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Secrets from a Wardrobe Expert

Secrets From a Wardrobe Expert

Clever gals know that having a well-organized and functioning closet is key to dressing well. Knowing where things are, that every item is applause worthy and mixes and matches effortlessly takes the stress out of getting dressed each morning. But how to go from wardrobe mishap to warbrobe wonder? Jackie Hickson, owner of Power of Style, offers the following tips:

Clean it

Think of your closet as an invitation of honour – only those worthy of making you look your best may come in. This means clothes that don’t fit, are worn, stained,  out of date, unflattering, or the wrong colours are not invited. This is also a good time to evaluate your clothes to your lifestyle. If you just switched careers to become a full time yoga instructor, than you may need to edit down the collection of corporate suits.

Build it

Working with your newly edited down wardrobe, make a list of what’s needed to complete looks. That faded black cardi, or white blouse with the yellow pits that was tossed, make note to pick up a new one. A good wardrobe starts with some basics, and then some fashion pieces added in. Make a list then head to the mall! A good rule of thumb is to have a couple of tops that you can wear with each bottom – after all, people will notice your top first as it is closet to your face! Shopping style can be done at every price point!  Save money by purchasing for your specific body type and fashion personality!!!

Wardrobe must have’s:

A pair of jeans that fit well in a basic wash

A black (or other neutral) suit – jacket, pants and skirt that flatter and well fit to your body shape

A white or ivory blouse (depending on your colouring)

White and black tee’s

Jean jacket

Straight leg/dark denim jeans

  Then add in:

A wrap style dress

A few neutral cami’s

Neutral cardi (black / beige / white / charcoal)

Subtle print blazer/boy friend jacket

Leather jacket – blazer style that can be worn inside and out

  And add some fashion:

Skinny Jeans (curvy gals can do these if worn with boots)

Tees, collared shirts and cami’s in pop colours that are right for you

Printed tops that flatter you

  By using this formula, you should be able to mix and match effortlessly, and dress up or down depending on the occasion

Flatter it

Get to know what cuts and styles are best for you. Dressing for your body shape can be the difference between looking Ok to looking amazing! What may flatter one person may be completely wrong for the next. The same goes for colours. Knowing which colours make you look vibrant and fresh is an easy way to navigate a clothing store. Once it the fitting room in front of a mirror, use the “love it” rule…if you don’t love it the second you put it one, then it’s not for you. Getting your colours done and body shape professionally analysed is well worth the investment , as you will know exactly what to look for a not waste money on clothes that look good….but not for you.

  Bag it

Don’t overlook your handbag and shoes – they are just as important as the clothes, and should be considered part of the outfit. Include these as part of your closet edit, making sure you have some basics as well as statement pieces to go with all the outfits in your closet.

Choose a bag that has function, is comfortable, and has some style. Figure out beforehand what you need it to do….will it be carrying a days’ worth of stuff to and from the office? Do you need a large strap to keep your hand free?

For shoes, know what you can wear and any dress codes that may affect your choices. What activity will you be doing in them? (I do admit to having the odd pair of fabulous but tedious heels that are saved for the days that I only need to make it from my desk to photocopier…). We all know that heels can add a sense of power and make legs super curvy….but if the kids soccer practice is on the agenda, then they may not be the right choice.

  Style it

The difference between just putting on clothes and making a coordinated outfit comes down to the accessories. This is where your distinct personality can really be played up! It’s the easiest way to stay fresh, current, and to add a dash of a trendy print or colour without committing to a more expensive garment. Some of the best looks are the simplest – think basic jeans and white tee with the colourful printed scarf of the season – classic with a nod to trendiness!

Look for:

A fun scarf in a colour that works for your complexion

Cheerful baubles, bracelets, and necklaces

Belts in different widths – start with basic brown and black and a few trendy colours that can be swapped each season

Tights  - basic black along with some prints and seasonal colours

Just remember to wisely choose 1 or 2 statement pieces to add to your look. Too many accessories can take away from the outfit, instead of adding to it.

