This is a great question! I’ve been on a mission to curate my wardrobe for a couple of years and now I’d say I wear 90% of my clothes. It takes self-awareness, honesty and knowing my true style and body type to land where I am today with my personal style. 😊
The lifestyle question is so important! I almost purchased several workwear items yesterday, then I remembered that I only go into the office once or twice a week now. I don’t need anything.
Loved all the tips.The 7 secs rule is so useful. It's important to know your lifestyle and accept yourself as you are instead of aspiring to be someone else or have someone else's style. I've bought heels that I never wear because I wanted to be that person, bought colorful clothes that I rarely wear because I look good in color and ppl have complimented me but the reality is I prefer neutrals and get more wear out of them.
Thank you! People say I look good in certain colors as well but I too feel more like me in neutrals. Just like you said it's important to embrace yourself and your lifestyle ♥
7 seconds rule is so true for me. Almost anything I bought that I didn’t have the feeling:this is the one ended up hanging in the closet or got donated. Instinct is accurate. It takes confidence to trust instinct.
I bought a rolling rack so I could isolate the seasonal outfits I like wearing and it made a huge difference in getting dressed. Everything is just right there.
Very good guides. My lifestyle changed when I moved. I am retired and do not wear a lot of my dressier clothing. But I do dress for church and when I go to conferences. I have stopped buying clothes because I am overrun with them. I lost weight and so I bought lots. My goal is to go through my clothes and get rid of some of them. I inherited my parents' home and I have their stuff as well as mine. I've culled through a lot of it already. More to go.
There are a few sites online where you can have clothing custom made. The price points are in keeping with what you would pay at the mall for the same level of quality. Designing and having clothes made to measure is a great way to be more mindful about what you need, and the process makes you stop and think about the colours and styles that work best for your body.
When you mentioned a closet full of cocktail dresses never worn! That is me today! Another issue I have is giving away my high heels. I’m in flats all the time now and some of my heels have been worn only once or twice! For some reason, I just can’t part with them! Great video with excellent advice!
I just got rid of half of my clothes. I am not working right now. We have a lot of medical bills from a surgery my husband had , then i had to get a cat scan and a mri and dexascan. We don't eat out anymore so for our Saturday date we go to estate sales. I find amazing clothes..most less than five dollars..high quality clothes that never go out of style. They are not trendy most of the time but occasionally someone will move and have trendier things. I have found beautiful coats, blazers, purses etc. I love all of your tips. I used to be guilty of buying clearance stuff I never wore. If it does not spark joy it is not coming home with me period. Thank you.
No. Don’t think about how much they cost. Then you’ll never get rid of them. Think about how much someone else might enjoy them. That seven second rule is brilliant! We seriously know as soon as we put something on if we feel great or not. If you have to tweak it or convince yourself, put it back. I had my closet fully curated, then ended up emotion/boredom online shopping during the lockdowns. Sigh.
My work Clothes have to go with steel cap boots, items that i can take off easily if the weather warms up, had spent 12 years in retail, so did have a lot of skirts etc. Thanks for 7 second rule have a few items that I need to get rid off. Had a big clean out 2 years ago when we rebuilt our bedroom.
Emotional shopping...guilty. I try to use those times to play in my wardrobe & come up with fun outfits then wear them out. Fun, cool outfits cheer me up as well as other people who get a kick out of seeing them.☺
Very good suggestions. I have noticed that in my own closets, I actually have more than I need for what I am currently doing. There is nothing wrong with anything. Yet, I often go into a thrift store, which is next to my grocery store, to look around. Is there anything that attracts my eye? That fits my style? Is a certain item that I see better than an item that I currently own? I have been writing down what I am actually wearing this summer from my summer closet. It is making me think about what I am immediately grasping and what I am neglecting, even though there is nothing wrong with any of it. A newer or difference piece that I see may replace something that is hanging in there already. A closet is organic! Always ready to be manipulated, curated a bit differently. A purchase may become a mistake. Like you said, things are returnable. Things or colors that we try may not suit us as well as we have seen on the other guy! Thank you for your video.
Thanks for this video. It made me realize my favourite store mostly stocks items which no longer suit my lifestyle. So now I can really check myself and be more mindful when shopping there.
