8 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

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On the previous post I stated how I wasn't feeling inspired lately with the pieces I have in my closet...and if you are reading this, you are not alone...BELIEVE ME!

The best way to start the NEW year is with a "NEW" closet...and I'm not necessarily saying "go shopping"...keep reading *wink wink*! When you clean your closet, you also get rid of old (and bad) energy and you will feel a big difference. Having an organized closet will help you find your favorite pieces quicker and getting dressed each morning easier.




1) DO A CLOSET CLEAN-OUT:
Start by going through EVERYTHING in your closet and get ready to have 5 piles: (1) Keep (2) Fix  (3) Donate (4) Throw Away and (5) Sell.

What should you keep?
I'm going to do a full article on this...but the easiest way is to ask yourself: "Have I worn this in the past year?" If the answer is no, you are probably not going to wear it ever again. There is a fun trick to know if you have worn something in the past year: put your hangers backwards every time you do a clean-out; when you wear it, put it back as it should be hung normally. At the end of the year you can clearly see what you haven't worn in a while.

Then think, why haven't I worn it? Is it damaged? Doesn't it fit anymore?
If it has a little hole or anything that can be fixable, put it in the fix pile. If not,  throw it away.
If the items are in good condition but have no significant value, donate them. If you think you can get a little money, sell them!

Forget about sentimental value (unless it's a piece of jewelry your grandmother gave you, of course).This includes that old prom dress you know you are never going to wear again or that cute dress you wore to your first date 10 years ago. Getting rid of them won't delete that amazing memory.

Remember to do a clean-out with your beauty bag too, makeup has an expiration date and anything older than a year should be thrown out too. Wearing makeup that's expired can cause breakouts and allergy.



2) HOST A WARDROBE EXCHANGE
Let's say you organized your closet and you realized you have a TON of clothes in mint condition that you never wear....what should you do? host a wardrobe exchange with your  friends.

How?
- Invite a group of close friends and encourage them to invite a small group of friends. You want to keep the group relatively small but it's a great way to meet and bond with friends.
- Tell them to bring X amount of items. Just be clear on the fact that the pieces must be in perfect condition, clean, no holes, or stains. I recommend bringing a minimum of 5 pieces.
- Make it fun with appetizers and champagne.
- As soon as the people start arriving, group items by type: all dresses together, shirts together, accessories together.
- If you came in with 5 pieces, you can take 5 pieces home with you.

The more pieces they bring, the more variety!! It's the perfect way to have "new" clothes without spending a dime!



3) RAID YOUR MOM'S, SISTER'S,  AUNT'S CLOSET
If you still live with your family, this is easier. However, you can even ask that crazy aunt if you can check out her clothes from the 80s and 90s...I'm sure you can find some amazing things hidden in the bottom of her closet. I did this once with my aunt and she was super excited to see me wearing something from 20 years ago. Also, think outside the box; it doesn't have to be a women's closet, dare to borrow your dad's shirt or even your boyfriend's jeans.



3 Le Fashion Blog A Fashionable Home Minimal Bright Walk In Closet Scandinavian Minimal Interior Design Storage Via Stylizimo photo 3-Le-Fashion-Blog-A-Fashionable-Home-Minimal-Bright-Walk-In-Closet-Scandinavian-Minimal-Interior-Design-Storage-Via-Stylizimo.png4) A TAILOR IS YOUR BFF
If you have jeans you used to love but you truly kept that New Year's Resolution of losing weight and they are too big now...If you want to transform a midi sequin dress into a mini dress....a tailor if your BFF

Find someone in your city that you trust for all the wardrobe basics: hemming your pants, making that sexy dress fit like a glove. Then you can ask him/her for a discount when you bring that big old FIX pile. They can transform that dress with the cute print but with the unflattering neckline.



