By Corey Urbina, DRES Stylist in DC

When was the last time you looked into your closet when you weren’t totally focused on getting dressed in the morning or hanging up your clothes at night?  If you really studied its contents, maybe you would be surprised to discover that there are numerous clothing items in there that you don’t wear. If so, you aren't alone. Some fashion industry experts say that individuals regularly wear only 20% of the clothes that they own.  If this is the case, then before you hit the mall for new spring clothes, try shopping in your closet first.

I hope that the following suggestions will help you rediscover your hidden clothing treasures and also expand your current wardrobe repertoire:

- Start your spring cleaning in your closet.  Give away or consign items that no longer fit you, don’t flatter you or you just don’t like.

- Arrange your closet first by clothing type such as pants, skirts and tops and then by color within each grouping.

- Look closely at the items that made the cut and are still in your closet. Begin thinking about what you already have or could purchase inexpensively that would go well with each piece.  Perhaps an eye catching accessory, such as a belt or a scarf, is all you need to breathe new life into a cardigan or top from several seasons ago.

- Intentionally uncouple suits and other separates that you always wear together. Take a suit jacket and try it on with another bottom, such as a flared skirt of a pair of dark wash denim trousers. Think about how you can change up the jacket by dressing it down or up even more.  Wear it with leggings as weekend wear or a fancy dress for a special event.

- Give yourself permission to see your clothes with new eyes and be more daring about mixing and matching color palettes and styles. Wear blue and black together, pair a suede or leather jacket with a cocktail dress or a  dramatic necklace with jeans.

- Now that you have inventoried your closet and created some exciting new looks, you are ready to take the next step. Make a list of items to buy that are versatile and complement your other clothes.

Do all of these ideas sound wonderful but you just don’t know quite how to execute them or you feel you need the guidance of a professional?  I and the other Holobi  independent certified D.R.E.S. consultants are eager to take you step by step through the process of creating an entire sensational wardrobe that you love to wear!