Fun Strategies for Wardrobe Management
By Bridgette Raes
The greatest thing about creating a wonderful wardrobe is that there is always more than one way to achieve your look. The key is to find a way that works best for you. As for me, I have mastered my wardrobe, so much so that I never bring home a stray. Everything that gets added has a sense of purpose. Your ultimate goal is to have a closet that functions as a well-oiled machine. Too many times when I step foot into a client’s closet there is no sense of semblance, and while they have fantastic pieces in their wardrobe, there is little planning evident. Therefore, those great pieces just hang there because many of my clients buy haphazardly, without adequate forethought.
If you can start seeing your wardrobe from a "bigger picture" standpoint vs. just loading it piece by piece with items that you like, you will ultimately have a more workable closet. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t bring home pieces that you are passionate about, but how frustrating is it to bring home passion pieces that just hang because you have no idea what you are going to do with them?
Here are some suggestions on how you can start becoming a more sophisticated shopper and ultimately achieve more of a wardrobe with a purpose.
Outfit Round Robin
I was sitting in my doctor’s office recently and while thumbing through a magazine I came across an advertisement that really inspired me. The advertisement for this clothing store had one woman wearing six different outfits. I thought all the outfits looked really cute, and at closer examination I noticed one key element to the way the outfits were styled. Each of the six outfits in the ad was related. In the first outfit they put the model in a very cute little skirt suit. In the second outfit they made a new outfit with the jacket from that skirt suit, pairing it with a pair of jeans. In the third outfit they took the pair of jeans that she was wearing in the second outfit and mixed a different top with those jeans. For the fourth outfit they took the top that she was wearing with the jeans in the third outfit and put it with a fun printed little skirt. They created the fifth outfit with the skirt from the fourth outfit and a sweater. Taking the sweater from the fifth outfit they made a sixth outfit using a pair of pants.
Ultimately, they created a round robin effect with the outfits - with each new outfit, they took an element from the prior outfit, therefore maximizing the use of each piece in the wardrobe. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the brilliance of this idea because I could really see how this could be a successful exercise for better wardrobe utilization.
So how can you have the same round robin effect in your wardrobe, maximizing the effectiveness of your closet?
Start with one of your favorite outfits in your wardrobe. It doesn’t have to be a suit, it can be any outfit that consists of a separate top and bottom that you really like. For example, a jacket and a pair of pants, a cute top and a skirt, or whatever you want. After you have pulled this outfit together, take one of the pieces and use it to create a second outfit. After you have created this second outfit use the piece that you added and use it to create a new third outfit and so on.
An example of this could be the following:
Outfit #1:
Jeans and a fun top
Outfit #2:
The fun top from outfit #1 and a printed skirt
Outfit #3:
The printed skirt from outfit #2 and a sweater set
Outfit #4:
The sweater set from outfit #3 and a pair of tailored pants
Outfit #5:
The tailored pants from outfit #4 and a fun blazer
Outfit #6:
The fun blazer from outfit #5 and a solid skirt - or you can complete the cycle and use the jeans from outfit #1
Each of these outfits should be completely styled. After you put together each outfit, completely accessorize: choose shoes, a handbag and jewelry for each outfit.
If you find that you can’t create an outfit, think about what is missing and add it to your list of shopping needs. For example, you may find when trying to pull together an outfit that it would be great if you had a slim knit top in a certain color, or that you need a fun handbag to complete one of the outfits. Add these to your shopping list, so that your list has some direction and purpose.
The Anchor Solution
Another idea is to create an encapsulated group from one key piece, which I like to call the Anchor Solution. How can you create an anchor solution in your wardrobe? Start with one key piece from your wardrobe. It should be on the more basic side, like a basic button-down shirt, a fabulous pair of pants, a great skirt, or anything that you really like. Make sure that this piece isn’t too trimmed, or novelty. It should be something that you like, but also something that you can identify as a piece that can be mixed and matched easily.
