Minimizing and Maximizing My Wardrobe.

It's been 4 years of ups and downs for this body of mine.

4 years and two babies later, my wardrobe is a mess.



I have bins of clothes I haven't worn in 5 years, bins of maternity clothes, bins of outdated clothes, clothes that I love but have seen better days......and this is after moving and "de-cluttering" twice in one year!

In the spirit of Minimalist Mom, my #1 project is to clear out my wardrobe.
Clear. It. Out.

I want a "Small and Stylish" Wardrobe.
I want Form. I want Function. I want Flattering.

I know it's very hip right now to only buy at thrift stores, second hand, vintage, clothing swaps.....and I'm all for it, but my new rule is "it has to fit!".

Fit me. Fit my Wardrobe.


[www.weheartit.com]

I have all too often picked up a *great deal* whether it be at a sale or a thrift store, only to wear it once or twice and have it sit in my closet.....not such a great deal, after all.

I also have the terrible habit of buying the same clothes over and over. Do you know what I mean? I have 3 grey cardigans for example. All very slightly different shades of grey, of course......

I hope that by simplifying my wardrobe and buying only high-quality pieces that look good and "fit" me and my wardrobe, I will be able to both minimize the clutter in my closet and maximize the function of my clothing.

I think I'm gonna need some help......

Enter Style Guru: Beth Thomas.
{Beth has written for me before. You can read that piece, and learn more about Beth, HERE}

Beth has agreed to help me with my project.

We are going to wait until spring to give my body just a few more months to adjust, post baby #2, and then we will attack! Stay tuned!

Until then, I have asked Beth to drop in, once or twice, to talk about key functional pieces for every wardrobe.
Things you should spend time buying. Invest in. Take care of.

Winter Essentials
Beth Thomas



Being fashionable doesn't mean paying a high price and it definitely doesn't mean you have to own a lot of pieces of clothing. Some of the most influential fashion icons have an efficient working wardrobe. Filled with classic pieces that are easy to mix and match. What makes them stand out is how they wear their clothes, and how they accessorize.

One of the things that I focus on with my clients is homing in on their personal style. Think about what you want your image to say. Do you want to be perceived as funky, sophisticated, sexy, etc. This is a process that for some is very easy and for others it's a bit more complicated. But once you have a handle on it, shopping becomes easier, and so does piecing together existing items in your closet.

If you're not sure where to start, here are my top 5 items that every woman should own in order to have a functional and stylish winter wardrobe.

1. Coat - Although this seems like obvious item, I am constantly amazed with how little thought goes into purchasing such a "big" item.

The coat has several roles to play. It needs to be warm, needs to suit your lifestyle (and climate), it MUST fit properly, and since it's the main attraction, it needs to look good! I am a fan of this one from Danier because of its versatility. It can easily be worn for casual outings as well as more dressy ones.


Winter coat

2. Knit Cardigan - Knit cardigans are ideal items of clothing to own in our climate, and are great for heating up any winter outfit. There are lots of options out there to choose from when it comes to color, style and fit. The open cardigan is one of my favourites, since it lends itself well to layering and can act like a jacket on cooler spring days.

cardigan

3. Boots - Lots of women struggle to find a boot that can brave our weather and look good at the same time. These are my 3 picks - due to being fashionable ,warm, and are classic in their styling.


Sorel Sorelia Earhart


Merrell Oslo-WTPF


Pajar Laverne boot

4. The Scarf - They do a lot more than just keep you cozy and warm. They also act as a statement piece on even the simplest of outfits. This is where you can have a little fun and add a punch of colour and truly show off your personal style!


This scarf from Etsy has caught my eye. (faux fur)

5. Narrow leg (or straight leg) pant - This can be in the form of jeans, trousers or leggings. All depending on your body type and comfort. The narrow leg pant tucks nicely into a higher boot and also works well with an ankle boot. These ones from Reitmans tick all the boxes, from comfort and style to price!


trousers

So, there are my tips to keeping warm and still looking stylish, and I would love to hear what item you can't live without this winter!

As I mentioned above, stay tuned for the closet clear out of the century (I'm scared....) and watch as I slowly re-build and re-work my wardrobe until it's small, stylish and functional....all with Beth's help!

Until then, you can check out Beth's blog: The Owl and the Peacock for more fashion tips and other fun family stuff!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!