Clutter Busting: Summer Fashion Forecast - Uncluttered

I love new clothes. I love the feeling I have when I am wearing something new, hip, and on trend. I look at the mannequins in the windows of the stores, dressed head to toe in the latest fashions and I want it all; outfit, shoes, bag, and accessories. I watch the style shows and click on the internet links that tout their list for “must haves” for the season. I wish I could take most of last year’s clothes out and bring all new clothes into the closet. What fun! What a fantasy!

Now for the reality; I can’t afford to do that.

So, what is a girl to do? I want to look new and fresh this summer, but I want to do it to fit my budget. Here is my list of do’s and don’ts:

Do: Shop your closet first

Before you set foot in the mall or your favorite store, even before you start loading up your online shopping cart, go through your entire closet, and make sure you try on your clothes that are in question.

Keep: Those items that you truly love
Donate/Give away/Sell: The items that are good, but not right for you
Toss: Items that are truly not good for anyone

Once you have a whittled down closet, it is time for the next “Do.”

Do: Shop with a list

Truly look at what you need first. A new crisp white T-Shirt can make any outfit look new again. You don’t have to go designer, look for a good fit and quality material. Make sure you think about your lifestyle when you are making your list; what types of clothes do you really need. Often the biggest clutter offenders are impulse purchases. Sure there will be times when you need to waver from the list, but having a list is just a small insurance policy to help keep you on track.

Do: Use a budget

Some find it easier to use cash, and some can find the same restraint when using a debit/credit card. My only concrete suggestion is to know exactly what you have to spend before stepping foot in the store, and sticking to that budget! Need help? Ask a good friend to help you, and I said “GOOD” friend to “HELP” you. Your favorite shopping buddy may not have what it takes to help you show restraint!

Do: Balance out need versus want

Oh, the vast difference that lies between our desires and our needs. Often times our “wants” today will come at the cost of our “needs” for tomorrow. Shop with a plan and know the cause and effects of your purchases. Gain control over your spending and you will notice a feeling of control over your life and your future!

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Don’t: Get caught up in designer everything

The general rule of thumb is to buy inexpensive those trendy items that are just that… a trend. Buy classics that are good quality. Regardless, stick to your budget.

Don’t: Stockpile

If it’s on sale, stock up on it, right? It sounds innocent enough. You know you are going to use it eventually, so why not spend a little extra now, to save a lot down the road. Here’s the problem. I have discovered some people have turned stocking-up into an obsession. Filling cabinets, closets, attics, basements, and even entire rooms with “just in case I need it” items. Now, this is not to say that I think buying ahead of time is a bad idea, I just encourage a plan.

Don’t: Buy without trying

Just because it is in your size, does not mean that it will look good on you. Seriously, take a few moments and visit the dressing room. If you are online shopping make sure you check the return policy first. There are quite a few retailers that offer online shopping with in-store returns. I cannot even begin to tell you the tally of all the clothes with tags I have seen hanging while organizing clients’ closets.

Don’t: Don’t just shop the back of the store

Ah, yes… the back of the store, the penny pincher’s nirvana… This is the area where all the clearance items have found themselves. Now, I am not going to lie to you and say that I never step foot in the back of the store, because I do. But as I said before, if you have a plan or a list, you will be looking for something particular, not just a bargain. I have seen my share of “good deals” hanging unworn in closets, and stuffed in client’s cabinets! It is a waste of valuable real estate to store a retailer’s unwanted merchandise in your closet, regardless of the savings off of retail, if you never wear/use it!! A real eye-opener is when I tally up some of these “bargains” and clients’ see how much they spent while “bargain shopping.”

Don’t: Wishful hope purchase

Two years ago I was given the greatest pair of khaki pants. I loved looking at them in my closet, touching them, and dreaming about when I could zip them up without belly muffin top. After a few months of careful eating finally one day I took them out of the closet and they zipped, and looked brilliant, until I looked in the full length mirror. These pants that I had been holding onto for inspiration to drop 7 pounds were about 2 inches too short. I was so focused on where they didn’t fit, that I really didn’t look to see if they would ever fit in other areas. And I was one of the lucky ones; I actually got those pants to fit where they once hadn’t. I cannot even tell you how many “positive thinking” clothes I have seen in people’s closets. Only purchase clothes that actually fit, not might fit if you weren’t bloated or hadn’t gained those extra 5/10/20 pounds. Don’t purchase clothes as an incentive to reach your weight loss goal. Instead, tear a picture out of a magazine of an outfit you want to purchase once you lose the weight or better yet, buy yourself a gift card that is to be used once you hit goal. That is a much better incentive.

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Just remember, nothing feels better than contentment and joy. These new clothes make some pretty big claims; that you will be better if you look better. Clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories are just the shell. Trying to live a life that you are not (buying items that you cannot afford) will not transform you. New things, better things, are not a replacement for a happy soul. If you don’t have the money for an updated wardrobe, update your life with friends, family, and laughter.

Betsy