My problem is - I love my clothes but my current job doesn't alow me to wear my business clothes all the time. So that 1/4 of my closet goes unworn. Another 1/4 is more traditional garb for festivals and medieval dress I cant go and wear out in normal public 1/4 is seasonal for fall /winter and the last 1/4 is what I normally wear. Its hard because I want to upgrade my lifestyle to a nice casual but right now I'm all casual as I'm recovering from burn out and not jub hunting as I'm trying to start a businesses
First time I have watched your channel and I really enjoyed it! I try to wait at least 24 hours before I purchase something. You know, sleep on it. Helpful, easy and professional tips. Thank you!
I'm guilty of #1. My problem is I convince myself because it's a high quality fabric from a designer label I need it...ugh! I'm challenging myself to shop my closet instead of buying more.
Id say I wear 98 percent of my closet . I worked hard to build a closet I absolutely love for the last 3 years . Also, because I’ve had two babies in less than 3 years there are a few items I am still trying to figure out because my body changed .
Great video thanks for sharing. I’ve been buying a few things and I’ve decided to stop online shopping as it seems to waste time and energy if u have to package up and return. If you are in a store u see the fabric and shape and quality. Making my list🦋
Thanks Denise. Yes, make your shopping list! Online shopping becomes easier when you know the stores and more importantly, the brands that work for you. When you shop in-store pay attention to the fabrics and quality that go with specific brands. 😊
@@EricaBallStyle I’m very picky for fabric as things are not such good quality but have a big price tag. I bought a blue linen shirt and a few good quality tshirts hope they last and I get wear out of them.🤗🦋
Thank you for this video. 7 seconds works, just used it clearing out my closet. Game changer😊. I've seen people with different coloring look great in same outfit, same colors especially if it's basics so not sure I'm understanding the color thing but I'm also not a professional stylist, lol. However body type, lifestyle, totally makes sense. Thanks again.
Thanks for your comment! I agree- the same outfit can look great on people with different coloring. But if you're someone that has been bringing things into your closet that you end up not wearing and it's because you're buying things you saw on someone else- this reason might be why.
Great video, and the explanations are spot on. I do think that understanding your body shape, coloring and lifestyle helps a woman make smarter choices on what to buy for her wardrobe. I also think that investing in tailoring is a game changer, as well as getting things custom made (even if you have the skills to make your own things).
One of my shopping tips is knowing my measurements. Then when I go online I see how long they are what the bust ,waist, hip,arm length and shoulder measurements are. If the measurements arent provided I wont buy it. I've wide shoulders and long limbs standing at 5'9" and not as wide hips to shoulders so I have to be careful about fit and lenth of torso and width of shoulders . A garment might fit everywere on my torso but if I cant move my arms because its small or too short with my type of lifestyle where I need my arms to move I'm not buying it. Some brands I do know will fit my body so when I see them second hand in colors and fabrics I like that fit I'm not about to walk away without buying it. Its hard finding quality second hand pieces that fit my unusual body shape but I make it work. I bet though if I bought Scandinavian brands I'd find more pieces that fit because they have more of my body type over there but I cant afford them ..
I have a question. I am in the stage of life where I am pregnant. I will be nursing and planning to likely be pregnant again. What would you suggest for this season when all of my favorite quality clothes are in a size that will not fit for a while. How would you approach clothes and shopping in this season? I am struggling with only having second-hand clothes that do fit my personal style.
Congratulations Sarah! Great question. When I was pregnant I bought very few amounts of new clothes that I could wear during my pregnancy. 1 pair of maternity jeans, 1 pair of maternity leggings, and 1 non-maternity oversized dress I thought I'd wear again but didn't. I found I could still wear a lot of my tops for the first 3-6 months. After that, I think I bought a couple basic T-shirts and tanks from Topshop (cute styles but not long-lasting quality). I also wore my cardigans the whole time since they still fit. I was not pregnant during the summer, but I think you can get away with bathing suits from Target. I would stick to solid darker colors like black in simple styles. They'll look more expensive than they are. Nordstrom Rack is also a great way to find some quality clothes without the price tag. Most of all I'd say enjoy this time in your life. It goes fast! ❤
I have never tried something on and loved it. I don't own any clothing that I love. Never happens. It's not the quality of the item. I just hate how everything looks on me.
