I’ve always been someone to dress up and make an effort when going out, but those thrown together ensembles, while gallant in effort, didn’t always look “put-together.”
I think much of that had to do with a wardrobe of pieces collected throughout the years that were great deals, but weren’t necessarily pieces I *loved* – more pieces I saw and thought, “this is perfect for me as a hijabi!”
But when it came down to it, it didn’t coincide with my style philosophy/body type or overall aesthetic.
I finally feel as though I’ve gotten to a place where I do look put together every time I walk out the door. Read on to find out how I finally got there!
1) Clean Out Your Closet!
Take the time to clean out your ENTIRE closet – yes, go through every single item in your closet, try it on (even the pieces you *think* are staples – you’ll be surprised at how some foundational pieces have become outdated due to the fit) and ask yourself, will it ever fit me again? Is it compatible with my body shape?
Will it ever come back into style? Do I feel good in it? If the answer to any of those questions is no, then get rid of it by selling it or donating it.
Once you do this, be *very* selective about the things you put in your closet – don’t go back to your old habits of buying things just to buy them. Follow this list of 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hitting the Mall as a “should I buy it?” guide.
Bottom line – everything in your closet should be pieces you *love* – yes LOVE, not like or love when I lose 10 pounds.
2) Define Your Style
The key to looking put-together is defining your style and the aesthetic you’d like to portray. After all, your style says a lot about you.
Are you a classy kind of girl that loves pearls and lace? Maybe you’re in to the bohemian look with lots of layers and breezy silhouettes. Or maybe you’re a rock-glam kind of girl with lots of edge.
Whatever your style is – this should be reflected in your wardrobe.
Not sure what style suits you? One word – pinterest. Get on pinterest and start pinning. Look for outfits you like and pin them to a style board. Once you’ve got enough pins on your board, review everything you’ve pinned – you’ll see a pattern start to emerge.
3) Know Your Body-Type and What Works for YOU
Now that you’ve cleaned out your closet and have your style defined – you need to know what looks actually work for you and your body-type.
You might love the clean look of a blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt, but as an apple shape this doesn’t work as it accentuates your bulky middle. Yes, long tunic-tops are great for hijabi’s – but they just don’t flatter everyone.
Trying different looks whether at home with clothes you already own or at the mall also help.
You’ll get a good feel for what works and what doesn’t. When you feel comfortable and confident – you know you’ve struck gold!
4) Go Shopping!
Ok, now before you get all excited that you have an excuse to go shopping – let me be clear here. Go shopping with a clear goal.
After cleaning out your closet, defining your style and looks that work for you, create a list of the items that you need in your wardrobe now.
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