Updating Your Wardrobe: A suggestion of 10 things anyone can do to achieve a fresher looking wardrobe
-- By Joanna VanVleck for the Bend Bulletin
download the article

Seasons change, years go by, and that same black sweater stays in your closet year after year. You are not sure what it goes with, not even sure it fits quite right anymore. If this sounds like you, it is time to reinvent, rebuild and refine your wardrobe. A complete closet facelift can give you a whole new look and feel, launching you into fabulous. Here are some suggestions on how to update your wardrobe:

1. Define your style. Are you trendy and stylish, laid back and casual, or office professional? Defining your style is the first step in understanding what you are looking for. Take an audit of your current clothes, what makes you feel comfortable, what are the pieces you absolutely love, and what expresses who you are. Keep the theme of these wardrobe staples.

2. Take a long look in the mirror. Get comfortable with your body type and proportions. The better you know your body, the better you can wardrobe it. Look at your body and love it in its present state! Being comfortable in your skin is key in feeling and dressing fabulous.

3. Examine Fit. Examine and insist on fit. Try on everything, even the pieces you are sure of. Clothes should not show skin that doesn’t warrant public exposure. Clothes should not pucker in any places. Forget the terrifying digits on the tag; insist on having your clothes fit you. This is the time to toss the pieces that “I will wear as soon as I loose five pounds” and the pieces that “I keep just for fat days”. Dress for who you are today.

4. Examine Condition. Your clothes are an expression of you. You aren’t worn out, so neither should your clothes. Get rid of everything that has balls on the front, snags all over it, and is faded to grey. Potentially, this could be about half of your wardrobe, and no, you will never wear it if it looks over ten years old.

5. Choose The Top Two. You guessed it! There is no need to have 13 white shirts in your closet. Each time you want to wear a white shirt, you wear the same ones. Those are your top two picks. They are most likely the newest, most comfortable, and have the best all around fit. All the rest are unnecessary and are causing clutter in your wardrobe.

6. Recognize Your Patterns. All closets have a theme. Lots of sale items that have never been worn, everything is black, everything is size XXL, nothing matches, just to name a few. Recognize your personal patterns and vow to challenge yourself to change. No more pattern purchasing. You are reinventing a new you and leaving old patterns in the dust.

7. Abandon the Shapeless Doom. Everyone deserves a shape! Be proud of the shape you discovered in the mirror. No matter what your size, you have the right to show it off. It is time to burn everything that makes you look like a tent. No oversized sweat shirts. No pants that are three sizes too big. No “tent” dresses that hide everything from your neck to your ankles. Be proud of your shape and accentuate your best features.

8. Critique Accessories. Accessories are the easiest way to update your wardrobe. They change every season and add a touch of newness to any outfit. Are you still wearing thin, leather-braided belts? Is your bag the same one you carried seven years ago? Take a hard look at your accessories. Peruse the latest fashion magazines and find out what the latest bags and necklaces look like. Remember, accessories are some of the simplest things to replace and some of the things that can date you the most. You choose.

9. Quality over Quantity. This is one of the basic rules of style. You don’t need a lot of stuff when you have the right stuff. Challenge yourself to buy the best that you can afford, especially on wardrobe basics. Quality stands out. A $10 green sweater looks different than a $60 green sweater. Learn to invest more in fewer pieces.

10. Never Settle. Updating your wardrobe is about making you feel fabulous. Never buy it or wear it if it does not make you feel like a “WOW”. Take the time to learn about you, your style, and your life. All of these should be aligned.

You, at this moment, with the figure you were blessed with, can look up to date and feel fabulous about your wardrobe. As one of the Northwest's leading style specialists, Joanna Van Vleck offers expert advice on how to update your style and wardrobe. Joanna works with men and women, helping them define a personal style that increases self-confidence and makes them feel fabulous. For more information, visit: www.vanvleckimage.com.