WIW & Playing In a Friend's Closet

Hello! Today's post has more than my usual, but I hope you can hang on until the end. I know and I understand, the days are so full now!  First, let me share a mini adventure featuring this casual outfit, and then tell you about an opportunity I had to help a friend shop her own closet. 

Zoo Get Up

Outfit Breakdown: Linen Top: the GAP/Girlfriend Shorts: the GAP/Purse:Amazon/Chacos:REI/Earrings: Premier Designs
Linking up with Not Dressed As Lamb, Spread the Kindness Link up, Living On Cloud Nine, High Latitude Style, Elegance and Mommyhood, Shelbee On The Edge, Weekend Wear Link Up, Nancy's Fashion Style, Fashion Should be Fun, A Pocketful of Polkadots

***These chacos are on sale for $55.00 on the REI website!!***

Nothing fancy. I was going for cool and comfortable, which is why I reached for my linen, flowy tank from the GAP. You know what would be nice? A linen cami of sorts to layer it with? I suppose you could layer a bralette underneath, but I've not purchased one yet, so I made do with my salmon colored tank and hoped for the best. The idea was to match the tank, sandals and lipstick, but it did not translate well in the pics the way I'd hoped.

In spite of the hot weather, this day turned out to be wonderful! My only regret is not insisting on a few group photos. The zoo is one of the few places that every family member enjoys. We all love viewing the reptile habitat, which they recently reconstructed at our zoo. It's beautiful. The whole place is beautiful and I plan on returning once the weather cools down.

Someone was worn out by the time we got to the restaurant...

There was time for one short shopping outing with my beautiful mother in law...

***Shop Your Closet***

Now I'm taking today's post on a wild turn...from animals to the crazy and sometimes savage condition of the female closet!! Is it a complete mess? Is it neat and orderly? Whatever the state your closet is in, the question of what to wear will still be voiced from time to time. Which brings me to the next question...what do you do when you're stuck in a fashion rut? I blog and gain weekly inspiration from my fellow bloggers. I now find that putting outfits together is a fun hobby that is so practiced I don't think too much about the process anymore. Of course I get stuck in fashion ruts, but with the weekly inspiration gained from other bloggers, I don't stay there long.

But what about those of us that don't blog, or find enjoyment from playing dress-up in their closet? There are some that look at their closet and feel overwhelmed and don't have any idea as to what to add or take away from their existing wardrobe. Time to search Pinterest for capsule wardrobe ideas, or scroll through endless IG pics just isn't available.

I've shopped with friends to help them pick out a few new items, because who doesn't like a second opinion?! However, I find that if I'm going to help for the long term we should start in their closet.  A fresh pair of eyes helps a friend see new possibilities; new life to old pants, neglected accessories to complete a look, cardigans for that extra layer (or if you're like me, hide what needs to be hidden). These "fresh" eyes also help decide what needs to go and visualize how great the wardrobe could become. After that, it is time to create a shopping list.

I invited myself to do just that for my friend Carrie. ;) She warned me ahead of time that her closet was in sad shape. However, upon arrival, all I saw was potential. Carrie had already cleaned through her closet so there was not a lot in there, but I think it made it easier to create multiple combinations. 

With her permission, I did a quick inventory and rearranged a few items to work within the confines of the top-bottom-layer system.

We began with 4 tops, 4 cardigans, 4 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of pants. Time began to fly by! In fact, we ran out of time before we ran out of combinations!  For most, changing in and out of clothes while remaining focused on wardrobe goals, can be a CHORE. That's why it's nice to have a wardrobe director. It's one of the few times I get bossy.

"Here, try this."

"Nope. Change that out and put it with this."

"Do you have it in you for one more?"

Carrie graciously tried combinations she was skeptical about, some of which she ended up liking. We were both tired by the end of our session, but I was elated with the results. I couldn't wipe my goofy grin off my face and I clapped in childlike fashion when we discovered all the potential that was awaiting inside Carrie's closet--all without purchasing a single item!

What's the best part? Seeing your friend smile at her reflection in the mirror and appreciate her God-given beauty. Regardless of what she wears, Carrie is beautiful inside and out, and anyone who knows her would agree. Most importantly, Carrie knows she is valued beyond measure by her Creator. Helping her feel good about what she wears gives her an extra dose of confidence that adds more sparkle to her smile, more spring to her step and more enthusiasm to her handshake. ;)

In addition to the outfit combinations, we made a list of items that would help expand on what Carrie already owns: bracelets, a pair of white pants, and so on. Now when I see Carrie, I see some of the outfits we styled, but with her personal additions, making the outfits more unique. That's a win!

To those in a fashion rut, instead of wasting precious moments staring hopelessly at your closet shelves, ask a friend (fashionista or not) for help. She will see things from a new perspective, and help you combine what you have with what you like into a winning, functioning wardrobe. So do not lose heart my readers, your journey to fashion freedom is a fun, friend-filled afternoon away!

Have a fabulous day my reader friends,

Chrissy
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