Southern Protocol

It seems that everyone, not just Lizz and I, is so over the bitter cold and crazy weather this winter has brought! I am sick of my winter clothes, and the daily debacle of trying to find something “new” in my closet to wear. Which only means one thing: last night, I did a huge closet clean-out in preparation for a new season’s worth of clothes. I thought it appropriate, then, to share some tips for cleaning out your wardrobe.

THE RULE OF ONE SEASON. The most basic of all wardrobe cleansing tips. if you didn’t wear it even once in the last season it was appropriate, get rid of it. Example: a sundress that you didn’t wear all spring or summer should be disposed of before next spring. Even if you try it on and think “wow, I really DO love this dress!” get rid of it. You didn’t wear it when you had your chance, and you need to make room for new quality pieces.

TRY IT ALL ON. You know that designer dress you purchased for a steal at that snooty boutique two years ago? The one that you wore only a few times because it never really did fit right, but you happened to wear it on a day when you were the self-proclaimed luckiest girl in the world? Contemplate getting rid of it. Don’t dwell on what happened every time you wore that blouse, dwell on what it looks like on and you feel in it. You have to try every single piece on to decide if it fits properly – never just visually make a decision! If you truly love the idea of the garment, take it to a seamstress to fix the fit issues.

BE CREATIVE. We all have that go-to item of clothing that we absolutely love, but we’re absolutely sick of it. Try mixing it up! What else in your closet can you wear it with? Play with layers, colors and textures – fashion is supposed to be fun, and you’ll be amazed all the new outfits you can find in your closet if you take the time to play around in there.

The more objective you can be when going through your closet, the less guilt you will feel when you purchase new pieces! And to be honest, the more streamlined your closet the easier it is to get dressed in the morning. So spend your next few weekends in your closet and drawers – get rid of some things, update some things, and stock it with a few key new pieces!

(Need a little help with this fashion project? We’re here for you! Check out our Style Me: Closet package)

If you’re like me then you often ask yourself WWCD or ”What would Coco Do?” In seventh grade I wrote my first biography report on Coco… I know, I know what kind of 13 year old is writing biographies on fashion icons? ME!

Biographies on Coco have been out of print for years, but with a renewed interest in her incredible story, movies and books are on the rise. I am especially in love with Coco Chanel: Three Weeks/1962 by Douglas Kirkland. It is the new permanent book on my coffee table!