Shop Your Closet: 4 Free Ways To Update Your Look

As we transition into fall it can be tempting to shop 'til you drop in order to prepare for the new season. While there's no denying that adding some new items to your closet can be fun, seasonal shopping can also be a slippery slope that causes us to buy pieces we just don't need. 

To help myself avoid this closet conundrum each season, and save myself from buying things I don't need I rely on four tricks to refresh the pieces I already own. All-in-all, these easy pointers help me view what I have with fresh eyes, and allow me to shop my closet for new looks. The end result is a total closet makeover that didn't cost me a dime.

So, as you plan your own fall closet I would encourage you to try out some of these tips before hitting the mall. Who knows, you may end up saving yourself some valuable closet space - and cash to boot. 

1. Belt It

By far one of my most used tips for reworking old pieces is to belt them. Whether that be a dress, skirt, shorts or pants, belts have a wonderful ability to add just the right amount of interest to an otherwise boring look.

For example, I have three dresses in my fall capsule that can all easily be worn alone but with the addition of a belt I'm able to completely change the feel of the piece.

Case in point is my favorite shirtdress. By wearing it alone with a straw hat and sandals during the summer it feels warm weather appropriate, but when the cooler weather comes around I like to add a rich brown leather belt for a whole new feel. Suddenly, my basic dress feels ready for a blazer, riding boots and crisp fall stroll rather than sandals and the beach.

Another great thing about belts is that they can make separates look like one complete piece by wearing them with monochromatic items. I've worn this look countless times here on the blog and have linked a few examples below, along with some of my other favorite belted looks to help inspire you. 

2. Layer It

My next tip for refreshing my old standbys is to layer, layer, layer. I love this tip for reworking my tops that are light to medium weight, and can carry me throughout the entire year.

Take a simple white top for example. By wearing it alone with shorts or a skirt in the spring and summer, this simple top is lightweight enough to feel warm weather ready.

Now, take that same top and add a blazer and sweater and it can take you throughout the fall and winter without skipping a beat. The same can be said for all neutral button downs, cotton tees and silk shirts or camis. The possibilities are truly endless here, so have fun and experiment until you find a few combinations that work for you. Below, I've linked some of my favorite layered looks from this past year. 

3. Tuck It

Like layering, my third tip helps to revive my basics in countless ways. When I find myself unsure of what to wear, or just feeling like my pieces have become stale I like to tuck them. Whether it be tucking my shirts into my jeans or skirts, this tip helps stretch my pieces by changing their silhouette.

Plus, like I demonstrated in my last summer capsule look, this tip can even make separates look like one piece - stretching them even further. 

Another example of this is how I often rework my favorite cotton button down. Recently, I wore this top untucked over shorts for a relaxed feel. That same top took on a cozier feel by tucking it into my jeans and layering with a quilted vest.

Below, I have included some of my favorite tucked, and un-tucked looks.  

4. Accessorize It

My final tip for reworking my pieces is also my favorite. If you've been following me for a while now then it should come as no surprise that I LOVE accessories.

I have waxed poetic countless times about the power of accessories to change up even the most basic pieces so I'll just leave you with this - once I fully integrated accessories into my look, I never looked back.

From scarves, to statement necklaces and hats, accessories are often the missing link to take your look from boring to bold, and I never go without at least one. 

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I hope these tips have inspired you to rework your closet this season without depleting your bank account. With a little creativity, I'm sure you can skip the mall and shop your closet for some fresh looks that don't cost a thing.

If you apply any of these pointers to your own wardrobe I'd love to know! Don't hesitate to tag me pics on Instagram so I can get some inspiration from you. 

Until next time,

Audrey

Closet Clean Out 101

The new year is upon us which means it's time to clean out my closet! As you know, I aim to keep my wardrobe at a minimum and only fill it with classic, high quality essentials that I can mix and match for endless possibilities. To maintain this approach, it's crucial that I clean out my closet at the start of each year with a critical eye. This yearly purge allows me to donate, sell or trash any pieces that are past their prime and to see which pieces are in need of mending or tailoring to extend their lives. Plus, a January clean out helps me create space for any Christmas additions from December and to start planning for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Staying on top of this "one in/one out" mentality each new year ensures I am never left with an overflowing closet of wasted items and can instead enjoy my wardrobe to the fullest. To help you tackle your own closet clean out and start the year off on a streamlined foot, I have outlined the steps I take below. 

Step 1: Empty Your Closet and Drawers

The first step in a quality closet clean out is to completely empty everything. Remove all the clothes from your closet and drawers and lay them neatly in piles on your bed to sort through. I like categorizing my clothing in like piles to make the next steps easier - i.e. blazers with blazers, t-shirts with t-shirts etc. This helps the next step move more quickly and feel less overwhelming. 

Step 2: Try Everything On

The second step in this process is definitely the most time intensive, but it is critical to ensure that you have a successful clean out. To make this step as painless as possible, I typically put on music or a movie to keep me from feeling trapped in the task and go to town trying everything on. To help me keep everything straight in my mind, I try on like with like - all of my t shirts or blouses and then move to blazers and jackets followed by pants, skirts and shorts and then finish with shoes and bags. I also try to try on blazers with shirts and sweaters underneath so I can accurately evaluate how they wear. Finally, while trying on each item I try my best to evaluate it with an honest, critical eye and ask myself a series of questions before making a final decision. These questions are as follows.