My sister is like that, when I’ve been out shopping with her I can spot quite easily what will work for her. A couple of times I’ve treated her to a new outfit and she broke down crying, she stayed in the changing room and let me dress her. I’m not a stylist but I can just see where she is going wrong. She has a bigger bust and small hips. It might help you to see a stylist or at least go with someone who tells you the truth. I even dressed an older lady in the next cubicle, it was just about covering her lumps and bumps. She brought the clothes and was extremely happy 😃. ( edit for spelling )
Get the 27 Top Style Tips to dress better and love your wardrobe 👉 ericaballstyle.com/style-tips/
This is a great question! I’ve been on a mission to curate my wardrobe for a couple of years and now I’d say I wear 90% of my clothes. It takes self-awareness, honesty and knowing my true style and body type to land where I am today with my personal style. 😊
Yes!!!! So good Janita 😊
The lifestyle question is so important! I almost purchased several workwear items yesterday, then I remembered that I only go into the office once or twice a week now. I don’t need anything.
Hah! Great catch😊
Loved all the tips.The 7 secs rule is so useful. It's important to know your lifestyle and accept yourself as you are instead of aspiring to be someone else or have someone else's style. I've bought heels that I never wear because I wanted to be that person, bought colorful clothes that I rarely wear because I look good in color and ppl have complimented me but the reality is I prefer neutrals and get more wear out of them.
Thank you! People say I look good in certain colors as well but I too feel more like me in neutrals. Just like you said it's important to embrace yourself and your lifestyle ♥
7 seconds rule is so true for me. Almost anything I bought that I didn’t have the feeling:this is the one ended up hanging in the closet or got donated. Instinct is accurate. It takes confidence to trust instinct.
I bought a rolling rack so I could isolate the seasonal outfits I like wearing and it made a huge difference in getting dressed. Everything is just right there.
I love that! It makes such a difference to be able to separate your outfits. 😊
Very good guides. My lifestyle changed when I moved. I am retired and do not wear a lot of my dressier clothing. But I do dress for church and when I go to conferences. I have stopped buying clothes because I am overrun with them. I lost weight and so I bought lots. My goal is to go through my clothes and get rid of some of them. I inherited my parents' home and I have their stuff as well as mine. I've culled through a lot of it already. More to go.
Thanks Denisa! Good luck editing and decluttering. I made a decluttering video that might be helpful th-cam.com/video/L7K0qGNV7dw/w-d-xo.html 😊
Good video. I never used to wear dresses but now that I am retired, I do because I don't sit in a cold office anymore and it's so easy.
Thanks Dana! I love to wear dresses too. So easy and you still look good.
It’s just one item …..one item to wash not 3
There are a few sites online where you can have clothing custom made. The price points are in keeping with what you would pay at the mall for the same level of quality. Designing and having clothes made to measure is a great way to be more mindful about what you need, and the process makes you stop and think about the colours and styles that work best for your body.
What are these sites?
@@HosCreates look up "made to neasure garments," brands will come up. do your research to find what works for your budget and needs
When you mentioned a closet full of cocktail dresses never worn! That is me today! Another issue I have is giving away my high heels. I’m in flats all the time now and some of my heels have been worn only once or twice! For some reason, I just can’t part with them! Great video with excellent advice!
Thank Nikki! I too don't wear my heels like I used to but I do like them displayed in my closet. They make me happy just being there 😊
That’s what clutter is: owning things for the self you imagine or the life you imagine, not the real you or your real life.
I just got rid of half of my clothes. I am not working right now. We have a lot of medical bills from a surgery my husband had , then i had to get a cat scan and a mri and dexascan. We don't eat out anymore so for our Saturday date we go to estate sales. I find amazing clothes..most less than five dollars..high quality clothes that never go out of style. They are not trendy most of the time but occasionally someone will move and have trendier things. I have found beautiful coats, blazers, purses etc. I love all of your tips. I used to be guilty of buying clearance stuff I never wore. If it does not spark joy it is not coming home with me period. Thank you.
Thank you Rita! I never thought of estate sales for finding clothes. What a great tip! 😊
No. Don’t think about how much they cost. Then you’ll never get rid of them. Think about how much someone else might enjoy them.
