While I was doing dresses week(s) here on my blog, I was cross posting them on my Face Book, as well (without the pictures cropped). One of my FB friends asked if I would write an article about how I compile and organize my wardrobe/closet.
I told her I didn't have much to tell, and gave her the rundown of my meager system, but she said she thought it sounded like a good one, and worth sharing, so why not?
I like simple. If you know me, you may have figured that out. I LOVE my Home Management Binder, because it helps keep things simple. Things are organized, categorized, and simplified. I don't go overboard, though. I'll leave things in a more general format, rather than super specialized, in many cases.
I started my wardrobe system when I was a kid. I always struggled with figuring out what to wear each day, and I never ended up liking my outfits. For example, I recently saw one of my childhood pictures, and I was wearing a sports football shirt, paired with bright, floral jeans. That... didn't work... LOL.
One day, I decided to go through all the clothes I had, and match them up in outfits that I thought looked good. I then tried on each outfit, and changed it up, and tweaked things here and there until I thought it looked good. It didn't really matter much to me if others liked it or not. I was the one wearing the clothes, so I wanted to dress how I thought looked nice. That was my focus. It took hours, but I finally had a complete outfit on each hanger.
I memorized which pieces went with which outfit set up, and I never changed them up, or I could end up messing up another outfit. I no longer needed to worry about what to wear the next day, because I would just grab the pre-set-up outfit off of the first hanger in line. When I'd put away my laundry each week, I would again hang up my clothes according to outfits. The clothes being put into the closet were put in the back, and the outfit to be worn was always the next one in line.
Fast forward to 2005, when I became dresses only. I rarely ever buy a skirt, unless it comes with a shirt and/or jacket, etc. Else, I have to go through the trouble of finding a matching shirt that fits nicely with the skirt, etc. Now in saying that, I am currently wearing a skirt and short sleeved sweater. At the moment, this is my only skirt, and is literally the first time, since being dresses only, that I have matched a skirt with a top.
I tend to buy skirt outfit sets, but most of the time, dresses. I have my modesty rules. The dress has to go below the knee, the top cannot show cleavage, and I don't do sleeveless or straps. It has to at least have short sleeves. I can get maxi dresses that pass all of my rules, except maybe the neckline. The neckline is easy to fix, because I can either pin or sew it up, wear a shirt underneath, or wear a sweater or jacket over it.
These days, I purchase most of my dresses from Ross. Their slogan of "dress for less" is very true. Their prices often beat even Wal-Mart. They also usually have a clearance rack. I kid you not, one time I bought a brand new dress from the Ross clearance rack for .49 cents. I've also gotten dresses on clearance for a few bucks from them, as well.
I have many friends who like to swim, but won't do so in public, because of modesty. I don't mind swimming in public. I usually get my swimsuits from Wal-Mart. Especially over the past few years, as I've noticed they have been carrying the Catalina line, which offers many modest swim suits. I have a swim dress from Wal-Mart by the Catalina line, which I love.
You may be wondering how my closet is organized. It is very simple. I grab the dress in the front to wear for the day, and when I put away laundry, I put the freshly laundered dresses in the back. My dresses are on the left side of my closet. On the right side are my exercising outfits. I also hang those up according to outfits, and wear the front one first, and put the freshly laundered ones in the back. Between my dresses and exercise outfits, is my swimsuit and cover up. It is my divider, dividing my exercise clothes and my dresses from each other. I keep my indoor and outdoor exercise shoes next to the bed, and my flip flops and daily outside shoes by the door. The back of my closet, and the shelves are reserved and used for storage. I often put things there that I want to go through soon, to find things I can give away.
A friend at church once asked me how I decide what to wear for church each week. I told her I dress this way every single day, so I don't have to decide what to wear for church, as I'm always dressed nice. I've never liked dressing down. I've always believed that if I'm dressed nicely, then I'm ready to be spontaneous. I can go out right away. There is also no embarrassment, should I get an unexpected guest. I always try to keep my house clean, and my outfits nice. I think it helps me feel good about myself and my day, and helps me feel energetic for my home schooling and homemaking tasks.
If you dress down while at home, I challenge you to go a week dressing nicely each day, and see if it blesses you, and makes a difference.