1. Do I love it? 

2. When was the last time I wore it? If I haven't worn it in the past month or so and it isn't out of season, (i.e. a spring piece I haven't worn in a few months because it's January) then it goes. 

3. How many other items can I wear it with? I like to be able to mix and match as much as possible so it is imperative that all of my clothes can be worn with at least two other pieces. 

Step 3: Sort Your Clothes Into 5 Piles - Toss, Keep, Donate, Mend or Tailor and Revisit

As you go through step 2, sort your clothes into 5 separate piles for the third step. 

1. Toss: This pile is for anything that you no longer wear and is beyond repair for resale or donation. 

2. Keep: These are the items you love and do not need to be tailored or mended. These are typically the essentials that you come back to time and time again and are the first to pop in your mind when you envision your wardrobe. 

3. Donate: This pile is for anything you either no longer love or doesn't suit your current lifestyle, but is still in good enough condition to be loved by someone else. 

4. Mend or Tailor: This category is self-explanatory but is crucial for maintaining a well-rounded, timeless wardrobe. Whether an item has a small tear, you have lost or gained weight or it just needs a little oomph to be perfect again, tailoring and mending helps to extend the life of your wardrobe without having to buy a bunch of new items.  

5. Revisit: In this pile, put any items you don't instantly go crazy for, but can't part with yet. I like to put these items in a suitcase or at the back of my closet and then revisit them a few weeks to 2 months later. During this waiting period, I can usually distance myself enough from the piece to re-evaluate objectively later. Another thing I like to do when I revisit this pile is to honestly gauge how many times I thought about each item while they were out of sight. If the answer to this question is none, I know it's time to say goodbye. 

Step 4: Put It All Back and Plan for Tomorrow

The last step is certainly the most fun and rewarding. Now that you've successfully sorted the items that you will keep, toss, donate and mend, you can effectively evaluate where the holes in your wardrobe are. It's at this time that I pull out my pen and paper and list out what I need to extend the versatility of my existing items, as well as which classic and trendy pieces I need to keep everything current for the upcoming seasons. Once I'm confident that my list is complete, I put everything back in the closet and dresser and start mentally preparing outfits while I enjoy my new organized wardrobe. 

 

Until next time, happy closet cleaning! 

Packing Light: 2 Weeks Of Outfits In 1 Carry-On

Christmas is next week and I couldn't be more excited! To celebrate the most wonderful day of the year, I will be heading out of town to be with family. All-in-all, my trip will span 2 states and just under 2 weeks but I will only be taking 1 carry-on suitcase. To help inspire you to travel light too, I have rounded up the items I will be taking with me below, along with how I plan to mix and match them for endless outfits. Plus, I will of course post some of my looks on here and Instagram so you can see how it all comes together.  

Packing List

Before I jump into the specifics of each item, here is a quick run-down of everything I am bringing. 

• 1 black long sleeve t-shirt
• 1 navy long sleeve t-shirt
• 1 striped 3/4 sleeve t-shirt
• 1 short sleeve black t-shirt
• 1 white button-down
• 1 white silk button-down 
• 1 black silk button-down
• 1 black short sleeve silk button-down
• 1 red plaid button-down
• 1 blue and white striped button-down
• 1 chambray button-down
• 1 cream cable knit cashmere sweater 
• 1 cream cashmere cardigan
• 1 red cashmere sweater
• 1 navy cotton cable knit sweater
• 1 navy blazer
• 1 plaid blazer
• 1 pair of dark wash skinny jeans
• 1 pair of black pants
• 1 pair of navy shorts
• 1 pair of leggings 
• 1 plaid pencil skirt
• 1 a-line plaid skirt
• 1 black a-line skirt
• 1 pair of ballet flats
• 1 pair of loafers
• 1 pair of printed flats
• 1 pair of dressy flats
• 1 pair of boots
• 2 Faux pearl necklaces - multi layer and single strand
• 1 statement frog necklace
• 1 festive crystal necklace
• 1 gold seashell medallion necklace
• 1 pair of statement crystal earrings
• 1 pair of basic pearls
• 1 pair of diamond studs
• 1 pair of light blue drop earrings
• A selection of vintage brooches
• A selection of silk scarves
• 3 belts
• 1 basic black purse
• 1 clutch

T-Shirts

I will be spending the first half of the holiday in Florida and the second half in Charleston, SC. To suit the two different climates - cooler Charleston temps and unpredictable, warm Florida weather - I am packing four t-shirts (1 black long sleeve, 1 navy long sleeve, 1 3/4 sleeve striped and 1 short sleeve black t). The first two long sleeved t's are from J. Crew,.the third basic 3/4 sleeve striped t is from Forever 21, and the short sleeve t is one I have had for years but cut the tag out of. I don't wear t-shirts too often in my day-to-day life but I love them for traveling because they act as the perfect base for printed scarves and statement necklaces, and can easily be paired with blazers and sweaters until my hearts content. The ability to mix-and-match is critical when packing light, and layers like t-shirts are an effortless way to do that without adding weight to your suitcase. 

