The Family Groove "Closet Case"

CLOSET CASE
OVERHAUL YOUR WARDROBE—AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE—
WITH THESE SIMPLE AND SO EFFECTIVE FENG SHUI TIPS

When the dreary, cold weather has you avoiding the
outdoors, do-it-yourself home projects allow you to stay
creative and put your energy to good use inside. With the
new year here, it’s the ideal time to get rid of the old and
bring in the new, and nowhere is that more important than
in your closet.

“I fantasize about having an entire room devoted to housing my clothes. Carpeted, multi-leveled with spacious racks that revolve by remote control. Piped-in music, track lighting and a lounge area. But, like most of us, I don’t have the luxury of a lot of space in my closet,” says Deborah Mosch, a design and color theory professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design. “And honestly, if I did, I would probably just try to stuff it, as we all tend to feel that need to fill things up.”

Last summer, Deborah’s daughter, Cadyn, helped revamp her mother’s closet using the principles of design and feng shui. Deborah’s closet space was so packed that the clothes didn’t even need hangers.

“Traditional feng shui can be fairly complicated, but in the modern sense, it basically means arranging your belongings in an order that makes the most sense for you—no chaos,” Cadyn says.

To get started with your overhaul, think about spaces you enjoy visiting most. “Why shouldn’t your closet be a mini version of your favorite high-end boutique?” Cadyn asks. She recommends replacing unflattering fluorescent lighting with an inexpensive pendant lamp or a couple of small hanging paper lanterns. For a subtle touch, Cadyn suggests putting a few drops of scented essential oil into a lamp ring and on top of the light bulb. “This way, whenever you turn the light on, the oil will heat up and make your closet smell fabulous,” she says.

And don’t forget about color. Instead of spending hours reading about color theory, Deborah says it’s important to think about your personality and what makes you feel happy. “For instance, if you love the outdoors, paint your closet walls in earthy tones but on the light side. If you love the water, stay fresh with a cooler palette,” she says.

To make the most of the space you have, Deborah and Cadyn recommend getting rid of all things you don’t love. “Your wardrobe should be filled with nothing but your favorite things!” Cadyn says. Her strict but simple rule: constant purging. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it if doesn’t fit, if it’s damaged beyond repair or if it doesn’t make you feel amazing, give it away. Deborah adds, “It’s editing, an important principle of design called economy.” She suggests getting rid of all nonessentials in your closet. “Make sure that your closet is only housing your personal things, not boxes and bags filled with old toys or surprise gifts, holiday decorations or spare dishes,” Deborah says.

Next, it’s time to organize the things you already own. Try to keep like things together. “A sense of order makes it much easier to stay calm in the mornings, and adds time to the day,” Deborah says. Her “before” closet wasn’t arranged in any particular order, so Deborah found herself wondering if she had a plain short black skirt at least once a week. “Occasionally I would go out and buy a plain short black skirt because I couldn’t find one in the chaos,” she says. “Cadyn must have unearthed 11 plain short black skirts in her excavation.” Cadyn is a big believer in color-coding your clothing, making it easier to find items when you want to wear them. For her mother’s smaller items, like scarves and belts, Cadyn used pretty stationery boxes as organizational tools.

FAB FIVE
A TOP STYLIST DRESSES YOU FOR SUCCESS
Once you’ve cleared your closet of the nonessentials, it’s time to shop for what isessential. Anna Maria, a stylist who’s worked with clients like Barney’s and Health magazine, shares her wardrobe musts for every busy but style-conscious mom.

1. A Classic Trench
For all seasons of the year, Anna Maria recommends a classic trench. “This is your ideal light coat, taking you through rain and wind and light chill,” she says. “Also, trenches are great because they have a million pockets for the million things moms must carry, and the belt gives great shape to your figure by minimizing the waist and maximizing the curves.” ($129.98,Kenneth Cole Reaction Nylon Belted Trench, www.kennethcole.com)

2. A Date Dress
Romantic nights may be few and far between with little ones running around the house, but a date dress should hang in every mom’s closet. “I don’t care if you haven’t been on a date for years! Single moms and married moms alike need to know that there is a go-to dress in their wardrobe that makes them feel like a million bucks,” Anna Maria says.
($225, Sequin Shift Dress, www.bananarepublic.com)

3. Spanx
When skin’s elasticity changes, leaving unflattering lumps and bumps, try a pair of Spanx. “They give you a smooth silhouette under the finest of fabrics,” Anna Maria says. “Don’t leave home without them! There is a reason why Oprah swears by them.”
($30, Power Panties, www.spanx.com)

4. A Proper-Fit Bra
With pregnancy and childbirth, a woman’s body can change drastically. But sometimes, Anna Maria warns, women can get too comfortable in their favorite bras—and those bras might not fit so perfectly anymore. “Meet with a bra fit expert [try Victoria’s Secret or Nordstrom for a free consultation] and let them help you determine which bra is right for you,” she says. “It may surprise you and give you back a figure you haven’t seen in ages.”
($45 to $51, Wave Push-Up Bra, www.victoriassecret.com)

5. The Right Accessories
“The icing on the cake is definitely a good handbag and a beautiful pair of shoes,” says Anna Maria. She recommends a great pair of ballet flats (can style get more comfortable?) and a classic designer handbag you will like season after season.
($359.95, Box Tote, www.colehaan.com)

—Feifei Sun

Feifei Sun is a writer living in New York City.