Closet Organization
Is there a more intimidating or thankless project than cleaning out your closet? I have to confess that I usually have it on my To Do list for weeks before I get up the courage and fortitude to tackle the project. Don’t get me wrong, I adore a well-organized closet and am somewhat OCD about keeping it clean day-to-day {bf chuckles}, but a full-on cleaning can be intimidating.
I’ve found that approaching the project with a three-fold plan of attack is what works for me. That and spending days hours on Pinterest drooling over beautifully organized closets to get me in the mood… ❤
- Love It or Leave It – First you need to go through every single piece in your closet and decide whether you want to keep it. Tears optional.
- Share The Love – Once I’ve created a pile of pieces that need a new home I set up a Closet Party with some friends and after that any remaining items will be donated to the Goodwill.
- Live The Dream – Finally, when your closet is filled only with the pieces you’ll be holding onto, it’s time to sort, organize, rearrange, and plan for the future.
Need more details? Read on…
Love It or Leave It:
I become somewhat attached to inanimate objects so after years of carrying clothes that still have the tags on them from one apartment to another, I have had to set rules for myself. If I haven’t worn it in the last year – It has to go. End of discussion.
You may have a home with more storage space or larger closets and be able to keep more clothing and accessories, it’ll be dependent on what you have available to you and how much of a “clothes horse” you are. In general, if you can’t remember the last time you wore something, you probably don’t need to hold onto it. If your shoes are falling apart, you can probably let them go. If a piece has needed hemming or tailoring for as long as you can remember and you still haven’t taken it in, you guessed it, you should probably put it in the “out” pile.
Share The Love:
My favorite thing to do once I’ve created a pile of things that I’m not going to keep is to plan a closet party – I invite some friends over for cocktails or champagne and free reign of my closets. It’s been a tradition for a few years now and I love to include new friends, it’s a fun bonding event. And what’s left over after the closet party gets dropped off at the donations center of Goodwill.
Living The Dream:
Now that you know what you’re working with you can figure out how best to approach the cleaning of your closet. I like to tackle the reorganizing process in three steps:
- First I rearrange by type & color {i.e. pants with pants, solids from black to white, then prints}
- The second step is to consider the season and organize your closet so that the clothes & accessories that you’re wearing now are most readily available. This can mean deploying under-bed organizing trays or boxes to be stacked on shelves out of reach in your closet if need be.
- Finally, after all of that work, I like to take stock of what I have and how it’s arranged and implement some changes to make getting dressed run more smoothly – Like adding accessories holders, changing hangers, or separating work clothes from play.
{All photos from MCLV’s Closet Porn… Board on Pinterest}
You can find some other tips and suggestions in Sincerely Jules’s Details or Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Closet Clean-Up or her Operation Organization: Closet Edition.
So tell me, how often do you overhaul your closet(s)? Do you have a specific process whenever you get started on this project?
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2013
J’adore Paris!
There is no city quite like Paris and no fashion is quite like Parisian fashion. I adore many cultures and cities and designers, but there’s just something about Paris that you can’t forget.
Valentino:
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have consistently created lovely collections since taking over from Mr. Valentino himself – Lots of dresses, fabulous splashes of classic Valentino red, and red carpet ready gowns.
Leather, velvet, silk, chiffon, lace, satin, and eyelet all made their way down the runway – Along with the occasion statement coat and jumpsuit. My favorite look was the gold brocade coat-dress that Hanne Gaby Odiele wore down the catwalk – Tres chic!
Chanel:
The Chanel show is always a dramatic, eclectic spectacle and this season was no different with solar panels, turbines, and wind farm-like backdrops.
This collection included everything from hula hoop handbags, stark black & white, youthful polka dots, bright jewel tones, traditional florals, 80’s style fingerless gloves, denim, rompers, suits, wide-brimmed hats, and strappy wedges. I especially liked the chunky pearl bracelets & necklaces, the polka-dotted strapless dress, and the cute Dorothy-inspired blue & white gingham.
