I recently got very interested in knowing myself better through what I wear. I must thank The Conscious Closet for prompting my interest.
That book forced you to take a look at your own fashion habits. In terms of who produces your garments and whether the amount you own is conducive to good style.
If you’re like me, your closet is a random assortment of colors and patterns. You’re only passionate about a few pieces. You can’t describe your style.
Because your closet doesn’t reflect who you are.
That realization motivated me to seek out my fashion sense. It led me onto the journey I’m currently on: how to find your personal style.
With the help of The Curated Closet and A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style (so far), I’ve been slowly researching what works for me.
And the first step, was the closet clean out.
How to Find Your Personal Style – Explained
As you probably remember from our Curated Closet series, the first step in finding your personal style is reflecting on your current closet.
Basically, you look at your clothes and figure out what works, what doesn’t and why. You then use those insights to sort carefully through everything in your closet – the closet clean out.
(For more specific instructions, read our Curated Closet series now!)
Your first closet clean out is the most intimidating. I for one have never considered each item in my closet so deeply.
Luckily, the more regularly you detox your closet, the easier it gets. Think of this step as the first to honing your personal style.
It’s a big, enlightening move in the right direction.
My Closet Clean Out
I embarked on my personal style journey about 2 months ago. It started with reading fantastic books like The Conscious Closet and The Curated Closet.
Based on those resources, I made a plan for how to hone my fashion sense. I’m slowly following that plan now.
(Once I refine it, I’ll make it available to you too! Be sure you’re subscribed to our email list to stay updated.)
Based on the information gained from the clean out, you can replenish your closet with updated, relevant pieces. It’s an important step.
And it scared the beep out of me.
I already knew cleaning out my closet would take a lot of time. I already knew I didn’t like a lot of my clothes.
I was scared by the end of the clean out I’d have literally nothing to wear!
I put off cleansing my closet for a few days then decided to woman up and address it. By following the rules outlined in our series, I cleaned out my closet.
See the sped up process here⬇️
What I Learned
Firstly, I should’ve done this a long time ago. I haven’t been passionate about my wardrobe in years. I always told myself it was because I was on a tight budget.
The truth is, it was because I didn’t take the time to get to know my style better. Or how to shop better.
My closet clean out freed me from the guilt of avoiding my clothes. It helped me come to terms with what I wanted and what I didn’t. Which is very valuable to guide me in future clothing purchases.
The investment of time and effort was worth it.
Like I said earlier, the first closet clean out is the most difficult. I had a lot of clothes I had to sort and I had to seriously consider each one.
Luckily, subsequent clean outs will be much easier. Now that my closet is more edited. The clothes I have now, I know I want to keep.
Plus, as my personal style evolves my instincts will be more and more on point. Like with any skill, it just takes you committing to learning it! Then taking the first step.
Once you start your journey, you will only learn more and grow more.
Lastly, I shouldn’t be discouraged by finances. I’m still on a tight budget so I assumed doing a closet clean out would be pointless. I don’t have the money to refill all the gaps.
If that’s your situation too, just be mindful about certain pieces to keep. If something doesn’t reflect your fashion sense, but is still useful (maybe professional clothes or undergarments) keep it for now.
Finding your personal style is a longterm process and you don’t need to get rid of everything now so you can buy a bunch of stuff immediately.
Start with cleaning out your closet and make a plan based on our series or your own research. Peace of mind is free!
Next Steps
After answering some reflective questions about the closet clean out, the next step is trying on the pieces that will replenish your wardrobe.
I already have my mood board, clothing wants, color palette and list of items prepared. Now it’s a matter of going out and trying everything on!
This next step is all about finding out in real time what works for me. No pressure to buy, just figuring out what I like.
I’m a little nervous to do so since it seems like a big task. But, who doesn’t love shopping in the name of research?
Final Word
Cleaning your closet out on a regular basis is necessary. No matter if your aim is to find your personal style or live a less cluttered life.
Closets have a way of keeping secrets which over time get heavy to keep. Yes, we love your t-shirt from high school. But, does a shirt you haven’t worn in 10 years belong in the same space as clothes you’re excited to wear? No.
I would recommend a closet clean out for everyone. It’s a great way to better understand yourself and your needs.
Whether you’re motivated by finding your personal style or not, it’s time to take control of your clothes!
References
- How to Find Your Personal Style Courtesy of The Curated Closet [PART ONE]
- How to Find Your Personal Style Courtesy of The Curated Closet [PART TWO]
- You Suck at Shopping. Here’s How to Shop Better.
