One of my favorite ways to get more out of my closet is learning to shop my own closet. You don’t need more things all the time, you just need to figure out how to shop what you already have and use your pieces in new ways! This month, I’m challenging you (and me) to shop our closets. Will you join the challenge??
This month, I’m giving you (and me) a little style and closet challenge, to help you get more out of your closet and what you already own!
January style challenge: SHOP YOUR CLOSET
- Goal: Wear items you haven’t worn in a while or pieces that have been buried at the back of your closet.
- Why: This helps rediscover forgotten gems, puts your wardrobe to full use, and adds variety to your outfits.
- How: Each day, choose something you haven’t worn in at least a few months and incorporate it into your outfit. Document what you wore and how it felt.
5 Ideas to Shop Your Own Closet
1. Mix and Match Unexpected Pairings. Take pieces you normally wouldn’t combine and put them together in an outfit!
Here are some examples:
- Pair a blazer with casual jeans
- Pair a dress with sneakers
- Try a structured jacket with a flowy top or dress
- An unexpected color combination (bright colors together)
- Pair a skirt and a hoodie with sneakers
2. Play around with layers. Layering is an easy way to transform outfits, and also can keep you warm in the winter!
Here are some examples:
- Layer a shirt under a dress
- Layer a turtleneck beneath a sweater
- Add a belt over a flowy dress
- Layer a belt over a blazer
- Wear a layering tee under a sleeveless dress or sweater
3. Add Accessories. Accessories can completely alter the feel of an outfit. Look for items you don’t usually wear (scarves, hats, jewelry, or belts) and experiment with how they can elevate or change the feeling of a simple outfit.
Here are some examples:
- Use a silk scarf as a belt
- Tie a silk scarf around your bag’s handle
- Wear a statement necklace over a simple crew-neck t-shirt to dress it up
- Add a hat to elevate an everyday outfit.
4. Re-purpose and Re-Style Old Pieces. If you have items that feel outdated or underused, give them a second chance by restyling them in a modern way.
Here are a few examples:
- Tailor your pants or jeans to be cropped instead of long
- Cut the hem off a tunic to make it into a shorter length
- Cut the sleeves off a sweater to make it a vest
- Wear a dress with a sweater over the top to make it look like a skirt
5. Play with Proportions. Mixing up the proportions of your outfit can create a totally new silhouette. Try combining oversized or boxy items with more fitted pieces, or experiment with tucking in or half-tucking shirts to change the way they fit.
Here are a few examples:
- Pair a loose, oversized button-up shirt with skinny jeans or leggings
- Tuck in an oversized sweater into a high-waisted skirt or pants (use this belt to avoid bulk) to create a more structured look while still embracing the coziness of the sweater
- Add a belt to a flowy dress to give yourself some waist definition
- Wear tall boots with a long skirt or dress
- Wear an oversized puffer vest with leggings and a fitted tee
The goal here is to shop your closet and find new ways to wear old pieces! I hope this gives you some inspiration!
Great ideas, thanks! I determined to Wear only my corduroys/velvet pants every day in January. I live in south texas so it is: wear them this month or never! I have several pair and love cords. It is forcing me to step away from denim and try new outfits. For february i plan to include red(including burgundy) in my outfit everyday that month. again, it forces new ideas. i may go crazy and do green in march. i don’t have much green except olive, so that may not happen! happy new year!
This article offers fantastic and creative ideas for revitalizing your wardrobe—it’s a great reminder that we can make the most of what we already own! retro bowl