Life in Colour - 8: Clear & Sort Your Wardrobe with No Regrets

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

In this episode, we’re tackling the ultimate wardrobe refresh! Learn how to clear and organise your wardrobe with confidence and zero regrets. I’ll guide you through practical steps to let go of what no longer works, keep the pieces you love, and make space for a wardrobe that truly reflects your style and colours. Plus, tips on avoiding common decluttering mistakes and ensuring every piece left brings you joy. If you’ve been holding onto “just in case” items or struggling to get started, this episode is for you! Want to learn more about seasonal colour analysis? Get my free Finding Your Colours Guide @ https://www.lovingcolour.au/findyourcolours Or want to know your perfect colour palette now? Purchase a Virtual Colour Analysis with me to find out exactly which colours light you up! Go to https://www.lovingcolour.au/colouranalysis Follow along on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lovingcolour__

Welcome to Life in Color, the podcast where we dive into the real, raw and wonderfully colorful aspects of life. I'm your host, Ashley, and I'm here to explore the ins and outs of seasonal color analysis, navigating motherhood, thriving in your 40s and beyond, and embracing health and wellness with a healthy dose of humor. Join me as we uncover the secrets behind finding your perfect palette, share stories of the joys and challenges of being a mom, and from practical tips to heartfelt conversations, life in color is your space to laugh, learn, and live life.

unapologetically in all of its colorful hues. So grab your favorite drink, settle in and let's add some color to this adventure that we call life. Welcome to Life in Color. Well, hello, everybody, and happy new year for 2025. I hope you've had a fabulous festive break or wherever you are in the world, even if you don't celebrate Christmas. I hope you've had a really great end to the year and a start to the new year. So I haven't done a podcast for a few weeks. because obviously celebrating Christmas and New Year, but also on the end of the last episode, I did let you all know that my son was having quite a complex surgery. And so I went full into mum mode, taking care of him and the family over the past few weeks.

And then, to be honest, after Christmas, I collapsed in a heap and I have been sleeping in some days until about 8 o'clock, even once I think 9.30, I have not slept until 9.30 since I must have been in my 20s. But the lack of sleep that obviously I went through when he had his surgery and everything, it just meant I really needed to catch up on that sleep debt. And so I'm just taking it easy. And it's really really nice. So I apologize that we have missed an episode or two. But I knew that you would all be okay with it. And here we are. So on Instagram, which I haven't been on there much either, coming back into that this week, next week. I are. in a poll, what episode would you like release this week? And it was quite close at one stage and then

this one became the overwhelming favourite. And that is how to clear and sorts your wardrobe with no regrets. And that was actually my favourite idea for kicking off the new year with an episode because if you're anything like me and obviously you're getting to know me quite well by now, you know, I'm a Virgo and I like to be quite organised and I like clearing things out. Whilst I have been resting, I have also turned my house upside down. And because of that, we have stuff. It's not too bad in other places, but the hallway is full of stuff that needs to go to the skip and be thrown out.

And I've also been like donating things and selling things. So I think this time of year, the kids are on school holidays. Well, they are if you're in the southern hemisphere like me. And it's the perfect time to clear out your wardrobe. So I'm clearing out pretty much my whole house because I haven't done it in ages. but a wardrobe is a really, really big part of that. And I can understand why you all voted for it. So thank you for voting.

I love a good wardrobe clear out. And I think one of the reasons that I love that is because it just, it's a new year and it's a fresh start, but also our taste change. And so don't feel you have to keep things in your wardrobe or that you have to, I don't know, feel like, well, that's what I used to wear. so I have to keep in that now because I don't necessarily know what my style is, so I'll just keep wearing it. No, it's not about that.

As we grow older and our seasons of life change, what we want and what we need change, but also our preferences change. Like our favourite colour might change or you might decide to wear more neutrals or you might be like, you know what, I have never worn a pair of platform shoes. I'm literally just pulling things out of the air here. But I am going to try it this year. So that's what this is all about is making sure that you have a really good clean slate to start 2025.

