T H E  C L O S E T  E D I T O R

Meet My Closet

I edit closets.  It’s not a full time job, at least not yet, but it’s what I love to do.  I call it being a closet editor/stylist/wardrobe consultant and (because I blog about it) /blogger.  People bring me in to assess their closets.  I factor in their lifestyle, their work, and then I help them realize what clothes they have that they don’t need, what clothes they don’t have that they do need, and how to re-purpose existing clothes in new ways that makes their wardrobe feel brand new again.  I offer to take the excess to thrift shops, or sell it on eBay.  I also provide personal shopping services to help people fill in the gaps.

To provide some credibility let’s start with my closet.  For my full time job, and entrance into the wide world of fashion, I work for a lifestyle brand who makes contemporary American sportswear.  It’s a reflection of my personal style, which is a good thing and a bad thing.  I love working for a brand that I’m so inspired by each day.  It’s a bad thing when we have an employee sale.  I could drop an entire paycheck easily, I have enough self control not to, but  I wouldn’t mind it.  So here I am.  Post employee sale.  Broke and with a closet bursting at the seams.  Looks like it’s time for me to edit.  I fling my closet doors open, hide my new purchases in my kitchen, and tackle this monster. Four years of working for designers, I’m a pro at this.  I start with shoes.  They’re so easy.  Shoes are so trend motivated.  There are the classics: ballet flats, espadrilles, tall boots (not to say that the classics can’t be edited, they can and they should!).  Everything outside of that group operates on a trend.  The classic black pump?  One season it’s pointy toed, the next it’s rounded.  One season it’s a 4 inch stiletto.  Next season it’s a 5 inch platform.  Let’s begin editing.

• Booties: Au revoir booties-that-come-up-to-the-ankle.  This season they’re scooping below the ankle, making the original version look clunky and unchic.
• Sandals: well first things first – the adorable tan gladiator flats that got destroyed at the Kenny Chesney lawn concert last summer are clearly never going to have a second life.  Buh Bye.  Next: silver gladiators – why did I EVER buy you in the first place.  Every time I put them on I take them right off.  The guy at the shoe store offered me a 20% discount if I bought them along with the other two pairs of sandals I was definitely taking home.  What can I say?  It seemed like a good idea at the time.
• Pointy toe heels: I bought a pair of Pradas as a college graduation gift to myself a few years ago.  After 3 wears they stretched out.  Now if I wear them I spend the whole time trying not to walk right out of them.  Definitely unchic.  Selling them.  I’m also going to give up on the patent leather grey and purple platforms with a slightly pointed toe.  I found them in a shop window walking home from a bottomless mimosa brunch.  At the time, apparently I couldn’t feel my feet, because these guys are at least a size too small.  I had three out of towners visiting me that weekend, and they were kind enough to help me tidy up my apartment before they left.  Somehow in the mix, someone threw away the shoe box with the receipt, so they’ve been collecting dust since Kim’s 23 birthday.
• Extras: I have 3 pairs of tan ballet flats.  I’ll keep the straw with patent trim, and I’ll keep the Tory Burch Reva Ballerina Flats.  I’ll say sianara to the third pair that has the same color scheme as the straw and patent (they’re just not as cute!)  Riding Boots.  I have a pair of black ones that I’ve just never loved.  Time to let them go.  I have two pairs of brown tall riding boots.  A girl only needs one.  I’m going to keep the classic pair without any hardware (hardware can look so dated when it’s out of season).

What am I leaving myself with?  About 5 pairs of ballet flats (they’re such a lifesaver in Manhattan).  One pair of tall brown riding boots, one pair of light brown high heeled boots, one pair of black high heeled Michael Kors boots, one pair of cowboy boots (specific I know, but sometimes they’re exactly what I’m looking for), two pairs of Havaianas – my flip flop of choice, a pair of black pumps, tan Gucci pumps, tan Jimmy Choo mules, my beloved Coach wooden wedges with brown leather T straps, Tory Burch gladiator pumps, Steve Madden gladiator pumps (which I would absolutely consider giving away if I didn’t always get compliments when I wear them).  I also have one pair of high heeled wedges (for days when I need to look dressed up, but will be on my feet all day) and two pairs of booties.  This gives me a plethora of options for work, weekend, and everything in-between.  I have my classics, I have my trendier pieces, and I have something for every occasion.  I could use a bone colored pair of shoes, but other than that, I’m pretty much covered in the shoe department.  Now it's the handbags' turn.

Handbags are my weakness.  I have a collection that could put the likes of Kate Spade to shame.  Let’s take a look… Back in a few…