Alexander McQueen:
The McQueen show is always something to look forward to with eye-catching, one-of-a-kind makeup, backgrounds, clothing, and accessories. No other designer can come close to the types of shows that Lee McQueen – And now Sarah Burton – Put on.
This season’s collection had an S&M beekeeper type of vibe with safari-style netting covered hats, bustiers, thigh-high stockings, harnesses & corsets, bustles, wide belts, and bee, wasp, and honeycomb prints. Excessive, rich, over-the-top, and utterly stunning.
Miu Miu:
Denim, interesting fabrics & textures, moody prints, and a mixture of silhouettes and lengths all gave the Miu Miu collection a fun but grown-up feel.
I love classic workwear style pieces so this collection was right up my alley. I adored the pencil skirts and sleek sheath dresses, and the retro vibe was to die for with killer furs, boat neck tops, visible pin-up inspired bustiers, leather gloves, slim pocketbooks, and long, demure jackets. J’adore!
Lanvin:
“Deconstructed classicism” was the theme and it came to life in sleek separates and dresses done up in black & white, bold, vibrant jewel tones, and silky neutrals.
The collection was sleek and sexy, the pieces modern and wearable. The embellished prints were quite eye-catching but the sleek pieces in navy, black & white stole the show in my opinion. All of the looks above are amazing – I would wear them anytime, anywhere!
Yves Saint Laurent:
New name – Saint Laurent – retro vibe. The 70’s were back at YSL with leather, suede, fringe, wide-brimmed hats, and maxi lengths all evoking classic Yves.
The details of this collection were what caught my attention – The slim, cropped pants, the white piping on blazers, the patent t-trap heels, oversized bows at the neck, and opera-length gloves. I especially liked the pants looks and shimmering, two-toned caplet was the piece at the top of my Must Have list!
Givenchy:
While the theme may have been the same, Riccardo Tisci’s sedated and minimal interpretation of Catholicism was a far cry from the extravagant opulence of the Fall 2012 Dolce & Gabbana show at Milan Fashion Week.
The pieces may have been stark – Done up in mostly black & white with severe cuts – But they were still dramatic and eye-catching. I adored the black & white frocks, the flattering tunic-vests, the subtle ruffles, and the thick metallic chokers.
Stella McCartney:
The Stella show was bold in both color and silhouette – Her usual oversized, boy-meets-girl style got spiced up with wrap dresses, jumpsuits, and racerback tops.
The suits and the minimalistic pieces are always my favorite – Though the patchwork prints and cheerleader skirts last season proved that she’s got more up her sleeve. The safari-style tops were cute and versatile and the green she showed was right up my alley!
Louis Vuitton:
The LV collection was awash in checkered patterns, bright hues, and in a fun change of pace Mr. Jacobs had all of his models strut their stuff down the runway in pairs.
The mod feeling to the show was modernized by the eye-catching prints. The accessories were cute but minimally applied – Bow adorned headbands, checkered flats, and small patterned daybags. Fun, flirty, and oh-so-wearable. Just what Marc Jacobs does best!
Chloe:
The Chloe collection was primarily black and white with some splashes of burnt orange and fleshy pink throw in for good measure. Very French. Very feminine. Very Sweet.
The silhouettes ranged from oversized and exaggerated to romantic and womanly. While the colors, fabrics, and prints ran the gamut from black & white velvet to salmon stripes to sheer purple ruffles.
Balmain:
The Balmain collection brought to mind the 90’s with power suits, big shoulders, loud prints, thick belts, and plunging necklines. All with a Parisian, Balmain spin on them.
Stripes & checkers, bold yellow, oversized hoop earrings, metallic accessories, midriff baring tops, denim, and oversized blazers all had me checking the models faces to see if Cindy, Linda, Naomi, or Christy were there.
Christian Dior:
Raf’s debut collection for Dior was full of dichotomies – Stark but romantic, minimal but dramatic. He played with colors, prints, lengths, and silhouettes while still presenting a very Dior collection.
The suits and coat-dresses were my favorite, they came in different cuts and lengths, but were utterly chic and utterly timeless. The kinds of pieces that you invest in and wear for the rest of your life.
Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie, The Stylist, & Tom & Lorenzo
Previous Paris Fashion Week Collections: Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012, Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 Part I, Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part II, and Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: Raf Simons, Hedi Slimane and the Tectonic Shifts of the Paris Fashion Establishment from Business Of Fashion, FabSugar’s Paris Fashion Week Diary, Precious Details from The Man Repeller, and Derek Blasberg’s A Photo Diary From Paris Fashion Week.
Which Paris Fashion Week show was your favorite? Do you like the classic, Paris Fashion Week institutions like Chanel and Valentino best or newer, more modern houses like Chloe and Alexander McQueen?
Do You… Derby?
When I think about the Kentucky Derby I think about hats. Pure and simple. Reminds me of the formal get-togethers that are hosted by the European elites, but with a country twist and plenty of bourbon.
So as we did with the Royals last year, lets judge us some hats while we mentally and sartorially prepare ourselves for the MET Gala that will be going on later on tonight.
Mint Julep anyone?
Too. Cute. Totally Southern appropriate. Totally adorable.
Amazing styling. I want alllll of her jewelry. And that bag. Wow do I want that bag!
This Carolina Herrera confection is pretty stunning. Debra’s outfit wasn’t fabulous, but I really the combination of her hat and beautiful pearl necklaces. Very ladylike and proper, and quite appropriate.
I kind of love this. She did a great job of adding a hippie/boho vibe to a traditional Southern event, which makes her look much more personalized. And he’s adorable, but needs to get his suits tailored stat.
One of my favorite snaps from the weekend! Her hat is dramatic, as expected, but also elegant and tasteful. And the styling of her look is really fun and unexpected.
Clearly the female fashion at the Kentucky Derby is all about the hats – dramatic, eye-catching hats – but what do the men who attend this type of event wear?
A straw hat and pastel button down are just what the doctor ordered!
When in doubt go with low-key neutrals and keep your look chic but understated. You’ll actually stand out at an event like this one!
What was your favorite look from the 2012 Kentucky Derby? Would you throw together a traditional Southern look if you got an invitation next year?
Rain Rain Go Away…
Depending on where you are, you may also be suffering from Spring-itis like I am. This is a condition caused by falling in love with brights, little white dresses, and fun patterns for Spring but being unable to wear them because it WONT STOP RAINING.
I love San Francisco but right now I’m ready for Spring and this city is standing squarely in my way.
So what are the fashion-obsessed to do? Put together some chic but warm and comfy outfits to brave the elements in while we dream about sundresses and shorts of course.
Keeping Covered:
Keeping your head – and belongings – dry in a rainstorm is always priority number one, regardless of whether you’re a fan of hoods and hats or giant, sidewalk-blocking umbrellas.
Hoods up in New York! No reason to let the bad weather get you down, keep things light in pale colors.
Not in the mood for gloomy, dark layers? Try lighter mixing neutrals as you pile on layers to stay warm. Even better? Add a hat!
This model makes a beanie look oh-so-chic. It's all about proportions, her sleek army-green anorak is the perfect choice, while a giant puffy coat would have given the look an overall disheveled feeling.
And if you're just dashing from one place to another, don't worry about matching, just grab a cute hooded coat and throw it on. You don't have to have your outfit 100% coordinated with your outerwear.
I love the retro feel of this type of hat - fun but structured.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for keeping yourself dry. You don’t need to keep your look completely in line from head-to-toe, have some fun with it and mix things up. Dead set on wearing a LBD to cocktails Saturday night? Do it! Grab a chic little cropped jacket and a brightly colored umbrella and show everyone how its done!
Layers are key:
A single layer is never enough when there’s wind blowing, fog so thick you can’t see outside your window, or rain pounding on your head. Wrapping yourself in layers is the best way to stay warm while you’re outside but not die from the heat once you step inside – It gives you the convenience of being able to adjust to various temperatures, a much more pleasant way to spend your day!
Still determined to wear a dress despite the weather? (Ya, me too) Just add on! Tights, blazer, pashmina... Keep going till you're warm!
