the small tricks i use to shop my closet (and spend $0)

tried and true tips to resist the change-of-seasons-urge-to-buy

It’s happening, summer’s ending 🥲

Growing up on the East Coast, I loved this time of year: the Indian summers, Labor Day BBQs… Alas, in Paris and Amsterdam, there’s no such thing. September makes it very clear: days are shorter, skies are grayer, party’s over.

The season is changing. Enter the irrational feeling of “I’ve got nothing to wear!”.

So I thought I’d share the small tricks I’m using to shop from my own closet to avoid getting swept up in the “must-wear” fall trends (and also to come to terms with colder weather).

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Treat your seasonal wardrobe switch like a shopping spree

As silly as it sounds, the boring task of switching out my wardrobe has turned into a fun ritual of rediscovering my clothes with fresh eyes — “hello wool cardigan!”, “I’ve missed you, little scarf!”

It’s like unpacking brand new clothes, minus the actual shopping.

And when the weather starts to change, instead of creating a wishlist, I daydream of items I can’t wait to wear again. For example, my trench and agnès b. cardigan:

also wouldn’t mind some sunny fall days and a cozy warm bowl of mussels while we’re at it

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Create an “outfit inspo” album

But the rule is: every inspiration needs to be based off pieces you already own.

Just search for your piece of clothing + “outfit” in Pinterest and get a million ideas. Screenshot your very favorites and save them to your album.

Another great source: your favorite brands’ campaigns/social accounts. For example, Tricot and &Daughter sell knitwear in all colors and are amazing styling inspo for sweater layering.

double-collar inspo for my polo sweaters (from Tricot) / reminder to wear those blue socks i own

When I get the “nothing to wear” feeling, I reach for my trusty album for a fresh perspective on my wardrobe. I keep my album pretty small and curated so it’s easier than looking through my millions of pins.

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Get creative with color matching

For my birthday this year, my friends gifted me A Dictionary of Color Combinations (shout out Emma and Ismay 🫶).

I’ll often get stuck on one specific way to wear a colorful piece of clothing. But I’m excited to nerd out on colors with this little book and shake things up. Plus, fall = layers = endless color matching possibilities!

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Give yourself a challenge

You know that top/pair of trousers/skirt you really like but have a hard time figuring out how to wear? Let’s challenge ourselves to actually wear it this autumn. It’s so satisfying to turn a dormant item in your closet into one you reach for weekly.

I owned this pinstripe blazer for a year before it became one of the items I wear most often in spring/autumn. This fall’s challenge: wear this hat more often!

Challenge accepted but not won? It might just be time to part ways.

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When uninspired, throw in an accessory

It’s the oldest trick in the book for a reason. I can’t count the number of times I’ve reached for a small scarf, a piece of jewelry, a belt, to spruce up an outfit.

My grandmother, Grany, believed that statement jewelry can (should?) be worn daily. And she looked fabulous every day 🩵

she wore colorful beaded and shell necklaces, and she would belt her sweaters

You’ll also always find my friend

Sandy van Helden

wearing beautiful earrings, bracelets, necklaces. It always adds just the right amount of glam to her outfits:

My sister Camille and my friend

Anna Lapomme

are queens of scarves. I rarely see them without those bright and elegant touches to their outfits:

And finally, Carrie and Lady Di reminding us that sometimes all an outfit needs is a good belt:

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Turns out it’s easier to think about the clothes you already own than those you don’t.

A note-to-self I’m holding onto as we head into this new season :)

What about you? What are you excited to wear again? How do you shop your closet to keep it fresh and exciting?

Wishing you all a wonderful end to your summers, and I can’t wait to share more fall-related thrift tips in the next few weeks.

🫶

— Laure