Closet Shop for Your Next Favorite Outfit

May 31, 2018

by Elysha Lenkin

Did you know that most women only wear 20% of what’s in their wardrobe? That means that the other 80% just sits there – unloved and without purpose. Maybe these unworn items are hidden in the back of a packed closet so they can’t be seen. Or perhaps these pieces have always remained a mystery because you never knew how to match them with what you have.

Well, if you’re ready to maximize your wardrobe and re-energize your style, I’m going to show you how to style clothes you already have and share a closet shopping strategy that will get you feeling great in a brand new outfit made up of stuff you already own.

How to Style Clothes you Already Have

1. Take A Good Look Inside Your Closet

One of the big reasons we don’t wear what we own is because we don’t know what we have! I can’t tell you how many times I’d be digging through my drawers and find a top that I had completely forgotten about. Since even closet staples can easily be buried, the first step styling clothes you already have is to look at everything you own. Grab a ribbon or a piece of string and tie it around the center of your closet rod. Pull everything out, and put all the items you wear regularly to the right of the ribbon. All the items you never or rarely wear will go to the left side of the ribbon.

2. Define Your Look

Now you’ll set an intention around how you’d like your new outfit to look. Think of three words that describe the way you want to feel when you’re wearing this outfit. It may help to glance at the clothes on the right side of the ribbon (the things you like to wear) and come up with some words that align with those items. For example, if you regularly wear denim button downs over A-line dresses and skinny belts, you may define your look as pretty, relaxed, and polished. If you’d like to expand on your current style, you could replace “polished” with “chic”. So now your intention is to create an outfit that feels pretty, relaxed and chic. Remember these words as you’ll be referring to them in a bit.

3. Create Your Outfit Foundation

This will be the basis of your look, and to give it a fresh feel, you’re going to use something from the left side of the ribbon (the clothes you don’t wear). For our closet shop, pick out one piece that you feel excited to put on. One thing to note, items that you don’t wear, and you don’t like anymore should be removed from your closet all together. There’s no need to hold onto things that you don’t like! Feel free to incorporate a mini closet cleanout, and get rid of the stuff you won’t ever wear. 

4. Make It Comfortable

Sometimes, the reason we don’t wear things is because we remember them as feeling uncomfortable. Maybe there’s a pretty sheer top that you loved when you bought it, but then you didn’t like being so sheer so now you’ve pushed that garment to the back, and never wore it again. This is why it’s essential to add a level of comfort to your look to ensure that you’ll feel good when you put it on. If the sheer top was your outfit foundation, add in a comfortable cami to layer underneath. This will provide the coverage you seek which allows the sheer top to come back into the regular outfit rotation. Other examples of comfort pieces – leggings or capris, or even bike shorts under a skirt or dress. Sneakers and flats are also comfortable.

5. Make It Look Like You

Since most of us want to look like ourselves when we get dressed, it’s important to thread your signature style into this outfit. If you’re confused about what your signature style is, then think back to the three words you came up with earlier. Those words will help guide you to select other items in your closet. The most important element is that this piece feels like you. If there is an accessory that’s in your closet and it aligns with your signature style, wear it! If you want to look chic, is there a silk scarf that you used to always wear, but have since cast it aside? Perhaps this can be added to the outfit.

6. Make It Special

It’s always nice when something we’re wearing gives us a sense of joy. I always feel this when I put on the black studded belt and knitted sweater that my grandmother left me. You may have something that you bought for yourself to celebrate a big success like a satchel handbag. Or maybe there’s a piece of jewelry that your husband gave you for your 10th anniversary. Grab this piece now, and incorporate it into your outfit.

7. Make It Pop

The last element to bring into your look is something unexpected. This is when you take your outfit into AMAZING territory. Remember the words you used to describe how you want to feel? Keep them in mind as you peruse your belongings to find something extraordinary. It doesn’t have to be expensive or over the top. Think of what you normally do, and then push beyond that a bit. But don’t go so overboard that you create an outfit you won’t wear because it’s not you. Stay connected to the three words as you bring in an element of surprise. If you always wear black or neutral tones, add a pop of color. Maybe it’s a floral pink headscarf. Or yellow socks. It could even be bright pink lipstick or neon nail polish. Do you, but make it fun!

When you have styled an outfit out of clothes you already have, try it on and notice how you feel. Do the three words that you chose earlier come to mind? If you need to make any adjustments, try to pull items only from the left side of the closet. This way you’re reintegrating your 80% into a wardrobe you love. 

About Elysha

Elysha Lenkin helps busy women get the glow of confidence that comes from looking current in their clothing and feeling amazing in their skin. As a commercial stylist for 20 years, she’s styled women of all shapes and sizes including Tina Fey, Carrie Underwood and Serena Williams. Sign up for Elysha’s free challenge to Reclaim Your Style and create your signature look in 5 days.

