An effective way to improve your look and style this year

This is serious advice.  Please don't let Step 1 stop you.

Step 1: Get a bag (grocery, shopping or trash bag size). 

Step 2: Go through your dresser drawers one at a time.  Take anything you haven't worn in the past year and put it in the bag (the one year rule covers all seasons so there is no excuse!).  The exception is formal or sportswear you simply didn't have an occasion to wear last year. 

Step 3: When sorting through the basics: any undershirts, socks, underwear or T-shirts that are stained, threadbare, "holy" etc. needs to go either in the trash or your rag pile.  NO exceptions and you know who you are!

Step 4: Anything you know is too big, too small, too tight, too loose, or just isn't that great style-wise, please put it in the bag.

Step 5: Repeat for your closet, armoire, coat rack, shoes, etc. 

Nice suits you haven't worn in the past year with pleated pants I know you paid good money for these suits, but those pleated, cuffed pants make them a space hogging pariah in your closet.  Put the pants in the bag, try the jacket on and if it still fits, keep it and wear it as a sport coat or jacket.  If it's two or more sizes too big or small, please put it in the bag.

Black: Pay careful attention to any woven, knit and natural fiber (especially cotton) item that is black as it tends to fade and show it's wear and tear in a dingy, embarrassing way.  Faded, black shirts do not pass as grey.  Sorry.  They look like a faded, black shirt.

Anything that doesn't fit well, is out of style, or just worn out (please look carefully at your belts and shoes), should go in the bag.

Trust me, when it comes to your wardrobe, quality trumps quantity. 

How does sorting through your wardrobe help you look your best?  There are many things in your wardrobe you simply shouldn't wear.  If it's available however, the chance is, you will wear it.  For example, it's hard to buy a new sweater when you know you have a stack of sweaters in your closet.  It doesn't matter for that you don't wear them (or shouldn't). You won't easily replace them until they are gone.

Most Americans only wear a fraction of what's in their closet. 

If you are in a style rut, or are simply bored by your look, you may be a victim of your overstuffed closet. 

Start fresh this year.  Your wardrobe may be simpler, smaller and feel a bit empty and depleted.  This is a good thing.  It will force you to be creative with what you do have and come up with new combinations, thus adding value and variety to your existing pieces. 

A simpler, smaller wardrobe creates an opportunity for you to buy newer, better pieces.  Depending on your budget, you can slowly grow your wardrobe each month or replace a large amount each season if your budget allows. Most importantly, you will be open to buying new pieces that will significantly improve your look and style.

If your wardrobe is so awful you realize nearly everything should go in the bag.  STOP.  Go through and select the best of the worst.  Depending on your budget, your goal is simply to replace those core items you kept.  Once you've replaced the core, you can begin adding more unique pieces.  Don't forget to get rid of the old items after you replace them!

I don't ever recommend you get rid of everything.  It can lead to an identity crisis.  You need to have some anchor pieces you already feel comfortable and confident in to help you still feel like "You." 

Make a fresh start, give some of those oldies but goodies to a charitable group and then update your look and style.  It's worth the effort and it's great Feng Shui way to start the New Year right! 

It all starts with a bag...

Happy First Monday of the New Year!

All the Best,

Lisa

Comments

[Gordon]

That's really good advice. I'll see what I can dump.

Keeping sportswear for sports you didn't have the chance to do is a good idea.

Actually, I underwent a similar wardrobe transformation when my taste in ties changed. I now have fewer, but many nicer, ties.

[Lisa Bruckner]

Hi Gordon, thanks for your comment. Separating quantity from quality, as in the case of your tie collection is the perfect example of how to create a more refined wardrobe.  How many ties do you actually wear?  Less may be better in the long run because you are more likely to add nicer pieces to your collection (versus impulse clearance sale purchases) when you have less junk taking up mental space in your closet.  I see too many men who cant justify updating or refining because they simply havent cleaned out their closet...I already have tons of ties...  but how many do you actually wear, like, feel confident wearing, receive compliments on?  Hmmmm?  Sounds like you are onto it already Gordon.  Kudos to you!

Lisa Bruckner
Mens Style Expert

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