As boring as it may sound, a closet overhaul is a functional habit and sets you up for success: While you revamp your closet, you’re also looking into past purchases that you've barely worn and have shamelessly worn out, making you a more mindful shopper for your next mall excursion. A style overhaul is in order, CG, and these top tips will help you upgrade your wardrobe in no time.
1. Clean out your closet.
If you’re having trouble cleaning out your closet, here's a good rule of thumb to follow: If you haven’t worn an item in the last three to six months, you’ll probably never wear it again. Take out all of your clothes from your closet (yes, you read that correctly) to make sure you sort out all of them. Create different piles for clothes you want to donate, to sell in a garage sale, or to give to friends who you know will gladly wear them. When you return your chosen pieces to the closet, hang your more stylish clothes so you can physically browse through them. Then, fold more casual and pambahay clothes, and place them onto shelves by the type of wear (ex. for sleeping, for errands/grocery, etc.) so you also have a guide when you’re organizing your freshly laundered garments.
2. Build a capsule wardrobe.
A capsule collection is made up of clothes that have stood the test of time, trends, and, more importantly, they're the pieces that really express your personal style. These clothes are on rotation for seven to ten days at a time, mixing and matching pieces together for unique looks. Have a moment with yourself and think of the no-fail outfits you feel most comfortable in. Your capsule collection can include a plain white tee, denim jeans, your favorite little black dress, a simple button-down shirt, and comfy office trousers.
3. Consider design in the details.
By details, we mean accessories. Your capsule wardrobe—no matter how simple it is—can be easily dressed up with a few elements. Your basic white tee and jeans can be elevated by a pair of slingbacks or a cute scarf tied around your neck. A hat can punctuate a summer dress for brunch with the girls. Accessories make an outfit, so don’t be afraid to purchase small pieces for an impactful look.
4. Shop at your nearest ukay-ukay.
As you filter through the endless racks to find a look to add to your closet, you’ll need a dash of creativity and imagination, plus a good amount of patience and even better negotiating skills. But remember: know what’s trending so you won’t be baited into buying something just because it’s cheap. If you have specific pieces in mind—for example, boyfriend jeans and a floral wrap-around dress—then prioritize on looking for those! That way you won’t be wandering around making impulse purchases for clothes you didn’t need in the first place.
5. Split costs with your sis.
Ah, having a sister—or a roommate you’re close to—can do your wardrobe a lot of good. While the two of you might not have the same style, there could be a few pieces you’d both want to own and share. Shop together and split the bill. If not, well, you can always raid her closet and borrow what you like. Just make sure to ask nicely!
6. Create a feasible monthly budget.
Know your spending habits by using an Excel sheet to jot down your daily expenses, including how much you spend on transportation, food, and utilities. It’s tedious, but completely necessary if you want to get an idea of where your money really goes. That way, you can analyze if you can afford to splurge on clothes. Especially for those ukay days, you’ll probably be even more motivated to negotiate if you have a budget to work with in the first place.
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