Ask Mary Lou

Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!

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For October, 2005:

Q: As I get my closet ready for cool weather, I’d love some tips from you for letting go of summer things instead of packing everything up again for next year. I have too many clothes — help!

A: : Transitioning from one season to the next is an excellent time to review your clothes from the season that is ending and let go of the things that you never wore and that are unnecessarily taking up prime real estate in your closet. So many women get into the habit of packing up everything without a thought as to how many times they wore it, how it made them feel if they actually did put it on and if it still fits them on the inside as well as the outside.

We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Taking the time to focus on the 80% you didn't wear and then giving it a new home outside yours is the single most effective way to manage both professional and casual wardrobes. Using clear plastic tubs to help you separate the keepers from the donations is a great system.

Having one closet each season full of clothes that you love to wear sure beats having closets and drawers full of stuff that never sees the light of day. Once you get clear on inventory, it's easier to give yourself permission to add a few new things each season that make sense for your lifestyle, figure and budget.

Bottom line...less is more. Ditch all those ratty tee shirts, shorts and Capri's that don't owe you a nickel, and only keep those that you love. You'll be happy next spring when you are met with old favorites that look great. You'll never miss the other items and you'll be grateful that you took the time this season to clear out and organize.