I know, I know–I say something is my new favorite all the time, but this dress. Y’all this dress. I’m in love. It makes me feel like a princess, it reminds me of the ocean, it’s simple and complicated–and it’s made of denim. (yes, those rows of ombre all denim with a sheer neck). It’s perfect. A friend asked where I was planning on wearing it–a more appropriate question is where won’t I wear it? Ask me to dinner and hang out–there’s a really great chance I will wear this and feel like a million bucks.
Hope your Wednesday is magical! XO RA
Details:
Dress: Coming soon to Moda Operandi link here
Shoes: Steve Madden
I’m a fan of anything that can span seasons–and this sweet sweater dress fits the bill. I love the classic stripes, the material is just thin enough for spring, yet has some heft, and the sheer sleeves and hem make it flirty. A win all around–even if I do say so myself!
Happy February Loves! XO RA
Details:
Dress: Ann Taylor
Bag: Vintage
Shoes: Schultz, old, similar here
While this denim dress is from Reformation’s S/S collection, I think it’s proof that a great hat, turtleneck and boots can make almost anything winter wear!
Not that there is anything at all wrong with buying Bottega Veneta new (I love their current line), but if you’re looking for a brand that stands up amazingly over time, buying vintage Bottega Veneta is a decision you will not regret. The classic lines and textures, the colors,the quality–I have several pieces from the 70s and 80s, and yet get asked where I bought them all the time. So what to look for? Classic colors, the trademark Bottega Veneta weave, and quality. These items were made to last so make sure that you’re buying from someone who has taken care of their treasures–these shoes are over 30 yrs old–yet you would never know it!
Some of my favorite places to score vintage Bottega Veneta: Etsy, eBay and your favorite consignment store!
Winter is no time to put away your lace–in fact there’s something unexpected about a lace top in the middle of the cold! My tips for winter lace–keep it long sleeved, make sure it’s paired with something a little on the warmer side (love these pants but jeans or a skirt work well too!) and don’t forget your coat!
Hope that if you’re on the East Coast you survived Jonas (and know I’m irrationally slightly jealous! This beach gal has never seen that much snow!)
It’s taken its time, but winter is finally here! No matter your opinion on the cold, the great questions can be: how to look chic while staying warm? The trick? A statement coat. When your coat is a showstopper, you can build a look around it-keeping warm and looking amazing. Win. Win. My fave pairing is a coat worn as a dress over jeans–but there are so many ways to make your coat the show-stopper. What matters is that you find a coat that you love, and wear it!
Loves! I hope yesterday’s post gave you some inspiration to clean out your closet! And it’s hard-right, right? The good news? It’s doable and you did it! Yay! The bad news? There still may be work to do–but again it’s so doable, and if you have just a touch of the OCD, it’s a little fun. I promise!
So you’ve cleaned out, you got rid of things that no longer serve you, and made space for new things! Now: what to do with all of the amazing things that you want to keep? Organize. Yes, it may take a minute, and yes putting away laundry may take some thought–but I promise it’s worth it! Here are some of my tips:
Think like a boutique, or in other words, think seasonally. If it’s winter, make sure appropriate items are in the front or plain view. There’s no need to hide items you need from yourself! When seasons change, rearrange! This is also a great way to make sure you’re putting things you want to wear in front of you–because let’s be honest, in the morning it’s easiest to grab what’s in view!
Consider organizing by type–all skirts, pants, tops together, etc. I go a bit further–I have skirts together, then organize by length and within the length go from light to dark. Tops are grouped together, then by type (blouse, fancy, denim, athletic–yes, I know I seem a little over the top!) Find what works for you–the goal is to know where things are and be able to find things quickly. There’s also something to be said for making your closet look inviting!
Keep sweaters and other items that may stretch folded instead of on hangers
Use space to your advantage –have a coat closet? Put all coats there! Have a spare room–use the closet for clothes that you don’t often wear (like formal wear)
Most importantly, organize your closet in a way that works for you! After the clean out you deserve it!
The Clothes You Didn’t Want
After every closet clean out there are cast offs–remember those piles that we made of clothes we didn’t want? Here’s where we deal with them!
Clothes that are old, dingy, etc can go straight to GoodWill. But what about the clothes that are still in great shape, in fashion, and could be well loved by someone else? You sell them. It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds–there are several places that can help or brick and mortar stores that will take the clothes off your hands! Read below for my tips! Also Real Simple has some great tips!
Selling Online
The best sites, I think, to sell online are: ebay Tradesy The Real Real Poshmark Vaunte
Each has their own guidelines, and each has their own pros and cons. While you can name your price for all items, Ebay and The Real Real are known for higher prices, Tradesy and Vaunte have both low and high prices, and Poshmark prices are more moderate. The sites usually will let you know what similar items have sold for –and are more than happy to guide you. The downside to selling online is that you are responisble for taking the pics, posting them, and mailing the item once it’s sold. If this doesn’t sound like something you’re interested in, you do have options! Brick and Mortar Selling
Each city has a range of re-sell stores and consignment shops. I find places like Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading, and Plato’s Closet are great places to sell items from places like Zara, Jcrew, and HM–they usually take seasonal items and pay you a percentage of what they will sell the clothes for!
Higher end items do better at consignment stores (if you’re in LA I love Recess and if you’re in Austin I love Moss Austin)
While you don’t get to set price and have to share the profit with the store, you don’t have to do the work of selling! Either way you get to make a little profit off of your closet clean out–and let your clothes find happy clothes elsewhere!