5)  VINTAGE/THIFT STORE SHOPPING
A lot of people underestimate the power of buying in thrift shops or vintage stores.
First of all, everything comes back in style. Second, I love thinking that the pieces have a story, that they were carried around when the world was a different place! (well, that might be just me...I'm a little crazy!) Third,  there's a big change nobody will own it...vintage pieces are very unique.

I've found amazing items on vintage stores. I found a pair of D&G shoes for $20, a small vintage Coach bag for $15, and silk blouses for $5.

A couple of tips:
- Wash everything as soon as you get home (no bedbug, please!).
- Go with comfy shoes and finding those hidden gems isn't that easy, you really have to go through piles and piles of clothes...but it is worth it.


More tips on vintage shopping SOON.




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6) DIY
I want to start doing more "DIY" on the blog because they are the best way to update your current pieces.  There are many times I see clothes on the runway that I think there might be fun to do. And the best part....saying you did it yourself when people ask you where did you get that.

Here's a fun DIY I did a couple of years ago...more coming soon, I promise!


7) SELL, SELL, SELL
Why not make a little profit from cleaning out your closet?
If you have pieces in perfect condition that are valuable, put them up for sale.

Some options:
- You can go to local consignment stores. I personally don't like this option but if you want to get rid of a lot of things quick, this is a good way to do it.  They are going to offer you very little money and they are very picky. I went to one called "Plato's Closet" and they rejected more than half of the things I brought and only offered me $50 for A LOT of things
- Ebay
- Poshmark: this is my favorite app to sell clothes. It is very easy to use and you can make great money from it. You can sign up using the code "HPFVV" and you will get $10 to shop.

Every month I challenge myself and I try to sell more. The goal: only spend what I have sold.
**You can shop my closet by clicking HERE ***




8) WHEN GOING SHOPPING: THINK "CPU"
Last resource....go shopping. After cleaning, selling, swapping, and raiding....you deserve it.
Never go shopping without knowing what you are looking for, this leads to impulse buying (and most impulse buys end up at the end of the closet, with their tags on).

Along the way, maybe you realized you needed a white blouse, or a leopard scarf. So write them down. Make a list of the things you REALLY need, and the ones you REALLY want (we all deserve a little treat now and then).

No matter what you buy, always think CPU (cost per use). Let me explain...
CPU=  cost of the item/ amount of times you will use it.

Let's say you find a classic LBD at Forever 21 for $30 and you only wear it twice because when you were washing it, the fabric lost its stretch and you can't wear it again. CPU of the affordable dress: $15.
vs.
Instead you save up a little more and buy an identical classic LBD for $150 that will last 5 years. Let's say you wear it 5 times per year (and that's nothing because you can wear an LBD even with a denim jacket for a bbq). CPU of this dress: $6

Also,  I have a rule that I never buy anything unless I can think of 3 ways I can wear that item. It's all about versatile pieces you can have fun with.




Are you ready to update your wardrobe this 2016? Let me know in the comments how you do it.

- Daniela
@nanysklozet




13 comments

  1. Dani ya no pones la traducción en español? :(

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    1. Estoy experimentando con los idiomas cuando es MUCHA info porque casi nunca me comentan en español :( pero puedes ver la versión en español acá http://fabchicandfit.onsugar.com/ño-Nuevo-Clóset-Nuevo-13181749

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  2. this was such a helpful post, thanks for sharing lovely! :)

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    1. thank you love! let me know if you do any of these!

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  3. I dream with a wardrobe like this!
    xoxo
    http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4487669/

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  4. This was a great post, thanks! I cleaned out my closet for the new year and am going to try to keep it that way! By the way, I completely agree with what you said about consignment places like Plato's closet...I tried taking stuff there and had a similar experience, so disappointing!

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  5. No soy tan mala en ingles pero prefiero el español por ser mi lengua natal... saludos Dany :)

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  6. Thrift store shopping is where it's at. You'd be amazed what you can find there sometimes! You just have to be persistent.

    Amyrosy

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