up at the same time). After that I will be able to asses my needs (helped by some style inspiration). And finally, the fun part, I will go shopping, on a budget and with some important rules in mind.

And that's the road I will take to a work wardrobe that will be stylish and fun. Come back next wednesday for the next step !