Take that key anchor piece and create five different outfits using that one anchor piece. Each of the outfits should be unique, and if possible, try to create different types of looks. Possibly a work look, a desk-to-dinner look, a weekend look, and a "night out with the girls" look. This way, not only have you created five different outfits, but you have also created different types of looks that can be worn for different aspects of your life.
An example of an Anchor Solution Capsule:
Anchor piece: Basic White Button-Down Shirt
Anchor Outfit #1:
Basic white shirt tucked in with collar popped
Basic camel tailored pants
Brown loafers or slingbacks
Funky necklace in a natural shade or pop color
Great handbag
Optional - Great little jacket or pashmina scarf
Anchor Outfit #2:
Basic White shirt tied or wrapped
Tank top or camisole underneath the white shirt
Black pants
Sexy black slingbacks or your sexiest shoe
Chandelier Earrings
Red leather handbag or great statement bag
Funky beaded bracelet
A great black leather jacket
Anchor Outfit #3:
Basic White shirt tucked in with sleeves rolled up
Printed flirty skirt
Strappy sandals in one of the colors from the skirt
A sweater in a pop color draped over your shoulders
A fun colorful handbag
A colorful beaded necklace
Anchor Outfit #4:
Basic white shirt open and untucked
A brightly colored T-shirt underneath
A pair of jeans
A fun pair of sneakers
A casual bracelet
A great colorful handbag
Anchor Outfit #5:
Basic white shirt
Slim V-neck sweater over the shirt
A pair of basic tailored pants or jeans
A pair of shoes from one of the other anchor outfits
A great necklace at your neck
A stunning handbag from one your previous anchor outfits
A great pop color skinny belt (if your pants require a belt)
At first glance it may seem like you need a lot of items to pull all of these anchor groups together, but you should always start by shopping in your own closet. Find elements in there that will pull the different outfits together, and then make a list of the missing items and add them to your shopping list.
As I said, there is always more than one way to create a wardrobe that isn’t full of just singular items. The goal is for you to find ways of doing it, and these are only two suggestions. If you have ways of effectively working with your wardrobe, let us know, as we would love to share them with our readers.
(c) 2005 Bridgette Raes Style Group
The greatest thing about creating a wonderful wardrobe is that there is always more than one way to achieve your look. The key is to find a way that works best for you. As for me, I have mastered my wardrobe, so much so that I never bring home a stray. Everything that gets added has a sense of purpose. Your ultimate goal is to have a closet that functions as a well-oiled machine. Too many times when I step foot into a client’s closet there is no sense of semblance, and while they have fantastic pieces in their wardrobe, there is little planning evident. Therefore, those great pieces just hang there because many of my clients buy haphazardly, without adequate forethought.
If you can start seeing your wardrobe from a "bigger picture" standpoint vs. just loading it piece by piece with items that you like, you will ultimately have a more workable closet. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t bring home pieces that you are passionate about, but how frustrating is it to bring home passion pieces that just hang because you have no idea what you are going to do with them?
Here are some suggestions on how you can start becoming a more sophisticated shopper and ultimately achieve more of a wardrobe with a purpose.
Outfit Round Robin
I was sitting in my doctor’s office recently and while thumbing through a magazine I came across an advertisement that really inspired me. The advertisement for this clothing store had one woman wearing six different outfits. I thought all the outfits looked really cute, and at closer examination I noticed one key element to the way the outfits were styled. Each of the six outfits in the ad was related. In the first outfit they put the model in a very cute little skirt suit. In the second outfit they made a new outfit with the jacket from that skirt suit, pairing it with a pair of jeans. In the third outfit they took the pair of jeans that she was wearing in the second outfit and mixed a different top with those jeans. For the fourth outfit they took the top that she was wearing with the jeans in the third outfit and put it with a fun printed little skirt. They created the fifth outfit with the skirt from the fourth outfit and a sweater. Taking the sweater from the fifth outfit they made a sixth outfit using a pair of pants.
Ultimately, they created a round robin effect with the outfits - with each new outfit, they took an element from the prior outfit, therefore maximizing the use of each piece in the wardrobe. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the brilliance of this idea because I could really see how this could be a successful exercise for better wardrobe utilization.
