Shopping your closet is not a new concept, but it’s something I don’t do as much as I should. I don’t know about you, but I own so many clothes that go unworn. Often it’s difficult to search through my closet since it full of clothes I don’t wear. There will even be times that I will buy something twice because I forget that I own it. So I decided to do something about it by shopping my closet.
If you’re wondering what I mean by “shop your closet,” it’s about wearing clothes that you don’t normally wear from your closet. There are so many reasons that you would want to shop your closet. The first being it helps you save money by wearing items that you don’t usually wear. The second is that it gives you insight as to what you currently have in your closet. Finally, it allows you to be creative when trying to mix and match items. Here are some tips on how to shop your closet.
Tip 1
The first thing that you need to do is go through your closet. By doing this, it will help you figure out what you currently have as well as what pieces you want to toss out. Create a couple of piles; the “donate/sell” pile, the “keep” pile, and the “undecided” pile. Let’s face it; everyone has that pile of clothes, shoes, and accessories that you still think you might wear. Put the keep pile back into your closet and determine which of the “undecided” pile you will keep.
Tip 2
If you have seasonal clothes, try storing your off-season clothes. This way it keeps your closet free of clothes and shoes that you don’t need or wear. If you’re in California or a state that has one season for most of the year, your storage might be minimal. I put my larger sweaters and heavy boots in storage containers or the back of my closet. You will rotate your season clothes with each appropriate season.
Tip 3
When putting the “keep” pile back into your closet, you will want to put it back in an organized fashion. This part is vital when shopping your closet. Have you ever tried finding something in a sale rack where all of the clothes are cluttered together? You have to dig and search, most of the time not seeing what you are wanting. Organize your clothes by color (at the least) and style, this way you’re more likely to find them in your closet. If you like, take an inventory of your wardrobe by taking pictures, making a spreadsheet, or documenting it in an app (such as Stylebook and Polyvore)
Tip 4
Once you’ve completed tips 1, 2, and 3, you’re now ready to start shopping your closet. When you are getting dressed or preparing for your outfits, look through your closet for new outfits to wear. Try to mix and match pieces that you don’t usually wear or pair together. Use social media for inspiration. I often look through Instagram and Pinterest for an outfit of the day inspiration. I’m so inspired by creativity in clothing even if I don’t match piece for piece, and it can encourage you. I will also try on a few different looks which can inspire me as well.
Tip 5
Now that you’ve identified the clothes in your closet, buying new clothes will become efficient. You can buy clothes that compliment the existing pieces in your wardrobe. By knowing your closet inventory, it will help prevent you from purchasing duplicate items.
I enjoyed this experiment, and I will keep trying to shop my closet. Shopping your closet doesn’t mean that I won’t buy more clothes, but I will buy clothes that will complement the current garments that I own. How many of you know and wear everything in your closet? I bet if you think about it, it’s not as often as you would imagine. Leave a comment and share your tips on shopping your closet.
Outfit Details
Zara skirt | H&M top | Express belt | Brixton hat | Steve Madden shoes
This article is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned above. However, some of the links may contain affiliate links which may generate revenue for the site when clicked, or when a purchase occurs. The information in this post is my thoughts and preferences.
Photos by @cristaltapp
Yes! This is brilliant. I know I have SO many clothing items in the back of my closet that I haven’t worn in ages.
Right! Me too, I would buy the same items because I forgot that I owned certain clothes. It was a fun experiment that I did throughout January, which also made me a bit more creative in my outfits.
What a great idea!
I thought so! As I went through my closet, I noticed things that I’ve never worn and duplicates. I was thinking “what am I doing buying new clothes when I have so many that I haven’t worn.”