  Face it

You could have the most flattering and stylish outfit, but what about your hair and make-up? If it’s been a while since you’ve had a new ‘do, look through magazines or ask your stylist for ideas to update your look. Don’t be afraid to see a new stylist who may have a new perspective on your hair cut and colour. Instead of just replacing your old lipstick and eyeshadows with the same colours, take a few moments and ask the cosmetician for some ideas. Larger drug stores or beauty counters have professionals on staff that can advise on colour choice and show you how to apply, usually for free if you purchase product, which you were there to do anyway. If you do end up on your own, keep in mind that the colours from your clothing colour palette – these colours work for make-up as well! And don’t forget your glasses – a trip to the optometrist may in order to get some up to date specs for your peepers. Seeing as how these are on your face, this is probably the accessory that people will notice first!

Tailor it

Let’s face it. We all come in different shapes and sizes, so most off the rack clothing will need a nip or two to make it fit properly. Even the smallest adjustment can make the world of difference. This is well worth the investment for those wardrobe must have’s as mentioned above. Buy good quality, have them tailored, and they will serve you well for years. These small alterations can take an outfit from oh to oh la la! It will be more comfortable to wear, and give you confidence knowing that you look good from all angles.

  Getting your closet organized is extremely liberating, and well worth the time and attention. Sometimes all you need is an extra set of eyes to “yay” or “nay” a certain blouse or outfit. Jackie is a professional wardrobe consultant, and can whip any closet conundrum into fine shape.  She can also advise on dressing for your body shape, personal colouring, and how to dress to reflect your lifestyle and personality! A wardrobe edit with Jackie is well worth the investment, and will give you the proper tools and foundations so you can shop for clothes with confidence.

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Thinner by Tonight

1) Create a crisp new frame: throw a black tailored, or fitted jacket, open over a white T-shirt or blouse.  The dark angular cut of the jacket reduces body weight at the shoulders, while the contrasting V-neck creates the illusion of a longer neck line.

2) Break up your twinsets: They can easily look frumpy, so substitute a very sexy camisole or tank for that matching crew or turtleneck shell.

3) Unbutton Everything: Creating a V neck which elongates your neckline and makes you appear slimmer

4) Tilt your head slightly in conversation, but especially when taking photos: Press the top of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, as you smile to pull up the chin dangle. 

5) Loosen up - take yoga or pilates: your body will be more aware of what it feels like to stand upright; your posture will improve and you will appear taller and slimmer

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As I reflect on these past few weeks, my ever so fashionable mind goes to the amazing people that I have met, and the experiences I have helped to provide.

Both men and women alike have issues with getting older. How much money they have, the accomplishments they have or have not made. How their...

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It's time for the weekend!

As I reflect on these past few weeks, my ever so fashionable mind goes to the amazing people that I have met, and the experiences I have helped to provide.

Both men and women alike have issues with getting older. How much money they have, the accomplishments they have or have not made. How their relationships are going, or if they are going at all. Being 47 I have lived the most amazing life. Having survived cancer twice in my life time along with a few scares and other such drama, I have come to the conclusion that life is just too short to worry about the small shit. I choose happy, I choose to smile, I choose to find the good as opposed to concentrating on the bad that is out of my control. Each and every day we start with a clean slate. How do you want your day to go? Will you be a bitch because you only had 3 hours of sleep? Or will you choose to embrace the adventure of the day that awaits you ? I choose embrace!! When something negative happens to you, do you climb down that ladder of dark? Or do you think to yourself ” what is the lesson I am supposed to be learning right now?” Hmmmmm

So, as I celebrate my Friday, I am thinking of all the awesomeness that all of you bring me. Thank you!

