I have some lovely clothes in my wardrobe, but every so often I need some outfit inspo because I’ll look in my wardrobe and think, “Crikey, I have absolutely nothing to wear!”
Of course I have something to wear. I have beautiful things to wear.
What’s really happening of course is that I’m being disingenuous and in my mind I have certain expectations about clothes and how they’ve performed in other situations.
Here are some of the things that go through my head.
Skinny jeans – okay, but not for today because I’ll be sitting down too long. They were too blimmin’ tight for a long lunch last week!
Baggy harem pants – okay, but not the look I want today. I wore them to the beach on Sunday and they were good for that.
Ponte Pants – hmm, I love my ponte pants – but, oh darn, the top I like wearing with them is in the wash.
Dress – too cold, and I’ll have to wear tights because it’s autumn. What a bother. Plus, I’ll have to wear shoes with some sort of heel if I wear that dress and today I want to wear flats.
Old jeans – yes, that’s what I want to put on, but they have gone a bit baggy and raggedy and don’t look so great on anymore.
Waaah, I have absolutely nothing to wear!
I should stop the drunk monkeys and just pick something. Focus on clothes in my wardrobe that have worked well together before for a similar event or outing, and wear exactly that.
So what to do?
Organise my closet, that’s what 😉
Ways to Organise your Closet
You may already have savvy ways to organise your closet, and if you do, please drop your tips in the comments section below.
My suggestions are …
Keep photos of the outfits that work for you. When you’re all set and ready to go out ask your husband or a friend to take a snap of your full ensemble, handbag and all, and either keep this handy in an ‘outfits’ file on your computer, or print out the photo and stick it to the back of your closet door. This way you’ll always remember what goes well with what.
Another handy trick for future outfit inspo is to hang your clothes in the closet as complete outfits rather than as separates.
(Although if you’re like me you’ll take the cardigan, jacket, pants or whatever garment goes with exactly whatever other outift, and wear them with something totally different in an effort to create a new look – and then forget to put them back with the outfit they went with in the first place.)
Note to self: Put the garment back with the outfit it matches, don’t just hang it hurriedly anywhere in the closet.
Also try to stick to a tight colour range – if you’re like me and a bit of a tropical bird at heart contain yourself to the occasional parrot bright garment or show pony fashion piece. The bulk of your wardrobe is best kept as basics and block neutrals which go well together.
Outfit Inspo and separates I’m loving this Autumn
Below (and above) I’m wearing mix ‘n match separates by Portobello, gifted from Vivid International with black LAURA ankle boots by FRANKiE4 – Comfortable and stylish. They go with a multitude of Autumn outfits.
The black harem pants are super comfy, great for travelling and lounging. With them I’m wearing a tight fitting vest also in black with a flattering neckline, plus a lovely olive green cardigan with pretty detail on the sleeves, and a waterfall effect at the front – hint if you have green eyes, this colour will really make them pop.
The beauty of a waterfall cardigan is that it hides all manner of sins going on around your tummy and crutch 😉
If you stick to block colours and neutrals in your closet you’ll find more mix ‘n match styles to wear – like this ivory coloured jacket from Marks and Spencers which was lounging at the back of my closet doing nothing. It gives the pants and vest a more formal, tailored look.
Or how about a red cardigan for a pop of colour on a dull day. Suddenly the ensemble looks different again.
Here’s the trick though … when you have a fashion item like the knitted stole below, keep it in your wardrobe alongside the clothes and colours it goes well with (not randomly on it’s own) because trust me, you’ll forget what to wear it with.
One member of my family was ingracious and commented that they thought I’d wrapped myself in a dish cloth – another (ahem, more fashionable) member said it looked different and stylish.
I think it would look even better over a black blouse or long sleeved T – aha, now that reminds me!
Anyhoo – What do you think?
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The wedding I nearly missed. The royal one.
Lots of gorgeous looks here Jo and yes I totally agree about having the basics in neutral colours, it makes life so much easier. Oh and the I have nothing to wear, that is a problem for all of us some days I am sure, I have certainly found the transition to a different climate challenging.
Thanks Jan. Yes, a different climate is definitely an issue when it comes to wardrobe inspo. I wonder if you’ve had to get rid of quite a lot of things and add in new items to compensate.
It’s funny that I read this post today, because I had one of those “I have nothing to wear” moments yesterday going to my grandson’s graduation party. The pants I really wanted to wear were in the wash. The shirt I picked to go with my second choice pants didn’t look right, etc., etc. It may have been my mood more than anything, but an organized closet may have helped. By the way, the outfits you highlighted here all looked lovely.
