by Shai Thompson, House of Lily Koi –
Spring is a time to blossom, with deep roots begging to show off the glory from the seasons past and give way to colour, texture and beauty. The eternal return and regeneration brings hope to the cycle of change. When we look at our wardrobe with the challenge of changing seasons, it may feel overwhelming and can stop us in our tracks with a deluge of emotions. It is much easier to simply close the closet door and make it go away! But guess what? Tomorrow it is still going to be there.
You might feel you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. Even after a closet clean-out you can feel like there is nothing left or that the items seem fragmented. Here are a few simple tips to help you reach your wardrobe goals for spring.
Wardrobe Audit
Pick a day where you can go through all your clothes, try them on and get a strong sense of the items you love. Put your winter wardrobe away and store it for the next fall season. Only put items that fit, that are not tired looking and have the look of the spring season back into your closet. Make sure you review your undergarments as well, since these are the foundation of all you wear. With everything you try on, ask yourself if the item is working for you or are you working for it. If it’s not working for you, get rid of it.
Jewelry Audit
These are the items that will rock your look and give way to an authentic presentation. Layer necklaces, put a ring on every finger, wear your bling during the day and break away from wearing the same things all the time. Put them where you can see every piece that you are challenging yourself to wear.
Organize by Colour
This will make it much easier to put an outfit together; if you have a hard time with colour try using a colour wheel to assist and mix unexpected combinations. You will also get a glimpse of the colours that are missing in your wardrobe but you love to wear.
Look Book
Time to play dress up! Try on your combinations and take a picture. Use the “3 Cs” method to organize your photos: corporate, casual and cocktail. There you will have a reference of the looks you have created and this will take away some of the frustration of what to wear. This is a great time to make a shopping list of essentials you need to buy.
Layer
Pick 10 of your favourite wardrobe essentials and try on different combinations to establish variety. From there get playful: add on jewelry or a colourful scarf. For example, put a cardigan over a shift dress with a vibrant scarf, or wear a denim jacket with that same dress, a pair of funky sneakers and a rolled scarf in your hair to create a headband.
No matter where you are at, there’s always potential waiting for you to breathe new life into the endless possibilities. Be fearless in your efforts and remember to shine on.
