Wear-Out is the Way
I make outfits. That’s the long and short of it. It doesn’t matter who you are, what size you are or what your particular style is. Helping people to curate their closet for life is what I do. Using the presourced market is the fastest, easiest, most economical and environmentally kind way to accomplish these goals. Presourced items can be new, used or something you already own. Wear-Out is my mantra. Wear-Out is the way.
A single Goodwill location can add as many as 100 new pieces a day to the floor. That is like restocking a boutique a day. Every time you go into a store, it’s like the first time. How great is that? That is a fashion stylists dream! Many times my clients are overwhelmed by the retail experience. Where do you start? Start in your closet. It is where you begin and end each day. It is ground zero. Get yourself organized there and then you can leave the house. Adding other items is futile if you don’t have a plan.
My son posed a question to me. What are you going to do about this? I knew exactly what he meant. As his mom, I have solved a lot of problems throughout his lifetime. Hopefully I have given him the good skills to solve his own problems. But, when discussing the environment it can be daunting. The fashion industry alone is dumping millions of tons of textile waste into the landfills every year. We have to stop. Sustainability, upcycling, recycling and repurposing is the key, Wear-Out is the way. Rewear clothes you already have. If you have to have something new to you, buy from the repurposed market.
I have committed that over 95% of the clothing that I buy or source for clients comes from the presourced market. I can find everything there. Sometimes it takes a location or two, but, for instance, Goodwill has over 8 locations close to me. The people that work at Goodwill are awesome. They are some of the nicest people I see all day. The retail experience at a Goodwill store is lovely. Items are arranged by size. Sometimes they are arranged by color as well. It doesn’t come any easier for in store shopping. And, no one is crawling all over you trying to make a sale for something that doesn’t fit or that you don’t need. Simply, buying what you need and no waste, while keeping something from heading to the landfill. The price…..You have to see it to believe it. Committing to reusing 1 item, maybe two and going to one location for your next fashion fix is my challenge to you. What will you Wear-Out today? Curate your wardrobe collection for life.
Velvet, Leather and a Comfy Sweater
“I don’t believe that you can find everything you are looking for at one Goodwill location.” That is what a friend said to me. I got in my car and in 20 minutes I had sent her photos of the found items. With the holidays right around the corner, what we Wear-Out is more important than ever. Since we will all be at home in small groups, comfort is key. Are you eating in or outside? However, it is the holidays. Everyone needs something to look forward to and dressing for the occasion is what can make a dinner at home fun! Combining two totally different textures can transform an outfit from boring to beautiful. Start with your closet, you may already have a velvet top, bottom or accessory. Combine that with a comfy sweater or leather jacket, vest or skirt. Big comfy sweaters can be worn as a dress or over tights or leggings and boom, you have a new outfit.
If you are still compelled to shop, Goodwill has everything you need to accomplish this goal. The sweaters are on the same rack and separated by size. Dresses, tops and bottoms are on separate racks and also divided by size. When you have to plan a turkey dinner, shopping for a holiday outfit needs to be as simple as possible. Check your closet first (you may already have what you are looking for) for something to Wear-Out. Make your plan for that special presourced item from Goodwill. The employees at Goodwill always have a smile and a kind word which makes the hectic holiday season even nicer. Donate-shop-change a life for good.
Fashion Tip:
Smashing two different textures against each other creates a look and sets your look apart. A basic black velvet dress can be paired with a combat boot or a leather jacket. A soft velvet top paired with a black leather skirt and over the knee boots. Pulling items from other seasons and decades can also add depth to your look. What will you Wear-Out today?
Christine Peterson is a fashion stylist with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from Kent State University. She has had careers as a stockbroker, financial advisor, insurance producer and general manager in the insurance and retail industries. She has also developed sales, marketing, development and mixed media campaigns in the profit and nonprofit sectors. Christine has produced and directed fashion shows, designs accessories and clothing, and speaks and writes about all things fashion.
Peterson’s clients include business men and women, musicians, politicians, attorneys, restaurateurs, writers, performers and stay at home moms. Through her fashion formula and organizational system, she changes the way they feel about themselves and their clothing. She simply helps her clients curate their own wardrobe collections for life. Stay updated with Christine at wear-out.com