Who knew when we started this year that many of us would be working from home and only really require the top half of a wardrobe? Not going to lie, I didn’t see it coming. In some ways, working from home saves a lot of time, including on wardrobe and beauty. However, you can still use this time to your advantage, to make the most of your wardrobe. Believe it or not, it’s essentially the best possible time for spring cleaning your closet! So, how can you assess your wardrobe and make some decisions?
Working From Home Wardrobe Reality
I’ve decided that for while I am working at home, I’m going to stop heat-styling my hair and wearing make-up (unless I really want to, just because). My hair and skin can use the break, and it’s nice to have a little extra time. However, I do still get dressed for the day, and change my clothing to get the day started. It does make a big difference, and helps to define when the working day starts and when it ends. (This might be even more important if you now have to work in spaces that you regularly use for other things.) Yes, I wear yoga pants and leggings that I would wear at work, but I do also try on my jeans and dress pants to make sure they still fit and whatnot. (Weight gain/loss isn’t a bad thing, you just want to know if you need to buy/find other sizes!) However, I’ve decided that it’s now timing for spring cleaning my closet, and figuring out exactly which clothes work for me and which don’t.
Wear EVERYTHING
Now is the time- wear everything in your closet at least once, focusing on items you don’t wear a lot (or never wear). Pay attention to how you feel in them. Is the fabric itchy? Does it ride up all of the time? Permanently wrinkled? Just can’t match the colour? If there is an issue, try and come up with a solution if you can. Pair different things together! Wear pieces you might not normally consider for the office. Look at styling it differently. Spending a bit of time wearing things and thinking about them will give you a good idea of a) whether or not you will actually wear the piece, and b) if yes, how to make it wearable. If it is possible to wear at your place of work/somewhere in your life, WEAR it.
Try Different Options
I bought this Boden blouse on my trip to the UK in a charity shop but never got around to wearing it. Once I got home, I found the lime/chartreuse a little hard to pair, and wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. I also wasn’t sure if it was a little too casual for my work style. However, paired with blue jeans, I think it will be perfect for casual Friday, or an evening out. (If evenings out come back ever….) It is comfortable and layers well, and the only stumbling block was the colour- it can stay!
If a skirt or pants aren’t laying flat, try a different top. Roll up sleeves or pant legs, use different layering pieces, don’t limit yourself at all. And if you are trying something for layering, don’t worry about colour. You don’t necessarily need to wear them together but it will give you an idea of what type of item you need for layering.
Fix It/Clean It
Now, I fully admit, I am not Marie Kondo. I’m not a huge advocate of getting rid of things en masse. However, if you KNOW that something isn’t working, it doesn’t need to stay around. To start off- if you can fix it, FIX IT. Sew buttons back onto your shirts, close up upon seams, and sew up those little holes. (If you can attempt hemming, go for it!) And for anything you are fixing or just keeping something, clean it properly before you put it away. Wash and hang it to dry, iron it if it needs to be ironed, and take care of it properly. (Most dry cleaners aren’t open at the moment, those can just be put aside.) I have no idea when I’ll be physically back in the office, but I’m going to get my wardrobe ready to be its best when I can!
Give It Away
If you aren’t going to keep something, you can absolutely give it away to someone who you know will need it or enjoy it. We can’t do in person clothing swaps obviously, but if you have a fair amount, set up a group with friends where you can post and share items to swap. This isn’t limited to spring cleaning, but I think that in a time when we are all looking at incredibly lean and slashed budgets, it can go a long way in helping people. (And it may come back to you when you need help, too!)
Sell It
And if you want to sell things, that can also be a great way to supplement your own personal budget! eBay and Poshmark are still functioning, and people are still selling things on local re-sale groups where I live. If you are shipping things out/purchasing, the shipment times may take longer, but you can still buy and sell things. (Clean your packages, folks! And wash your hands!) Be understanding and gracious, but if you do have money, you can help out a small business or re-seller.
Spring cleaning your closet: have you looked at what you have?
Cheers,
The Historian
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