Don’t do it alone, remember that first and foremost. I chatted with Alegra Torel, an International Fashion Consultant, and she helped outline a process to get us all going, and finished!

Don’t fly solo

Even the best of us have a distorted view – good or bad – of how our clothes look on us. You think something looks good on you and then your trusted friend (or your stylist) tells you how wrong you were.

Maybe it’s a hot style or shade but the back doesn’t look as good as the front and you just didn’t examine the piece of clothing when you were in a shopping frenzy.

Closets should really be organized by season and level of dress.

Most people only have one closet so this is an integral part of organization. Winter should be out in winter and summer should be out in summer. Buy containers and air tight packs that you can easily store clothing.

The level of attire is important too.

I keep my “going out” clothing to the left and my day time clothing to the right and then if İ am planning a trip, those pieces become their own section that way I am constantly planning. Everything must be separated so it is not a struggle in the mornings or the evenings. Then I would even further separate as to weekends and weekdays-work/play.

When you are going through your clothing to separate the pieces into sections, you will begin to find pieces you haven’t worn in ages, even some you have never worn before.

LET GO.

If it hasn’t been worn or used in six months, s you need to let it go.

Image: Sxc.hu

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Clean Out Your Closet
At the beginning of each season, clean out your closet. Split out your clothes in five piles–keep, toss, fix, store and give. The keep pile, of course, is the clothes that you wear regularly and want to keep in your rotation. The toss pile are clothes that are so worn or out of style that the Salvation Army wouldn’t even want them. The fix pile are clothes that need a tailor or repairs. This pile should also include any clothes that you need to take to the dry cleaner but haven’t gotten around to it. The store pile are the clothes that you aren’t going to wear this season. And finally, the give pile should be clothes that are in good condition but you no longer wear.

Take your keep pile and hang all the clothes up on hangers or fold them into drawers. Organize them by color or by type (work apparel, weekend clothes, evening wear). This will make getting dressed a lot easier in the morning.

Carry your toss pile directly to the trash. There is no reason to be nostalgic about these clothes. You are never going to wear them again and they are just wasting space.

Split your fix pile into three separate groups–tailor, cleaners and sew. Put the tailor and cleaners pile into your car right now and drop them off next time you leave the house. Set aside some time tonight to fix anything in the sew pile. Replacing a missing button or fixing a hem takes just a few minutes.

Fold everything in your store pile and place into plastic storage boxes underneath your bed or in the back of your closet.

Make sure all the clothes are laundered in your give pile. Place them in your car as well and drop them off at Goodwill, the Salvation Army, a thrift shop or other charity.

Dust and Vacuum Regularly
You’d be surprised how much happier and more organized you will be in a clean environment. Set a specific time every week to clean and vacuum your home regularly, including your bedroom and your closet.

Put Away Your Laundry Promptly
It’s always so easy to leave your clothes piled in the basket when they come out of the dryer, but don’t do it. Instead hang or fold them immediately. This will not only cut down on wrinkles, but you will also be able to find your favorite top when you want it.

Shop Wisely
Though it’s tempting to buy every trendy piece of clothing you see, this will only lead to more clutter and mess in your closet. Instead, pick versatile items that you know you are going to wear. If you don’t have enough closet space, stay organized with plastic containers, shelving and bureaus. Clean out your closet at least once every three months. Though you might still be a little messy on a daily basis, staying organized and clean will make your life a whole lot easier.

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Clean Out Your Closet
The first step is to take inventory of what you have. Head to your closet and divide your clothes into several piles.

Keep – These are clothes that you wear regularly.
Fix - These are clothes you’d like to wear but need repairs.
Sell - These are clothes that are in good condition but don’t fit or you don’t like anymore. Sell this clothing on eBay or to a consignment shop.
Donate - Like the sell pile, these clothes are also in good condition. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of selling them, you can donate to the Salvation Army, a women’s shelter or another local charity. Get a receipt for your taxes.
Toss – These are clothes that are so hideous or worn out that no one can use them. Take them to the trash.

Organize your closet in the way that makes sense to you. If you are someone that color coordinates your outfits, sort by color. If you wear suits everyday, put those in the front and your more casual clothes in the rear.

Take Inventory
Once your closet is clean and organized, take inventory of what you have and look for versatile pieces that can work with a multitude of outfits. A silk print blouse can be paired with a suit for work, a mini skirt for a party, or jeans for a casual date.

Some versatile pieces that can be staples in your wardrobe for both the workplace and weekends include:

• Little black dress
• Blue jeans
• Black slacks
• White blouses
• Print tops
• Pencil skirts
• Cardigan sweaters
• Tanks and camisoles
• Ankle boots
• Patent pumps
• Heeled sandals

After your inventory, you should have a good idea how many outfits you can make by mixing and matching your staples. If you have any obvious gaps in your wardrobe, it’s time to go shopping.

Put away a small amount every month into your fashion budget to buy some of the key pieces that you need.

Spend or Splurge?
When shopping on a budget, your first inclination might be to buy cheap. But don’t confuse cheap with inexpensive. Cheap clothes are low quality and probably won’t even last a season. Instead, stick to brands and designers that you know. There are plenty of ways to get name brand fashions at discount prices.

Follow my previous shopping tips on how to look great in 2009 by shopping at thrift stores and consignment shops, as well as online at sample sale sites and discount retailers.

Change Your Look With Accessories
Probably the easiest way to change the look of an outfit is with accessories. A little black dress can go from a business meeting to a cocktail party to the night club, depending on what you wear with it.

By changing your handbags, jewelry and other accessories, you can create multiple outfits from the same basic pieces of clothing. Accessories don’t have to cost you a bundle. Fashion jewelry, knockoff bags and other budget accessories can go a long way.

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Photo credits: Spacey / ElvisFan76 (sxc.hu)

Post from: Shopaholics Daily