How to write a business plan for your wardrobe

When Carrie Bradshaw discovered on Sex on the City that she really was the Little Old Lady Who Lived with her Shoes, we all laughed.  But, that was a few years ago when the world was an entirely different place.  Today, many of us wouldn’t find that episode quite so amusing, as the economy has us all scaling back on our expenses.  So, how do you prevent Carrie’s fate?  By creating a business plan for your wardrobe – and sticking to it.  

1.  Write a mission statement.  “I want to dress like a c-level executive.”  “As an entrepreneur, I want to express more of my creative side,” or “I need a wardrobe where everything coordinates and travels well so I no longer have to think in the morning.”

2.  Find your signature look and stick with it.  Hillary Clinton found her pantsuits.  Michelle Obama has her sundresses.  It’s time to discover your own signature look.

• Which outfits do you feel comfortable in (both physically and mentally)?
• Which outfits have you been complimented on?
• Which ones do you know go together without any thought required?

3.  Promote from within.  Are there certain clothes that you always travel with because they don’t wrinkle, or do you have a luxurious item of clothing or accessory that makes you feel special every time you wear them?  It’s time to give them a promotion and move them to the front of the closet for everyday wear.  Costume jewelry can dress up a classic cardigan sweater and that white non-wrinkly t-shirt can work well under a suit.

4.  Downsize strategically.  Get rid of any clothes that:

• Do not fit either your mission statement or signature look.
• Has not been worn in 3 years.
• Do not fit well or needs tailoring that would cost more than to replace it.
• Do not make you feel better about yourself every time you put it on.

5.  Employ best practices.  French women do not have the largest of closets, yet they seem to have the most style and fashion sense.  How do they do this?  They buy a few quality, yet chic, investment pieces and wear them over and over.  Investment pieces are a great suit in a neutral color; items made of leather, suede, cashmere; and other classics as that are always in style. 

6.   Scale down expansion plans.  Now that you’ve pared down your closet, it’s easier to see what you need to complete your wardrobe. 

• Purchase only pieces that complete your signature look, travel well, and don’t require a lot of tailoring or drycleaning.
• Save trendiness for accessories and pick them up at low-cost stores (H&M, TJMaxx, Kohl’s)

7. Negotiate lower prices with vendors.  This is something you don’t have to do yourself.  Shopping at sites like www.RueLaLa.com  or www.shopittome.com or using rebate sites like www.eBates.com automatically ensure that you never pay full price.

Diane K. Danielson is the founder and chief social media strategist for the Downtown Women’s Club and the author of the eBook, The Downtown Women’s Club Beginners Guide to Facebook.  Her signature look is a combination of great boots and fitted pin-stripe suits and/or pencil skirts with fitted and funky yet practical blazers.

Comments

[wholesale miskeen]

Thanks for guiding me through this. Rarely do I find good entries that would walk me through. Great post.

-mikee

[Stephanie]

Great article! I started thinking about my wardrobe..and I realized I have 1 outfit and no shoes to go with it!

I'm going to have to make a shoe-shopping date with myself this Spring.

[Diane K. Danielson]

Glad we could help. Its much quicker and inexpensive to have a strategy before you hit the stores!