And I'm not saying that this is the only time this year that you're going to do this. I think maintaining your wardrobe over time and doing a mini clear out, it doesn't have to be like this one where you're doing everything in your wardrobe, but you could do a drawer or you could do a section of your wardrobe or you could do your shoes, for example. So I think maintaining it and keeping on top of it makes it so much easier. Now, the reason I've put in the title for this, no regrets, is because I know that there are so many people out there that when they clear out their wardrobe and they can be quite ruthless either because their body shape has changed or because they're like, no, I haven't worn that in

three months, so I'm not going to wear it again. And they let things go that they're not 100% sure of and then they regret it and they wish that they hadn't. So my system is all about making it really. really simple and easy for you, but also making sure that you are happy with what you are donating, keeping, throwing away, all that kind of thing, so that there is absolutely no regret. Now, it's a five-pronged system that I use. Pronged. Do I want to use that word? Probably not. You know what? I can't think of another word. Five-step system is probably better.

Now, first is preparation. The second is the actual clear-out process. That's the most comprehensive out of the entire thing that you're going to do to clear and sort your wardrobe. The third is organising your wardrobe. The fourth then is shopping and filling in gaps. And then the fifth is styling and outfit planning. So there's quite a number of steps. You do not have to do this all in one go. So please don't feel that you have to complete all of this in one weekend. It's not about that at all. You can take this at your own space and at your own time in order to do this. I don't want anyone feeling completely overwhelmed because I know what it's like, you know, even the other day, I took a whole load of stuff out of a cupboard downstairs and

everything was out and I'm like, oh my goodness, I wish I'd just done one shelf at a time rather than taking everything out. It's the same thing with your wardrobe. You want to take the time to make sure that you're doing it correctly the way you want to, that you don't get overwhelmed. And most importantly, you're not throwing out things that you wish you hadn't, that you then need to go. and replace at the shops. So let's get started and dive into it. Now, for preparation, you might think this is a bit of a wishy-washy step. And I totally understand that because you just want to get straight into it. But I promise you, this really, really sets you up. So if you know you're going to do a clear and sort your wardrobe, I would almost do this.

If you're going to do it in a weekend, it can be done in a weekend, the actual clearing and sorting section, not the last bits. If you're going to do that, I would get all of this ready like on a Friday night or a Saturday morning because then you are set and ready to go. I would definitely not be running around the house trying to find everything and then get started. I'm definitely the kind of person that you have everything that you want there ready to go so that it won't slow the process down because let's face it, once you're in it, you just want to get it done. Sometimes it can be fun. But for me, then I start sneezing because I've got to dust my allergy and then I need to take a Zyrtec and then I'm just like I'm surrounded by clothes.

I just want to get this done. So it is a bit of a power through. But this is where mindset, which is actually number one on the preparation list, is everything. Know that it's not always going to be enjoyable. Know that you're going to have to try things on, which I know is Fafi, but it's absolutely the right thing to do. know that you are going to have moments where you're like, I don't want to do this anymore. I'd rather just shove it all back in the closet and then not have to deal with it.

Totally get that. And then also there'll be some fun times in there where you find something nostalgic that brings back a memory and takes you back to a different time and place in your life. And it just takes you a little bit of a moment of sentimentality and then you keep going. So mindset is really key to powering through this. If you feel that you're not in the right headspace to do this kind of clear out, then just wait a little bit. There's no pressure.

No one's keeping track of time or who's doing what. Just allocate time when you're feeling up to it because it is quite monumental. And obviously we, I think the majority of people will have some kind of family around. And so when you're doing it with family around, you know, especially if you've got little ones, oh my goodness, I remember when I used to clear out when they were little, they'd come in and they'd try things on and they'd take things out of boxes. it can be a bit chaotic. So just make sure you're in the right headspace.

Now, in terms of practicality, you want to have a mirror. And I would say if you can make it a full-size mirror, that's the best. If you can't, then do the best that you can. Then you want to have bags or boxes or like containers. My preference is to have boxes or containers because then you can see what you're putting into them. I find that when I use rubbish bags, like the black bin bags, it can be a bit tricky because then you put something in and if you want to go back and recheck it, you've got to a dig to the bottom of this really dark bag and you can't really see anything properly and then the bag splits.

