I Have Nothing to Wear {Guest Post}

Ever look in your closet, which is possibly overflowing with clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, toys, scarves, husband's items, etc. and think anxiously- "I have nothing to wear!" Oh yah, I've been there and thought that.

You see, it all started with CAbi. I was going to have a fashion show with Teya, my Cabi Consultant, and my husband told me I could spend some dough on clothes for myself. He knows I often complain I have nothing to wear. As I was looking through the Fall Look Book I decided I needed to dig through my closet to see what I had that could work with the Fall Fashions.

I opened my closet with trepidation knowing it was a mess. You see, we've thrown (literally) a lot in there, since we have people working on our bathroom right now. (Taking out Fiberglass and putting in tile.) Plus, I use our closet for storage - gifts that I save throughout the year. And I also know there were lots of clothes and shoes that my husband and I just don't wear anymore, but we save because we USED to like it, WANTED to like it, FEEL BAD because someone gave it to us and I am sure other reasons, too.

So we did a "Wardrobe Wipe-Out". I threw EVERYTHING out of the closet. I told my husband to decide what he wants to keep and what he doesn't, and I didn't hold back on throwing his old, faded shirts into bags for donation. And then it came to my side. He helped me telling me which blouses he liked and which ones he swore didn't "look" like me. The blouse my grandma gave me and I kept out of guilt - gone. The skirt I loved ... 15 years ago - gone. The faded, button down shirts I used to wear to the office - out they go. I only kept the outfit pieces that made me feel good and looked good - although my husband might have convinced me to hold on to a midriff blouse or two.

And with my closet cleaned out and organized, it was easy to see what separates I needed from CAbi. Jeans - I have a lot of them, so I can skip on that. But that means I can seriously consider the leggings. I have way too many long-sleeved blouses, but a licorice tube top might be extremely cute on a date with hubby.

Plus, I took this opportunity to pack 7 bags of items, toys, clothes and accessories to give to friends and/or donate. My husband was about to toss some of his work shirts and shoes in the garbage. I looked at them and realized that although he couldn't wear them with his position at the bank, they still had "life" to them and could be useful to someone who can't afford to buy new clothes. In fact, whenever we hold garage sales, I always have a box of "free" items too and some of the nearby communities and neighbors will quickly take what they need - so I definitely would feel bad throwing out what someone could use.


At the end of the day I learned four lessons during my Wardrobe Wipe-Out.

1. Get your significant other's opinion on your clothes as you go through them. Let them help you stay honest on what you should keep and what you shouldn't.

2. Don't keep clothes out of guilt or because you used to like them. Styles change and you have to be comfortable with what you are wearing now. If you haven't worn something in a year or more, give it away!

3. If you are about to go shopping for whatever reason - CAbi party, mom's night out, new job - clean out your closet and organize so you know what you have and what basic items or chic accessories you'll need.

4. DONATE and GIVE AWAY. Check out your local Salvation Army and give away things on FreeCycle - your toss-aways can be valuable to someone in need or want!

You can check out theMomBuzz.com to see the results of shopping with my personal fashion consultant at the CAbi Party. And I want to know - What tips do you have for keeping your closet organized or keeping your wardrobe full of fresh style?

Erin Taylor is owner of the Mom Buzz, a national website that buzzes parenting tips and product trends to parents. Erin has had experience discussing hot items for children and moms on Daytime and Fox 13, plus has done an exclusive interview with Elmo in 2010. The Mom Buzz has been online since 2008 and publishes daily. You can learn more at www.themombuzz.com.