Seasonal Wardrobe Update
Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to declutter and organize the wardrobe. As an immigrant from the Philippines to France, I've had to navigate a new climate and culture, which has presented challenges but also opportunities to be more mindful of my clothing choices.
Choosing your color palette
One thing that has helped me streamline my wardrobe is choosing a particular color palette. I am not a color expert but I’ve noticed which colors bring my skin to life. For example, I noticed that gold (/rose-gold) brings out the color of my skin better than silver does. I find that silver makes me look sickly and pale. This may also be my own preference but I’m going with it. From this, it gave me a hint that warm, autumn colors must suit me best. So far, I’ve stuck with it and I feel empowered when I wear colors in this side of the color wheel. I may need an expert’s eye on this if time, energy and finances permit, why not!
By sticking to a harmonious and easy-to-mix-and-match color scheme, I can create endless outfit combinations with just a few key pieces. For me, that means neutrals in different hues like black, white, brown and beige, with a few pops of color of green (olive, sage, emerald), blue (turquoise, midnight or navy), or red (burgundy) here and there. I avoid gray as I have noticed it makes me look wider than I already am. This is so reminiscent of my high school when and where the only hair accessories we were allowed to wear were from this color selection.
Spring cleaning the closet
Recently, I took the time to clean and organize my closet, and it was a game-changer. I made an inventory of what I already owned (I’m trying to make a digital closet here but it’s still a work in progress), eliminated items that no longer fit me or suited my style, and rediscovered hidden gems that I had forgotten about. It felt like shopping right from my own wardrobe! And by sticking to my color palette, I can easily mix and match these pieces to create new outfits.
This process also helped me to identify the basic items that I still need to acquire to make my wardrobe even more functional and versatile. These include items like:
basic long (satin) polo shirts in white and black,
a well-fitted blazer, trousers, sweaters,
a more comfortable pair of jeans (I appreciate straight-cut, high-waisted jeans now more than low-rise, skinny-fit jeans), and
good-quality coat,
all in my chosen color palette. I had some items pinned on my private board on Pinterest to let them sit there for a time to give me time to think if I'm willing to spend my hard-earned money on clothes I think I may want to wear and incorporate into my wardrobe. They are mostly basic items I still have not gotten around to acquiring because I am still understanding the roster and rotation of clothing, and what I can keep wearing as seasons change. When and if I do decide to go ahead with the new purchases, I will definitely consider sourcing them better. I recently discovered the website called The Good Goods, a French website that lists eco-responsible or ethically-sourced brands. Another like-minded website in English I also recently discovered is Good on You. Suffice to say, I will give it a thought because the best way to contribute to the preservation of our environment is to consume less. New purchases will definitely be inevitable one day, and if that inevitable day does come, I will make sure to source them wisely.
Adapting to a new climate and seasons has been a challenge, but by choosing versatile pieces in my color palette, I can layer and mix and match them to suit the weather. And exploring a new sense of style in a different cultural context has been exciting – I'm inspired by the chic and understated French style, while still staying true to my personal taste and cultural identity.
Updating, decluttering and reorganizing your cabinet is a great way to be more mindful of clothing choices. Choosing a particular color palette can help streamline the wardrobe and make it easy to mix and match, while still allowing for personal expression. By adapting your wardrobe to your new climate - the changing seasons, taking inspiration from your surroundings, and exploring your personal sense of style, you can create a wardrobe that truly reflects who you are – no matter where you come from.