So I personally like to have containers or boxes because then you can actually see a bit better. Then I would say to have Post-it notes to put on the bags, boxes or containers. and that way you know exactly what's going in. Having piles can then get mixed up on the floor. So I really recommend having this kind of a system in place because it just makes life so much easier when you get to the end and you're exhausted. And quite frankly, you just want a cup of tea and a sit down.

And then you've got a whole piles of clothes on the floor. You need to do something with at least this way. They're already contained. Space. Space is really, really important. So I don't necessarily always recommend doing this in your bedroom. because your bedroom can then get quite overwhelming. And if you don't finish it at the end of that day, you then come to bed and you've still got clothes and everything everywhere.

And it could be a bit of a mess and then you're surrounded by it. So I always recommend if you can, if there's another space in the house that you can use, like a dining table or a family room or a study or an office, even using like a floor space within your living room to one side. it gets you out of your bedroom where obviously stuff can get everywhere. But also I feel like a change of scenery is really, really good because it can just, again, help with that mindset. Like going off on a tangent, when I have to do certain work for the business, I don't sit at my desk. I sit downstairs because I feel like that's where I work better or I go to a cafe because

that's where I feel like the ideas come better. It's the same kind of thing with this when you're clearing out your wardrobe. It just helps clear the mind and give that little bit of clarity. Lastly, make sure you've got some good music. I love music. Always have done. And I just think having some upbeat music. So on I use Spotify, whichever, obviously music streaming is your choice.

But I like to put an upbeat, almost like a housework kind of one, like cleaning the house, that kind of thing. So you've generally got a really good mix. of like 80s and 90s music in there. And it's just fun and it's nostalgic. And you can have a bit of a singing and a dance. And it just makes it a really easy, happy time rather than complete silence. Because in complete silence, you can sit there and go, oh my goodness, this is just too much. Why do I have so much stuff?

Or you can almost then start to feel a bit guilty of light. I've never worn that. By having music on, I really help it keeps you upbeat and motivated. So that's the first step for preparation. They are my top tips on getting started. Now, let's get into the actually clearing out your wardrobe. Like I mentioned, this is the biggest component of this. But once you've done it, I promise you, you're going to feel so much better and so much lighter. Like even I can say that, like with clearing out the house that I'm doing at the moment, seeing these rubbish bags, just leave the house and

seeing this other stuff leave the house, I feel so much lighter. I feel so much better. I feel like stuff is literally leaving the house and giving me and the house space to breathe. So I just think getting rid of it, it's just an amazing thing to do. So with your boxes or containers that you have, I would say have post-it notes and a pen and you want to write, donate, keep, maybe and throw. And you want to have those in four separate containers, boxes, or bags if you're choosing to use bags. This way, your donate piles are ready to go.

Your throw piles, again, ready to go. Keep, you know, exactly what you're keeping. And so that then can be set to one side to later on in the process to be put back into your wardrobe. And then maybe. Now, I do have a maybe within my system because I think when you're clearing out your wardrobe, there are going to be times when you're really not sure whether it's the colour, whether it's the cut, whether.

it maybe doesn't fit as well as what it used to. Maybe you absolutely love it, but you haven't worn it in a while. Would you wear it again? Or it has really deep sentimental value. I have things in my wardrobe. Like, for example, I've got my year 12 jersey from school in my wardrobe. I haven't worn that in ages. There is nothing that is going to make me move that on. Nothing. Like, I love it. And it's totally out of my colour palette, by the way. Not that that matters. because you know me with certain things. I wear them out of my colour palette. But I definitely have things in my wardrobe that I keep purely from a sentimentality reason, whether I wear them or not. So that's why I have the maybe pile. Now, the caveat to this is that when you have finished,

you have to go back to that maybe pile. You can't just leave it. You can leave it maybe overnight, obviously, if you've got to the end of the night and it's really late and you're like, I can't deal with any more clothes. But, or you want a couple of days to think about it, that's fine. But don't leave it there too long because you know what's going to happen. That container will just sit there and it will migrate its way, all of it, back into your wardrobe. And I can guarantee you there are going to be some things in there that you will want to keep. But there's also going to be some things in there that when you relook at it, you're like,

