A Shop Your Closet Summer

Last summer I did a “no spend summer,” which is exactly as it sounds. I did not spend any money except on food, necessities, and a few activities. Overall, it was a successful personal experiment, although I did buy a couple items for myself including a new bathing suit around my birthday and some water shoes. I did the experiment as a way to save money, to challenge myself, and to practice appreciation for what I already have. I want to do something similar this summer, especially regarding clothing. I vow from today forward, I will not be purchasing any new clothing and I will “shop my closet” from now until the end of the summer season.

What does it mean to shop your closet? You might already know, but if you do not, it means that instead of looking at stores and online shops to create new outfits you create new styles and looks with clothing that you already own. Just as it says, you shop your closet instead. It is better for the environment, your bank account, and your mental health too.

Why now? I have noticed a slight uptick in how often I shop, especially online these days during quarantine. Perhaps it is a mix of anxiety, boredom, or low self-esteem pushing my purchases. Spring and summer styles are my absolute favorite because I love floral patterns and pastel colors. They’re my weakness. Either way, I believe a pause is a good time for self reflection and resilience. Although I consider myself to be quite reasonable with my spending and my shopping habits, I do believe that social media has impacted my life in this particular way. When you’re bombarded with so many fantastic photos and styles as well as ads and sponsored posts, it isn’t easy to avoid wanting clothing similar to the ones we see so often on our cell phone screens. I call this the case of “the gimmies.” The solution is gratitude and this is where shopping our closets comes in.

It is possible to recreate a specific look without having to buy new clothes. For example, if you see a particular photo in a specific style, take a good look at it and break down the outfit. Is it possible that you have something similar? It might be slightly different in shape, length, color, or pattern, but chances are you have all the basic elements already to create a very similar outfit based on that photo. -With your own personal style spin on it.

How do I begin?

One. Check your inventory.

What do you have in your closet? What do you have too much of? Not enough of? What needs to be donated and decluttered? What needs to be repaired? What key items do you need? I don’t want to recommend shopping before your shopping pause, but if you are lacking basic and important elements to your wardrobe such as enough adequate workwear, socks without holes, sneakers for working out or outdoor activities, or a swimsuit for water activities, then you’re going to break your spending ban and shop and you might be tempted to over-shop. It can be a slippery slope. Make sure the basics and all necessities are covered. -You only need one. My best advice is to see what you have so you can get what you need (if you need to) before you begin.

Two. Style your inventory.

What styles and combinations can you make with the clothes, shoes, and accessories you already own? Do an experiment; take out one clothing item and see how many times you can mix and match that one piece with other items you own. A simple example: take a white t-shirt. You can dress that t-shirt up with a cute skirt or tailored pants. You can pair it with shorts or even yoga pants for the gym. If you put a blazer over it you can dress it up for office wear. Pair it with a scarf, a headband, a jacket, a cute purse, sneakers or even high heeled shoes. There are dozens of combinations that you can make with one simple shirt and other items you already own.

Now let’s take it up a step. Find a unique item in your closet. It could be a unique hemline, a bold pattern, or a bright color. Now how many combinations can you make with that unique piece? Challenge yourself with accessories.

Three. Recreate the looks you want to buy.

As I mentioned earlier, the next time you see an ad online or an outfit by a friend or an influencer that you wish you had, stop instead of shop. What items do you have that are a similar style, length, color, pattern, etc.? Do your best to recreate the look with items you already own. You might just discover that your closet is already more than enough.

Four. Curate a collection.

Have fun with your closet by curating a collection. Every item in your closet was specifically chosen by you for a reason. At one point it was new and exciting and if you feel that it has somehow lost its luster, you can find it again. Curate a collection of clothing that you can wear by creating numerous outfits just like you did in steps two and three. You can create a collection of outfits for work, another for summer day trips, a date night collection, an outdoors collection, or even a vacation collection.

There is something truly enchanting about appreciating what you have, practicing gratitude, and rocking your now style. Just a couple generations ago people had less clothes and took greater care to keeping those clothes nice. There was a sophistication to those generations and I believe that we can all learn something from their act of care and appreciation to the clothing that they did have. We too can take those lessons and learn to slow down our fashion choices to own a closet that is enduring and enjoyed without a constant turnover of items being brought in and out.

Over time you will find key items or styles that represent your look and accumulate into your own personal style and signature look. These are the “signature pieces” that you are known for. It could be the simplicity of wearing minimalist styles and white t-shirts to having your style represented by your favorite pair of vintage jeans and a classic Moto jacket. Whatever your style or expression, only you can determine that. Don’t let a bunch of ads dictate how, when, why, and what you shop.

Please share and pin this blog post. I would love to see what outfits you are inspired to create for yourself this summer.