Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris

by Jennifer L. Scott

Wardrobe Assessment Questions Do I still like this? In many instances I was holding on to something because I had paid a lot of money for it—not because I actually liked it. Do I ever wear this? I had many clothes that I simply did not wear. Some I hadn’t worn in over two years! I knew I never would wear them again, but for some reason I couldn’t let go. Does it still fit and flatter me? People gain or lose weight, have babies, and get older—bodies change! It is important not to be in denial about your current body shape. Dress yourself for your current body—not the body you used to have or wish you had. Does this article of clothing still reflect who I am? This is a very powerful question, and in most instances my answer was a resounding no. I was holding on to blouses and skirts that I had purchased in my early twenties. (I even found a few baby doll dresses—yikes!) A lot has changed since then. I am a wife and mother. My tastes are more refined and sophisticated. Those clothes were not right for the new me. I realize you might not be ready to purge everything the first time around. That is okay. After you weed out the items you know you no longer want, I suggest storing clothes that are not in the chosen ten in space-saving bags or a container in another room or in your garage. Just keep them out of your sight. You might find you go an entire year without thinking about them at all, in which case you know you could probably do without them. Customizing Your Ten-Item War...