Remember my post about Feelin’ Frumpy? Well, one of my lovely readers (Julie @ Ice House to be exact–thanks a million, Julie!) left me a comment about the website Missus Smarty Pants. For a fee, Missus Smarty Pants will help you rework your wardrobe. She has some basic ideas and then builds off of those using your body shape. Because I needed some very specific help in putting together a workable wardrobe, I went ahead and paid the fee with some birthday money. I am so glad I did.
One thing that stemmed from the use of this service was my closet makeover. If you take a look at the free Closet Organization section of the website, you’ll see in the 2nd picture from the top a closet very similar to what mine used to look like: full of clothes with nothing to wear.
I was back down to prepregnancy weight, so most everything fit, but still I could find very little that I wanted to wear and felt good wearing. I spent copious amounts of time on Sunday morning trying on outfit after outfit looking for something that was both suitable and looked good. In fact, any time I had to go somewhere that required me to look put together, I found myself in a quandry. Even my every day clothes were frumpy and ill-matched. I never felt good about what I had on.
While Missus Smarty Pants’ suggestions for what to wear were exactly what I needed, I found I needed to bring what she teaches about closet organization down to a very simplified level; one that reflects the fact that I am a stay at home mom of many littles who love on me in living color. What I came up with has REVOLUTIONIZED my day beyond my wildest expectations!
First off, I decided my every day clothes needed to be nicer and more put together. The fact that I spend the day in the house teaching school and changing diapers does not necessitate a wardrobe made up entirely of sweats and t-shirts two sizes too big for me. But, I do have to take into consideration the “living color” factor. No, this does not mean I can only wear baby poo yellow, but it does mean a print is a good thing and fabrics that wash well are a bonus.
One thing that is imperative is that I do not have my everyday clothes mixed in with my nicer “going-out” clothes because, let’s face it, accidents happen and things get icky. I needed a special distinction in my closet between the clothes that stay home and the clothes that go out. So, my closet now has two sections:
Play Clothes
and
Dress Up Clothes
I went through my closet just as she tells you to do HERE and I seperated the clothes that made “the cut” into either Play Clothes or Dress Up Clothes. I then made a list of articles of clothing, using the Missus Smarty Pants suggestions for my body type, that would make each of these sections well-rounded and user-friendly. For instance, on the Play Clothes side of the closet I had a pair of black capris and a pair of denim capris. I purchased a patterned shirt that matched them both.
On the Dress Up Clothes side of the closet, I already had a black and white skirt but nothing to wear with that skirt. I purchased a shirt that matched and a cardigan that could be worn with several different outfits.
The Dress Up side of the closet has not only my church clothes and evening attire, but also my casual going-out clothes. Much of what I consider “casual” items can be made dressy enough for business dinners and church simply by adding a nice necklace, or changing out the shoe. (I’m still working on the shoe issue…anyone else have a shoe dilemma?)
So, now when I get up in the morning, all I have to do is consider what my day is going to be like. If I’m at home for the day, I choose from the Play Clothes section. The wonderful thing is even my Play Clothes are nice enough to have company drop in or run to the store (and I AM wearing an apron in the kitchen, ladies ) But, if I’m going on business with my husband or I have a doctor’s appointment that requires me to look a little more dressed up, I choose from the Dress Up section. I don’t have to think too much about either section once I’ve decided what my day looks like because everything works together. There are very few outfits that stand alone with nothing but one thing that works with it. I can literally grab and go!
Here’s a picture of the final product. There’s no real clear cut division (and no, the hangers are not color-coded!), but I know where the line is.
All the Play Clothes are on the left side going in this order from left to right: skirts, jeans/capris, shirts. All of the Dress Up Clothes are on the right side going in this order from left to right: shirts, jeans/capris/slacks, skirts, dresses, accesories (like purses and shawls)
I really want to stress here that this is not about vanity. If anything, reworking your closet in this way helps to prevent vanity since you will no longer be spending countless hours standing in front of the mirror trying to find just the right outfit.
God is in the little things. This, in the overall scheme of life, is a little thing, but we cannot deny the fact that we are a reflection of our Savior. We would do well to keep the mirror polished (with modesty and moderation) as best we can so the Lord’s grace might shine through all the brighter.
Blessings,
kranberry216 says
You look Great!! And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new layout!!
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says
Good for you! 🙂
Kyle and Mandy says
I am so happy that you dilemma is solved! You look terrific in those outfits too! I have thought about giving Missus Smarty Pants a try, but I wasn’t sure how helpful it would be to me since I only wear dresses/skirts.
~Mandy
Verna says
Love the outfits! I have a hard time mixing and matching.
I need to get busy and do a closet makeover too, and get rid of the things I can no longer wear.
Thanks for the incentive.
Deedee says
It looks great sweetie! You look FAB in those outfits too!! Great job.
Anonymous says
OOOOOHHHH! I wanna play!!! When I started working at the bank I had to do a closet makeover, and it was so much fun to go shopping for what I knew I had to have and adding some fun stuff into it as well. AND, I am so picky about shoes, that I had to build my wardrobe them. When I find a pair of shoes I like, (if they are on sale) I buy them, and sometimes they sit in the closet until I can find something to go with them!! Right now I have about 7 pair of shoes that I actually wear, and something to match all of them!! What a fun post! i needed a little fun today!! thanks Amy! Lets go shopping together sometime! BTW….you look GREAT!! lOVE YOU GUYS!
STEPHANIE
Kacie says
I LOVE this! Yay for you for spending some time organizing your wardrobe! It’s really fun, isn’t it?
I’m a SAHM (to one baby so far) and for the first few months of his life, I was in old t-shirts and yoga pants a lot. The first day I put on jeans and a regular top, I felt like I had really made a step up!
I think it’s important for moms to look presentable and feel good about how they look. Our families are worth dressing decently for, ya know?
I’m working on revamping my wardrobe and I love finding new ways to wear old things. I try on shirts and bottoms and sweaters and whatnot in a variety of ways. Some work, some don’t, but I can’t figure it out until I see it on me.
I’m focusing on classic items so that I can get plenty of use out of them in the years ahead.
Reggie says
I really enjoyed this post! I have gone from a cargo pants and baggy sweatshirt wearing newlywed to a skirt and blouse wearing mama. ALOT of this change came about from having several daughters in a row and wanting to set a good example modesty wise, but I have found I just love it for so many other reasons! As you said, when even your ‘casual’ clothes look nice, it’s no big deal if the Mennonite neighbors drop by unexpectedly. ?