Why edit?

Nina Garcia, the author of The Little Black Book of Style is a fashion magazine editor.

Part of her work is to hand pick the most amazing clothes every season to be displayed in her magazine. She suggests you do the same. Simply put:

“Be an editor. Your closet should only contain amazing choices - it is much easier to be inspired when you see five remarkable pieces than when you see twenty-five pieces and twenty of them are unremarkable. Pick out those key items, and get rid of the rest.”

Here are the guidelines for editing your closet:

1. Throw out what you don’t wear and what doesn’t look good on you

2. Buy the right size

3. Don’t be sucked in by the sale tag: “Paying $100 for a pair of jeans that cost $200 is a great deal. But if you are never going to wear those jeans, you don’t need them, or really even like them, that’s a very expensive deal.”

4. Don’t play it too safe: “A closet full of safe choices is no fun. And fashion should be fun!”

5. Don’t buy according to the trends. “If the trend is to wear bright yellow mini-dresses and you don’t look good in yellow or mini dresses, why would you buy one? Wear what suits you and what makes you comfortable.” And wear what you like. It’s implicit, but can never be said enough.

6. Be ruthless when you edit. In my opinion this is one of the most important (and possibly most difficult) tasks.

“Do not keep items in your closet for sentimental reasons. If you absolutely cannot get rid of that old jean jacket you used to wear, put it in storage and revisit it years later (when you are heading for a costume party). Do not keep items just because you paid a lot for them. Or because you’ll fit in them again one fine day. Or because you think they are beautiful but just don’t look good on you. Let them go! Pass them down to someone who will wear them….Your closet should only be full of pieces that look good on you and make you feel good about yourself. Your skinny jeans from high school? That trendy dress that you’ve never worn? I promise you won’t miss them.”

And now you’re ready to begin!

from the website Style Bakery by Lloyd Boston

I know we’ve already been talking about these aspects in different posts, but I really like the objective way in which Nina approaches these subjects.

It’s the end of the year, and I really enjoy cleaning my closet and giving away or selling the things that don’t fit or that do not represent who I am anymore.

How do you feel about these suggestions? Have you done any of them? Did it make a difference in your life? Love to hear what you have to say!

Patricia Morgado is a Brazilian teacher, jewelry designer and a self acceptance and fashion blogger. She has a degree in Pedagogy and a Master's degree in Human Rights Education. She believes that the key to a happy life is learning to love ourselves. She also believes that fashion is for everyBODY. You can find her jewlery work at Madame Papu's.