Unclutter Your Closet

Part 1:

We all want an organized, uncluttered closet, right? We want to know that our clothes are the colors that flatter us most and the style that says, “this is who I am”. We want that Coastal Grandmother” look. How do we actually make that happen? It’s really easier than you think.The Coastal Grandmother is classic and neutral so we start there.

By now, you have probably taken the color quiz and know your season, and you have taken the personal style quiz and know your personal style. SO, you are ready to start cleaning out your closet!

The first thing is, you have to be brutal with yourself! If you have not worn an item in one full year, four seasons, you probably are never going to wear it. If one year is too short a time for you, let’s say two years okay. If you have not worn that item in two full years, it must go! No more saying, “if I just lost 10 pounds, that would fit”. We all end up wearing the same outfits over and over anyway, so now, we are going to build a new wardrobe around those favorites!

Start your stack of clothing to be disposed of. If it is soiled or just needs freshening up, wash it and then put it in your stack. I found that it was easier for me to start with one segment of my wardrobe and stick with that item until everything had been gone through, i.e., I started with tops. I went through dresser drawers first, and then closet until all tops had been gone through. You MUST put them in bags or boxes and get them out of your sight. I used tall kitchen bags, and when one was full, I tied it up and put it out in the garage. Out of sight, out of mind!

Next, I went through pants, jackets, dresses, underwear and socks etc. I left my shoes until last. Once you have finished, decide how you will dispose of your items. I felt best donating mine to a local charity that helps victims of domestic violence. I had volunteered with them at one time and knew how much they did for people needing their help. We refurbished and redecorated “safe houses” for them to use while they were in transition. Many of the women fled in the middle of the night with only the clothes on their backs. You should keep a list of what your are donating so you can write it off on your taxes.

Since it was the Coastal Grandmother phenomena that gave me the excitement and enthusiasm to start fresh, I began with my neutrals. I chose pure white and stone (a grayed beige) for summer along with some dark navy. I pulled those pieces from my wardrobe first, and if they fit and were in style, I kept them. Stone works well with navy and black so I could transition that right into fall and winter.

Summers might choose taupe, grey, navy and ivory. Keep in mind, it is what you wear next to your face that matters most so choose your neutrals carefully.

Springs might choose khaki, clear navy and cream for their summer wardrobe. Since Spring does not get many dark colors, they might transition into fall and winter with camel and navy. Most light to medium shades of brown work well on Springs.

Autumn has a wonderful choice in muted shades of olive, mustard, teal, brown and buff or almond. Autumn can also do khaki for summer. Autumn does not get navy.

Part 2:

Since Winter is the only season that can successfully wear pure white or black next to their face, keep in mind that if you are one of the other seasons, you will always be more flattered with your own colors next to your face. If you must keep black pants, choose one of your season’s true colors next to your face. For instance, Summers could pair it with an ivory top. Spring could pair it with a cream top and Autumn with an almond or buff top, and you are still within your neutral core wardrobe.

The Coastal Grandmother wardrobe is classic, timeless and yet, relaxed and comfortable. If you choose your basic pieces in good fabrics, they will last longer. I found that once I cleaned out my closet, I only had to buy a few pieces to round out my Coastal Grandmother wardrobe. Remember, 100 percent linen is 100 percent linen, and 100 percent cashmere is 100 percent cashmere whether you buy it at T.J. Maxx or Saks Fifth Avenue.

I did invest in a rather expensive pair of stone pants ($125) at Dillards because one, stone (or griege) is hard to find, and two, it is a great neutral with pure white for summer and black or navy for fall and winter. Stripes have a coastal vibe and are fun so I added a couple pieces with stripes from Vineyard Vines (I will talk about that shopping experience in a future blog)!

Once you have cleaned out your closet, take an inventory of what pieces you have left that work for your new look. I bet there will be more than you think. Then, make a list of what you need to fill in with and shop for those pieces as time and budget allow. At this point, you may want to add a nice cotton open knit sweater for fall, and maybe a cashmere sweater for winter.

This is not an overnight project! I have been working on my wardrobe for weeks! We all have other things going on in our lives, and this is a process. The main objective is to have a plan and start working the plan. Once you know your colors and personal style, you can pick your neutrals and start there.

I started my process in early June. I already had a few pair of white pants in my wardrobe, so I tried them on, and if they fit and were in good shape, I kept them. I was not out shopping for stone pants. I just happened to see them in Dillards, and as I said, stone is hard to find, so I bought them. Even though they were expensive, I knew they would be a good investment, and I would wear them over and over again. On the flip side, I was out shopping at another time and saw a little stone shell that was very inexpensive. It looked great with white linen pants (that I bought at T.J. Maxx for under $30) and a white linen jean jacket that I had probably had in my closet for eight to ten years. I know I had to bleach it to get it back to pure white. I am wearing this outfit in the photo on my “Home” page and my “About” page.

I did invest in a good leather Dooney and Bourke summer purse. I have carried that brand for years, and they last year in and year out. They seldom go on sale, but I found it at Dillards for 40% off! I bought my summer woven tote (that you see in the photos) at T.J. Max. That was fun at the beach. Along with these two bags, I bought two pair of slides (again, you will see in the photos). One pair is in a neutral saddle brown that matches the leather on my handbag, and the other is a lighter pair with a small heel that is a little dressier. I have worn them all summer!

I hope you are starting to get the idea. It is better to have less items in your closet that are the right colors, the right style and in good fabrics, than to have lots of items that you may have bought on impulse or that no longer fit.

The whole idea behind the Coastal Grandmother lifestyle is to simplify your life and choose neutrals first, whether it is clothing or home furnishings, and build from there. We all like trends and fads. They are fun and make us feel “up to date”. However, they come and go, so we want to only use them in small amounts, so when they do go out of style, we don’t feel guilty getting rid of them.