you know what, this isn't for me. It's time to let it go and move it on. So that's why I have a maybe pile. Then once you have done that, start. by category. Now for those of you, obviously, all of you probably know, I'm a color analysis consultant. Color definitely comes into this, but not yet. So if you know your color palette, do not do it based on your color palette yet. If you think you know your color palette, again, don't do it yet. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about to do with color

analysis, make sure you go back to some other episodes. And I have one called literally understanding the basics of colour analysis. Go back and have a listen to that. But when we get to that bit, I will talk you through a little bit again with a tip, which I think I've mentioned in most of my episodes about how you can do a really quick test at least to see if you think you might be cool-toned or warm-toned, which means do you suit clothes that are more cool colours or whether they are warmer-based colours? So when I say by category, I'm saying pants, dresses and skirts, tops, knitwear, shorts, denims, jackets, coats, underwear. You want to do them one at a time so that you're not pulling out your entire wardrobe all at once because that's overwhelming.

Even for me, that's like, oh my gosh, that I'm now based in chaos and I would like freeze and be like, no, I can't deal with that. So even if you're planning on doing this all in one weekend, don't pull it all out at once. If you're planning on doing this over time, this makes a makes it more easy for you because you're literally going into your wardrobe and you're going into your drawers and going, okay, I'm just doing pants and trousers today. That's all I'm doing. So I'm going to get those out and that's what I'm focusing on for that one particular day. So once you know what you're going to do, so for example, again, like you've got your pants, dresses and skirts, tops, knitwear, denims, jackets, coats, underwear, that kind of thing.

You've got your order of what you're going to do. then you need to ask yourself these questions and go through this particular order of sorting. So the first one is a bit, you know, Marie Kondo from all those years ago, but it does ring so true. And there's a simple test that you can do with this too. Does it bring me joy? How do I feel in it? And I'm not saying you have to try every single item on. I'm just saying you can hold it up.

There are going to be, though, some items that you're not sure about that you are going to have to try on without doubt. and there's a little test that you can do. And that's the smile test. Now, it's so simple. But when you put something on, and I think I have mentioned this in the previous episode, you normally have almost a physical reaction to it, not with everything, but if there's something that you're really not sure about, you can be like, and you can literally make a face and you can physically take a step back from the mirror

and be like, oh my goodness, no, no, gosh, this isn't for me. Whereas when you put something on that you really love and you enjoy it and you wear it or even if it's something that you only wear infrequently, you put it on and that little smile and you're like, yeah, I really like this. Oh, I've missed wearing this. I want to wear it more. That's where shopping wardrobe comes in, which is awesome. But you generally have a physical reaction.

If it's something that literally is like a white t-shirt or something quite not mundane, but a little bit more of your basics within your wardrobe, You may not have that as much. However, there will be sometimes again that you're like, you know what, I really don't wear grey. I've got these grey t-shirts. Don't really wear grey. I feel a bit flat when I've just put that on. I don't really like it. So I'm going to move that on. So that's where you start with, does it bring me joy? How does it make me feel? If you've got to the point where, no, really like it, going to keep it, then the next question to ask is, all right, what condition is it in? So you want to thank you.

go through, when you're going through each item, this is what you're going to be asking yourself. Okay, what condition is it in? Is it in great condition? Fantastic. You want to keep it. Does it have some marks on it? Okay, can I get those marks out easily? Do I need to have it dry cleaned? Do I need to pop to the shops and get some sard wonder soap? Does it have any holes in it? Can I mend those holes quite easily? Or does it go into a pile of, you know what, if I'm painting the house, I can wear that around the house. Because let's face it, we all need those old clothes of when you're doing something in the garden around the house that you don't want to get anything nice, messy.