Button-Downs

When it comes to button-downs, I am packing seven because I tend to wear them more than any other top and they can easily transition between formal and dressy settings and the two climates by rolling and unrolling the sleeves and layering them. The first of four button-downs I am bringing is my white Ralph Lauren oxford that is light and airy for the Florida heat and also perfect for more casual days. The next three are my white and black long sleeve Everlane silk blouses and short sleeve black silk blouse that I love for dressier occasions and because they're incredibly light weight for packing - they roll up to practically nothing in my suitcase but add the perfect polish to any look. The final three are my blue and white striped Ralph Lauren oxford, red plaid Ralph Lauren button-down and J. Crew chambray shirt. I love all three of these for traveling because they are more memorable than the plain ones and can stand alone if need be in the Florida heat. Plus, they add just the right amount of visual appeal when paired with basic skirts, pants, sweaters and more. 

Sweaters

Because I will be heading south for the holidays and it won't be too cold, I am bringing 3 cashmere sweaters and 1 light weight cotton one because they can be rolled to take up as little space as possible, and are the perfect weight for Florida winter nights and cooler Charleston days. The first cashmere sweater I will be packing is my cream cable knit one. I love this sweater for travel because it is luxe enough to stand alone but also pairs beautifully with any of the tops I am bringing and all of my accessories. Next, I am packing my cream cashmere cardigan for throwing on over all of the tops I am bringing, and a new Talbots red cashmere sweater for a festive pop. The last sweater is a navy L.L. Bean cable knit crew neck one that I love for adding texture and warmth. 

Blazers and Jackets

For blazers I am bringing a versatile one and a fun festive one. The neutral blazer is my Brooks Brothers navy one and the festive one is a fun plaid offering that I recently got for the holiday season. Both of these are great for throwing on over my tops and sweaters and for keeping me warm during the cooler (but not too cold) Charleston nights. To save on suitcase space though, I will be wearing one of them for travel and I'll share how I do so soon. 

Jeans

I am only bringing one pair of jeans - my trusty high waisted, dark wash skinny jeans from LOFT that I have raved about countless times. They are super comfortable and versatile and I can't imagine traveling without them. 

Pants, Shorts and Leggings

This trip I will be bringing 1 pair of black pants that can be dressed up or down, 1 pair of navy shorts perfect for the Florida sun and 1 pair of leggings for lounging around the house. 

Skirts

Like button-downs, I love to bring skirts when packing light because they can easily be dressed up or down and they take up very little space in my suitcase. For this trip, I will be bringing 1 plaid pencil skirt from J.Crew, 1 vintage a-line plaid one for Christmas festivities and 1 a-line black skirt from LOFT. 

Shoes

When packing light, I think it is critical to limit the amount of shoes you bring because they take up a lot of valuable suitcase space and can weigh you down. With this in mind, I am bringing 1 pair of ballet flats, 1 pair of loafers, 1 pair of printed flats, 1 pair of dressy flats and 1 pair of boots that I will wear on the plane to save space. 

Accessories

As you know, I love accessories because they can completely transform classic basics and stretch your wardrobe. For this very reason, I will be bringing a ton of accessories on this trip. For necklaces, I will be packing my favorite faux pearls from J. Crew and Brooks Brothers, my statement J. Crew frog necklace for a fun pop, crystal necklace from J. Crew Factory for festive looks and gold seashell medallion from J. Crew. For earrings I will bring my statement crystal earrings from J. Crew, basic pearls, diamond studs and light blue Julie Vos drop earrings. I will also be bringing a few of my favorite vintage brooches, silk scarves and belts. Finally, I will be bringing along a basic black bag and 1 clutch. 

Until next time, happy packing!

Make Basic Plaid Festive With Accessories This Holiday Season

One of my favorite parts about having a downsized wardrobe, is the creativity it takes to keep things fresh - especially when the holidays roll. With all of the parties and get-togethers its easy to feel like you need a whole new wardrobe to cope. To work around this, I have found that I can always count on a strategic mix of basic plaid and festive accessories to get me through all the festivities. To demonstrate just how easy it is to upgrade your plaid for the holidays, I put together a look that I will certainly be wearing this season.  

When worn with a vibrant shawl, statement necklace and sparkly earrings, my basic plaid shirt instantly feels party ready. I opted for pearls because I love them but you can wear whatever statement necklace and earrings you have on hand (If you don't have any and don't want to invest in any just yet, don't hesitate to check stores like Forever 21 which often have great festive options this time of year). 

To keep the look more casual I paired it with black skinny jeans and fun bow flats, but you could easily wear it with a basic skirt and heels for a dressier feel. Or, if you will be spending the holidays in a cooler location you can swap out the shawl for a red cardigan or pull over, black slacks and ankle booties and you are good to go. 

Shirt: Ralph Lauren / Skinny Jeans: LOFT / Flats: Salvatore Ferragamo / Shawl: A gift from Rome / Necklace and Earrings: J. Crew 

Until next time, Happy Holidays!