How to build a wardrobe that you love – it’s an ongoing learning experience and something that will continue to change every year. I just finished a major closet cleanout and re-org this weekend and had to take a step back and look at things from a new lens.

It’s easy to get stuck in the same rut or also feel like you have to be too formal or too casual all of the time. I find in the winter that I gravitate toward my clothes that are more comfortable and more warm (obviously). I tend to overlook dressier pieces or anything that requires even an ounce more effort.

Sadly those pieces tend to go season after season barely being worn even though I love them. The real jackpot is finding pieces that you would reach for everyday, but that have a little something extra to where they don’t seem so basic or casual.

Take this top – it’s essentially a long-sleeve t-shirt, but the high neck and detail down the front make it more interesting and easy to dress up with a skirt and over the knee boots. So when it came to my closet I did the opposite of what I’ve done in the past. I moved all of the nicer, fancier things that I really like to the front and the more casual pieces towards the back. Why you ask?

Because on any given day I know I’ll want to look for those pieces anyways, but if I have to breeze past the tops and dresses that I don’t wear as often there’s a better chance I’ll stop and take a minute to be a little more creative with my outfit for the day.

On the note of closet clean out I have a ton of stuff that I need to sell or donate. I usually go to Bowery Mission or Beacon’s Closet, but where do you sell or donate your clothes? Would love some recs!

SHOP THE POST

FREE PEOPLE HIGH NECK TOP •  SKINNY JEANS  •  OVER THE KNEE BOOTS (similar here, here and here) •  HENRI BENDEL SATCHEL c/o  •  VALLEY SUNGLASSES  •  GORJANA X RING c/o  • DANIELL WELLINGTON WATCH c/o

Photos by Bekka Palmer