Reset, Not Replace: A New Year Wardrobe Edit
2025 Has Ended. Thank F*cking God.
I’m not sure about any of you, but it was quite the tumultuous year for me. I’m grateful 2025 is behind me, both figuratively and literally. I graduated from college, entered a post-graduation slump, like many of my fellow graduates, moved to Chicago, was unemployed for six months, and then finally accepted a position at Reformation. It was a long year, but it’s over now, and the best we can do is breathe and reboot.
New year, same wardrobe, done better.
With a new year comes new goals, and one of those should be to clean out your closet, ethically and responsibly, of course. If you’re thinking, “Girl, how TF do I do that?” keep reading.
Let’s assess your closet, together.
The process of getting your closet and you to work together can be a difficult one. That’s why we’re going to break this down, step-by-step.
Step one is inventory.
I like to combine the Marie Kondo philosophy with brutal honesty. If you aren’t familiar, the concept of the Marie Kondo way is to get rid of things that do not bring you joy. For instance, if I am going through my closet and stumble upon a top I may like but don't absolutely love, it’s time to recycle it. (We’ll get into how to do that later.) I use the concept of brutal honesty as a secondary tactic, just in case you end up listening to that voice in your head that says, “I may not love it, but I could wear it on that trip I’m imagining in my head in 2 years…” Like, no. You’re not going to wear it on your imaginary trip to Greece in 2030. It’s actually just going to continue to sit in the back of your closet. If you’re really feeling stuck on a piece and feeling stubborn, move it to a more visible place in your closet and give yourself a week to style it. If you still don’t find yourself wearing it, let it go. I know, it’s hard. I discussed the best way to do this in a previous blog post, which I will link here, and I will quote myself:
How to get rid of clothing ethically and responsibly: a quick guide
If the item is of significant value, resell it through Depop, Vinted, Grailed, The Real Real, Vestaire Collective, etc. If it's a mid-range item and you’re feeling skint (that’s British slang for broke), you can take your item(s) to a resale shop like Plato’s Closet, which will give you cash for your clothing. If the item is not of value, do not donate it to a for-profit organization (e.g., Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul). Instead, donate to a shelter in your area. This ensures that people in need can access clothing for free rather than having to purchase it.
Step two: styling yourself with what you’ve got.
Set some time aside to pick out outfits for yourself — for work, for going out, for dates, for whatever! Figure out which jeans you like with which tanks, which skirts you like with which blouses… etc., etc. Figure out what works for you and what your favorite pieces are. This can include finding out what silhouettes you most enjoy — there’s even a quiz on it. It’s called The Kibbe Body Type Test, and it will help you figure out what looks best on you, not only based on your body shape, but also on the length of your legs and torso. I highly suggest taking a looksie to see what you likesie.
STEP THREE: ASK YOURSELF IF THERE IS ANYTHING MISSING.
Not to be confused with replacing everything you got rid of, because believe me, this is something I and everyone else can easily fall into — but if it feels like you’re missing high quality basics (a good white tee, a great pair of jeans, a flattering Little Black Dress…), it’s okay to put your best foot forward and invest. Again, I’m going to direct you back to me: hit my What to Wear: Basics post to see what yours truly recommends. Don’t forget accessories! You can always elevate a basic white tee and jeans with a dainty little watch, a scarf, or even a paperboy hat (trendy, I know, but always chic. Like Andy Sachs in The Bible a.k.a The Devil Wears Prada.) Don’t write off something before you try it. Get creative! Layer jewelry, mix metals, go nuts. You have to experiment to find out what you like, which is true of all things, but especially of fashion, and especially of personal taste.
step four: Use your resources.
While avoiding trends and fads can be difficult on Pinterest, the best practice is to keyword search what you already have + “aesthetic” or "accessories" or “outfit”. (Ex: white tee jeans aesthetic.) It may sound silly, but it will do the trick. Don’t be too quick to judge, try everything! It’s the only way to figure out what you love, as I’ve said a million times already. You’re probably sick of me. Good thing I’m done talking — for now.
