Spring Clean Your Style!

This time of year we can all benefit from a little spring cleaning, but your style might be one place where you haven’t given much thought to a little TLC.  Your image works hard for you but it also needs a little assistance once in a while.  Taking time out to refresh and renew your look can go a long way to helping you look your best season in and season out, without missing a beat!

When working with my clients it is my goal to educate and empower them to take their style into their own hands.  Nowhere is this more essential than when it comes to maintenance.  Once you have cultivated your sense of style and get your wardrobe to a place you love, you don’t just stop there.  No, great style take ongoing attention and care to keep you looking chic and on-trend.

But where to start?  If you’re just now pulling out your spring clothes and accessories and haven’t looked at them since last year, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed.  Here are five easy steps to help you get a handle on your wardrobe and spring clean your style:

1/ At First Glance – When pulling out your clothes from last season, what do you already know you want to toss?  Instead of agonizing over that item bought on sale and trying to work it in, alleviate the guilt and stress and let it go now.  You’ll feel liberated while making room for something far more wonderful to come into your closet.  Also, take note of things you weren’t so crazy about last season but now you can’t wait to wear.  They may become new faves!

2/ Go Window Shopping – Set aside some time to stroll through the mall or visit your favorite boutique and make a promise not to buy anything – just yet.  This is your exploratory visit to see what’s new this season and get a feel for what you’re drawn to.  Often the first visit to the shops to see the ‘new’ goods can result in some serious impulse spending, so hide your credit cards and making a vow to yourself that you’ll come back once you know what you really want.  This will help to avoid some serious one-hit wonders, not to mention debt. 

3/ Girls’ Night In – Pour yourself a delicious beverage, put on some great music and spend some time getting reacquainted with your spring clothing.  Pull out your core items and see what you can mix in to create ‘new’ outfits.  Try things in new combinations, mixing bold colors, prints and patterns in with your most neutral items, or adding an unexpected touch in your accessories.  Flip through magazines for inspiration and then ask yourself what you’d really like to bring in that would work with what you already own.  Make a list, set a budget and then make a date with yourself to buy those items that will pull your style into the new season and set you up for a spring filled with style.

4/ Accessorize – Often the best place to start boosting your wardrobe is with accessories.  If you’re not ready to make any major investments yet, start by adding some inexpensive accessories that are on-trend to your most basic looks and see how much mileage you can get from something you already own.  Put a fresh spin on an outfit by teaming it with a pair of brightly colored sandals, a contrasting belt or a necklace that kicks it up a few notches.  Here is where you can go cheap and still get a lot of bang for your buck!

5/ Refresh Your Makeup – I encourage my clients to clean out their makeup drawers at the beginning of each season.  One client even wrote me a note telling me what a difference that made for her!  The simple act of getting rid of old makeup that she was ‘tolerating’ totally gave her a renewed energy and she felt great!  Weed out what’s old, broken or no longer serves you.  Make a list of what needs to be replaced, what new things you’d like to add and what you want to learn more about.  New eye and lipcolor are a wonderful way to refresh your image for spring, but don’t forget your foundation.  After a long winter you may need to reevaluate your shade, and even opt for a bronzer or shimmer brick to boost your glow factor.  Then be sure you clean all your brushes and give them a once over too.

Your call to action:

Ask yourself what your favorite looks are of the season and what you can bring in to create them.  Reassess your overall style and consider a new haircut or having your makeup done by a professional.  Small changes can boost your style in big ways and leave you feeling great about you look!

Good luck! 

xo