Overview of Wardrobe Evaluation

Written by Carol Elizabeth Ridolphi  ~  Thursday, 08 January 2009 17:59

A great way to start the New Year off is to spend time building and evaluating your wardrobe. After this process has been completed, you will discover what is needed in your wardrobe. You'll be able to shop... for new items to update your existing wardrobe. You'll feel and look fresh and fashionable for the New Year. Your closet will hold only clothing and accessories that you will actually wear and that will be arranged in an orderly manner so that you will be able to effortlessly dress each and every day, no matter what the occasion.

January is a good month to evaluate and organize a wardrobe. We often think about accomplishing this task, but few people actually do it. Those people who do it know that it pays off. Just think how nice it would be to wake up in the morning, reach into the closet, and pull out something you really love to wear in just a matter of minutes!

If you find you are incapable of conducting this process on your own, have someone help you, perhaps a close friend or consider hiring a professional image consultant who specializes in the services of wardrobe evaluation and personal shopping. After all, it is essential to have someone offer unbiased and professional opinions about whether an outfit is complimentary to your body shape and your personal style. The importance of accentuating your attributes and camouflaging your flaws is key to looking fantastic and is a must when evaluating the clothing you plan to keep in your closet.

Wardrobe evaluation is an on-going process and should be done on a yearly basis. It involves three basic steps:

• Evaluation
• Discarding
• Purchasing

Evaluation ~ you need to decide how well what is in your closet works for you; how well it meets your needs when going about your daily activities. You must know what works, what doesn't and why. This means that you must try on all clothing and view yourself in a full-length mirror to determine whether the clothing accentuates your body shape. Sort your clothes into three piles:

• Clothes you like ~ and wear often
• Clothes you dislike ~ but wear anyway because they are what you have
• Clothes you never wear ~ doesn't matter if you like them or not

Discarding ~ weed out the clothing that does not work. It's time to make a decision whether to get rid of this clothing or not. Begin with the group "clothes you never wear" and work your way to the group "clothes you like."

• Clothes too small ~ doesn't matter how new this clothing is. Get rid of this group because you do not need reminders that you are no longer this size. Place this clothing in an "out" bag and give it to a charity or someone who may make use of this clothing.
• Clothes too large ~ if this clothing can't be easily altered at a reasonable expense, place this clothing in the "out" bag.
• Clothes out of date ~ even if you are sentimental about this clothing, and even if you spent a lot of money on this clothing, put these pieces in the "out" bag.
• Clothes that no longer suits your image ~ if the clothing no longer reflects the image you want to project, put this clothing in the "out" bag. As we mature, we tend to change our values and lifestyle. What we wore ten years ago is more than likely something we will not wear today.

It is essential that you remove the "out" bag from your home as soon as possible. If you hesitate in doing so, the clothing in that "out" bag may end up right back in your closet! Keep in mind that there are many people who will want to enjoy this clothing now versus later, so get rid of it today!

Prior to disposing of the "out" bag, make sure you save a few casual pieces of clothing, especially jeans, for work around the yard and house.

Purchasing ~ now that you have gone through the process of cleaning out everything in your closet, take a close look at the clothing and accessories you have left. Ask yourself the following questions to help determine items you may need to purchase.

• Do I have enough casual clothing and accessories? This would be clothing for errands, i.e., grocery shopping, going to the movies, visiting family and friends.
• Do I need dressier clothing for special occasions? This would be clothing for evening parties, weddings, dinner parties and other special events.
• Do I have enough business clothing? If working full time, your wardrobe should reflect this…you should have many work outfits so that you are able to dress quickly each morning.
• Do I have enough relaxing clothing? This would be clothing you would wear while watching television, reading or just hanging out at home.
• Do I have enough work out clothing and shoes? Remember, if you work out regularly, you should wear the appropriate gear because you will not only look good, but also, you'll work out harder.

Make a shopping list taking into account your answers to the above questions and the clothing remaining in your closet. Try putting your clothing together in new and different ways. Both men and women need to consider the importance of accessorizing. Accessories are great wardrobe extenders. By adding a colorful scarf, colorful tie with coordinating pocket square, leather belt or a great piece of jewelry, you will achieve a new look wearing the same clothing worn just days ago.

Good luck with your closet project, and do remember, feel free to contact me for advice and consultation. I'll be happy to help you de-clutter your closet, and transform it into an organized display of clothes and accessories, making it effortless for you to look great for every occasion. Happy New Year!

Resource ~ Wardrobe Strategies for Women, Judith Rasband, Conselle Institute of Image Management

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