Keep in mind as we do this that the purpose of this whole series is really two-fold: building a great wardrobe at the lowest possible price. But first we need to identify what you already have that works, and what doesn't. You're going to have to be strong here, because it's time to seperate the dreck from the delightful.
Open your closet and pull out what you wear most often. This doesn't mean your "favorite" garment. Take out the items that you would wear if you wanted to look your very best, depending on the ocassion. Include casual, business, evening, but nothing that is marginal or questionable. It'll probably be a small pile, because most people only 10 percent of their clothes. Don't believe me? If you're a transgender person who has two wardrobes check out your birth gender wardrobe too. Just how many of those garments do you really wear?
As you go through the list, award points for each category: two points if it's a success, one point if it's just okay, no points if it's a flop. Some of the garments in your 10 percent group will score high marks in all five categories. Others will have only one or two features that make it a favorite, such as great fit, comfortable fabric, but a color that does nothing special for you. Pay closest attention to the garments that get the highest scores.
Fabric
Does the type of fiber appeal to you, or just look good somehow? Does it keep you warm or cool? Is it light or heavyweight? Soft or crisp? Does it move nicely with you, have a lot of give? Or perhaps the clingingness of it is attractive. Is the fabric "nubbly" or smooth. What kind of fabric is it? Natural? Synthethic? Blend? Is the finish matte, shiny? Does the fit just work right? Is it comfortable?
Color
When you wear this garment do people spontaneous compliment you? It is probably the color that first attracted them and you can bet that it is a color in your personal palette. Smart dressers make sure that there is nothing in their closet that isn't in their palette.
Style
Do you like this garment because it makes you look taller, shorter or thinner? Because it narrows your neck or shoulders? Camouflages wide hips, a thick waist or a flat chest? Does it just seem to enhance your best body features. Pay extra close attention to the neckline, is it a "v" or "u"? Does it have pockets or not? Are the shoulders natural or padded? Is it tailored? Does it have pleats and tucks? Where does the hemline fall? Where does the sleeve end?
Fit
Does this fit right? Do you have a full range of motion? Is the waistline elasticized or not? Does it have front pleats. Are the sleeves cut full in the upper arm? Pay particular attention to the proportions. Do many of your favorite jackets and tops end at the waistline or high hipbone or do you prefer styles that cover up the fullest part of your hips and derriere?
Compatibility
Does this garment get a lot of wear because it coordinates well with other things in your wardrobe? That is a very good sign for a seperate.
Get rid of the worst losers. Just give them away to the needy and don't look back. Keep the marginal ones for now, but eventually you should get rid of them too. From this point on when you go out shopping bring along your list of characteristics. Try to buy garments that fit into the characteristics that you have identified as those that look best on you.
Next month we'll try to hone down a style that may be your best look.
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