by Donna Cosmato

Created on: March 04, 2009   Last Updated: April 30, 2011

Look at your closet with a new perspective. Take your lead from Coco Chanel and simplify your wardrobe: " It is the key to true elegance". Simplicity - less is more - is a fashion secret. If clothing does not fit, donate it. Weed out fashion mistakes and hand-me down clothes, and invest in a multi-purpose simplistic wardrobe that will give you a new look, save time and money, and fit your current lifestyle, not your past.

Decide on a basic color scheme that you love and avoid being influenced by popular fashion gurus, friends or family because you deserve to wear clothes that are flattering. Black and white are fashion staples, classic, flattering to all body types and most skin tones. Deep, rich colors like red and purple add accents to make outfits "pop". After you have chosen two or three colors that you are passionate about, go through your closet again. Give away any item that isn't one of your colors. 

Now that you have your core colors defined, start mixing and matching items to see how many outfits you can make. Next, analyze your outfits. Is a blouse needed in a core color to complete a look? How about a scarf or jewelry to add some zing? Make a wish list of items and add them as your budget allows. Make a rule for yourself: Don't buy any garment that isn't a core color. It doesn't matter if the store is giving it away, stick to your color choices. This ensures that you will gradually build a timeless, classic wardrobe and always look elegant.

The rest is fast and fun. Design five outfits for yourself. Hang each outfit together on a hanger with all fashion accessories (zip closure bags are great for holding jewelry.) Use a clothespin to attach the bag of jewelry to the hanger of the matching outfit.

Now, you may be balk at this concept and think "everyone will think I'm wearing the same clothes constantly." Remember Coco Chanel, the famous fashion designer who gave us the little black dress? Her signature style was simplicity and comfort. In 1923, she told Harper's Bazaar that "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." Use inexpensive, signature pieces to accessorize and make statements with your outfits. Invest the money you save by owning a minimalist wardrobe in unique and eclectic accessory items.

An organized closet makes it easy to dress, even under pressure, with a week's worth of "grab-n-go" choices. You get to use the time you've saved not searching for something to wear for more pleasurable activities. With all the money you've saved by streamlining your wardrobe, you can travel, invest, or just have fun. In summary, a small amount of time spent in organizing and simplifying wardrobe choices can result in time savings, chaos-free mornings, and a more elegant lifestyle.

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