The other things are, is it too long? Do I need to get it altered? Do I need to get it hemmed? Is that the reason that I'm not wearing it? Those are the next set of questions that you want to ask yourself. And those ones are brilliant because, again, it takes that extra layer of weeding out. I might love it, but you know what? It's got holes in it.

it looks really taty, it's got marks on it, it's time to let it go. As much as I love it, it's time to let it go. So that's what you want to do on that level. Then you get to your colours. And once you get to that, you're like, okay, I love this. It's not in my colour palette. And this for some colour palettes can be quite simple. If you are a warm spring or a warm autumn, for example, black sits nowhere within your colour palettes. It's like nowhere. So it's quite a simple answer then of, well, how much do I love it? If it's a black coat, then you can look at it and think,

how can I make this work within my warm, toned wardrobe? I really, really love it. There are going to be things again like if they sit on the bottom, like your Lorna Jane tight. Again, it's using a little bit of common sense of like, I still use those every day. So black, for example, is not in my colour palette. I'm a light summer. Black doesn't feature within summer palettes because it's too harsh. Therefore, I can still wear my Loran Jane tights because they're on the bottom. They're not directly reflecting the colour onto my face.

So that's where you want to look at it. If you know your colours and, for example, you are that warm autumn or warm spring, you know that black, white, they do not sit within your colour palettes. You're looking more for your chocolates and your car keys and your tans as like, for example, as your neutrals. But then have a look and think, are they in my sister palettes? Can I still wear them? If you are lost and have no idea what I'm talking about because you don't know a huge amount about colour analysis, that's all good. Totally understand. If you have a cream t-shirt or a cream colored clothing item and then you have a white one, stand in front of a mirror in really good light, like facing a window, take some photos, have a look at the difference. Does the white wash

you out? Does the cream make you look yellow? Does the cream make you have a really nice tan and look really fresh and vibrant? Does the white make you look bright and healthy? There is a very, very quick thing. But like I said, go back and listen to previous episodes because I have talked about that in more detail. But that's where you want to get to when you're clearing and sorting things out. Now, if you're getting really stuck by all means, send me an email or a DM. I'm more than happy to help. But once you have gone through all of your categories, so you've done your pants and your shorts and your denims and your skirts and your tops, you've done all of that, you've done your underwear. Underwear, just a side note on that, it's a really important category. Do not miss it. I know it's

boring, but trust me, if your underwear needs a refresh, then make sure you're going through it and you've got everything in there that you need. So, you know, I've got some bras. So I personally, for me, this is a whole other tangent. But anyway, you know me. Let's just go there. I've had breast surgeries over the years for breast lump removals. So I've got quite a bit of scar tissue. I haven't worn an underwire since I was about in my early 20s. I only buy my bras from Victoria's Secret because they're the most comfortable for me. So a couple of times a year when I know Victoria's Secret in particular are having a sale, I will go through, clear out the bras that are no longer working for me and reinvest in some new bras.

Likewise, post-hysterectomy last year, I switched to a brand called Boody, which are bamboo undies. They are the most comfy undies. and actually wear they're nighty as well. That's where I find that they're the most comfortable undies to wear. They are not the prettiest. I'm just going to say that. If you're looking for some sexy underwear, that's not it. But if you're looking for the kind of underwear that you can put on and be like,

oh, this feels like butter. It's really, really comfy. That's where booty is absolutely amazing. So I go through. I get rid of all the ones that I don't need. I no longer have a period so I got rid of all of my period underwear and that's where you go through that refresh. So making sure that what you're wearing underneath gives the best lines, the best comfort,

all that kind of thing to what the clothes you're actually putting on top. So when you go through your underwear jaw, make sure that you're making a little bit of a note if you need some new undies, like if you're clearing out everything and you're left with nothing. Make sure you've made a note that you need to go. some more quite urgently. So that's the clear and sort. It's quite comprehensive. It does take quite a bit of time. But I promise you, once you get to the end of it, you will feel so much better and so much lighter because you will know that your wardrobe is no longer got items in it that you're not wearing. Now, for the, a quick note on the things that you're wanting to donate and or sell.

So obviously donating is a really, really great option. But there are Facebook groups out there that are fantastic. Like there's a Country Road witchery, Seed, Trennery, Cuba one, if you're based in Australia. If you're based overseas, I have absolutely no doubt if you're in the US, you're going to have a J-Crewer made well, all those kinds of things. Likewise, if you're in the UK, I have no doubt you're going to have like, for example, a Bowden one or a Hobbs one or a Jigsaw one. you're going to have those kinds of Facebook groups where you can then resell your items. I think in the UK, I could be completely wrong. There's a secondhand online store called, I think it's vintage, vintage, vintage, vintage, something like that. Anyway, it's brilliant.