I hope these tips for organizing and selling your clean out help make the last bit of your closet clean out painless! Of course, now comes the best part–shopping!
Happy Thursday! XO RA
If you’re like me and think of January as a time of new beginnings, you might also be dealing with a massive closet clean out–which can be scary and daunting. But my Internet Loves, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can be great–and give us reasons to go shopping! Read below for some of my tips on getting the most out of a closet clean out!
The Questions
I think closet clean outs are a bit difficult for two main reasons: the amount of things to go through (tips on that below) and the emotional toll. Let’s be honest–clothes are not only what we may invest in, but clothes are what our lives happen in-first dates, promotions, weddings–we’re dressed in clothes for these events. And can sometimes hang onto the clothes as a memento. I am not one for throwing things out–if there’s something that’s super important to you (from wedding dress to that concert tee from high school) and you can’t bear to part with it, pack it up (gently and with cedar) and store away. That’s not an excuse to hang onto everything–but hopefully knowing that not everything HAS to go gives you some peace.
As for how to go through everything else? These are the guidelines I use. Yes, we all have different needs for a wardrobe–but treat whatever needs you have like a bad boyfriend; meaning that there is no reason to hang on to things that you don’t like or treat you well because you’re afraid of not having anyone or waiting on something better to come along. For everything in your closet ask yourself these questions:
How does it make me feel? The clothes you wear should make you feel good, they should bring you joy. And if you hate what you’re putting on, you should get rid of it and buy new!
Does it fit my needs? If you need to wear a suit to work a closet full of sweatshirts won’t serve you.
Is it really what I want? If you’re holding onto a pair of pants you hate while lusting over a pair you love you’re better off getting rid of the pair you hate and buying (or saving) for what you want. There’s also no reason to hang onto an item you “should” have that you don’t love.
How does it look? Does it fit properly? Can it be altered? Is it flattering on me? Get rid of things that don’t work with your body–true story I’ve hung onto jeans for years wishing that the rise was longer, it’s better to just move on. However, if the item can be altered it may be worth it!
Hopefully these questions (and maybe a friend to help with the answers!) can help make the clean out a little less traumatic! And now that we know what to think of when we clean out–let’s talk about how to clean out our closets! Divide and Conquer
I don’t know how you organize your closet (and if this is where you tell me you have a dreamy Pintrest worthy closet, I have to let you know how jealous I am)–but I do mine by type–skirts, tops, pants, dresses, shoes–with coats and fancy dresses in another closet. Which means I can run around getting dressed–but also means it’s easy to go through things. Part of what can be daunting about a clean out is the thought that it has to be done in a day–which is great if you can! Grab a friend, grab some wine and get going!However, that’s not always doable–so I’ve been known to pick a category (pants, shoes, etc) and go through them one at a time. However you do it, give yourself a time line (if it’s a category at a time say a week, if you’re doing it all say 4-5hrs)–there’s no reason to prolong the process! The Method
1. Part of why I think it’s best to work by type of clothes is that I think the best way to do this is to pull out everything. So do it by type–for example take out all your skirts. Go through them, touch them, look at them–and be honest. What do you want to keep? Those can go right back in.
2. The things that you aren’t sure on keeping? Put them in piles–the ones you’re on the fence on, the ones to go to Goodwill, and the ones you don’t want but may sell.
3. Here comes the work–that pile you’re unsure of? Go through it and try everything on. Yes, try it on. Those questions we talked about? This is where we really use them. So look at yourself in your clothes, really ask yourself about how they make you feel and look on–and be honest. Then make a choice and put them in a get-rid of pile, or put them back in your closet.
4. Repeat until every category in your closet has been looked at.
5. During this time it’s also helpful to really think of the things that you need and want in your closet–be it pieces you need to replace or pieces you need to buy! Make a list if needed (I personally do my wishlists on my phone!).
You should have a pile of things to give to Goodwill, a pile of things you may be able to sell, and your closet should be full of things you love and that look amazing on you!
So what’s next? Tomorrow we talk my tips for closet organization and how to sell those clothes in the sale pile! I hope this helps your closet clean out be something to look forward to–because if nothing else, when you get rid of things, it gives you a reason to go shopping! Right? Right!
Internet Loves, I have a confession to make–I have fallen head over heels for the Gucci S/S campaign (and fashion). If you’re following me on Pintrest you’ve caught on–it’s all I can seem to pin!From the skateboarding to the mix of prints to the 70s vibe to the slight “granny chic” (for lack of better term)–I want it all. Gucci has mastered making that late 60s/ 70s vibe effortlessly cool–the big glasses, the platforms, the big bows–so when I found this vintage dress while shopping on Etsy, I simply couldn’t resist. It’s everything I love about the Gucci campaign–the bow, the print, the mix of textures, the 70s vibe that somehow doesn’t feel dated. Now I just have to learn to skateboard!
Hope your Tuesday is cool! XO RA
Details:
Dress: vintage
Shoes: Jeffery Campbell, old, similar here
See the Gucci campaign here and shop it here
Of course all the things I pin are on Pintrest–you can follow me @racheladelicia!
As the saying goes: “I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color”. Now, I’m a fan of color–but when I need to feel chic and pulled together (no matter what) black can’t be beat. I love the button detail of the jeans–love the neck scarf–and this shoes are some of my favorite (a little bit of ballerina, a little bit of rock and roll), they also add that hint of color. All of the pieces look great apart too–so everyone wins!
