A Plus Minus Guide to an Intentional Closet
Back in 2014, I read Overdressed by Elizabeth Cline—a book that investigates fast fashion—and it totally changed the way I view the fashion industry.
I’ll spare you a summary of Cline’s book, but to put it simply, her book made me realize how closely related fast fashion is to fast food. Just as McDonald’s uses low-quality meat to make millions of burgers, fast fashion uses low-quality materials to mass produce temporary trends that are not meant to last. Both fast food and fast fashion result in overproduction, lots of waste, harmful effects on the environment, and an overall low-integrity product. Additionally, there are ethical labor concerns attached to fast fashion, since most of its production happens in countries without labor regulations (i.e., little, if any, pay to the people who cut and sew the materials).
After reading Cline’s book, I walked into my closet and felt overwhelmed by the amount of waste I developed over the years. I looked around at cheap fabrics that I bought on a whim (or merely because there was a sale), that I never wore, or really didn’t even like. There was no story, little intention, for why I chose many of the items in my closet. I didn’t feel proud of my closet, and I felt compelled to get rid of pretty much all of my belongings in the moment.
So I did. I donated and sold around 70% of my closet. From there, I made a pledge to build an intentional closet based on my individual style.
Style, I believe, is a lot different than fashion. Fashion is meant to be trendy, to come-and-go; if it weren’t so, the industry would die. Style, on the other hand, is timeless and classic. Fashion focuses on the external (what is happening out there), and style focuses on the internal (what is happening in here). Fashion is ever-moving, as though you have to “keep up,” whereas style is steady and brings you close to home.
Over the years, I’ve become more aware and intentional with every purchase I make and how it makes me feel. Really, this is the Plus Minus philosophy that I apply to all aspects of my life now—but it started with my closet.
My Rules for an Intentional Closet
The Minuses (What to Subtract)
Remove the items that no longer serve you.
I recently posted on my Instagram about removing all the items in your closet that have gone unworn for six months. Depending on climate, this may be closer to eight months—but you get the idea. Consider items that you haven’t worn, items you purchased on a whim that don’t serve you, items that are over-worn and withered, and items you simply don’t like any more.
Remove the colors outside your color theme.
This will bleed into the concept of choosing a color scheme that suits your personal style.
The Pluses (What to Add)
Add (and stick to) your color scheme.
You will find that, once you find your palette, shopping becomes a lot easier, and your closet instantly goes together. Personally, I stick with neutrals: whites and ivories, beige, grays, and of course, blacks. I find neutrals look more refined and classic (colors, to some degree, can also become trendy—hello neon!). Neutrals also give me confidence that essentially everything in my closet will go together. Getting ready so much easier. The less I have to “think” about what pairs well together, the more brain energy I conserve to make other decisions throughout my day.
I also stick to neutrals with my jewelry: gold, silver, pearls, diamonds.
Also, in case you were wondering: animal print is considered a neutral to me. :)
Add your investments staples.
Ideally, every item in your closet is a valuable staple that can be worn often—so many of your pieces should be investment pieces. By investment, I mean spending a little more money for a piece that has a quality fabric, a flattering silhouette, durable construction, etc. These pieces will not only look nicer, but also last longer. Think about all the cheap items you've purchased, and how that accumulation could have gone towards something more meaningful and everlasting. This is the mind state shift I made.
My personal favorite investment basics:
My black blazer by Rag and Bone
My leather jacket by Veda
My favorite denim by Agolde, Paige, and Good American
My silk white blouse by Everlane
My classic horizontal striped sweater by Sezane
My black booties by Stuart Weitzman
My Panama hat by Janessa Leone
Add fun texture!
If you think the color scheme is boring, you can really flare it up with fun textiles. Textiles are classified according to their component fibers, such as silk, wool, linen, cotton, and synthetic fibers, such as rayon, nylon, and polyesters.
Simply put, textile is fabric—and fabrics are fun! Silk lays on the body beautifully, almost sensually. Cotton is casual, and wool is more elevated. A linen or cotton blazer will have a totally different effect than a wool blazer. I love pairing a sexy silk blouse under a wool plaid blazer. The femininity of the blouse + the masculinity of the blazer creates an eye-catching dynamic that no trend can accomplish, in my opinion.
Add intention to your future purchases (i.e., style over fashion).
When you buy something, be intentional. Even if it’s only five minute of thought. Just think: Will I like this piece in a year? What is drawing me to this particular item? Do I see myself wearing this 30+ times (a personal rule of mine)? Will this item fit into the color scheme of my closet? Is this piece a temporary trend, or an everlasting style staple? Do I need an additional denim jacket, or can my current denim jacket accomplish the same look I want to achieve? Is this item ME, or is this item everyone else?
Remember: LESS IS MORE
A curated closet is not about owning a lot—actually, it’s the exact opposite of that. It’s about owning less. If I have a black silk collared blouse, I really have to think long and hard about why I need a second black silk collared blouse. The idea is to own less, but to buy better.