November 2004 weekly Column

From a Woman’s Perspective Column November 23/04

Darlene writes Dear Marilyn,
I am admitting that I am a clothing addict. I go out for lunch and come back with something to eat and something new to wear. I have a closet full of clothes but I don’t have a wardrobe. Great stuff, great bargains, but no one complete outfit. Is there a way to make sense out of my chaos?

Dear Darlene, Yes, a wardrobe can emerge from closet full of clothes. First you must examine yourself, your physical being, your personality and your lifestyle needs. Having established your criteria go through the clothes in your closet and eliminate the items that don’t fit all three of your parameters. Keep only the items that fit your body , personality and lifestyle.

Place each item on a separate hanger. Hang colours together. Examine your collection. Do you have basic bottoms? If yes, what are they? Do you have tops that match these bottoms?

Place these matches side by side. Each matching top and bottom is an inside line of colour. Each jacket and matching bottom is an outside line of colour. Ideally you will have a pant, top and jacket in your basic colour. If your odd pieces can be mixed effectively with your co-ordinating pieces, great. If you have odd items that don’t work with anything, you need to shop with focus. Co-ordinate items with your odd pieces so that they become working pieces of a wardrobe.

Once you have established a frame for your wardrobe, you will have parameters set for what works to make your personal wardrobe statement. From now on don’t shop without your wardrobe statement in mind. Also remember there are only so many clothes a person really needs. Use the hanger space in your closet to restrain yourself. If the hangers are full, your wardrobe is complete.

Make it a rule that if you find something you absolutely love and it fits your wardrobe plan, you must discard something from your closet to make space.

Shopping is fun but focused shopping and creating a wardrobe that makes sense feels great, is rewarding and uplifting. Shop with your eyes, enjoy looking but buy only when an item fits into every aspect of your wardrobe statement and becomes a must have.

I have written a closet organizer guide sheet to help individuals organize their clothes and pull a wardrobe statement together. If you mail me a self addressed stamped envelope I will gladly send the sheet to you and anyone else who would like it.

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	This article was originally published in November 2004
	November 2004 weekly Column From a Woman’s Perspective Column November 23/04 Darlene writes Dear Marilyn, I am admitting that I am a clothing addict. I go out for lunch and come back with something to eat and something new to wear. I have a closet full of clothes but I don’t have a wardrobe. Great stuff, great bargains, but no one complete outfit. Is there a way to make sense out of my chaos? Dear Darlene, Yes, a wardrobe can emerge from closet full of clothes. First you must examine yourself, your physical being, your personality and your lifestyle needs. Having established your criteria go through the clothes in your closet and eliminate the items that don’t fit all three of your parameters. Keep only the items that fit your body , personality and lifestyle. Place each item on a separate hanger. Hang colours together. Examine your collection. Do you have basic bottoms? If yes, what are they? Do you have tops that match these bottoms? Place these matches side by side. Each matching top and bottom is an inside line of colour. Each jacket and matching bottom is an outside line of colour. Ideally you will have a pant, top and jacket in your basic colour. If your odd pieces can be mixed effectively with your co-ordinating pieces, great. If you have odd items that don’t work with anything, you need to shop with focus. Co-ordinate items with your odd pieces so that they become working pieces of a wardrobe. Once you have established a frame for your wardrobe, you will have parameters set for what works to make your personal wardrobe statement. From now on don’t shop without your wardrobe statement in mind. Also remember there are only so many clothes a person really needs. Use the hanger space in your closet to restrain yourself. If the hangers are full, your wardrobe is complete. Make it a rule that if you find something you absolutely love and it fits your wardrobe plan, you must discard something from your closet to make space. Shopping is fun but focused shopping and creating a wardrobe that makes sense feels great, is rewarding and uplifting. Shop with your eyes, enjoy looking but buy only when an item fits into every aspect of your wardrobe statement and becomes a must have. I have written a closet organizer guide sheet to help individuals organize their clothes and pull a wardrobe statement together. If you mail me a self addressed stamped envelope I will gladly send the sheet to you and anyone else who would like it.
Marilyn's: 200 Spadina Avenue, North of Queen Toronto, ON, Canada. 416.504.6777 email: marilyn@marilyns.ca