Stylebook
Since the year ended, I kind of expected myself to go on a buying frenzy. What's funny is I ended up going on a clear-out-the-closet frenzy. Why? Because of a little iOS app called Stylebook.
Stylebook cost a few dollars, but I read some rave reviews and gave it a try. Here's the description:
Stylebook is designed to help you carefully curate your wardrobe so you can look effortlessly chic everyday. We want you to get the most out of what you already have in your closet and to choose new pieces that will integrate well into your wardrobe as a whole.
A little organization can go a long way when it comes to getting dressed. Mixing and matching what you own, comparing new purchases to what you have in your closet, planning the outfits you'll wear on vacation, and saving all your favorite style inspirations in one place will all help you develop your personal style.
It takes a night of set-up work, but here's the jist: take pictures of your clothes, mix and match to create outfits you never knew you had, and place them on a calendar. Be warned: the picture part was tricky- you've got to have good light or you'll drive yourself mad deleting and retaking pictures. Trust.
Once I realized that I could get away with reusing my favorite clothes in several outfits, and could visualize new ways to incorporate them more, I threw out the "just in case" clothes and embraced a smaller, hardworking closet.
Thrifty Fair Trade
I tried to shop at retail stores a few times, but the knowledge that all the options around me came from sweatshops and slave labor left me feeling icky. And while thrift stores are always an option, they're guaranteed to disappoint if one has something specific in mind.
Enter Global Girlfriend. This site features fair trade, organic, and comfortable clothing that are actually affordable. I've bought a few beautifully comfortable dresses that transition to skirts (transformer clothes ARE THE BEST!) and the money funds girls' education abroad.
I thought for sure I couldn't afford fair-trade intimates, but it turns out Pact runs some pretty sweet clearance, plus any first-time buyer get $10 off with the code 10BUCKS (as of this writing). But searching in Google shopping for the cheapest deals on fair trade/organic intimates have worked for me, too.
What are your tips for keeping your wardrobe honest and simple?