…….just jackie

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Closet Audit Tips

Just do it. Whether it’s a new diet, new workout regime, or just a new day, getting started isn’t easy for anyone. However, you have to remind yourself that tackling your tangled closet will make your life better. You might even surprise yourself and have fun! I recommend planning ahead and scheduling time—perhaps a Saturday morning or several 30-minute periods on weeknights—to complete this project. If it’s on the calendar, it’s more likely to happen. And once you start, you’ll almost immediately begin seeing the benefits of having a cleaner, more organized closet.

Bring in the troops. The messier your closet is, the more helpful an objective third party will be. A friend, a family member, or an image consultant can help you make smart choices and give you honest opinions. If another person comes to your house for the sole purpose of weeding through your wardrobe, you won’t be able to put the task off with excuses. Plus, this person won’t be emotionally attached to price tags and memories. Regardless of who helps you tackle this project, you (and your closet) will appreciate having a voice of reason and extra moral support in the room.

Commit to living in the present. As I have said many times, when you wear old clothes that don’t reflect and honor who you are right now, your confidence and self-worth will suffer. Spend some conscious thought on matching your wardrobe to your current lifestyle. While it’s fun to think about how things used to be, our clothes have to reflect who we are now!

The simplest way to accomplish this is to do what I call The Closet Audit. First you need to sort through what you have. It’s not easy—if it were, you would have done it already. Everything must be tried on to get an accurate reading on whether it still fits and is something you want to keep. Ask yourself: Is it a flattering cut for me now? Do I ever wear it? Is it out of style? Is it great on me or just so-so? Does the color flatter me and my skin tone? And the number one question: Would I buy it again today?

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Do You Think You Look Fat?

Your not Alone!

Almost every woman I know thinks she looks fat - even women who exercise ever day, eat nothing but salads or juice, and wear a size 6 or less!  In the 25 years I have been in the business of 'image transformation' I have yet to meet a woman who has fully accepted herself for who she is!  I refer to it as "our stuff" regardless if it is all in your head of physically on your ass!  STUFF!

The truth is, I think I am fat too!  I can't stand that I have gained weight in the past few years, I am always searching for ways to lose that final 10 pounds; sound familiar?

As women, I think we all carry around three different weight numbers; the number of pounds we would like to weigh (in our dreams), the number we can live with comfortably, and the number that makes us feel like we are fat.  I am certain you know what I mean.  I know my numbers, and you know yours.  And even though the number that makes me feel fat is within the normal range for my body type "it is what it is in our minds", and can make a huge difference in how we feel and how we approach the world each day.

My passion is to assist women feel better about themselves, to raise their self esteem, to empower them with their own personal tool box of tips and tricks to make them feel like a rock star!  I began my business with the purpose of raising others up; knowing that as I empower others, it helps me with my own "stuff" - nothing is more rewarding than recognizing the best qualities in others and helping them to see and believe it themselves.

As I approach my 47th birthday my vision and purpose has become more clear - to assist as many woman as possible to believe in themselves - to provide the tools and support to our youth in order to raise strong, passionate, and caring young women.  To create programs, workshops and 'self esteem' camps across the globe.....

Growing up with less than a positive sense of self I know how hard it can be to truly believe in ones ability, in her own inner beauty, and in her self worth.....my goal as I grow The Power of Style is to help as many women as possible to see their own inner beauty.

And that is...............The Power of Style

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Fall 2013 Trunk Shows coming to Calgary

Fall is in the air......fall fashion that is! Stay tuned for upcoming information from Power of Style regarding the stock/trunk shows we will be hosting in Calgary! Paris Collection Georges Rech will be returning, along with MM: Minicucci x Marcanio, Karen McClintock Jewellery and a few more surprises! Jackie@powerofstyle.ca for more information and to request your private invitation.

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Survey Says:

**All survey data will be kept for internal use only and never sold to third party companies. 1. What do you perceive is your biggest problem when it comes to deciding what to wear?

  2. Tell me about what was your most successful outfit you picked out on your own without assistance in the last 12 months and why?

