Hopefully this post is more encouraging than the thousands of similar ones online, as this one is written by a fellow Dartmouth student, a few dorm rooms down, sitting in front of her open closet and sighing…
How is it that one can possess so many clothes, accumulated from various shopping sprees, end of year sales, thrift stores and hand-me-downs, and still have no outfit to put together? Though the solution isn’t nearly as vital as finding a cure to cancer or solving an age-old cold case, there is surely something we can do to arrive at our morning classes in style, without starting another morning by letting our daunting closets get the best of us.
- Clear out your closet. Yes, with fewer clothes in sight, it is easier to choose an outfit. Take for example, Trader Joe’s, a successful grocery store chain that attributes their success in part to the smaller food choices than a typical grocery store. I love not feeling stressed out when choosing crackers and fromage de chèvre and grapes and fig jam. Who wouldn’t? So go ahead, and Marie Kondo your closet to feel more in control of your decisions. You only need one little black dress to impress.
2. Expand your outfit choices by creating new clothing combinations. The issue isn’t that we don’t have enough clothes, but too few outfits and only one set of eyes. We wear the same items in the same ways every time: pairing the same sweater with the same pair of jeans with the same shoes… boring. A few years ago, I remember my Spanish host mother creating outfits from my wardrobe for reluctant-me to try on. As it turns out, I loved her pairing suggestions and still wear them today! I recommend that you find a fashionable friend or family member to give your clothes a second look. You’d be surprised as to how many new outfits can be configured by a new set of eyes with an intention of expanding horizons.
3. Choose a piece that makes you smile. Is it that new pair of shoes you bought from J.Crew down the street? Is it the scarf your boyfriend bought you? Is it the top your mom wore in college and shoved in your suitcase for nostalgic reasons? Creating an entire outfit may be daunting, but if you start with a single item and build upon it, it is easier to make choices. You are faced with a thrilling challenge: how to complete a look with your favorite piece. I, for one, always begin with an item, of which I have fond memories that make me smile, and build my masterpiece from there.
4. Work with basics. I’ve learned that some of the classiest outfits are those created using a couple solid color basics. Take for example, Angelina Jolie, forget Brad Pitt’s looks, she’s the most glamorous person on the red carpet. Here’s why. She often sticks to monochromatic outfits in cream, tan and black, showcasing her exquisite taste. Although I adore color, I always keep Angelina’s style in the back of my mind and never fear to reach for a neutral outfit.
5. And when all else fails, close your eyes, turn in circles and point to a clothing article. 100% successful, because you’ve run out of time and need to wear something before dashing out the door 🙂
These are a few of my favorite pieces of advice when my friends ask. Although I struggle privately with #1, I recognize that picking an outfit presents its own unique challenges for each person. We didn’t solve the world’s problems, and I will still sigh when I open my closet, but at least we’ll be facing this issue together.