wardrobe wednesday

Closet Tools of the Trade

Over the past seven years I've spent as a clothing reseller, I've learned there's so much more to a successful business than just the shopping (though that is admittedly my favorite part!) But all clothing pieces need the right love and care, and these are the tools I've assembled that help keep my closet - and my inventory - in tip top shape!

 

1//Bymore Fabric Shaver ($25.99) There's nothing worse than a pilling fabric but this easy shaver makes quick work of pills and keeps sweaters and other knit items looking new! I've gong through several battery-powered (and cheaper) shavers, but this one is the best for it's large shaving surface, 6-blade operation and easy USB charge cord. It does well on lighter, more delicate fabrics too!

2//PurSteam Garment Steamer ($21.97) With more than 14,000 positive reviews, I'm not the only one that loves this powerhouse of a steamer! It's lightweight, heats up fast and melts wrinkles out of the most delicate of fabrics. I can usually steam 2-3 pieces before refilling the water tank, but the smalled size make it easy to store and travel with. You can also use it to freshen up dry-clean only clothing!

3//Tide PurClean ($16.35) I get many compliments on the fresh, clean smell of my clothing pieces and this detergent is the reason! It's a plant-based cleaner that's safe for sensitive skin and is also sold in a box package that's recyclable and uses less plastic than the bottle. It cleans just like regular Tide too and I haven't had a stain it can't get rid of!

4//Scotch Brite Lint Roller (3/$10.17) Being in a pet-friendly household means having lots of lint rollers handy is an absolute necessity. These heavy duty rollers are super sticky and pull dog & cat hair off surfaces easily, so you don't have to leave the house looking like you share clothing with your pets!

5//Chamberlain's Leather Condition ($16.95) From boots to jackets to sofas, if you have anything leather in your house you need this conditioner! It's easy to apply (much like lotion!) to any leather surface and it diminishes scratches and scuffs while moisturizing and conditioning the leather. No buffing or polishing necessary!

6//Utopia Wooden Hangers ($23.99) I made the switch to wooden hangers five years ago and haven't looked back! Yes, wood hangers take up more space but they help garments keep their shape and make your closet look organized. They also don't bend or put odd-shaped lumps in the shoulder areas of your clothing (a giant pet peeve of mine!)

7//Chi Steam Iron ($65.00) I consider ironing a form of meditation, and this titanium beauty makes the chore so zen! The weight of the iron and the powerful steam setting truly set it apart from cheaper irons and it creates a perfectly creased piece every time. It's also self-cleaning, has an auto shut-off and is just plain pretty to look at!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five On Friday | Closet Tools

I know a lot of us are on a "No-Spend January" or at least a more restricted clothing budget for this month, so I thought it would be a great time to feature some tools that, even though they aren't apparel, need some room in your closet!  Here are five super useful (and inexpensive) tools that can help your clothing look it's best and even save you money in the long run!

 

 

1//Storage Baskets ($34.99/pack of 5)  If you're organizing your closet and looking for a way to contain smaller items like socks, sports bras, shorts or tanks, these lined baskets are a huge help! The woven liners keep things from snagging on the basket and are easily removable to wash. The baskets are durable (I've had mine for more than 4 years!) and add a clean, decorative look to any closet shelf.

 

2//CREP Weatherproofing Spray ($15.00)  I adore suede booties and shoes in cold months, but slushy snow or rain can be disastrous for this type of fabric. CREP spray protects delicate suede, leather and even canvas from water and stains and keeps your investments looking sharp, no matter what the weather does! It doesn't discolor or stain even delicate suede, and water literally rolls of surfaces treated with it!

 

3//Wooden Hangers ($17.51/pack of 24)  A simple way to make your closet look streamlined and organized is to have matching hangers. This classic wood version works for both tops and pants and helps keep items spaced nicely as well as keeping their shape so much better than plastic or (gasp!) wire hangers. Say goodbye to weird shoulder bumps or stretched-out necklines!

 

4//Electric Clothing Shaver ($11.95)  Even the most expensive knits can pill and look worn before their time, but there's an easy fix - shave them off! This electric plug-in option is so much better than battery-operated shavers because you don't have to stop and change batteries all the time. The process is so satisfying and you get the instant gratification of making a piece look brand new!

 

5//Extreme Stick Lint Roller ($12.99/pack of 2)  With three Great Danes (and usually a foster dog) in our house, I rarely (meaning NEVER) don't have dog hair on my clothes. These lint rollers are a must to have stashed by the door, in my car, and anywhere I need to quickly make myself presentable. I've tried so many brands, and these are so effective at removing pet hair and lint in one quick swipe!

 

So what's your must-have closet tool? I'd love to hear your favorites!

 

 

 

 

Learning to love my closet with Cladwell

Target Moto Jacket (similar) + Knox Rose Tunic (ebay, ThredUp, similar) + AG Nikki Jeans + Freebird Lasso Booties (similar, similar) + Jack Wills clutch (similar, similar)

 

I've always known there are certain pieces in my closet that I'm drawn to - the ones that make me feel pulled together and stylish even when inside I feel like a bridge troll.  And after about four months of using the app Cladwell (which basically helps you inventory your closet and keep track of what you actually wear) I'm learning exactly what are the go-to pieces in my wardrobe. And spoiler alert...it's not the plaid mini skirt or sky-high tweed pumps I convinced myself I needed in a whirl of retail therapy on Black Friday.

 

 

Loose tunics and distressed jeans are at the top of my "most-worn" list and the outfit today is no exception. There's something very easy about grabbing a colorful drapey top (that drapes away from the body and doesn't remind me that I may have eaten a cheeseburger and fries last night) and soft, broken-in jeans to pull together a look. And when I can mix in a few different patterns and textures (hello florals and animal prints!) I'm even happier.

 

Cladwell has helped me to focus on the pieces I truly love and offers lots of different outfit options based around what I currently own. For this tunic alone, it offers more than 50 outfit combos with pieces already in my closet. Here's just a sampling:

Cladwell has also helped me be a smarter shopper, because I'm starting to realize what type of items I love and wear regularly (and which ones need to be purged!) When I can quickly look at my closet stats and see the plaid mini skirt has zero wears, yet the floral tunic has 10, it makes it so much easier to let the skirt go - and replace it with something I know I'll wear! If you're looking for a way to feel less overwhelmed with by your wardrobe, I'd totally suggest grabbing the app (it's free!) and diving in. It takes a bit of time to get everything inventoried and start tracking your outfits, but it's well worth the effort.

And when you're done, you can totally reward yourself with a cheeseburger and fries.