  3. What was your biggest outfit failure in last 12 months and why do you think it didn’t work?

  4. What do you like best about successfully being able to pick out clothes that match your style and body type?

  5. What is the one important thing you wish you could improve that will increase your success creating outfits?

  Thank you so much in advance for your time in completing this survey for me.  I look forward to seeing the results!

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What's Stopping You......

What’s stopping you from having someone help you to complete your closet intervention and helping you with your style?  Until I met Jackie, I didn’t realize I needed help and thought it was an invasion of my personal space.  But now, I see it as essential and realize there’s nothing to be afraid of!

  Jackie completed my closet intervention and then took me shopping.  What I thought would be a chore turned out to be a really fun experience.  I love my newly organized closet, which is no longer cluttered with those things I thought I’d wear one day or had been hanging onto for years because they were either a gift or an expensive purchase.  Jackie gave me that push I needed to let go of certain things and had so many practical tips and invaluable advice for the neat things I already owned but wasn’t wearing.  With a few minor alterations and ideas for combining pieces, Jackie’s helped me to create many fashionable new outfits with the items I already had!

  Having Jackie shop with me really helped me to understand my style and I love how she helped me choose items that completed the gaps in my wardrobe.  And if you're worried about spending the money on a stylist, don't be.  Jackie’s help has actually saved me tons.

  Jackie is passionate about what she does and makes the experience all about you.  One of the things I appreciated the most is that she doesn’t judge and I felt comfortable with her throughout.   I am grateful to have met Jackie and to have received the benefit of her gift of style.  The experience and her advice is lasting and has made all the difference! 

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Testimonial for Jackie Hickson

"Jackie is truly one of a kind. She has exceptional style and an eye for fashion. One of her greatest assets is that she is able to customize the shopping experience to your needs and personal style to enhance your overall experience. I was really set in my own ways, limiting many styles and colors to my wardrobe. Jackie helped me break through my one dimensional way of thinking and showed me how to add to my current wardrobe. I actually dreaded shopping before meeting Jackie. I found myself buying things just to get something, and repeatedly buying the same styles. Jackie has actually helped me build an eye for what works for my body, wearing pieces to build an outfit, and feeling good about what I buy and wear. Not only is she a great personal shopping companion, but a pleasure to be around. There is no awkwardness, its just like shopping with your friend who has great style and insight."

Jackie is an Image Transformation Artist

www.powerofstyle.ca

Jackie@powerofstyle.com

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Thoughts from Just Jackie

"Stop focussing on what you don't have....concentrate on the WHY and forget about the HOW"....... I have been told this countless times recently......as hard as it seems, I have CHOSEN to listen, to LET GO, and JUST BREATHE and let it all happen!  I have chosen TODAY to INCREASE MY DESERVE LEVEL!  "I will fail my way to success!!".....

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Are You Feeling like a ROCK STAR?? Thanks Marla

The Evolution of You: Seven Tips for Kick-starting an Updated Image

Posted on April 25, 2013 by admin

Do you know what it’s like to look in the mirror each morning and feel ambivalent about what you see? You don’t hate the way you look, but you don’t get excited about it either. If so, you’re not alone. We all get so caught up in other aspects of our lives that we let our images evolve (or not, as the case may be) on autopilot. And as I’m sure you know, when you don’t give a task your full attention, you usually can’t expect spectacular results.

One thing I’ve learned as an image consultant is that spending some focused time and attention on updating your look every once in awhile is well worth the effort. Not only will you love what you see in the mirror every morning, your image can also affect how confident, energetic, and balanced you feel throughout the day.

The best news is, you don’t have to totally revamp your wardrobe, your hairstyle, and your makeup to reap these benefits. Here, I’d like to share a list of tactics that can help you kick-start an updated image. Some of them will apply to you; others you may be “on top of” already. Just mix and match, then say hello to the new you.