That seven second rule is brilliant! We seriously know as soon as we put something on if we feel great or not. If you have to tweak it or convince yourself, put it back.
I had my closet fully curated, then ended up emotion/boredom online shopping during the lockdowns. Sigh.
My work Clothes have to go with steel cap boots, items that i can take off easily if the weather warms up, had spent 12 years in retail, so did have a lot of skirts etc. Thanks for 7 second rule have a few items that I need to get rid off. Had a big clean out 2 years ago when we rebuilt our bedroom.
You're welcome Helen!😊
Emotional shopping...guilty. I try to use those times to play in my wardrobe & come up with fun outfits then wear them out. Fun, cool outfits cheer me up as well as other people who get a kick out of seeing them.☺
That's a great alternative to shopping! Thanks for sharing 😊
Very good suggestions. I have noticed that in my own closets, I actually have more than I need for what I am currently doing. There is nothing wrong with anything. Yet, I often go into a thrift store, which is next to my grocery store, to look around. Is there anything that attracts my eye? That fits my style? Is a certain item that I see better than an item that I currently own? I have been writing down what I am actually wearing this summer from my summer closet. It is making me think about what I am immediately grasping and what I am neglecting, even though there is nothing wrong with any of it. A newer or difference piece that I see may replace something that is hanging in there already. A closet is organic! Always ready to be manipulated, curated a bit differently. A purchase may become a mistake. Like you said, things are returnable. Things or colors that we try may not suit us as well as we have seen on the other guy! Thank you for your video.
Thanks for your comment William!😊
Love the 7 seconds suggestion. I certainly know the difference and plan to now apply this 100% of the time!
It's a game changer!
Thanks for this video. It made me realize my favourite store mostly stocks items which no longer suit my lifestyle. So now I can really check myself and be more mindful when shopping there.
You're welcome Shelley! I'm glad it was helpful. 😊
My problem is - I love my clothes but my current job doesn't alow me to wear my business clothes all the time. So that 1/4 of my closet goes unworn. Another 1/4 is more traditional garb for festivals and medieval dress I cant go and wear out in normal public 1/4 is seasonal for fall /winter and the last 1/4 is what I normally wear. Its hard because I want to upgrade my lifestyle to a nice casual but right now I'm all casual as I'm recovering from burn out and not jub hunting as I'm trying to start a businesses
In my country everything is final sale. You can return it between 24 hours or maybe 3 days of purchase, but that's it.
Wow?!?! I've never heard of that before. That must be so hard. What country?
@@EricaBallStyle Venezuela. But USA return policy it's not that common in the rest of the world.
@@fedoranahmens7096 That makes sense Fedora. Thank you for sharing that information!
First time I have watched your channel and I really enjoyed it! I try to wait at least 24 hours before I purchase something. You know, sleep on it. Helpful, easy and professional tips. Thank you!
You're welcome Marilyn! Glad you are here 😊
I'm guilty of #1. My problem is I convince myself because it's a high quality fabric from a designer label I need it...ugh! I'm challenging myself to shop my closet instead of buying more.
Great awareness Christine! 😊
Id say I wear 98 percent of my closet . I worked hard to build a closet I absolutely love for the last 3 years . Also, because I’ve had two babies in less than 3 years there are a few items I am still trying to figure out because my body changed .
That's amazing! 98% is a win especially in such a short amount of time after having kids 👏👏👏
@@EricaBallStyle 🥰🥰🥰 yes I am very happy when I open my closet . I know what’s there and it’s easy to put together outfits .
@@Simplelivingslowliving That's amazing 😊
Great video thanks for sharing. I’ve been buying a few things and I’ve decided to stop online shopping as it seems to waste time and energy if u have to package up and return. If you are in a store u see the fabric and shape and quality. Making my list🦋
Thanks Denise. Yes, make your shopping list! Online shopping becomes easier when you know the stores and more importantly, the brands that work for you. When you shop in-store pay attention to the fabrics and quality that go with specific brands. 😊
@@EricaBallStyle I’m very picky for fabric as things are not such good quality but have a big price tag. I bought a blue linen shirt and a few good quality tshirts hope they last and I get wear out of them.🤗🦋
@@deniseyounger6004 I find if you take good care of your quality items (dry-clean or wash in mesh bags and hang to dry) they will last!