I hear so many amazing things on it and people find the most amazing things on it to purchase. So make sure that if they're in really good condition and the only reason you're not keeping it is because it doesn't fit or it's not the right color for you or you just don't like the style anymore. Make sure those items you do try and resell them on because obviously then you're pocketing money back to then purchase items that you do want. But also you're giving that clothing item a new lease on life and it can go to a home where it really will be loved and cherished. So that's the whole clear and sort. Now that is massive. So if you've got to the end of that, congratulations because you really deserve like a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit now because that is

massive but I promise you you will feel so much better for it now moving on to number three it's organizing your wardrobe so when I say organizing your wardrobe this is the bit where you might need to do a little bit of online shopping or pop to Kmart or Target or marks and expenses, those kinds of places to get the storage and organisation that you need, which actually, if you're in the UK, I have no doubt that like Sainsbury's Tesco's or that kind of place are also going to have these things that you need. We just don't have that as much here in Australia. So the flock hangers, they're the slim line hangers that create so much more space in your wardrobe compared to like, say, wooden hangers. They are fantastic and things don't fall off them

anywhere near as easily and they're compact. They're just fantastic. So you can get those at like Kmart Target, all of that, those kinds of stores. You can get them obviously online at Amazon too. So you want to invest in those if you need some more hangers. Then you potentially want to invest in things like some shoe boxes or containers that you want to put your shoes into or your accessories into or you've got some coats, but it's obviously summer.

So like for me, I do not have enough wardrobe. space in my own personal wardrobe to have my summer and winter items in there at the same time. It's just not possible. So I have to do a changeover, which actually is really biting me on the bottom today because it's been so lovely. The weather in Sydney has been glorious, like seriously glorious proper summer weather. And now it's like 18 degrees and I put all my jumpers away. So I've dug out the one like sweatshirt that I left out and I'm wearing that because yeah, it's cold. So for me, I have to rotate my clothing and I have to make sure I have the right storage for that. I like to use clear storage boxes because then I can look at it and I know

exactly what's in it and it just makes life so much easier. And I also find by doing that, it keeps my clothes in much better condition rather than just either being left out or being shoved into the back of a wardrobe that my wardrobe doesn't have doors. So it can get dust and all that kind of stuff on it. So make sure you're investing in the things that you need in order to create the wardrobe to make it functional for you then to be able to find your outfits. So now when you're looking at putting your clothes back into your wardrobe, this is where you can really start looking, okay, what do I have left? And that's where you'll go through. And as you're putting things back into your wardrobe, you'll be like, you know what,

I don't have that pair of black pants that I need. Or I'm missing a statement blazer. Or actually, you know what? I really need some new swimmers because mine have died because the chlorine killed them. I didn't look after them. And I really need to get a new pair. So that's where you start going through and looking at it from that perspective and thinking about, okay, where are the holes now within my wardrobe?

And you start to write a list. And I'm not saying that you have to go and do this. all at once because this is the next step. Number four, but you don't have to buy it all at once, but at least you know what is missing and can put it almost in a priority of urgency of, like, I have no undies, I need to go buy some now. Or when I see that scarf for winter, I will buy it, even if it's on sale at the end of season. I know I love it, therefore it will wait to be used next year. So that's where you're starting to look at things when you're putting it back. and this is where you're looking at everything.

You're looking at your shoes. You're looking at your accessories. You're looking at your coats with how they go with dresses, all of that kind of thing. You're looking at the fact of, you know what, I really love skirts, but I don't have any. Or in winter, I want to start wearing more skirts. Okay, that means I need to buy some tights

or potentially some boots because I don't have any. So start making your lists and your wish list. from there. So then we get into number four, which is then from there, it's that shopping and filling those gaps. So like I just mentioned, if you know that you need a winter coat for the following year, don't wait until that next shops, you know, the next season comes around like that. You want to make sure that you are buying it when you see it and when you need. it because you can get it on sale, you can get it a much better value and much better price. But it just means you need to put it away until that time comes again like with swimmers or a

summer dress or you know that you're going to a wedding in say nine months time. You see the dress you buy it, you put it away. So don't feel that you have to buy everything right when that season potentially starts. If you can't obviously find it, then that's what you put it on the back burner and you just keep an eye out for it. So for example, last year, I really wanted a pink sweater, like knit in my colour palette. And I waited and waited and waited. This I didn't get on sale because it came out at Country Road and like, that's it. That's the one. And when I was in store, they had that colour pink in quite a few things. So I bought the linen shirt at the same time.