*Schedule a closet cleanout… The messy closet problem plagues millions of women all over the world. If you’re one of them, your closet is probably a primary cause of your lackluster look. After all, if the state of your closet stresses you out, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if you can’t easily see many of the pieces you own, you won’t be able to maximize your wardrobe.

Make a serious commitment to go through your closet, determining which pieces honor you for who you are right now. That means you’ll need to remove clothes that don’t fit; pieces that are worn, stained, or out of date; colors that don’t make you look your best; things that don’t match your current lifestyle, etc. Be sure to try on everything as you go so that you’re making an accurate assessment of each piece. It might be a good idea to hire a professional or to ask a trusted, non-judgmental friend to help you with this task.

*…then restock your wardrobe. This task goes hand-in-hand with cleaning out your closet. As you discard pieces, make a list of items you’ll need to build complete looks with the clothing you’re keeping. For example, perhaps you discarded a blouse because it was damaged or didn’t fit anymore. Or maybe you need a new sweater or jacket to go with a skirt that you love, but with which you have nothing to wear. Once your list is complete, head to the store! Again, you might want to hire an image consultant or bring a friend along to ensure that you’re making wise choices. (Look back at this blog post for more ideas on how to clean out and restock your closet.)

*Figure out what flatters you. I’m sure you know that different colors look better on different people. The same thing goes for various clothing styles. The question is, do you know which colors and styles look best on you? If not, you might be unintentionally sentencing your look to “average” instead of allowing it to be amazing! It’s a good idea to revisit this topic every few years as both fashions and your body change. Get clear on colors and styles that are most flattering, and stick with those guidelines whenever you make a new purchase.

If you’re not sure where to start, many fashion magazines and websites offer general advice regarding what colors and styles tend to look good on various complexions and body types. You might also want to ask a trusted friend for honest advice. But if you want more personalized results, I recommend working with an image consultant whose trained eye can help you to look your absolute best.

*Do a handbag and shoe review. A good pair of shoes can transform how you look, how you walk, how you feel, and how other people perceive you. And a great handbag can have a similar impact on your comfort level—not only because of how it looks, but because it’s not too heavy while holding everything you need. Sometimes, though, it’s easy to ignore both shoes and handbags if you’re too focused on clothing.

Take some time to review your shoes and handbags. Which ones do you use on a regular basis? Which colors and styles do you need to complement your clothing? Are heels or flats better suited to your lifestyle? How high of a heel are you comfortable wearing? How large of a handbag do you need? Is a certain type of handle most comfortable for you to carry? Write these criteria down and refer to them when shopping. Don’t come home with ten pairs of black shoes!

For this season, nude or muted metallic shoes and bags make clothing look fresh, and can be carried throughout the year. Other neutrals (that category includes black and animal print!) are also good long-term investments. But don’t be afraid to spice up your look with a brightly colored pair of shoes or tote when the spirit moves you.

*Sort through your jewelry and scarves. Sometimes it’s the small things that make an outfit really pop and that help you—and other people—fall in love with your look. Do you own pieces that make you feel beautiful and excited when you get dressed? Or are your accessories an afterthought? Especially if you’ve owned the same things for years, this may be a good time to invest in a few key pieces of jewelry and/or scarves that will give you a distinctive look. Keep in mind that spending a little more money on fewer statement pieces will set your look apart. And the dollar-per-wear ratio will be in your favor over the long run!

On the jewelry front, I’m currently enjoying Alexis Bittar’s acrylic cuffs, which are accented with silver, gold, and crystal. (I wrote about them a few months ago as well!) They’re beautiful and unique, but because they’re clear, they match any outfit. I also recommend larger Majorica pearl statement necklaces and/or earrings as well as colorful jewelry of all types from Bounkit, which can be customized to complement your wardrobe.

*Face yourself. Your look isn’t all about what you wear. Your face is one of the first things that people notice when they meet you, and it’s also what they primarily look at as they interact with you. Unfortunately, beauty rituals pertaining to the face are one of the easiest ruts for women to get stuck in! Think about it: When was the last time you changed your hairstyle? Have you updated your makeup this century? And when was the last time you switched your glasses frames?

