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Jul 30, 2009

True Confessions of a "Closet" Shopper!

At least once a week, I go in my bedroom, lock the door and shop! No, I don't order from QVC or HSN. Without bogging you down with the details, our current financial situation is not what it has been in past years. So unnecessary spending has been cut. That means I am not buying clothes. What I am doing, is shopping
my closet. I take my time and looking with fresh eyes I try on several pieces until I have coordinated a brand new outfit.


Now I have never been one to splurge on myself or shop til I drop anyway so I am not suffering shopping withdrawals. And fortunately, after losing 16 pounds last year, I bought a few new things and was also able to get back into some of the cute clothes hanging around in my closet that hadn't seen the light of day in years!

With nary a dollar for new fashion finds, I decided not to get all mopey about not being able to go to the mall, or T.J. Maxx or Marshall's. Instead I make a quick trip to my own little boutique. It's just down the hallway past the main bathroom on the right. You can't miss it!

My closet challenge is to put pieces together in a new way. I aim to coordinate a look that is modest yet flattering to my body type, appropriate to the situation and one which projects my inside attitude to my outside apparel!

Shopping my closet midweek also avoids the rush of last minute decision making since I already know what I am going to wear to church on Sunday, or for any other occasion on my calendar.


















This past Sunday morning, my outfit, including accessories, was ready and waiting on me. I had never worn these pieces together before and that is what makes shopping your closet fun! Challenge yourself to look at your individual pieces a little differently. You may not be able to afford new clothes but if you get in your closet and mix things up a bit, you'll feel like a new woman!


The top is one I bought last year after losing weight. The skirt is part of a 3 piece suit (jacket, pants, skirt) that I bought in 2003! (Confession ~ I couldn't wear it from 2004 - 2007.) But it finally fits again and it's a classic cut in the perfect length for me (mid-knee).





I added a narrow black belt with silver buckle and wore my favorite pair of black slingbacks.
Here's a tip: If you want to visually lengthen your legs, wear slingbacks.




And for a pop of color I added a coral bag which also matched my coral lipgloss and my coral toe nail polish (although hidden by the shoes).
How's that for color coordination?










If your fashion budget is zero, why not shop your own closet?

The best part of all is knowing my husband admires me...not just for my cute outfit or money saving ways, but because we are on the same team and we're winning the battle of the budget together!

14 comments:

  1. Great ideas....I'm gonna try it !

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  2. Melanie I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! You are such in inspiring woman! I love looking at things in a new way, I love the challenge of putting items together that you have never worn together before and the thought of your adorable coral purse matching your lip gloss made me smile so big! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Just think how you can inspire so many women in this way. You provide the necessary ideas in so many areas. I like how you look with a fresh set of eyes, and especially how you plan ahead with your outfits. My husband would give a hardy amen to that idea. Thank you!

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  4. I love this post! What an awesome idea. I am having the opposite problem. I put on weight this past year and haven't lost it all. I can't really afford to go shopping and now it feels my wardrobe is cut in half. I guess I will have to stick to my Weight Watchers! Congrats to you for losing so much weight! That's awesome!

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  5. That is a cute outfit! I love that idea and I love your splash of color. You go!!

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  6. cute outfit!! i love to shop my closet! it's my favorite place to go because they have the best prices!! friends closets are also fun. i have a couple of friends that when we get rid of things, we give them to each other. prices good there too!!

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  7. Hey Mel,
    Cute post! Is that skirt green or yellow?? Just curious?
    A.

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  8. The skirt is black/white like salt & pepper. I guess the picture doesn't show well.

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  9. Those are good ideas. I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I can combine some outfits in new and interesting ways myself.

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  10. What a wonderful post...such great ideas!!!

    Love your blog!!!

    Enjoy!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  11. Brilliant! I love the outfit you put together. So cute! The little belt is adorable. And, I'm proud of you for matching your toes - even when they can't be seen, YOU know they match. Kinda like matching undergarments, you just feel better when they match.

    Bet you get at least 5 comments on your cute outfit Sunday. :)

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  12. Great way to shop. I'm a thrift store shopper. I get most of my jeans there. Shirts is much harder. I usually go to Ross Dress for Less.

    I like the idea of closet shopping.

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  13. Melanie, I recently did some closet shopping before a conference. I did buy a few new things but it was much less because I just added to what I already had! Thanks for the reminder to keep on going to the "Holley Boutique" I have right here at home (I'm sure my hubby will approve too!). (:

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  14. OK, I have been reading backwards through these posts, and I have just one question now.
    Will you come to Michigan and help me??????
    I have absolutely NO eye for putting things together. And even less confidence!
    How I wish I could "shop my closet." You're good!

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