Introduction to Wardrobe Refresh
The thought of revamping your New Year’s wardrobe often brings up conflicting feelings. For some, it promises a liberating fresh start that leads to a sleeker style and fewer morning dilemmas. However, for others, the thought of overstuffed closets, sentimental attachments, and the daunting prospect of a fresh start can be overwhelming. Parisian stylist Elsa Boutaric advocates for subtle rather than drastic wardrobe refreshes.
Start by Sorting, Not Shopping
The instinctive reaction to a change in style is often to buy something new. But Ms. Boutaric insists the real relaunch begins long before a checkout page. She starts with a wardrobe overhaul to assess what’s no longer working and what really fits her client’s lifestyle. This strategy is less about what you like best and more about what you wear the most. How you actually dress in everyday life is more important than who you imagine yourself to be. A wardrobe reset is about examining how often you reach for something, what you like to wear, and where your life is currently at – work, weekends, evenings, travel.
The Objects We Hold On to for Too Long
Every wardrobe has its ghosts – pieces that once worked perfectly, but now everything else around them has become obsolete. Denim is often the biggest culprit. Jeans cuts are often less timeless than tailoring and remind us of bygone phases and eras more quickly than other items of clothing. Wide-leg pants, especially those made from structured fabrics, offer the same level of comfort but are less trend-oriented.
Pay Attention to the Gap
One of the most common frustrations Ms. Boutaric faces is not the lack of clothing, but the lack of connection between them. What strikes her most is the lack of strong transitional pieces between casual and elevated looks. Invest in a quality blazer and quality basics to bridge that gap. These are the items that transform jeans into an outfit or make a simple dress suitable for more than one setting. A well-tailored blazer, a cozy knit, a crisp white shirt – they don’t scream, but they do take a lot of work.
Keep, Change, or Donate?
Designing a wardrobe is as emotional as it is practical. Boutaric’s rule is refreshingly simple. If an everyday item hasn’t been worn for more than a year, it usually goes away. That doesn’t mean everything unworn has to go – different rules apply to occasion wear and sentimental items – but for everyday clothing, inactivity is information. If something doesn’t fit into your life now, it probably won’t suddenly find its place. Boutaric recommends the hanger trick to figure out what you wear most. Rotate all hangers backwards and then forwards while carrying items. After a set time, you will see what you achieve the most and what you don’t.
Refreshing Without Replacing Anything
The idea that a wardrobe redesign requires a complete overhaul is one of the biggest deterrents. In reality, small, thoughtful changes usually have the biggest impact. Add a well-tailored blazer, wide-leg pants, and good quality basics like a crisp white shirt or T-shirt. These pieces instantly upgrade and modernize any wardrobe. They also work across seasons, trends, and environments – and that’s exactly the point. A reset should make dressing easier, not more complicated. Styling optimizations are also important. Swapping out sneakers for a loafer, adding a belt, wearing a more open shirt, or adjusting the proportions can realign an outfit without necessarily adding new statement pieces.
