how to streamline your summer wardrobe

jumpsuit: lou & grey | woven mules: target | bag: h&m (similar) | sunnies: karen walker | lips: revlon

Seasons have officially flipped in Texas and so have wardrobes. Switching out my closets is actually one of my favorite things. It allows me to refocus my wardrobe, take inventory of the items I have, and get rid of those items I don’t wear anymore. It’s a great chance to streamline your wardrobe and get rid of excess.

Streamlining my wardrobe hasn’t always been an easy task. In fact, it takes time and effort and I’m still learning how to do it. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that although I love staying on trend, I don’t want to wear every single color, trend and pattern I see in magazines and on social media. So, several years ago I decided to define my style. Defining your style is the hardest part in streamlining your wardrobe, but it’s definitely the most important part. Once you do that, the rest falls into place. So, grab a glass of wine, your best friend, and follow the steps below to streamline your summer wardrobe.

how to streamline your summer wardrobe:

1. define your style

This is by far the hardest part, but the most important part. The things I would take into account when defining your style are the following:

practicality – do the clothes you resonate with fit with your lifestyle (i.e. mom, professional, etc.)?
color – what colors do you resonate with and what colors look best with your skin tone?
body type – this is a big one. What style flatter your body type? I’m short and short waisted, so not all styles flatter my figure.
aesthetic – what’s your personal aesthetic? what vibe do you give off and what vibe do you want to give off? For me it’s practical, simple, feminine fashion.

2. clean out your closet

Once you know your style, get to work. The best way to truly see what you’re working with is to take it all out. So, take everything out and lay it on your bed. Everything, ladies. I guarantee you’ll find items you haven’t seen in years.

3. sort

The third step is to sort. With your personal style in mind, begin sorting your items into piles. I typically create 3 piles – Yes, No, and Maybe. The “no’s” are items that don’t fit you, are out of style, or you haven’t worn in over a year. The “yes’s” are items that you wear a lot and that fit with your personal style. And the “maybe’s” are items you wear sometimes or maybe items you like but aren’t sure if they fit with your style anymore.

4. get rid of items that don’t fit your style

Once your sorted, begin going through your “yes” and “maybe” pile and asking yourself – piece by piece – if your clothing fits within your personal style. For me I ask things like does it fit in the color scheme I feel comfortable with? Is it something that flatters my body? Is it a piece I will actually wear and if so, is it practical for my day-to-day life?

5. return “love it” items

Once you’ve determined all the items you love, return them to your closet. Hopefully by this point you’ve cleared out a lot. This will give you more room in your closet and allow you to see what you actually have.

6. make a list

The last step is to make a list of items that you lack. Perhaps classic items that would benefit your wardrobe for years to come like a good pair of jeans, a denim skirt, or a white blouse.

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