Simplifying Your Wardrobe!

Hello 528 Square Feet readers! The oh so lovely Aubrey has graciously asked me to write a guest post for you all, and I happily obliged. Since her adorable blog is all about organizing and minimizing clutter in life, that's exactly what I'm going to be writing about, except in relation to the wardrobe! First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Ash, and a few key things I'm passionate about are reading, writing, beauty and fashion. Upon realizing that blogging can contain all of these things, I  promptly started my own little sliver of the web, Blush and Bling. Luckily when the sweet host of this site asked me to write about cleaning up closets, it was something I had already gone through myself when I first started blogging. Limiting clothes, and building a mix and match wardrobe is not something that is too hard to do, and just a few things are needed. Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to get onto this pathway!

To start with, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the last year or so. (This is including jewelry!) Chances are, you haven't worn that lumpy sweater hidden in the back of your closet that makes you look slightly sickly for a reason. Someitmes it can be hard to get rid of that piece of clothing you have been stubbornly clinging on to for a tad too long, so do anything necessary to get into the frame of mind where you're ready to let that sucker go to another home. Pump some music, drink some wine, whatever floats your boat. I like to give away my clothes to Good Will or other places where you know they will be appreciated. Hey, who hasn't gone thrifting to find an ugly Christmas sweater or random cat print shirt? So rest easy knowing your clothes are going to a better place, and not clogging up your closet.

Next is the best part. Go shopping!!! Not the all at once splurge your heart out so you can't afford rent this month type, but collect things slowly and surely. If you can splurge however, more power to you, and go for it! Whether you are shopping in store or online, look for basic pieces that you can match with other clothes in your closet easily. This includes some basic colours. I know, it can be kind of boring compared to that bright pink mini dress you are itching to rock on a Saturday night. However, if you have a closet full of these kinds of clothes, you won't have anything to wear during the week, or anything that is a basic color to match these pieces! Go for white, grey, beige, black or navy blue. Plus, on top of matching those crazy pieces you allow yourself to keep, they can match each other and compose a plethora of different outfits together. Some of the neutral things I bought when first starting out (and still hunt for) were classic nude pumps, a grey handbag, awesome dark + light jeans and black pointy flats. These matched everything in my closet, and will match many more things to come. When you're debating whether or not to purchase something, think about anything it will match in your closet. If you absolutely can't think of a way to put it together as an outfit, don't buy it, because chances are, it will be the same once you get home!

Now comes the trickier portion, incorporating your individuality. Not everyone just loves beige or white along with minimal jewelry, and lots of people let the light of their personality shine through by wearing bright colours. Find these pieces through accessories. Hot pink shoes, neon necklaces, big bangle bracelets, furry purse, you name it. Once you have those basic pieces like nice jeans to wear or a white shirt, you can pop it with those bright colours and it isn't too much! It's easy to even combine a few of these bright babies together and it doesn't look like a rainbow threw up all over your clothes. (Sorry for that awesome imagery!)

One more point to add.. once you stop buying all those random things that are a waste of time and money, you will have a little extra moolah to spend once you find a brilliant staple to add to the growing collection of one kick-ass wardrobe.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope these little tidbits help you in some small way!

Xoxo,
Ash