How to Shop Your Closet in 5 Steps

We subscribe to the idea that the most sustainable way to shop is to buy less. For a lot of folks, it’s hardest to buy less when it comes to clothes.

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It’s no wonder because fast fashion makes it so cheap to buy a new tee or pair of jeans. But fast fashion brands thrive on micro trends, keeping us in a wasteful loop of overconsumption, making us constantly feel like we need to buy more, more, more. In fact, the average American buys one garment per week.

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So, how do you indulge in new looks without buying more stuff? Try shopping your own closet. Shopping your closet means using, mending, upcycling, and restyling what you already have to refresh your look.

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Shopping your closet challenges your consumption habits, helps you learn new skills like mending and developing a personal style, and saves you a ton of money. We talked to professional stylist Sophie Strauss to get her top tips on how to shop your closet like a pro.

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1. Play Dress Up

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Set aside some time to “play dress up” like you did as a little kid. This is an opportunity to take out clothes you haven’t worn in a while and see how they fit into your current look.

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Sophie recommends you “give yourself an hour or so every few months, have a cup of tea or glass of wine, put on some fun music, and play dress up!”

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She likes to do this 2-3 times per year or once a season. “It makes a big difference and doesn’t require a TON of commitment.”

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2. Mix & Match

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“Put on those pieces you've been thinking of getting rid of, neglecting, or the ones that are feeling a little less exciting. Try them in combinations you wouldn't normally reach for.” 

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As you’re reaching for those pieces, try them in new ways. Sophie suggests trying items tucked in, tied up, layered, open, wrapped, etc. 

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“Mix and match clothes from different parts of your wardrobe. Fancy with casual, work with weekend, etc.”

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If you fel out of yoru depths when it comes to styling, Sophie recommends looking to Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest for inspiration. “But be thoughtful in how you look for people. Often looking at highly-filtered influencers who are getting lots of free clothes from fast fashion brands makes us feel bad about ourselves and compels us to buy more things instead of feeling inspired to work with our current clothes.” 

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She suggests using keywords as a good place to start. Try searching for styles you’re interested in like “minimalist,” “vintage,” “maximalist,” “preppy,” or “witchy.” But remember, this is just a tool. You don’t need to define your entire style in one keyword.

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“You’re not a brand who needs to be able to elevator pitch yourself, you’re a human being with complexities and layers and moods. Your style can be complex and layered and contradictory too!”  

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3. Find what works

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Tune into how each garment or outfit makes you feel. Part of developing a personal style is learning about which colors, styles, and patterns bring you joy.

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“Take pictures any time you land on an outfit you like and save them in an album for future reference.”

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If you end up with some items that need a bit of repair, make a plan to fix them yourself or take them to a tailor so you can bring them out of retirement as soon as possible.

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4. Identifying what doesn’t work

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The way you style an item can really change your perception of it. But Sophie says if you’ve tried several ways to restyle a piece and it’s still not working for you, then maybe it’s time to pass it on. But before you do, she recommends, “Hang onto it for a bit longer. Ask yourself if you might like it if the length or fit were slightly different or if it were a different color. It could be a good candidate for a tailor or dye bath.”

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5. Responsibly recycling the clothes you don’t keep

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With your newly refined wardrobe, you may end up with a pile of clothes that no longer work for you. That’s okay! When you’re ready to pass on some items, consider having a clothing swap with your friends, selling your clothes online with apps like Depop, or donating to a local thrift shop. 

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Get more practical styling tips from Sophie Strauss on Instagram.