Loving Lately: May Favorites

May 9, 2018

Hey pretties!  It’s been SO long since I’ve done a favorites post like this, but I get a lot of requests for them. It’s not that I don’t want to do them, it’s just my follow through isn’t the best. Honestly I can’t tell you how many times I start a draft on one and never finish it!

I didn’t have an outfit post ready for today because Craig pulled off the ultimate Mother’s Day surprise for me. We’re going away for a long weekend as a WHOLE family. It’s been over two years since we’ve been able to have a vacation with all three kids. Devon, our college senior, usually takes summer classes and his spring break hasn’t lined up with the girls. His last final is today so we’re getting away as a family! I’ve been running around like a crazy lady getting ready this week and haven’t had time for outfit photos.

So without further ado, here are ten things that I’m doing, using, wearing and loving lately.

1. My Goats

Besides Craig, our kids and our dogs, few things bring me more joy than our pygmy goats! Meet Theodore and Eleanor (Theo and Ellie for short), our goat siblings that fell into my lap a few months ago. I’ve always dreamed of owning goats and these two came into my life by happy accident. It was love at first sight. They are #totesmagoats.

Theo looking all cute and innocent. Never mind the fact that he just head butted me.

Aww, my babies! Oh yeah, and Craig too. 🙂

2. Running Outdoors

See that? It’s my first outdoor run of my adult life, I kid you not! I haven’t run outside since the horrible mile and a half we did every spring in high school when all I wanted to do was puke after. It never made sense to me why they made us do that after being coach potatoes all winter. What it did accomplish was making me a lifetime hater of running.

Thanks to OrangeTheory Fitness some of that has changed (not all of it). I’ve been improving my pace on the treadmill for the past year but never dreamed of running outside. Last week I had to miss one of my workouts so I strapped on my sneakers and took to the streets. I promised myself I’d take it easy and quit when I needed to but to my total surprise, kept going for 2.55 miles.

Granted, snails, a tortoise and some power walkers passed me by, but I did it!

Which brings me to my new favorite running shoes that I bought a few weeks back, these Nike Epic React Flyknit. My over 40 knees and ankles need extra cushioning and support and these are like strapping pillows on my feet. I have them in gray but want ALL the colors, especially this light cream color.

Nike Epic React Flyknit

3. Mother/Daughter Workouts

Aubrey joined me at OrangeTheory this past year and it’s been such an incredible bonding experience for us. There are definitely many advantages to her spending her first year of college at home and this is one of them.

Not gonna lie, our cute outfits from Fabletics make workouts slightly more fun, but only slightly.  🙂

4. Kimonos

If you’ve seen me in actual real life lately, I’m wearing one of two things – my PJ’s (which I’ve been staying in until about 1 pm each day) or one of these kimonos. I have a slight obsession with them. Mainly because I’m lazy when it comes to putting together outfits and these instantly transform my daily jeans and tee uniform.

Mint Kimono/Navy Kimono

5. Pretty Pink Blush

I’ve gotten three compliments on my blush lately, which has never happened before! I figured it must be worth noting and sharing. It’s Your Happy Look Pore Minimizing Blush in Clover Pink from Julep. It has a just right subtle amount of shimmer.

6. Summer Candles

Besides fall candle season and Christmas candle season, summer candle season is my absolute favorite! Here are the two that are taking me away to paradise lately.

Fiji White Sands/Tiki Beach

7. Pink Magnolia Lotion

Speaking of Bath and Body Works, I want to buy this stuff by the gallon. It smells SO good and lasts all day! Have you tried it?

Pink Magnolia Lotion

8. Patio Weather!

Craig and I got our patio cleaned up and ready for summer a couple of weeks ago. It was time for a total refresh of our patio furniture pillows (they needed it desperately). So I went with this summer’s trendy tropical palm tree print, with some flamingos thrown in for good measure.

I found most of these pillows at Ross except the solid green ones which are from HomeGoods.

Skye and Bailey couldn’t stand the fact that we were working in the backyard without their “help”, so they pouted at the kitchen window all day.

 9. Espadrille Sandals

I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of flat espadrille sandals but haven’t quite found “the one” yet.  Here are a few contenders.

This pair had me at stripes.

Knotted Slides

Love the price and color of this pair.

Sigma Bow Espadrille

This pair has a little bit of a heel but it’s more of a platform so they’re still comfy.

Ava Cognac Espadrille

10. Gingham Errthang

Gingham is everywhere for summer and I can’t wait to get my grubby little fingers on some of it. Here are a few pieces I’m eyeing up to add.

Gingham Scalloped Shorts

Gingham Tie Waist Midi Skirt

Gingham Slides

It’s Your Turn: What are you loving lately? Share it with me in the comments!

Looking for a perfect last minute Mother’s Day gift? Send her a Style Challenges gift certificate! It’s just $39 and good toward any current or upcoming challenge. Buy HERE.

I FEEL PRETTY

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell me what made you feel pretty this week in the comments.