2014! WE MADE IT!

Whatever January resolutions you have, a great New Year’s activity to kick off new habits is to reboot your wardrobe: new year, new you! At Thrift Town we love giving new life to used items and want to equip you to be and feel your best.

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When going through your wardrobe, what are your parameters on keeping things? Well, for starters, every item needs to:

1. Fit you well
2. Be in good shape
3. Be a color that looks good with your skin-tone.

With those guidelines in place, come up with a couple words that describe where you want your wardrobe to get you this next year, like: “professional, preppy, colorful” or “fun, pulled-together, bohemian”… pick YOUR words, and when deciding on any particular item, ask yourself, does this piece get me where I’m wanting to go?

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Call a friend for help. Sometimes it’s hard to be objective when it comes to what you’re wearing. You know that shirt you’ve had for 10 years that you just can’t seem to let go but you REALLY need to? Don’t go it alone - make going through your closet a get together! Ask someone you trust to be honest (but not mean) over for snacks and sorting. And be prepared to hear the truth about your wardrobe.

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Closet sorting can be an arduous task. Take it one clothing type at a time, and be prepared to try on everything (this is where the snacks come in handy!). You’ll need 5 piles:

1. KEEP : I love this, and wearing it represents what I want to put out there to the world. It’s in good shape, looks good on me and I feel confident when I wear it.
2. DONATE : It’s not where I’m headed style-wise, doesn’t fit well, or isn’t a great color for me but it’s in good condition.
3. DUMP : stained, damaged, out of date or just plain hideous (your friend will let you know which items fall into that last category!).
4. FIX : Items that need alterations - simple fix by you or a professional.
5. COME BACK AROUND : items you’re not sure about first time around. This whole process can take awhile, so don’t spend too long on any one item. This pile is to circle back on at the end and be decisive.

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Depending on how crafty / handy you are, you’ve got anywhere from a stash to a mountain of items that you need to “fix” before it can officially be added to your wardrobe. “It only needs a button on the top”, “The zipper just needs to be repaired”… Especially when it come to a thrifted wardrobe, making exceptions for almost-perfect items can become the rule. In sorting for keeps, you have to be realistic about what you’re ACTUALLY going to fix, wear and love. Set a limit on how many fix-ables you’re keeping, and be realistic on what you are skilled enough and willing to take the time to do yourself.

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When it comes to alterations you can’t do yourself, ask around, ask on FB - who do your friends go to? Be proactive: call around, get rates and put a date on your calendar that you’re taking your pieces in. Cause guess what - if you don’t you never will.

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There are items in your wardrobe that are special to you, but not to ACTUALLY wear. It’s because of where you were when you got it, or who it’s associated with - that skirt you bought on that one trip, that sweatshirt with your friend’s band name on it, all those marathon tshirts… They’re not going on your body, but still taking up real estate in your closet. Don’t be a grinch and just chuck them all out. Be (realistically) creative. Pinterest for projects involving whatever the item(s) are that are special, to create a keepsake and get it out of your closet where you can actually enjoy it.

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We want your donations! Go to our DONATION PAGE for the location nearest you, and to find out more about our amazing charity partners. Gather up that stack of items that are better off with someone else, and know that your donation makes a difference for people who need it.

Hope you have a blast redoing your wardrobe - see y’all next week!

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Kari Shipman is thrifty, eco-conscious, and knows the importance of supporting local charities. She has been our featured blogger since we started the blog in 2010, and has a serious passion for fashion. In addition to owning a Fashion Consulting Business, Juniper James, Kari is also the owner of her own boutique that carries all locally made clothing. Kari lives out her passions in Northern California with her wonderful husband Charles, and their black lab, Gracie.