The Must-Have Pieces to Shop For at the Salvation Army

A Personal Wardrobe Stylist has many job requirements, shopping being one of my favorites!  I like to shop everywhere, in addition to supporting organizations that give back to our community. The Salvation Army is one of those places that offers hope, transforms lives, and help to restore families.

Did you know it is also a great place to shop? It is one of my top places to donate too after I complete closet evaluations. What does this mean? It means you can find some fabulous items to add to your own wardrobe! So make sure for your next shopping trip, you venture out to the Salvation Army and look for some of my must-have summer items!

My 10 must-have summer items for women:

• White cotton blouses with romantic details like lace eyelet accents

• Maxi dresses

• Denim jackets

• White blazers

• Flared jeans, paper-bag waist pants, high-waisted pants, denim with a fringed hem

• Denim maxi skirts

• Prints: stripes, animal print, polka dot, tropical, botanical, floral

• Platforms, espadrilles, white tennis shoes, & mules

• Hoop earrings, chain-link necklaces & bracelets

•  Scarves

My 10 must-have summer items for men:

• Retro print short-sleeve shirts & light colored button-up shirts

• T-shirts: striped, white, gray, navy & black

• Shorter length shorts

• Light colored-sport coat

• Slim or straight leg denim

•   Hybrid pant: a combination of a trouser, jean, and non-pleated chino pant

•   Lightweight navy, gray or black zip-up jacket

• Cognac colored lace-up shoe

• White, tan, or navy sneakers

• Pocket squares

Helpful Tips on Editing Your Closet!

As a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, part of my service is to educate clients on how necessary it is to edit your closet and donate!  The Salvation Army is a wonderful organization that provides jobs and rehabilitation programs assisting both women and men who may be struggling with homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction. Not only do you help others by donating but you also receive a tax-deductible receipt!

Here are my top tips on making the closet edit process more productive for you:

·         Edit your closet every quarter, so it is not as daunting at the end of the year.

·         Try a 3-bin approach: “Items to be donated”, “Items to be recycled”, and “Items to be dry-cleaned or fixed”.

·         As you go through your closet, create a shopping list of “essential items” you may be missing from your wardrobe.

·         By editing your closet quarterly, the goal is to become a strategic shopper by determining what essential pieces you need throughout the year, verses one large expensive shopping trip.

·         When deciding on keeping or donating an item ask yourself the following 10 questions: 1) Does it fit?  2) Is it worth altering?  3) Is it in good condition?  4) Does it flatter my body?  5) Is it an emotional keep?  6) Is it comfortable?  7) Have I worn it within the last 2 years?  8) Do I love it? 9) Does it represent who I am now? 10) Do I feel confident in it?

·         Organize your closet by the type of garment and color.

·        If you are having trouble deciding on an item to donate, adhere to the keep-or-toss test: Put the item aside, not back in your closet, for 24 hours and see how you feel then. The majority of the time, you will decide to donate.

·         Make sure you have a full-length mirror and good lighting to see yourself in the outfit from head-to-toe. This way, you will be able to make a more constructive decision of keeping or donating an item.

·         After you edit your closet, make sure you have an “essential interchangeable wardrobe” that you feel confident wearing!

Some of the many benefits by staying on top of your closet and wardrobe is to become a more strategic shopper, know your buying pattern, and give back to those in need.

Working one-on-one with a client on determining what to edit, what to donate, and what essential pieces she is missing.

Organizing items in different piles to donate, repair, and keep.

Organizing a closet by item and color.

Items that are in good condition to donate!

Call for a complimentary consultation!

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Pool-Chic For Men!

Are you ready for coolness by the pool? Contact me for a consultation! 

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