If you haven’t addressed any of these areas in awhile, it might be time for a change. Plan a visit to your favorite makeup counter, your hairstylist, and/or your optometrist. Explain that you’d like to update your look in a way that’s fresh, stylish, modern, and that plays up your natural beauty. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the right makeup, hair, and glasses take years off my clients’ faces!

*Take your clothes to a tailor. Many people I know are reluctant to visit a tailor because they assume the service is too expensive, or not worth the money. I promise you, that has never been my experience. The fact is, when your clothes are properly tailored and fit you perfectly, you’ll look great, you’ll feel even better, and you’ll get more wear out of the pieces you own. And guess what? When you love what’s in your closet, you won’t feel compelled to shop as often, meaning that the cost of tailoring will pay for itself.

Even if you don’t typically have trouble finding clothes that fit, I encourage you to visit a tailor. Almost everyone needs alterations to take pieces from “fits well” to “fits perfectly,” no matter what size they are to begin with. A few seams, tucks, and hems can take your look from okay to WOW!

If you’re familiar with me and my philosophy, you won’t be surprised by the last piece of advice I’m going to give you: When it comes to updating your image (or making any change in your life, for that matter), avoid things that make you feel uncomfortable, negative, or fake, no matter how trendy or in style they may be. Regardless of what you wear or how you style your hair, the best accessories are always a confident attitude and positive outlook that come from being authentic and true to yourself.

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Dress for the position you WANT as opposed to the one you currently HAVE

Jackie Hickson This is Andrew - a client whose closet I provided clarity to this past week. Andrew was struggling on how to dress for the role he eventually wants to play in his life as opposed to "dumming it down" and dressing too casual. Simply be flipping on a tie with your Banana Republic Shirt and jeans (and of course groovy socks) you can instantly add "oomph" to your business casual look! I challenged Andrew to start with baby steps of 1/week to "dress for the future"...that is.....The Power of Style

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The First Impression @ The Power of Style: introducing “Just Jackie"

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If you had a fairy god mother

If you could wave your magic wand and have your fairy god mother grant you the wish of your very own personal stylist, offering to you free advice, closet clarity, a pleather of service at your finger tips - what types of products or services would you ask for?

  Dream big Cinderella, dream big......

That is ......The Power of Style

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Closet Interventions - reposted by Jackie - thanks Marla Tomazin

Do you dread getting dressed in the morning? If so, maybe a messy closet is the culprit. Shelves are crammed, hangers are tangled, and clothes, shoes, belts, and more are piled on the floor. You’ve got plenty to wear, but nothing inspires you. (Probably because you can’t find your best pieces!) Most days, you throw on the first thing you can find, slam the closet door, and try to avoid the mirror.

If you’re like most women, you know you should tackle the giant mess that is your closet, but other priorities—work, the kids, laundry, dishes, and so on—always seem to take precedence. Enough with the excuses—it’s time to put a clean closet at the top of your priority list, because a disorganized closet is a big problem that affects much more than just one small room in your house. A messy closet is a metaphor for a messy life, and it can have far-reaching ramifications.

The most obvious consequence of having a chaotic closet is the fact that getting dressed becomes a frustrating experience that has the power to ruin your day.And since you feel stressed and depressed just thinking about organizing your wardrobe, you end up spending too much money on new clothes. (Going shopping, you figure, is easier and more enjoyable.)

You may even end up buying pieces you don’t need, simply because you’ve forgotten what you already own. When I do a closet audit with my clients, I find that many of them own items that are beautiful, flattering, and comfortable—they were just buried beneath layers of less-inspiring clothes.

If you’re tired of feeling like your closet has a life of its own, and you’re ready to start making the most of your wardrobe, read on for six of my tried-and-true tips on how to tackle the giant tangle and successfully clean out your closet. In my next blog post, I’ll share some more tips to help you take the pieces that are left and build the closet you’ve always wanted.

