Cleaning Out Your Closets

Out With The Old, In With The New

By Jennifer Patrick, Owner, The Couture Exchange in Shrewsbury

It's never too early for Spring Cleaning! Wouldn't it be great to clean out your Spring/Summer couture clothing, shoes, and accessories and create a shopping fund for new Spring things?  Here are some tips for downsizing and organizing your closet(s):

First THE RULES:

• 1. The Two Year Rule: They usually say one, but I think two is more realistic. If you haven't worn it in two years, it's time to say buh-bye!

• 2. The Love Rule: If there is anything you don't LOVE in your closet, it's time to go! (Imagine LOVING everything in your closet?)

• 3. The Fit Rule: If it hasn't FIT in two years, it's time to go. Let's face it... If you lose or gain weight, the styles and cuts are always changing anyway. (New mommies are excluded from this one...I know it's traumatic)

To truly get through THE RULES, you must try EVERYTHING on! I know it sounds tedious, but we love to do it at our favorite stores, don't we?

Closet Organization Tips:

• Make an investment. We invest in our clothes and accessories, so why not invest in our closets? Couture clothing and accessories deserve the very best! It is worth it to splurge on closet organization (California Closets, Creative Space Management and those types of services). The price difference between doing it yourself or hiring them is so minimal and they're in and out in a few hours!

• Matching hangers are also a MUST for an organized closet (Hangers.com and other internet stores are the most reasonable way to buy higher quantities). Wood hangers are lovely if you have the room, but there are other more compact types so it really depends on your space. (Remember-NO WIRE HANGERS!!)

• Loosen Up! Don't you love how the clothes are displayed in your favorite boutiques? That's because everything isn't stuffed together! When you clean out, concentrate on the "Less Is More" concept. Less items of higher quality that you LOVE can be much more satisfying than a closet full of sale stuff that's just okay.

• Hang outfits together. If you put them together ahead of time, you will always look polished and put together.

• Create an inspiration board. Hang up a bulletin board in or near your closet (feel free to make it pretty!) and rip out any look that strikes you in a magazine for your board. You may have some pieces already that will work towards achieving that look. Then make a list of what you need.

• When you know an outfit looks great, put the pieces on the floor (accessories, too) and take a picture. This way you remember exactly what you did for the next time. This can also help you put some outfits together ahead of time. We rarely have time when we're rushing around.

Visit the Couture Exchange on Rt. 35 in Shrewsbury or check out their Online Boutique at http://www.thecoutureexchange.com/.   Phone: 732-933-1123.