organize your closet - accessories

the first step towards a more organized wardrobe is with an organized closet. when your closet has some organization you'll be able to find that putting together outfits are suddenly easier.
the next step is accessories (this includes belts, scarves and purses). if you are like most women you only wear 20% of the clothing in your closet. it's true! most women have full closets with nothing to wear. what about the other 80%? it's just taking up space, collecting dust. if you don't love it and your no longer wear it -- it has to go!

when you only have clothes in your closet that you wear regularly you will have a lot more room and less stress. you might be afraid of letting them go, but let me assure you that by letting go of clothing that you are not wearing will show you what you *are* wearing and it will help you see what you are missing from your wardrobe!

accessories are a major part in setting up your individual style and must not be forgotten. they give you a "put together" look all day.

there are many possibilities and different ways to organize your accessories, it's up to you to figure out what works best for you.

start by sorting through each group, one item at a time. starting with scarves, then belts, purses, jewelry and any other accessories that need organizing.

for example, take one scarf and go through your arranged categories in your closet (shirts, pants, skirts and dresses, etc.) and see if you can incorporate it into your wardrobe in a different or unique way. do you still want to keep it?

any accessory that you no longer like or feel you will never wear needs to be purged into 3 piles.

1. give-away. (these are still in good condition that no longer work with your wardrobe, anything that you haven't worn for a long time -- probably a year or more)

2. give. (these have monetary or sentimental value. give these items to family or friends you feel would appreciate them.)

3. trash. (this includes anything that is stained, too worn or broken)

my favorite way to organize jewelry is in plain view (because if you see all your options you will wear it more), you can just hammer some nails in the wall, or use an expandable mug holder mounted on the wall (or cup hooks). when necklaces are hung separately they won't get tangled. earrings can be sorted in ice cube trays (plus they can be stacked and stored in a drawer). i keep my earrings and rings in a jewelry box. i use a piece of plastic grid (you can get it in any craft store) to store my earrings.

As Coco Channel, a fashion icon once said, "Fashion is Architecture:
it is a matter of proportions. " This is true with your accessories as
well as your clothes. If you are of larger stature, your jewelry
should be bigger. If you are petite your jewelry should not overwhelm
and be on the understated side. Keep it in proportion.

The purpose of accessories is to draw the eye to a part on the body
you want to give attention to. Is it your earlobes, dainty wrist bones
or your décolletage? Jewelry is an attention getter.

Wear earrings that are an opposite shape to your face shape. If your
face is round avoid round earrings. If you have a long face, avoid
long dangling earrings. Contradictory shapes balance each other out.
Do the same with purses too.

If you have a thick neck try the slimming effect of the long vertical
line created with a long necklace. Avoid chokers and scarves tied at
the neck; they just draw attention to your neck.

Don't over-do your accessories. Too much is chaotic and you look like
a decorated Christmas tree! No more than 3 accessories at one time!
(This includes eye glasses)

The right touch of accessories can take an ordinary outfit and make it
look extraordinary. Have fun with accessories and show your style!