So how can you have the same round robin effect in your wardrobe, maximizing the effectiveness of your closet?
Start with one of your favorite outfits in your wardrobe. It doesn’t have to be a suit, it can be any outfit that consists of a separate top and bottom that you really like. For example, a jacket and a pair of pants, a cute top and a skirt, or whatever you want. After you have pulled this outfit together, take one of the pieces and use it to create a second outfit. After you have created this second outfit use the piece that you added and use it to create a new third outfit and so on.
An example of this could be the following:
Outfit #1:
Jeans and a fun top
Outfit #2:
The fun top from outfit #1 and a printed skirt
Outfit #3:
The printed skirt from outfit #2 and a sweater set
Outfit #4:
The sweater set from outfit #3 and a pair of tailored pants
Outfit #5:
The tailored pants from outfit #4 and a fun blazer
Outfit #6:
The fun blazer from outfit #5 and a solid skirt - or you can complete the cycle and use the jeans from outfit #1
Each of these outfits should be completely styled. After you put together each outfit, completely accessorize: choose shoes, a handbag and jewelry for each outfit.
If you find that you can’t create an outfit, think about what is missing and add it to your list of shopping needs. For example, you may find when trying to pull together an outfit that it would be great if you had a slim knit top in a certain color, or that you need a fun handbag to complete one of the outfits. Add these to your shopping list, so that your list has some direction and purpose.
The Anchor Solution
Another idea is to create an encapsulated group from one key piece, which I like to call the Anchor Solution. How can you create an anchor solution in your wardrobe? Start with one key piece from your wardrobe. It should be on the more basic side, like a basic button-down shirt, a fabulous pair of pants, a great skirt, or anything that you really like. Make sure that this piece isn’t too trimmed, or novelty. It should be something that you like, but also something that you can identify as a piece that can be mixed and matched easily.
Take that key anchor piece and create five different outfits using that one anchor piece. Each of the outfits should be unique, and if possible, try to create different types of looks. Possibly a work look, a desk-to-dinner look, a weekend look, and a "night out with the girls" look. This way, not only have you created five different outfits, but you have also created different types of looks that can be worn for different aspects of your life.
An example of an Anchor Solution Capsule:
Anchor piece: Basic White Button-Down Shirt
Anchor Outfit #1:
Basic white shirt tucked in with collar popped
Basic camel tailored pants
Brown loafers or slingbacks
Funky necklace in a natural shade or pop color
Great handbag
Optional - Great little jacket or pashmina scarf
Anchor Outfit #2:
Basic White shirt tied or wrapped
Tank top or camisole underneath the white shirt
Black pants
Sexy black slingbacks or your sexiest shoe
Chandelier Earrings
Red leather handbag or great statement bag
Funky beaded bracelet
A great black leather jacket
Anchor Outfit #3:
Basic White shirt tucked in with sleeves rolled up
Printed flirty skirt
Strappy sandals in one of the colors from the skirt
A sweater in a pop color draped over your shoulders
A fun colorful handbag
A colorful beaded necklace
Anchor Outfit #4:
Basic white shirt open and untucked
A brightly colored T-shirt underneath
A pair of jeans
A fun pair of sneakers
A casual bracelet
A great colorful handbag
Anchor Outfit #5:
Basic white shirt
Slim V-neck sweater over the shirt
A pair of basic tailored pants or jeans
A pair of shoes from one of the other anchor outfits
A great necklace at your neck
A stunning handbag from one your previous anchor outfits
A great pop color skinny belt (if your pants require a belt)
At first glance it may seem like you need a lot of items to pull all of these anchor groups together, but you should always start by shopping in your own closet. Find elements in there that will pull the different outfits together, and then make a list of the missing items and add them to your shopping list.
As I said, there is always more than one way to create a wardrobe that isn’t full of just singular items. The goal is for you to find ways of doing it, and these are only two suggestions. If you have ways of effectively working with your wardrobe, let us know, as we would love to share them with our readers.
(c) 2005 Bridgette Raes Style Group
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posted by Unknown @ 2:57 PM