Thanks Christie 🙂 Yes, I think so many of us think alike – nothing to wear is often our mood or just not being organised, rather than actually really truly having nothing to wear 😉
I need to do a major closet clean out since there are items there I haven’t worn since I retired. The first year I thought I might go back to another regular job so I didn’t let them go. Since then I’m not quite sure what the emotional block is that’s got me holding on to stuff I no longer wear. Really dreading that cleaning session. And I think the green scarf looks great!
Visiting from #MLSTL and sharing on SM
Thanks Shelley, aha you’re like me. I find it so hard to chuck stuff out – but I am getting better at it the older I get!
I am terrible at putting stylish outfits together and really do need some inspiration. I tend to wear the same old favorites all the time. I also buy things I like, but then they don’t go with anything. I am working on it, as I want to be more deliberate and fashionable.
I know what you mean about wearing the same old outfits Michele. Guilty of that. And too of buying a lovely one-off piece that I wear once and never again! Yes I think good style is something deliberate we have to actively think about, not just throw together.
I think I have that olive green Vivid cardigan in red – I love it – but the olive looks smashing on you Jo!
Ohh it would be lovely in red too Janet – bet it suits you too! And, Thank You 🙂
Thanks for great tips Jo I got rid of a lot of stuff because moving to Knysna means less closet space despite many rooms can’t store stuff in rooms paying guests will use I have to stop buying prints because cant mix and match them as much as plain items. My biggest problem is accepting my changed shape being skinny for a big part of my life I just don’t seem able to choose right clothes now it’s a mission. Next time I will keep your advice on hand.
Yes, I sympathise Yol about change of shape and it does take a different mindset to get into the groove. I think I’m going to do some research on this to help you a bit more 🙂
Thanks, Jo, for sharing your good tips and lovely photos. Deep green and deep red are nice colours for Autumn, and neutrals are classic.
Thanks so much Natalie. Yes they are super colours for autumn aren’t they 🙂
I had to laugh reading your comments as you started into the depths of your closet…I do exactly the same thing when deciding what to wear. I usually keep things pretty neutral and simple, though, and agree that separates give you quite a bit of flexibility. Great photos!
Hi Candi, Thank you 🙂 I agree keeping things neutral and simple give a happy degree of flexibility.
My closet is always a jumble and I never have anything to wear. I am working on organizing and getting rid of but it is an ongoing project. I like your tips.
Thanks Victoria 🙂
That’s such a good idea Jo to hang your clothes in your wardrobe – together as outfit sets. I never thought of that! I love all those outfits on you but I’m particularly taken with your ivory Marks and Spencer jacket! 🙂
Thanks Min, and I can’t think why I’ve left it hiding in the back of my wardrobe for so long!
Jo you have so many lovely clothes. I tend to mix and match a lot – especially for work – no uniform means I stick to black/navy pants and then run through an assortment of tops and cardigans – depending on the time of the year. The trouble is that I feel like there’s nothing new – but nothing is “old” either – I hate buying more and more stuff and clogging up my wardrobe (we all have far too many clothes). I think I probably need to look at it all with fresh eyes and try a few different combinations – you’ve inspired me with those different looks you had with the same pants.
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Leanne
Thanks Leanne, yes I know what you mean about buying more and more stuff. It is important to have a working wardrobe and wear all of it – not that I do all the time!
I have a large wardrobe of mostly unworn clothing that is disorganised and as such I forget what I’ve got in here! I do have sections for dresses, skirts, pants, tops and coats/jackets but they tend to get jumbled up at times. My biggest problem is that I sometimes purchase an item of clothing that I’ve already got in my wardrobe. So I’m taking these tips onboard. On the weekend I relocated some of my summer wardrobe into one of our spare rooms so that should declutter a bit and let me see what I’ve got. Thanks for reminding me to be more organised!
Me too Kathy – I have to move my summer stuff to another cupboard so that I’m more organised. Lucky the kids have moved out!
As always, great inspiration. I love the waterfall jackets/ cardis, but that red just pops!
Thanks Jo, yes waterfall cardis are great aren’t they. Red is such a great colour to make an outfit pop, but I do think you need to find the right red for you – some don’t suit me at all.
Thanks for the inspiration Jo and I love the ivory jacket in particular. I think putting an outfit together in your wardrobe is a great idea – if as you say you put it back if you wear one piece. The idea of the photos is a good idea too. I love sometimes not having to think about an outfit so that would be idea. Great to have you join us this week at Midlife Share the Love Party, I’m off to do some brainstorming outfits! Have a great week! #MLSTL
Thanks Sue, and happy outfit brainstorming!