Finding Your Own Personal Style: Spring Cleaning

On last week's Monday Morning Juice, we began our "Finding Your Own Personal Style" series.  We discussed how you can look to others for inspiration as you begin to develop your own sense of style.  You may have already done the vision board exercise and purchased some items that fit into the inspirational style you have identified.  But before you go out and spend your whole paycheck in an attempt to dress like your fashion icon, let me tell you that buying a completely new wardrobe is not necessary.  

Today we will begin the process of assessing our current wardrobe.  Surveying what's currently in your closet will help you figure out what your current style is.  You will get a better glimpse at what it is you feel most comfortable wearing...what colors, pieces, and styles you tend to go for.  You will be able to determine what it is you like about your current inventory and what it is you want to change.  

Part of this process will require getting rid of the things that do not suit the new look you are going for.  As you assess what you currently own, you will also find that you have some jewels that totally work with your new look...things that were way in the back of the closet that you had forgotten about.  So, although this may be a time consuming task, I am confident that you will find it to be very rewarding.

The thought of going through your closet may be terrifying for you.  Let's admit it...we all have items that should have been donated to the local Goodwill or passed down to younger siblings or cousins years ago.  For some of us, those items have sentimental value and are associated with some great times in our lives and we just can't bear to let them go.  You know...the cardigan you wore on your first date with your boyfriend or that handbag your mom bought you for 11 Christmases ago.  Now, you haven't worn or even thought about wearing these things in years, but the thought of giving them away just doesn't feel right.  For the rest of us, we are holding on to clothing from eras long long ago in hopes that that particular trend will come back one day, and just in case it does, you want to be prepared.  We all have our reasons for keeping our closets stuffed with clothes we have no intentions on wearing anytime soon.  Well ladies, it's time to do some spring cleaning and it's time to let some things go.

So, take a deep breath...come on...inhale...exhale.  First, grab a big trash bag.  Did the word "trash"  terrify you?  Okay, let me rephrase it...First, grab a big plastic bag.  Now, walk over to your closet.  Open the door.  Come on, you can do this!  See how easy that was?  Okay, first look for the items you haven't worn in 3 years.  Let's admit it, if you haven't worn it in 3 years, the likelihood of you wearing it again is slim to none.  If it fits that category, throw it in your bag.  Now look for the items that are worn out.  If it has holes, stains or is faded to the point that you can't even remember what color it was originally, throw it in a bag.  Next, look for the items that are totally out of style and have no chance of becoming acceptable to wear again.  Yeah, those....throw them in the bag.  And last but not least, look for the items you know you cannot fit.  I know ladies, we all have those pants we have been holding on to forever because we ARE going to lose those 15 to 30 pounds required to be able to get in them.  Now look, I'm all for weight loss inspirational tools, but let's be real...we all know those pants are gonna be right where they are a year from now...unworn.  So, take another deep breath and throw them in the bag!  You want to do this process for your accessories as well...jewelry, handbags and shoes.

By now you may be a having mini panic attack as you look and see how many things you are giving away...and that's alright.  But just think about all of the shopping you can do to refill your closet.  Did that put a smile on your face?  Sure it did!  Besides, during this process you found some items that you forgot you even owned...some pretty cool stuff that you just can't wait to rock.  You also realized that you actually already have a personal style.  You prefer certain styles and items of clothes over others.  Perhaps, you now know that you are a maxi dress girl and not a mini dress girl or that you prefer form fitting clothes over loose fitting clothes.  You've also realized that certain colors make up a majority of your wardrobe, probably because those colors look great on you.  Now you can use what you have learned about your current style and play on that, as you amp it up to the next level.  Remember, you don't have to totally change your personal style...just kick it up a notch.

After you have completed the spring cleaning exercise, you will have accomplished 4 important goals... 

1.  You now have a better sense of what your current style is and you can now determine what you want to change or what you want to remain the same about that style.

2.  You have gotten rid of many items that were just taking up space and not adding to your style at all, therefore, making room for some new unique and stylish pieces.

3.  You have a huge bag full of items that can be donated to a charity or other individuals in need.

4.  You have burned plenty of calories and can now reward yourself for all of your hard work with a nice treat.

I hope this exercise was as fun for you as it was for me.  Stay tuned for our final installation of "Finding Your Own Personal Style" on next week's Monday Morning Juice!

(Photo courtesy of www.focusonstyle.com)