Thank you for this video. 7 seconds works, just used it clearing out my closet. Game changer😊.
I've seen people with different coloring look great in same outfit, same colors especially if it's basics so not sure I'm understanding the color thing but I'm also not a professional stylist, lol. However body type, lifestyle, totally makes sense. Thanks again.
Thanks for your comment! I agree- the same outfit can look great on people with different coloring. But if you're someone that has been bringing things into your closet that you end up not wearing and it's because you're buying things you saw on someone else- this reason might be why.
@@EricaBallStyle gotcha, totally makes sense now. Thanks for explaining🙂.
@E Garvey You're welcome 😊
Great video, and the explanations are spot on.
I do think that understanding your body shape, coloring and lifestyle helps a woman make smarter choices on what to buy for her wardrobe. I also think that investing in tailoring is a game changer, as well as getting things custom made (even if you have the skills to make your own things).
Thanks Jennifer! 😊
One of my shopping tips is knowing my measurements. Then when I go online I see how long they are what the bust ,waist, hip,arm length and shoulder measurements are. If the measurements arent provided I wont buy it. I've wide shoulders and long limbs standing at 5'9" and not as wide hips to shoulders so I have to be careful about fit and lenth of torso and width of shoulders . A garment might fit everywere on my torso but if I cant move my arms because its small or too short with my type of lifestyle where I need my arms to move I'm not buying it. Some brands I do know will fit my body so when I see them second hand in colors and fabrics I like that fit I'm not about to walk away without buying it. Its hard finding quality second hand pieces that fit my unusual body shape but I make it work. I bet though if I bought Scandinavian brands I'd find more pieces that fit because they have more of my body type over there but I cant afford them ..
Great tips!! Thank u!
Thanks Berenice!
So true. I only use 25% of my wardrobe. Now i'm trying to wear the remaining at home and stop buying new clothes.
That's great that you've shifted to a mindset of working with the clothes you have instead of buying more clothes! 👏👏👏
I have a question. I am in the stage of life where I am pregnant. I will be nursing and planning to likely be pregnant again. What would you suggest for this season when all of my favorite quality clothes are in a size that will not fit for a while. How would you approach clothes and shopping in this season? I am struggling with only having second-hand clothes that do fit my personal style.
Congratulations Sarah! Great question. When I was pregnant I bought very few amounts of new clothes that I could wear during my pregnancy. 1 pair of maternity jeans, 1 pair of maternity leggings, and 1 non-maternity oversized dress I thought I'd wear again but didn't. I found I could still wear a lot of my tops for the first 3-6 months. After that, I think I bought a couple basic T-shirts and tanks from Topshop (cute styles but not long-lasting quality). I also wore my cardigans the whole time since they still fit. I was not pregnant during the summer, but I think you can get away with bathing suits from Target. I would stick to solid darker colors like black in simple styles. They'll look more expensive than they are. Nordstrom Rack is also a great way to find some quality clothes without the price tag. Most of all I'd say enjoy this time in your life. It goes fast! ❤
Thoughtful advice.❤
Thanks Dina!
The other items are for different occasions.
I have never tried something on and loved it. I don't own any clothing that I love. Never happens. It's not the quality of the item. I just hate how everything looks on me.
Have you tried working with a stylist before? You deserve to love your clothes and feel great in them ❤
My sister is like that, when I’ve been out shopping with her I can spot quite easily what will work for her. A couple of times I’ve treated her to a new outfit and she broke down crying, she stayed in the changing room and let me dress her. I’m not a stylist but I can just see where she is going wrong. She has a bigger bust and small hips. It might help you to see a stylist or at least go with someone who tells you the truth. I even dressed an older lady in the next cubicle, it was just about covering her lumps and bumps. She brought the clothes and was extremely happy 😃. ( edit for spelling )
No more shopping therapy, actual therapy with a trained therapist will give us long term mental health. 😉👍🕊🌞
So good Katie! Wish more people followed this advice 😊
excellent advice great video
Thanks Orzella!
My biggest mistake is buying something that a TH-camr has bought and their body shape is totally different to mine.
Thanks for sharing Candice. Hopefully it was a mistake you won't do again!
ur amazing
Thank you! 😊