6 Steps for a Successful Closet Visit

Let me first start by saying that I have spent tireless hours trying to find the best way to use the written word to describe something that has been so life changing for my clients. I make cute little Insta tiles with some of my most used quotes that have helped clients over the past few decades. I write daily to become a better writer, and practice that craft so that I can give you the best word pictures and tell you a story. I am working on my communication style, because I want you to feel the same impact as though we are standing right in front of each other. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some video footage of actual closet walk throughs, and real life consults. This has been a really hard thing for me to figure out. Not because of the technology, (though I’ve had my fair share of ah-hah moments the past 6 months), but because I truly value the privacy of others. I take primarily non-disclosure work, because I value that privacy so highly. It’s hard for me to ask a client if it’s ok to film a portion of a closet visit, or find a new client that would be willing to go through the process on camera. You are an individual, and you have very specific reasons for repeatedly requesting a blog post on this topic. You want out from under all of the clutter that has become your wardrobe. You want to know why you developed your current shopping habits, and how you can break free from that cycle. You want your clothing to fit you and flatter you, but you don’t know where to start. I have taken my process and boiled it down to 6 steps. Though you could complete these steps on your own, and see a significant change in your life, they are not a replacement for working with me one-on-one. The reasons that individuals have for wanting to create a dream closet are many, and there are too many variables to cover in a single blog post. While I am developing a ‘tools’ area on this website, and even considering the effectiveness of an online course, I want you to have some advice today, to start your journey. I want to take you inside what I do, so that you can have a life changing consult without having to wait to get on my calendar. I plan to have more availability to work with some of you one-on-one starting in the Spring of 2020. I am clearing space in my mental closet to help at least 1 client each month that is not in my regular rotation of television and media clients. I desperately want to help you affect change in your life, by starting with your wardrobe.

Here are the 6 steps for a Successful Closet Visit

1. Your Goal- Before diving in to your closet, we need to have a clear goal, or even goals that you want to achieve with your wardrobe. For most clients, we have either a conversation over the phone, or meet in person when it geographically makes sense. You have to know why you want to hire an expert to revamp your your wardrobe, otherwise you could easily just toss most of your things in a bag and take them to a local donation facility and call it a day. What are your goals? Do you have sentimental attachments that you would like to break? Do you want to know what truly fits your body? Are you a stay at home mom, that wants to transition back into the job scene and needs to develop an updated style for interviews and your new work-week rotation? Do you over spend or over shop because you feel like you need something new every week and you want to break that cycle? Do you need to develop a nice selection for date nights, errand days, etc.? Do you just want some help with using the current pieces in the best way possible to get the most bang for your buck? Do you want a professional opinion on a shopping list that will better help you use those clothes? Do you want guided help in creating a 10/30, or want to use another ‘capsule’ format?

   You have a goal! You may even have 3 Goals, but the point is you have a burning desire to see change in this area and streamline your process.

2. Once we have Your Goal- I give you homework! Yes, homework. You will most likely have 2-3 goals and this homework is based on your specific goals. 1 of the homework items will always involve the Million Dollar Filter, and that is a non negotiable. That is why much of my content revolves around that thought process. That is where we are going to focus today. After you know your goal and what you are trying to accomplish with your wardrobe, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION to what truly makes you feel like a Million Bucks! You will still have great success in your wardrobe by focusing on this concept even if we never get the chance to meet in person.

3. We set a date on the calendar. My goal is to schedule the Closet Visit 2 weeks out. If you are doing this on your own…..Don’t skip this step! Don’t just assume that you will get this done without allowing yourself the time that you really need to accomplish this task. If that were possible, you wouldn’t still have it on your to do list. Block it out in your calendar and give yourself the appropriate amount of time to complete the closet overhaul. Standard closet visits take 3-4 hours with my guidance, you will need more on your own. As a tip- very few of my clients have music on while going through the process, no podcasts, no streaming, no TV on in the background, just dedicated time. I advise you to do that while working alone as well. It is imperative to create the environment where you can hear your own thoughts. Why do we set this 2 weeks out? If I am working with you one-on-one, this will give you time to work on the homework that I gave you. If you are executing a closet clean out on your own, you will have the appropriate amount of time to discern what you feel like a Million Bucks in and what you don’t feel like a Million Bucks in. 2 weeks is plenty of time to refocus and set your intentions to have the best possible outcome and meet your goals. Set aside all of the items that make up your “Million Dollar Wardrobe.”

4. The Closet Visit- Yay!!! The day is finally here! The first thing that you will want to do, is to grab a notebook, pen and a drink. You are going to be busy for a while, and will need to take note of some of the thoughts that are running around in your mind. You will want to start by addressing your “Million Dollar” garments. Try each of those items on, and make notes about each of them. What specifically is it about each item that makes you feel like a Million Bucks? Do you like the way that the pencil skirt hugs your hips, or how soft that vintage tee shirt feels? What is it that makes you feel like you could take on the world while wearing that piece? These notes will give you clues to your true style preferences. Write It Down! You will want to remember that through the process. You will also want to wear the Million Dollar items throughout the process, so that you get used to how they feel on. You are worthy of feeling like a Million Bucks all the time, even if you are cleaning out your closet! This will take some time, because chances are that you have more than you think you do that you feel amazing in. Remember Your Goal! Depending on the goals that you defined, you want to start building out what your first week will look like only wearing your Million Dollar wardrobe. Make note of what might be missing. Are there any gaps that need to be filled? Did you end up with more dresses than you anticipated? Do you need a pair of jeans that fit perfectly? Make these notes. Apply the Million Dollar Filter to any new closet additions.

5. Look Through Your “Other” Closet- What were the items that did not make the cut? If you have a few items that were close to feeling like a Million Bucks, what specifically kept that item out of the Million Dollar Wardrobe? Make notes! Do not settle! If you do choose to settle on this, you will regret it. If something came quite close, but needs alterations, make a pile of items that needs to be altered for the best fit. Sometimes we just need to freshen up a few things to make them work perfectly. Discard the items that did not make the cut. You can do this over time, but please keep in mind, that doing this over time will only give you more opportunities to back slide. More opportunities to settle, and more opportunities to remain in an over cluttered, over crowed closet. You can sell or donate, whichever you prefer, but get the clothing that makes you settle out of your closet.

   That leads us to the final step…

6. Welcome to your Million Dollar Wardrobe! This is the beginning of something amazing! Place all of the items that made the cut back in to your wardrobe and soak in all of the glory of newness! Need to fill in the gaps? Make a Strategic Shopping List and set your budget. Remember that you need fewer things than you once thought that you did! The goal is to Feel Like A Million Bucks every day, not just “get dressed.”

    

   I hope that this helps change your perspective and gives you the motivation that you need to start fresh in your wardrobe! I am available for questions—-Leave a question of comment below! Remember to Subscribe at the link below to be notified of other helpful tools that will help you on your journey to closet peace!!