Have you ever stood in front of the mirror and noticed that your outfit lacked something but you didn’t know what?  I’m sure  you tried adding accessories or playing with different combinations and finally you found something that worked. But,  do you know why it worked?  Understanding the “why”  will help lesson the number of times that this happens to you.

Think of the “why” in terms of  the “Rule of Three’s.”  To give an outfit a finished look three elements or items of interest are needed.  The three can come from any of the following:

1. The number of solid colors (shades of the same hue count as one)

2.  The layering of fabric and/or garments

3. The texture of the fabrics

4. Any accessories on the garment

5. Any prints or patterns.

You can complete an outfit by using the rule of 3 and adding a third design element. Try it and see what a difference it makes in putting together your outfits.  Once you find a combination that works, take a picture of it so you’ll remember what to do next time.  Looking for an app that will help you with your wardrobe?  Try “Closet Lite”.   It’ll help you keep your outfits organized.

You are staring at a bunch of clothes with sales tags still attached to them. Gather up the items that you’ve never worn and try them on. Now tell the truth – would you buy them again? If the answer is no and they’re still pretty current, take them to a consignment store and let someone else enjoy them while getting back part of your investment. If you’re still attracted to them, take a few minutes to create some outfits and wear them as soon as possible. You may have just forgotten about the gems you have in there!

Clothes you won’t wear for another six months are crowding out clothes you should be wearing right now. Remove the out-of-season clothing. You don’t need to visually edit out the Capris and halter tops if you’re in the season of cashmere sweaters and wool trousers.  Focus on the season you’re in and store everything else out of sight.

Your clothes are hanging on wire hangers or mismatched plastic, wood and padded hangers in multiple colors. Your closet deserves as much order as you can give it. While mismatched dinnerware can be very stylish at a dinner party if done right (especially if you’ve got the talents of an interior designer), the same does not hold true for your closet! Everything looks better when hung on hangers that are the same color and style. Please, no wire hangers! Hang all the hangers in the same direction, and that goes for your clothes too.

On laundry day, you hang your clean clothes wherever you can find a gap in your closet. Organize your closet in a way that makes sense to you. You can hang clothes by color from light to dark or hang them by item – pants, blouses, skirts, etc. Then on laundry day, you put your clothes back into the section you’ve created for them. If you open your closet and see order, getting dressed will be a daily pleasure.

Your closet has several-to-many items that are in the “aspiration” category – anything two sizes smaller than your current frame. Focus on the now. Remove all the aspiration clothing and either drop them off at a charity or box them out of sight. It’s easier to relax and be yourself when those aspiration clothes are out of your closet.

You are hanging onto your “fat” clothes long after you’ve reached your goal weight. Accept your new frame by removing all the ill-fitting clothing. You aren’t wearing those items anyway. If you’re hesitant about embracing the reality of your new size, then at least pull out the oversized clothing and store them away.

You’re unhappy when you open up your closet because you know you’re not maximizing what you have. You’re just not sure how to make it all work. Getting help! Making the act of getting dressed one that you can derive pleasure from on a daily basis is worth investing in . . . pronto! This is my area of expertise and it would be my pleasure to show you how to transform your daily experience of getting dressed. It can be the favorite part of your day. Call me and we’ll get started right away.

I just finished a Newsletter which was entitled, Defining Your Personal Style.  Cleaning out your closet can help you become more of yourself by understanding your style, what you like now and who you are!  Follow the 10 tips below and get your closet organized, current and full of clothes that you LOVE! I’ll be following the tips too so, let’s do it together.

10 Tips for “Spring Cleaning” Your Closet

1.   Does the item fit now?
2.   Do you LOVE it?
3.   Is it in great condition?  Is it still in Style?
4.  Is the color right for you?
5.  Can it be altered?  Is it worth altering?
6.  Are you keeping it because you are emotionally attached to it?
7.  Do you have accessories to match the item?
8.  Is it an “orphan”, with nothing else to match it?
9.  Is it the wrong fabric, texture or style for  you?
10.  Do you feel SPECTACULAR in it?

About the Author: Valerie Hatcher of Your Total Image shows busy women how to choose clothes that fit their lifestyle and flatter their bodies. Visit Valerie at www.yourtotalimage.net and sign up to receive her monthly newsletter, The Stylish You.