Guest Blog: Building a Basic Wardrobe– Part I

Parenting on a Budget Building a Basic Wardrobe– Part II

Guest Blog: Building a Basic Wardrobe– Part I

When Princess started airing, I got a few letters like this one:

One thing I've noticed is that on both episodes you've had a guest appearance from a stylist who talked about how to build a wardrobe that will be smaller but smarter, with higher quality pieces that cost less in the long run. I really love this idea but I am quite clueless about putting it into action. Is there any chance you might consider having a stylist do a guest series on your blog about building a wardrobe.

Here is said gorgeous and talented stylist, Afiya Francisco, with some ideas for you.

How many of us have looked into a jammed-packed closet only to complain, "I have nothing to wear!" While the statement may not literally be true (most of us have plenty to wear, we just don't want to wear it), I totally understand the sentiment.

No matter how much we have, a collection of mismatched clothes does leave us with limited options and that why it's important– starting now– to shop strategically. But first, set aside a couple of hours to really go through your wardrobe and organize everything (I mean everything) into three piles: keep, store and donate.

Let's start with the last pile: donate. If you haven't worn it in over a year, it doesn't fit or it really doesn't suit anything in your closet, pass it on to someone who can use it. Seriously. No matter how beautiful the item is, if you're not wearing it, it's just taking up valuable closet real estate. There are a few exceptions (okay your wedding dress and other sentimental pieces can stay, but limit yourself to three of these items max.)

Items to store belong somewhere other than your closet. Keep out-of-season clothing in a plastic storage bin or vacuum bags and be sure to clean all clothes before you store them away.

So what do we get to keep? Easy. The pieces that make you feel your best while wearing them. The shirt that makes your eyes pop or your skin glow or shows off your beautiful collarbone (or whatever your favourite feature may be). There should be no clothes hanging in your closet that you don't love or at the very least really like. Scale your clothes from 1-10 and ditch anything not deemed a nine or ten. Believe me, you'll be happy that you did.

I realize this may leave you with very few actual pieces. But I can pretty much guarantee that you'll be in no worse shape than where you began. In fact, while you may have fewer physical pieces, you'll wind up with more options that you'll actual wear, and look good doing it.

I admit there will probably be holes to fill. But before you head out shopping for more stuff, just to wind up back where you were, look out for my next post. There I will share exactly what you should look for to get the most mileage from your wardrobe.

Tomorrow: Building a Basic Wardrobe– Part II