Style Buzz: Year End Closet Refresh + Styling Outerwear

Eugene Stylist
Dec 19, 2025
4 min read

Ideas to Inspire Your Year End Style

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"It's really wonderful to show up as the fullest version of yourself!"

- Clinton Kelly

This was such an amazing moment! Two years ago, Stacy & Clinton were on tour so my husband and I took the train up to Seattle to see them. Even though they'd given some guidelines about attire based on their What Not To Wear rules (a nice blouse, a structured blazer, boot cut jeans, a pointy toe shoe, and statement jewelry) I spent AGES thinking about my outfit. What I ended up wearing was nothing like their brief, but I was so myself in it. It's just a patterned blouse, knit vest, black jeans, and slides - but I was comfortable and confident, the fullest version of myself, which is helpful when you're next to someone wearing a sequined body suit and tux jacket.

xxx rachel

*We'd bonded by this point and it's the only time Stacy got goofy and did anything other than just stand and smile for a picture!*

MINI YEAR END CLOSET REFRESH

As December winds down, I've noticed I always want to start the new year with a small breath of fresh air, a sort of prelude to a Spring cleaning but one that's a little less about dust and cobwebs and more about moving some things aside that aren't serving me anymore.

Naturally, I start in my wardrobe! Not because it's my favorite place to play (it is!), but because my clothes are so closely tied to how I feel and go through my days. And when I'm feeling a need for change, what better way than to shift my outward appearance to align with my inner self as I grow and change.

Our relationship with our clothes is a dynamic, ever-changing one. From year to year your opinion of the pieces you wore at this time last year can shift. Clothes that used to be a go-to are rarely worn now. You just don't reach for them like you used to, and it's not because they're worn out or don't fit. Often it's because:

Your eye has subtly noticed current trends, which make older pieces seem dated
The piece hasn't kept up with your evolving style and who you are today
They don't work with other pieces in your wardrobe now

So those are likely the pieces that should be cleared from your wardrobe. And please know that you don't need to do a massive clear out, just a deliberate edit. Sometimes just removing four or five pieces will be enough to make a difference.

Tips for doing a mini closet refresh

FIT FIRST: Obviously all the poorly fitting pieces should go, but what about the ones that almost fit? It depends on how you feel in them. If your jeans are a size too big, does a belt help, or does it just create gathers and unflattering pulling? If a sweater is a tad shorter than you'd like, would adding a layer underneath make it perfect? Are you comfortable and confident or tearing it off immediately? If it doesn't feel good the second it's on, it's not going to magically feel good later.

VERSATILITY: Is it the kind of piece that only goes with one thing that you also rarely wear? Your wardrobe should be filled with pieces that work really hard for you, and a one-trick-pony is just taking up space. Do you have something similar that could take its place? Do you need to think about your clothes differently to get more wear out them?

(If this strikes a chord with you, I can teach you how to remix your wardrobe!)

YOUR FUTURE SELF: When I'm doing closet edits with my clients, I repeat one question a lot: Does this piece represent who you are becoming? Whether they know exactly who that person is or not, they already have a vision of what they want to look like. This one question helps them let go of pieces they might love but don't support that vision. If you're planning to become a CEO, you don't need a wardrobe full of pieces from college, right?

ONE FINAL TIP: Don't try to talk yourself into something, especially if it needs an adjustment right off the bat or comes with a side of guilt. That's a quick way to being uncomfortable and not dressing authentically. Feeling like the fullest version of yourself means being honest about what you like and don't like, the shape of your body, and how you want to be perceived. You're lovely just as you are, so fill your wardrobe with clothes that help you, not hide you!

COMING SOON! New Packages for the Ultimate Styling Experience

As a reminder, I'll be revealing some new service package options at the beginning of the year! How I work with you won't change - I'll still be doing closet edits, wardrobe remixes, personal shopping, travel packing, etc, but I'm changing how services are bundled. I'm really excited about these - they better encapsulate what you've asked for to elevate your style in a way that supports your goals, your needs, and our community. Stay tuned!

3 WAYS TO STYLE IT: Outerwear

What a difference a coat makes! It's not just protection from the elements, keeping your warm and cozy when Oregon's weather can't make up its mind. It's a way to add some personality and style to a fairly plain outfit. Simply by changing what I wore with a basic cream turtleneck and black jeans, I get such different looks. Obviously, each one works for a different type of weather, but that's what makes having several options so helpful at this time of year.