How many times have you opened your overflowing closet, stood in front of it staring and said to yourself “I have a closet full of clothing and absolutely nothing to wear!”.
Most of us have done that at least once (or even once a day). But why? There is a book out that says that we have to go through everything in our closet and if it “speaks” to us and we love it we should keep it. But if not, we should throw it away. I don’t know about you, but my clothes still don’t have a voice and they don’t talk. All of that is usually in your head.
We want to present ourselves as great as we can. When you feel beautiful or strong in an outfit, that can extend to how you feel about yourself. It doesn’t mean that you have to go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe (although wouldn’t that be a treat). It does mean that you may need to do a bit of a cleanout so that your closet becomes accessible. That’s a great habit to get into at least twice a year. The best time is when we are in a major season change. Spring/Summer into Fall/Winter.
Take a few hours and evaluate. Has that item been in your closet for years – still with tags on it, and you are still waiting for the “perfect” occasion to wear it? If you can’t come up with something soon, then you probably never will. That’s an item for either donation or consignment. Is it something that looked great 5 or 10 years ago and you are keeping it for memories? Once again, donate or consign. Is it great, but it doesn’t match anything – put it aside and bring it with you the next time you go shopping. Ask a stylist at the store to help you use the item as a core piece in building an outfit.
Books and articles always tell you to make three piles. I would say to make four. 1 – The items you love and definitely want to keep. 2 – Items you are going to consign and 3 – items you are going to donate. The fourth would be items you love, but don’t know what to do with. Pile one goes back into the closet or into storage for the next season. Pile two gets checked that items are clean and without any damage and folded neatly into shopping bags. That goes to your favorite consignment store. Pile three should also get neatly packed into large bags and brought to the local charity. Pile 4 should be put into bags and brought with you to your favorite store to have a stylist there help you to develop that outfit you have been missing.
Our store has a group of stylists who love to work to make our customers happy. We offer free styling sessions with your clothing and with ours, helping you to emphasize your best assets and minimize those you want to camouflage. There’s never an obligation to buy and we pride ourselves that we are honest with you on what works and what doesn’t. We want you to be happy and proud when you wear what we have styled for you and we want you to come back because you trust us.
Eileen Potrock, a former stylist for TV and Film, is the owner of E Designer Resale in Cliffside Park, which offers free, no obligation styling services and carries the best immaculate upscale preloved designer clothing and accessories at the BEST prices for women of all ages. 720 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 201.943.3401