I did not get them on sale. But I knew that come spring, I'd be wearing that linen shirt so often. because it's my color pink and I'd been waiting for it. So I knew that I filled that gap for both of them. And I was so happy and really, really excited. So that's where shopping and filling the gaps. That takes time. It's not an overnight thing and it's not like a, okay, I'm going out and I'm going to buy everything all at once, especially if you know your color palette.

It takes time to build that up within your wardrobe. So just keep an eye out. But the beauty of that is, is that when you're shopping and you're buying things, You're not buying them on impulse. You are making a really choice decision of like, no, I need to buy that coat. I wanted to buy it in a statement color. I love that purple. Yes, it's an investment, but I know I'm going to wear it, therefore I'm going to buy it.

Rather than, oh, I really, really love that. I have no idea where I'm going to wear it, but it's on sale. It's only $50. What a bargain. I'll buy it. And you buy it. And then you never wear it. Like, never wear it.

It just sits at the back of the cupboard. And then you come next clear out, it's still there with tags on because you didn't think through about how you were going to actually actively wear it and whether it actually suited you or not. So this really helps reduce the amount of impulse buys that you're going to make by knowing exactly the items that you need within your shopping list. Okay. If you're still with me, well done. We are almost there.

We are literally on to number five. And number five is the planning your outfits and outfit formulas and it is all about styling. So yay. This is one of my favorite bits because, I mean, you know, this is my job. So I love styling and I love putting outfits together, but it really is the fun bit. So outfit formulas, this is where Pinterest searching on Google, using Instagram, you see a celebrity in a magazine or online, you take a snip of the

picture of the outfit that they're wearing. Like I think there was one, gosh, you know, I love Formula One and I follow them all the time, like the drivers on Instagram. Go with me, I promise there is a thing for this. And I was following Daniel Ricardo last year and his girlfriend, Heidi, had the most beautiful outfit on and it was really classic and chic, which is my style. in terms of like that classic modern kind of look. And it was a pair of white jeans and a really beautiful crisp pale blue and white shirt.

Really, really lovely. Still on the hunt for that shirt. Haven't got it yet. But that's what I mean. Like I've put it on my list when I see it. I will buy it. But I've snipped that and I've kept it in a folder on my phone or on my laptop of like these are the outfits I would like to try and recreate.

So if you find putting outfits together a bit difficult, it's not an area that is your strong suit, which I've heard people say that they're bad at fashion. It's not about being bad at fashion. It's just about learning. And that's where Pinterest and using these images or videos on Instagram that you see are so super helpful. But don't feel, like with that image that I was telling you about, please don't feel that you actually have to match it exactly. if I find a shirt that's like in a pale pink and white stripe, I would interchange that. If you are in a completely different colour season to me, you'd be like a cream pair of pants

and a rust coloured shirt would look amazing on me. So it doesn't have to be within your colour palette or potentially within what you would wear. It's all there to give you ideas of the outfits you can put together. it can be quite easy to get stuck in a bit of a style rut. So when you're looking, look at, have a think about, well, do I like to wear more boho? I'm a bit more eclectic. I don't like to be that kind of classic look. Do I like to, you know, be a bit more bold? And I'm not necessarily so. If you're bright, you know, a bright spring or bright winter, you can wear really bold colors. Doesn't necessarily mean that you like to wear them from head to toe. That's not your

