Mallory Sills is a Chicago-based personal stylist and Fashion Styling tutor at QC Makeup Academy. Today, Mallory dives into the second part of her Spring Cleaning series.
We’re all in the spring mood, whether the weather cooperates with us or not. A couple weeks ago, I dove into some of my favorite tips for cleaning out closets as a fashion stylist. If you haven’t read that post yet, make sure you do so you’re prepared to take on the spring closet clean out season!
Now that you’ve gained some perspective on how to actually declutter a closet, there are some other considerations to help your clients obtain a closet space they love.
Keep reading!
What to do with the “don’ts”
As you go through a closet, you will end up with some clothes that aren’t going to work anymore. Whether they don’t fit, are worn out, or just don’t work with your client’s personal style anymore, there are a few things you can do with those items.
Donation
If you end up with a selection of clothing that’s still in decent shape, donating them is a great way to purge. Not only is donating beneficial to the client but it’s also a way to help those in need. I always suggest looking up different organizations in your region. Most organizations are looking for clothing donations throughout the year. Finding an organization that your client feels good about is important. Of course, another option is to give clothes to friends/family who will use them!
Upcycling
For the items that are really worn out or have holes in them, upcycling is a fun option. Say, for example, your client has a t-shirt that’s on its last leg. Instead of just tossing it in the trash, it can be turned into a rag to clean the house. Another example is turning long denim jeans into shorts if the bottom hem of the jeans is ripped and torn. The point is to think outside the box when determining what to do with clothes that are in the ‘toss’ pile.
Fixer-uppers
Don’t forget that some clothes may be able to get tailored and fixed to make them keepers. It’s crucial to have resources for tailoring, shoe repair, etc. on hand to refer your clients. Look at the overall shape of some clothes before immediately tossing them. Sometimes doing something as simple as getting a hemline shortened can completely transform a skirt!
Sell it
If your clothes are in mint-condish, why not try your hand at selling it? You likely won’t be making a profit (unless you’re selling a limited edition sneaker!), but you can earn some cash to fund any new purchases. Resale stores like Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet, and Beacon’s Closet buy back your old clothes. But as depicted in Broad City, many optimistic sellers walk away having sold next to nothing. You may want to list your items on the Facebook Marketplace and interest groups or on eBay—taking good photos of your on-trend clothes will lead to a sure-sale!
Out with the old, in with the new
Now that you have a pretty good idea as to what you should do with clothes that are no longer working for your client, let’s talk about trends! As we kick into the spring season, it’s essential as a fashion stylist that you’re aware of some of the big trends we can expect to see.
Fashion trends for spring 2019
Fanny packs AKA belt bags
Most of us didn’t really anticipate this trend coming back around, but there’s no denying that it’s a trend that’s here and in full swing. Fanny packs, also known as belt bags, have been a trend for almost the past year and were seen all over the spring 2019 runways. The great news about this trend is that it’s super functional! No hands required to carry this bag around town.
Suiting
This season, women’s suiting isn’t just for the office. Blazers, trousers and more are being worn with a street style vibe. This is perfect for a woman who wants to feel like a boss babe, whether she works in a corporate environment or not.
Tie Dye
This trend is a definite ode to the 90’s. Expect to see tie dyed shirts, dresses and more all over stores as spring merchandise hits the racks. It’s a fun trend to add a casual aesthetic to an outfit. And let’s be honest, there’s something so fun about tie dye!
Cycling shorts
Can you tell there’s a lot of 90’s influence in fashion right now? Cycling shorts are another 90’s throwback trend. We can thank the Kardashians for this one. It’s a fun way to add an athleisure vibe to a warm weather outfit.