If you're in a colder climate you may even need to add more layers to stay warm - Take a cue from this gentleman, decked out in head-to-toe Rick Owens. He's ready for anything!
Tights and vests are both small, convenient ways to add a little something between you and the weather. They wont add bulk or give you tons to carry if you take them off, great for one of those days when you're not 100% sure how the weather will turn out.
If you're layering in warmer temperatures you can still wear gorgeous outerwear, you just get to have more fun with what you're layering it over! Take 9 to 5 Chic as an example and pair cute sandals and shorts with a beautiful cape.
A cute oversized coat and a scarf are a great way to finish off a look. You don't have to worry about matching them to your outfit because they're not visible when you're running around outside. Basically you get to pick two outfits! 🙂
There are an unlimited number of ways to layer an outfit and this is a great way to express yourself and tap into your creative impulses. You can add a chic coat, cape, blazer, slicker, or poncho, wear fun tights, scarves & pashminas, gloves, wear a shirt under a dress, pair a sweater with a dress… The choices go on and on.
Boots Boots Boots:
My regulars have probably picked up on this already, but for you MCLV newbies I might as well just confess now – I love me some boots. I talked about the importance of having a couple of pairs of good boots in your closet in my Real Girls Need Real Closets post, recommended some gorgeous Coachella-appropriate boots in my Hippie 2012 Breakdown, I snapped shots of myself in over-the-knee boots in yesterday’s A Week In MCLV Fashion, and even suggested all different types for traveling in my Reader Request: The Chilly Tourist.
Needless to say, being able to stomp around in boots is one of the only redeeming side affects of the rain right now…
If you have lots of walking planned for you day and want to wear flat boots, there are still tons of options. High, low, classic, punky... Can you ever really go wrong with rock n' roll motorcycle boots?
If you want to keep your boots short but give them a bit of a heel (so that you can - say - keep your pants hem out of puddles) this is a great option. Fun and cute, but totally functional.
What I love about this look is her utter nonchalance. Rain or shine, she knows she looks chic as hell and she's ready for anything. Well done!
A pair of riding boots like Gwen's are a great option, they're chic, keep your lower leg warm and dry, and go with almost anything - skirts, dresses, pants... Very versatile!
These Zara boots are really cute, they have a zipper on the inside but faux laces up the front are adorable. The neutral color makes them work really well with Spring and Summer looks, as much as with colder-weather outfits.
A great pair of boots can absolutely make an outfit and during these rainy, miserable days, looking like a million bucks can really improve your outlook! 🙂
If you’re still in the mood for more check out Modelinia’s Splash into April in Style or Refinery 29’s Chic Rain Gear For Chicago’s April Showers.
What’s your stay warm style during this rainy Spring weather?
Royal Headwear
To be honest, I really didn’t understand all of the media coverage and excitement surrounding the royal wedding. This recent American obsession has been all over the internet, television and airwaves (I blame the fact that we don’t have princesses or a royal family, it makes the whole thing seem like a fairytale) and I have been doing my best to ignore it.
That being said, now that the day has come and gone I have to admit that the fashion of the event (a finer tribune to Sarah Burton and Lee McQueen I can’t imagine!) was quite unique. In particular, I found that the hats were truly stunning. Lady Gaga would be proud!
Having grown up in California in a very low-key family and having rarely attended black tie events, formal hats are something that I’ve only been exposed to through cinema.
So seeing photographs of the royal family and the wedding guests arriving in chapeaux à plumes was truly fascinating. Especially when you note that the outfits worn by these women were on the conservative side, mostly consisting of solid colors and demure hemlines. The inspirational touches, the place where their personalities really shown through, were in their hat choices.
So without further ado, I present to you the hats of the royal wedding!
Victoria Beckham
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
Miriam Gonzalez - My personal favorite, I love the midi length of her dress with the Swiss-dot pattern combined with the bright floral headpiece. In case you couldn't guess, she's Spanish!
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice
- Zara Phillips
Sophia Winkleman
Moi Contre La Vie 