The Closet Edit
How I went about my great seasonal purge + the outfits I can't wait to start wearing this spring
In Georgia it is officially spring and thus the time in which I can’t stand to look at my winter wardrobe a second longer. This week the ambiance of the city could only be described as “pollen green” and every tree and flower seemed to be in full bloom, a true proclamation (god willing) that winter is behind us. While I have been manifesting some warmer weather for several week now, it feels like the great transition is really here! I’ve been looking over my mood board from the beginning of the year ( I have it set as my phone background actually) and revisiting all of the idyllic images I saved and put together. This year I wanted something softer, lighter, more gathering, warm breezes, a feeling of being clean and new and kinder. As I stood in front my closet (and garment rack.. and dresser) this morning I was actively reminding myself of how I want to move forward. I whole heartedly believe that what we wear is a reflection of ourselves, wearing a blazer versus wearing a cotton dress= two different moods and two different ways in which I would carry myself. I want the pieces that i own to reflect who I feel I am today… this is the first true closet purge I’ve done since turning 30 and it feels different! I bring all of this up because I know many of you are also probably thinking about switching your closet around for the season and may be faced with same dilemma “what is still ‘me’ and what is no longer serving me”.
From an emotional stand point I thought a lot about how my daily life has changed, how my body has changed, how my confidence has changed, my social life, and most importantly- what I wore time and time again without hesitation because it made me feel the most “me”. I cherry picked through pieces that no longer served me as I am today- fluffy dresses that started to feel like costumes from my 20’s, tops that never fit quite right, pants that made me feel short, etc. Organizationally, I felt like I had compartmentalized each type of feeling around the clothing I had decided to get rid of (and I recommend this process when figuring out how to let go of things.
The purge organization as follows:
Re-sell pile
Donate Pile
“Let me revisit this at the end of this process” pile
Dry Clean/Hand Wash pile
Alterations Pile
Pass along to a friend pile
I revisited pile #3 and felt that if I am even considering letting something go I probably should pass it along, especially since the items in question are totally relevant to current fashion, I had just had my fill of wearing them over and over again- thus time to re-home these beloved pieces! Boom. I bag everything up and set it by the door so that tomorrow I can confidently deliver each bag to their proper destination and be done with it. This has taken me many seasons of convincing myself to be proactive in order to get this all done in a matter of a day or two- no easy feat! It’s a process of being honest with yourself, coming to terms with bad purchases or worn out pieces, but it’s so fulfilling at the end to see what is in front of you are things that you truly love and know you will wear.
After all of the clearing out, now I can see what I have more clearly and immediately it becomes more exciting to think of outfit ideas for the season ahead. This is the perfect time to shop your closet! After plenty of trying on I have some outfits that I am the most excited about wearing this spring and I hope they help you find a little inspiration in your spring wardrobe as well.
First and foremost- an outfit I wore to dinner with Jack last Saturday that I can see will be the blueprint for many outfits this spring. I snagged the printed jeans off of TRR, I had actually featured them on my last Substack “Window Shopping”, and am so happy I took the plunge because they are going to be a total “personality” piece for me this spring. While “florals for spring” is the most trite phrase in fashion, I think having floral on a pair of rigid jeans for spring gives the idea a fresh edge!
Now below are some outfits that are the product of my eagerness to start shopping my closet now that it’s switched over and tidied up!
Go figure I start with a thin white dress… I like what I like! I love getting to layer it this time of year though with a chore coat and a little heavier shoe than sandals.
Same, same but different with the apron skirt.
I’m back on a khaki kick!!! I just picked these up from Ann Mashburn (where I work) and I am excited to wear them all spring. It also helped me shop my closet and rediscover a wider leg pair of khakis I’ve had for forever from Everlane and turns out- I still love them.
This one felt like “me” in an outfit. Will be living in all.spring.long.
Vintage Gap button down in the most perfect shade of peach.. you just don’t see that pretty, faded-out shade anymore?!
Before I get to wear these eyelet pants to the beach, I will wear them to run errands around Atlanta. Dress for the vacation you wish you were on!
I put this on and I immediately started brain storming the next girls night out. Where are we going?!
I hope this gives you a nice little nudge to go shop around your closet and drawers and take the plunge with a good clean out. It’s a lot easier to like what you own, if you can see it all in your closet! De-clutter and then spend a fun afternoon shopping your closet- you might come up with some favorite new outfits ;)
Cheers,
xx Taylor