So here is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, and this is why you have faithfully gone through Closet Clean Out Challenge Step One: Get Organized and Closet Clean Out Challenge Step Two: Refresh and Renew.  Now, you are truly ready to take advantage of your newly organized and cleaned out closet.  If you would like, you can join our VIP Facebook Group, Fashion Crossroads Fashionistas , and watch my videos explaining the process.  I will be airing Step 3 live tonight at 6 p.m

The goal for today’s time spent in your closet is to create a “Buying List” where you will record all the things you need to shop for in the future.  I recommend that you carry this list with you in your purse for those unplanned shopping days.  It will keep you on track to purchase the things you need, and, as a result, you will be a smarter shopper who avoids bringing items home that have to be eliminated in your next closet clean out!

Please grab a piece of paper and divide it into 3 Categories:

1. Basics I Need
2. Items that Need Matches
3. Trends I Want To Buy
4. My Best Colors

BASICS I NEED:

This section of your list should include all the core basics that are missing from your closet or need to be replaced.  Basics include solid neutrals such as grey, black, white, tan, navy, brown.  Take a moment to take stock of your sleeved and sleeveless tops, jackets, skirts and pants.  Are there any that you didn’t pull out but that are wearing out? If yes, write this down on your list.  Other items in this category might be classic prints and fabrics like Hounds-tooth,  tweed, some basic plaids, etc. Also consider your layering pieces.  Are there any jackets that need basic tops to complete them? Do you have any basic slacks that lack a coordinating blouse or top? Do you have a good white blouse? Do you have a basic black dress that can be dressed up or down? Do you have a nice pair of black work slacks? What about your shoes? Do any of these need to be replaced? This step should produce the biggest portion of your list because these are the core items in your closet that work back and forth with everything else.  These are the things that you should spend more money on and focus on getting quality that will last.

ITEMS THAT NEED MATCHES:

This section of your list is for all those printed items that need a match to make them work.  Is a there a jacket that you don’t wear enough because you don’t really like the top that goes with it? Write that down.  Is there a printed skirt that needs a top to match?  Maybe you eliminated a top that you always wore with that skirt in steps one or two of this 3 step process.  Now you need to replace that top.  Write it down on your list.  It is also helpful to take pictures of any printed items so when you get to the store you can remember what colors are in the print.  Better yet, however, is to set some time aside to go “match shopping” and bring all of your items with you so you can see not only how the colors work but also how fabric textures and styles work as well.  Try new items on with your old items and see how they work together before you buy them.

TRENDS I WANT TO BUY:

Make sure you leave some room in your closet for current trends that will keep your wardrobe updated.  Take some time to read trend reports (I’ll have one coming in the near future), and identify your favorite trends of the season.  Write these down so the next time you are shopping, you can pull out your list and remind yourself what you need to look for.  Trendy items can be less expensive because they are the most likely to come and go quickly and won’t need to stand the test of time.  Just keep in mind, the lighter the fabric, the more it will show your figure flaws.  Usually, the thicker (not stiffer) the fabric, the better the drape will be and the better job the item will do of disguising extra weight.

MY BEST COLORS:

If you have ever had the chance to have your colors done, you know how important it is to wear the right colors for your skin, but did you know that changing your hair color or going grey will change the colors you can wear? Your best colors do not stay static your entire life.  If you noticed that your closet is filled with a myriad of different warm and cool colors, that is an indication that you might not be sure what colors look best on you.  Honestly, this topic deserves a blog post all on its own, but let me summarize the steps to determining your best colors, according to the Color Me Beautiful method (Richmond, JoAnne.  Color Me Beautiful: 4 Seasons of Color, Makeup, and Style. Taylor Trade Publishing, 2008.)

1. Are you warm (desert panorama) or cool (snowy mountain scene)? One clue you can use is your hair.  Warms usually have golden blonde, strawberry blonde, copper, red, or chestnut brown hair.  Cools usually have ash blonde, grey, silver, medium or dark brown, and jet black hair.
2. If you identified yourself as a warm, you are either a Spring or Autumn.  Likewise, if you identified yourself as cool, you are either a Summer or Winter.
3. Next, categorize yourself as a light or a dark based upon your hair color.  Lighter colors of hair like blonde, light brown, light red will be a considered a “light.” Conversely, darker colors of hair like brunette, dark red or black will be a “deep.”
4. Putting all of this together then:
   1. Cool and Deep = Winter
   2. Cool and Light = Summer
   3. Warm and Deep = Autumn
   4. Warm and Light = Spring

I found a website that I think does a good job of giving great examples of this breakdown. Gabrielle Aruda breaks down this coloring system from Color Me Beautiful into more categories, as shown below. You can find some example color palates on her website.

So that’s it.  You’ve made it!  Wow! Great job! I’d love to hear your feedback on your biggest “ah ah” moments from going through this process.  And now…happy shopping!

Next week, I’ll be adding a bonus step focused on getting your jewelry, scarves, handbags and shoes organized too!