Calling All Closets!
The blvd team is currently hard at work putting together the Spring/Summer issue and we could use your help with something! As you know, the magazine is all about showcasing Richmond’s awesome array personal style. We thought it would be fun - and fascinating! - to step into the closets of some of Richmond’s most fashionable to get a sneak peek of where their style starts each day.
So I’m asking if you or anyone you know has a particularly creative, cool, quirky, minimalist or maximalist closet they’d like to share with Richmond Magazine readers? If so, please shoot me an e-mail at meganp@richmag.com by Friday, March 18 and we can talk!
In keeping with the spring cleaning theme from last week, I asked Sydney Lester, personal stylist and fashion blogger, to share her professional advice on how to best prep your wardrobe for the switch in seasons. And in the spirit of our upcoming feature for blvd, I also asked if she wouldn’t mind sharing a few photos of her closet. After a quick glance at the shots she sent, you can understand why I almost e-mailed her back to remind her I asked for photos of her closet, not her favorite boutique. Marie Kondo would be proud.
Sydney’s Tips For Getting Your Closet Springtime Ready
Pull it out. And by “it” I mean your wardrobe. By completely emptying your closet (you can do this in stages to make it more manageable if needed: closet one day, dresser another day, etc.), you are able to create the idea that you are starting fresh, even when you are just revisiting your existing clothes.
Put it back. It should go without saying, but when you return your clothes to your closet, don’t just stick everything back in the way it came out. Take your time to inspect each piece for wear/tear, try things on to make sure they fit, scrutinize fabrics/prints/shapes to make sure they are not outdated. If you are someone who swaps out your wardrobe seasonally, now is the time to pack up your heavy sweaters, coats and boots. Keep a few lightweight sweaters, scarves and jackets handy for chilly mornings and evenings.
Look for prints or bright colors. An easy way to transition your closet to spring is to look for prints, bright colors, and silky fabrics. Buy in bulk from a consignment boutique and have fun with it. Even the most minimal wardrobe can benefit from a punch of bold black and white graphics or a breezy, neutral dress.
Mix and match. In this transitional time, extend your wardrobe by pairing a top that is bright in color or softer in fabric (think silk or chiffon) with your darker bottoms or vise versa - brighten up a sweater or turtleneck with florals or a light colored bottom.
Make a list. Now that you have thoroughly taken stock of your wardrobe, what do you need to spruce it up? Great spring buys are: sandals, lightweight dresses, printed/colorful/breezy tops or bottoms. Making a list will keep you in line with your existing wardrobe items so you don’t waste money on impulse purchases that you’ll only wear once or that don’t go with what you already own.
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Lester’s own personal style is bright, clean and effortless. Be sure to follow her on Instagram @chicstripes for more of her #ootd’s and behind-the-scenes styling snaps.(Photo by Jenny McQueen of Capture Photography)
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J.Crew has nothing on Lester’s merchandising methods. The wooden hangers really add a luxe element that gives me serious hanger envy (something I didn’t know was possible, until now).(Photo by Sydney Lester)
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I love the idea of having a rolling rack full of your most special pieces in your room. Not only does it keep you from forgetting about them, they also serve as decorative art pieces in their own right.(Photo by Sydney Lester)
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Organizing your closet by color allows you to easily keep inventory of those hues you’ve got more than enough of or ones you’d like to see grow. (Photo by Sydney Lester)