style personality. But for somebody who is a bright winter or bright spring and their style personality is, no, you know what, I like to wear the red pants and I like to put that with a really bold, bright, hot pink shirt. And then the accessories go with it and a bright lipstick. That means that you like to be more bold and dramatic in your style personality. Do you like to be more flowy and soft and romantic? Is, are you in a season of life where like a natural, casual kind of look is more you like shorts or jeans or a denim skirt or an easy dress and then you throw a denim jacket over the top so it's not really formal it's not really corporate all of those kinds of things and you can use those terms on Pinterest in particular but also like on Instagram like casual

outfit romantic outfit bold dramatic boho chic modern classic natural classic you can put things together and then it will give you ideas of the kind of outfits that you would like to recreate. And like I mentioned, you don't have to have them exactly. They're just there for inspiration. You can even print them out and create like a mood board or you can put them on the back of your wardrobe door or in your walking wardrobe. So that when you go in there in the morning, you've got this amazing wardrobe now that all works together.

If you know your colours, even better because they're not obviously all the colours go together because they're tonal within your colour palette. you then look at that and it gives you that instant inspiration of like, oh, okay, I could take this shirt and I could wear it with this skirt and I'll pop a pair of boots with it because we're transitioning more into autumn and you know what? I might take a really light layered cardigan or jacket over the top with it because it's a little bit chilly in the mornings but then I can take that off and wear that for the rest of the day. So these outfit formulas can work really, really well within your wardrobe and within your colour palette and with how you're putting your outfits together.

So then when you go into your wardrobe, there's not that overwhelmed. You can get ready really easily, which let's face it, I think whenever you've got kids, no matter how old they are, whether they're a baby or whether they're literally late teens into early 20s, there's still lots of people around and you get interrupted in the mornings when you're getting ready. Like, seriously, in the mornings, I kid you not. Like, as you know, I have teenagers, all of mine as of this year, we'll be in high school. And I'm in the bathroom and it can be like five to eight and I'm frantically getting ready to get out the door. They will all be in there with me. I kid you not, every single one will be in there, either one's brushing their teeth or asking me a question or

where's my lunch or I can't find this or have you done this permission slip for me? So having this easy wardrobe of like, this is what I'm wearing today just makes life so much easier for you. And then you know, actually you know what, this is one of my favorite outfits. I'm going to wear it again. And it's not, I'm not talking about your jeans and just a basic white tea. I'm talking about this dress looks fabulous with this denim jacket put over the top. I'm going to use those flats, a couple of gold bangles to go with it, swipe of my favorite lipstick out the door I go. So once you've got it on repeat, you can use it so often. You're going to have your favorite outfits. You know, it is that classic rule that you wear, you know, 20%

of your wardrobe 80% of the time. But by doing this, you're going to expand that percentage a lot because you're going to have maybe a smaller wardrobe, but you're going to wear it a lot more frequently because everything starts to mix and match. All of the colors start to go together, especially if you know your colour palette and which colors, you know, work the best for you and which ones to avoid. It just makes life so much easier. So that is my comprehensive, clear and sort your wardrobe. I've just looked at the time and I have talked about this for almost 40 minutes. So thank you for being with me today. Like I mentioned, if you have any questions, send me an email to Ashley at lovingcollar.a.u, and that's color with a you. Or head on over to

Instagram to at Loving Color double underscore. And again, color has a you in it. It's the English Australian spelling. And head on over, send me a DM, make a comment on my, one of my posts. and I will always come back. I'm always here to help. I'm always here to have a chat. I hope this is helpful for you. It is a fantastic way to start the year. And you will literally feel so much lighter and better for it.

And I've said that about a thousand times in this episode. But really, I truly think that it will. And like I say in the title, by doing it this way, you are not going to have those regrets. You're not going to be like, oh, I wish I never threw that out. If you're really sitting on the fence with something, keep it. And then the next time you do this process, you will definitively know, yes, I'll keep it because I have actually worn it

incorporated it into my wardrobe or no, didn't go for it, not sentimental about it, it's ready to go to its next home. So thank you so much for joining me on this episode of Life and Color. As always, I love being on here and chatting to you all. And I will be back next week with a new episode. Take care. Enjoy the summer holidays if you're in the Southern hemisphere. I hope you're keeping warm if you're in the Northern Hemisphere and I will chat to you next week. Take care. Bye. Bye.