The Wardrobe Edit
Ever wondered what it would be like to have the contents of one’s closet examined by an immaculately groomed fashionista??? Does that sound terrific…or traumatic??
A recent significant birthday prompted Stephanie’s to take a good long look in the closet. What was there, what shouldn’t have been there, what was forgotten there? Feeling overwhelmed by the need to dress well, feel good, and look together whilst juggling working, farming, travelling, family events etc, Stephanie’s called Brisbane stylist Kerrie Carruci for help.
Overall, it was a big leap forward. The first job was to get everything out in one space. Even that process, of rounding up all the dresses, coats, belts, bags, shoes, hats, etc, proved valuable. A good chance to look hard at the quality and condition of EVERYTHING. At this point, the bottom 20% (the old, the ragged, the ugly, the ill fitting) of articles left the building.
When Kerrie then arrived to inspect the remaining 80%, she spent at least two hours talking, before even going near the wardrobe. The discussion focused on understanding where one is going with the clothes. How do you want to feel, what message do you want to give, what do you want people to think when they meet or see you. Then, what are you doing in your clothes: work, play, travel, etc…where do the clothes have to take you, and what do you want to achieve in them.
There was some psychology involved. Some fun tests and questionnaires helped Kerrie delve into one’s inner clotheshorse, and bring out the hidden value of a wardrobe. Do you dress for fun, to impress, to tell a story, to do a job? Do you want to get noticed, or do you want to blend in? Like a brand, what is your message to others? Who are you…a tracksuit or a trench coat person? When do you feel your most comfortable, your happiest, your most confident, your real self. And of course, whose style do you admire? Not just the celebs…people you meet everyday who you would put on your personal “best dressed” list…
Then…a bit of myth busting. What myths have others told you about what to wear, or what you look like, that might be constraining you. Have you been critiqued for your look, style or fashion choices, and are still living by other’s rules. And, what things you have told yourself, eg never tuck a blouse in….that may no longer hold true.
Finally, we came to the wardrobe. It was easy for Kerrie to see that 50% of my wardrobe did not fit with the person I wanted to feel or look like. Why were there so many garments that weren’t doing the thing I wanted them to do.
Many were from another era. At a certain age, the allure of pretty, nylon, Alannah Hill flip skirts has to be parked.
Many were quick fixes…the uniform that becomes habit is not necessarily one’s best look. My uniform is a skirt and tee. I have tons of each, but Kerrie pointed out I barely owned a button down shirt, or anything with a collar.
Many were trend purchases that did not fit my requirements or desired style. The baggy jean look has me flummoxed. I keep buying pair after pair with no idea how to wear them. I only go out in them because everyone else is, but I always feel like a clown in them.
Many were ultra practical. Always black or dark or patterned for low maintenance. Anything in a pale colour? Nothing! Kerrie could not believe I didn’t own the Australian wardrobe staple…the white shirt. So adverse to taking care of white or light colours, I have for decades resorted to blacks, greys, and the odd patterned floral. Kerrie was shocked that my handbag of choice was a nylon Tumi backpack! I have no shortage of shoes, but 10% of them were well worn low heel courts, and 90% never left the cupboard.
Many were good quality separates, without a mate. Tops and skirts left unworn because I couldn’t find the bottom or shirt to accompany them. Kerrie was able to flick through the racks of tops and skirts, and easily show me some new and unexpected mix and matches that I wouldn’t have tried (due to prejudice, unwillingness to tuck in, dislike of the colour or shape, lack of the right accessories, etc). Her secret skill was pairing the right shoe to elevate the overall look. Now we know…wide legs or shorter skirts need delicate footwear (no chunky heels or plain flats).
Many needed help from the right accessories. I own a handful of ultra practical dark coloured handbags, all biggish and formal looking. Nothing delicate, and especially nothing to step out in one of my subliminal favourite looks (revealed in Kerrie’s psychometric testing): the matching pretty handbag and shoe look. There were no scarves, no costume jewellery. There were a ton of hats, caps, berets, and panamas, but no co-ordinated colours or style themes – just a motley collection of “can’t live without” headwear purchases over the years. The only accessory I excelled in was hosiery, but my obsession with tights and legwear was holding back my wardrobe choices – too many shortish skirts, and not one pair of tailored trousers (only jeans).
The 30% of my wardrobe that did pass muster were mainly the items at the back of the closet. The things put away for certain occasions, or things that I was so enamoured with that I couldn’t bear to wear them for fear of damaging them.
The overall job of the stylist is to upfront tell you what’s not working, and then to find the gaps in what is working. My gap is classic tops and bottoms in easy care, durable fabrics. And lots more accessories.
That’s where the shopping trip comes in. The next step was to go shopping with Kerrie, so we can try the looks that will give me that feeling of being organised, streamlined, and chic, with matching handbag and shoes, that I dream of.
See Kerrie Carucci (kerriecarucci.com.au) for style tips, how to conduct your own wardrobe edit, and simple ideas for managing your look and style on a daily basis. And check in with our Summer Edit, for progress on the style
re-boot. Also, keep an eye out for a customer in house session next year at Stephanie’s
with Kerrie.