Just do it. Whether it’s a new diet, new workout regime, or just a new day, getting started isn’t easy for anyone. However, you have to remind yourself that tackling your tangled closet will make your life better. You might even surprise yourself and have fun! I recommend planning ahead and scheduling time—perhaps a Saturday morning or several 30-minute periods on weeknights—to complete this project. If it’s on the calendar, it’s more likely to happen. And once you start, you’ll almost immediately begin seeing the benefits of having a cleaner, more organized closet.

Bring in the troops. The messier your closet is, the more helpful an objective third party will be. A friend, a family member, or an image consultant can help you make smart choices and give you honest opinions. If another person comes to your house for the sole purpose of weeding through your wardrobe, you won’t be able to put the task off with excuses. Plus, this person won’t be emotionally attached to price tags and memories. Regardless of who helps you tackle this project, you (and your closet) will appreciate having a voice of reason and extra moral support in the room.

Commit to living in the present. As I have said many times, when you wear old clothes that don’t reflect and honor who you are right now, your confidence and self-worth will suffer. Spend some conscious thought on matching your wardrobe to your current lifestyle. While it’s fun to think about how things used to be, our clothes have to reflect who we are now!

The simplest way to accomplish this is to do what I call The Closet Audit. First you need to sort through what you have. It’s not easy—if it were, you would have done it already. Everything must be tried on to get an accurate reading on whether it still fits and is something you want to keep. Ask yourself: Is it a flattering cut for me now? Do I ever wear it? Is it out of style? Is it great on me or just so-so? Does the color flatter me and my skin tone? And the number one question: Would I buy it again today?

Set up a trial separation. Clothes are often the diary of our lives, and that’s why they can be so hard to part with. For example, maybe you spent a lot of money on a fancy dress to wear to an evening wedding, but haven’t taken it off the hanger since. Or perhaps your mother or friend gave you a sweater that isn’t your style, but that you have a sentimental attachment to.

I suggest removing those rarely or never-worn garments that you can’t quite let go of from your closet. Box them up, or hang them in the basement or another closet. Leave them in this limbo for a year, then revisit them. This trial separation is easier on your emotions because there is still a way back. But if absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder—and often, it does quite the opposite—you will know it’s time to let those pieces move on!

Sort smart. As you begin to sort through the piles of clothes, keep pieces with similar fates together to make the rest of the process much easier. Divide everything into four separate categories: items to throw away that are ripped, stained, or frayed (this is the easy one!); items you are keeping; items worth saving that need alteration or dry cleaning; and items to be donated. Your to-be-donated pile can be further separated into items that can be used by Dress for Success (a nonprofit that donates professional attire to disadvantaged women), items that you wish to take to a resale shop, and items that could be donated to Goodwill or The Salvation Army.

Don’t forget accessories. Once all of your clothing is sorted, it is time to go through your shoes and boots, handbags, jewelry, lingerie, hats, gloves, etc. Often, you’ll find drawers of scarves that you’ve never worn, for example, and nearly forgotten shoes and boots piled up under racks of clothing. (And don’t forget to visit the coat closet!) Use the same sorting criteria that you did for your clothing. Remember, shoes that are worn out or that have a dated toe or heel can take away from an otherwise fabulous outfit. If beloved and still-fashionable shoes need new heels, soles, or a cleaning, take them to a shoe repair shop to give them a new lease on life. Usually, this is less expensive than buying a whole new pair!

Throughout the cleaning process, remember to stay calm. Untangling your closet is supposed to be healing and freeing, so don’t allow it to overwhelm you with stress. It’s okay to take breaks and walk away from the task for awhile, especially if you encounter an item that strikes an emotional chord in you, or just to gain some fresh perspective. And again, don’t be afraid to call in help. An outside opinion can make all the difference, especially when it comes to those pieces that you just can’t decide whether to keep or let go of.