If you’ve been here before, you probably already know that I’m trying to spend less on clothes this summer. If this is your first time here, you might want to go back here and read how to organize an easy, summer wardrobe on a budget. Yes, it can be done. It’s actually been fun to get creative with what I already have and spend money this summer on other things. I have a more difficult time resisting fall clothes, so I’ll probably be back out there shopping in the fall, but for now I’m getting creative. That’s what today’s post is about and what I want to encourage you to try. These are my tips for getting creative with what you already have in your closet.
Before going on, you might want to go back and read some of my previous posts for building and organizing a summer wardrobe:
Now that you’ve read the basics, let’s move on and make the most of the clothes in our closets. The goal here is to take what is in your closet, which might be just a few basic pieces, and try new ways to put outfits together. Mixing and matching and trying new combinations will make you look like you have more than you actually do. The best part of all is that you won’t get bored with your summer clothes. You’ll feel like you have plenty to wear this summer. Let’s get started. First, there are two ways to approach this:
- Start building an outfit using pieces you haven’t worn very much. Maybe you haven’t worn them because you aren’t sure what to wear it with.
- Start building an outfit using your favorite pieces. You might discover NEW combinations using your favorite items.
With these two main points in mind, here are 5 new, creative ways to build an outfit:
- Start with a pair of pants, crops, capris, or skirt. Put it with a top that you’ve never worn with it. If the pants or skirt are in a pretty color or pattern, you can easily make it the focal point of the outfit.
Top: Cato, Pants: Nine West - Start with a shoe. This could be a unique shoe that you haven’t worn much. Maybe it’s a shoe that isn’t particularly comfortable. Get it out and put it with something you haven’t worn it with before, even if it’s just for one evening out. You’ll feel like you’ve got a whole new outfit, especially if it’s a heel height that you don’t usually wear.
Dress: Banana Republic, Shoes: Kohls - Start with a piece of jewelry you love. This is my favorite. Go through your jewelry and pull out one or two items you haven’t worn for a while. If you have a lot of jewelry, you might have forgotten it was in there. Make your jewelry the focal point of your outfit. This is a great way to dress up neutral clothes. I especially love a statement necklace with a white top.
Top: Cato, Jewelry: Charming Charlie - Start with a handbag you have in a POP color or colorful print. Make that the focal point of the outfit. This is another great way to add some pizazz to neutrals.
Top: Marshalls, Pants: Dressbarn, Handbag: Coach - Start with a layering piece, such as a lightweight cardigan. Due to weather, you might only be able to do this in the evening or inside with a lot of air conditioning. Just remember that you can stretch your wardrobe even further with a pretty, lightweight cardigan or a colorful tank that you put under a button-down shirt. These can easily be mixed and matched with different tops you might have.
Cardigan: Belk, Jeans: Banana Republic
Now, for those of you who really need a great outfit and don’t want to go out shopping for something new, here is what I suggest. Put together an outfit using ALL the previous 5 tips:
- Pick out one of your favorite tops.
- Put it with one of your favorite pants or skirts.
- Wear a shoe with at least a slight heel. Maybe this is a shoe you’ve been saving for special occasions.
- Wear your favorite jewelry: earrings, necklace, bracelets, and maybe a special ring.
- Add a quality handbag that coordinates with the outfit.
- If you’re going out in the evening, take a light, pretty cardigan.
These are some suggestions to get you started. For those of you who like to be super-organized, take a few minutes, go to your closet, and try to put together at least 3 new outfit combinations. Hang them together in your closet and wear one of them the next time you have a special event or just want something different to wear. A new outfit can really help your mood and it doesn’t even need to be new. It just needs to be different.
I hope this helps you to make the most of your summer wardrobe, whether you have a few or several items.
Enjoy and have a wonderful summer day!