Lottie's Finishing School - C is for ...Part 1

C is for Clothes

This is the next part of Lottie's Finishing School - the related 'your mission if you choose to accept it post can be found here. The post contains some great tips on how to get your wardrobe organised. I advise you read it as I will be skimming over the parts that I already do/have done.

Wardrobe Management - First things first - GET RID!

I developed the habit of having a good old wardrobe sort out when I was a teenager. I have never been one to hang onto every item of clothing that I ever buy. Obviously there may be certain items that you simply cannot part with but keeping everything is ridiculous. 

I may sound like I have OCD in this post, but I assure you, it is worth it. Here is a step-by-step of my wardrobe sort-outs:

• I aim to sort out my wardrobe at least once a season, that way I am sorting through twice a year.
• I put aside the time to do it and to it properly and thoroughly, or there is no point in doing it.

• I take everything out of the wardrobe - yes everything.
• I work my way through all of the items and ask myself -
• when was the last time I wore this?
• does it fit? 
• does it need mending?
• If the last time that I wore something was some time ago, and this is not due to it being something super special - it is time to get rid!
• If it doesn't fit then it's time to get rid! - I like to dress who I am now and if I do ever put weight on/lose weight significantly would I really want to revert back to the style I had when I was last that size?
• If it needs mending, I ask myself how likely it is that I will mend it. If it is not worth it - it is time to get rid!

•  I then group stuff together that is going back into the wardrobe and put it all back nice and neat. 
• Then I address the stuff that isn't going back and decide what I am doing with them:
• Charity shop stuff - gets bagged up to go to the charity shop
• EBay stuff - stuff I think I could sell on eBay (if I am in need of extra cash, if not it goes to the charity shop)
• Stuff to mend - the stuff I really will mend because I really want to wear again.

Once you have sorted your wardrobe out, take on a new philosophy with your clothes:

 "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"

CoCo Chanel 

 Once you have organised your wardrobe, look at it as a new start. Lottie makes a great point on her blog - "If you shouldn’t be seen in public in it you shouldn’t be seen in private by your family in it either."  I totally agree with this,  it is a great place to start when asking yourself what you should keep in your wardrobe.

Another important thing to do is dress for yourself -  if you wear clothes that make you feel frumpy/fat/slobby it will have an effect on your mood - if you dress in a way that makes you feel good it will make you feel more confident and that is what you will project to others. I'm not saying that you have to get up every day and make yourself look like you are going to the Oscars - just wear clothes that make you feel good. (Trust me, as someone who has suffered from depression and has spend whole days in her slobby PJ's/sweat pants, it does nothing to lift your mood - if you can get yourself going and do little things to make yourself feel better, it goes a long way)

Rome wasn't built in a day 

I am well aware that at least most of you who read this blog aren't swimming in piles of cash like Scrooge McDuck (apologies to those who do not get this reference, just roll with it!) But starting from ground zero - ie your wardrobe sort out - start thinking about what is missing from your wardrobe. The best place to begin is with classic pieces that can be eased into your wardrobe. You only have to do this an item at a time, as and when you can afford to (I am by no means saying chuck all your clothes out and start again!) and you can build up a wardrobe that you are proud of. 

 There are so many good places to get bargains from these days, so you can get your basic pieces together without breaking the bank.

What basic pieces should I get?!  I here you ask...that my friends will be covered in my next post.  

Until then, get those wardrobes sorted out! I promise you it will be worth it!

Image sources - 1, 2, 3 

if you wish me to credit any of the pictures to yourself, please contact me