Instead of Hitting the Stores, Craft a New Wardrobe Without Spending a Cent

There are many good reasons to shop consignment stores for your clothing needs.  Lots of  women love the hunt as much as the find, and most prize the fact that the price tag is often less than one-third of regular retail.

But what if you didn’t need to open your checkbook, even for a small amount, or get in your car to find outfits you can treasure?  Look thru your wardrobe, and you can do exactly that.  As an image consultant, I can attest that only once this year did I step into a client’s closet and find a meager amount of clothing.  In fact, I usually see the opposite: the doors swing open, and a plethora of shirts, blouses, pants, jackets and accessories are hanging together, squeezed into a too-small space.

So the next time you are contemplating shopping for yet one more print blouse that may, in the end, decorate only your closet rod,  consider taking an excursion into your very own closet for an “at-home” shopping trip, and some delightful new outfits.  Though your closet may require a bit of filtering (which we’ll get to below), you may be captivated both by the resulting outfits and the amount of money you saved by never leaving home.

Here are the steps:

1: Organize and Group Your Garb

• • • To get started, divide up your clothing.  Separate the pants from the tops and jackets —  or any third-layer (jacket-like) top that has a zipper, button or open-front.
    • Then group each category (pants and tops) by color.   Arrange your garments from dark to light, and take a look at what you have.
    • Try on items that you may not have used in a while.  If they are too old or stained or really don’t fit, or if you haven’t worn them in a long time, consider giving them away.  In any case, for now, get them out of the closet.
    • Hang up the remaining pieces neatly on supportive hangers.

2: Pair Together Pants and Tops
Now that you have arranged the clothing for more accessible viewing, consider pairing together some that have previously never been on a date (so to speak!).   Use a large space like your bed or a floor for this task.

Try those cargo pants with a (formerly evening out) gold sequin tank-top and a classic navy blazer.  Slip on that green pencil skirt with any collared shirt.  For an idea of how these imaginative pairings can work beautifully, take a look at Leah.  We took a metallic jacket and mixed it with a tweed skirt, for an innovative look that exudes flair.

Another suggestion: think about joining two items that are the same (or almost the same) color to create a monochromatic look.  To add an interesting pop of contrast, maybe you can don a bright red shoe, teal statement necklace, or a beautiful bracelet and – voilà — you have a smart, chic new outfit.

The key is to pair two pieces that you love, and then think inventively about a belt, earrings or shoes to either complement the outfit (i.e. add something that is in the same color palette), or splice in some zing  (the “unexpected”   element, or dash of color).

3:  Cherish Your Classics
Next, find your classic pieces. Classic and basic styles are the foundation of a great, workable wardrobe.  In fact, if the design is classic, there is usually no need for numerous accessories.  Just pair a print with a solid that you haven’t tried yet, or again, put two solids together, then add a statement necklace – or several narrow, delicate necklaces together – to give the garb some artistic “oomph.”

Another classic piece – the white button-down shirt – can be worn with anything, dress it up with a skirt or black pants and bold accessories or dress it down with jeans for casual Friday.  While you are trying out this look, review all of your skirts, pants, and tops, and separate the prints from solids, to get an idea if you are lacking the key pieces of a “core” wardrobe.  For most women, a “core” wardrobe includes: v-neck sleeveless blouses, button down shirts and tees in white, black, and a blue and/or red tone, a black pencil skirt, and black pants.  If you find something you love in these styles, that really suits your body type, do yourself a favor and buy it in several colors.  It’s an instant time-saver and confidence-booster in the mornings.

4:  Get Artistic with Accessories
Next, organize your jewelry, belts and shoes. Sometimes moving jewelry to a new location – a flat carpet, for example — or spreading it out on a table allows you to see new ways of wearing it.

Here are some examples:

• • • Consider pairing bracelets that you normally wouldn’t mix.
    • Try wearing both a necklace and a scarf.
    • Try putting necklaces together to create a new combination.  This is particularly good to do with pearls.  (Hint:  Do not go overboard. Statement necklaces do not usually mingle well with other pieces; they are designed to be eye-catching by themselves.)
    • Classic silver and gold jewelry, when worn together, can create a new and dynamic look.
    • Lastly, don’t neglect belts and shoes.  Just taking shoes out of boxes that are stacked may reveal a gorgeous pair you loved and bought, but haven’t worn yet.

5: Find Your Inner Innovator
A small amount of creativity (and maybe superglue or a great tailor! ) can give you a whole new piece.  For instance, if you have any “infinity scarves,” you know they are a terrific style, but think maybe they are limited by the number of ways you can wear them.  Consider cutting the scarf and sewing the edges to give versatility.  Go here for more ideas on this topic.

Or what about making your pants into ankle or capri pants?  Or maybe your jacket or top would look better short sleeved or as a vest?  On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of vests, but love the look of fringe that is on-trend right now, visit your local fabric store or an online source like mjtrim.com to view possibilities.   Add  a little superglue,  and you have a new look.

6: Borrow and Barter
Lastly, think “trade and raid.”  Raid your daughter’s, friend’s, roommate’s or husband’s closet.  Maybe a scarf, a handbag they don’t use anymore, a boyfriend shirt or an unworn fedora can add pizazz to your existing wardrobe.  Offer one of the items from your own closet that you no longer want (remember Step 1?), in exchange, if needed.    The point is to find one new piece, so that you can be excited about getting dressed tomorrow without having spent a penny.

A finely-edited, creatively curated wardrobe can increase your self-assurance and artistic bent, without costing any cash.  In addition, organizing your wardrobe will help to ease the frustration  when opening the closet door, if this is what your currently see: mismatched apparel, heaped onto barely supportive hangers, and skirts, pants, et al. all wedged together in one section.

In lieu of that dispiriting mishmash, try these six steps to cull and then combine your attire;  your stylish new ensembles will make that sense of exasperation fade and a money-smart, fashion-savvy sense of pride appear in its place.