Interview - Ridgefield Vintage

As professional organizers a large percentage of our days are spent in our client’s closets. People that love clothes tend to have a lot of clothing. We spoke with Charles Moschos from Ridgefield Vintage for some fashion insights.

For the busy homeowners, what is Ridgefield Vintage?

Ridgefield Vintage is a Clothing and Lifestyle store, featuring new, used, and vintage Menswear and Womenswear. We also sell home goods and vinyl records, etc.

What was your path to this store, how did you think of it?

I worked in retail, and specifically menswear, in NYC for nearly ten years. I worked in some great stores, and the best stores were where the physical location really nailed the aesthetic considering the neighborhood, offering, and clientele. Also seeing many of the sides of retail being starting as a personal shopper, then getting into store management and buying, really helped shape my lens in how I see a store working. Also growing up my Uncle had a Men’s store in Boston, MA. So since my early childhood I really loved the idea of having a curated space offering a lifestyle.

Do you purchase clothing directly from people, if so what is the process?

Most of the offerings in the store are my personal collection that I’ve put together and kept over the years working in the industry. But I also have always had the Vintage shopping bug and pick up great pieces when I see them. As the store evolves I would be looking to get some key brands in as well, wholesale. But the Vintage in Ridgefield Vintage will always be part of telling the story of classic refined garments. @ridgefieldvintage on instagram is the best and most up to date way to find out what we up to.  Also Ridgefieldvintage.com…we will be listing items for sale shortly. 

What are some of the pieces you find most interesting that you have sold?

Well, if you knew me you would know that Ralph Lauren is a God to me. And so since I was a little kid, when my mother was dressing me in their polo shirts, I’ve had an appreciation for RL clothing and the Americana lifestyle it creates. Whether new or 30yr old vintage pieces, I’ve had some great Ralph Lauren pieces that have sold. For example some of the original Polo Sport technical pieces, like jackets and accessories, or Polo Country shirts with certain prints, and RL sweaters. Also older Barbour waxed cotton jackets that tell a story with how the coat wears over the years….so many great pieces I could go on and on.

What are the most popular brands you carry?

Obviously Ralph Lauren, but also Woolrich clothing and outerwear, J.Crew, etc….all places I’ve worked.

How to increase your confidence by decluttering and organizing your wardrobe

The clothes you wear have a significant impact on your confidence. Whether you’re looking for a new-year boost, a new job, or just to feel more confident around your friends or loved ones, wardrobe decluttering and organizing can help. 

When your wardrobe is disorganized and cluttered, it can make getting dressed in the morning a stressful and frustrating experience. You may feel like you have nothing to wear, even though your wardrobe or closet is full of clothes. On the flip side, when your wardrobe is organized and full of the clothes you love, getting dressed becomes a confidence inspiring and enjoyable thing to do first thing in the morning.

Breaking the process down:

The first step in decluttering and organizing your wardrobe is to go through your clothes and get rid of anything that you no longer wear or that no longer fits you. This can be a difficult task, as many of us have sentimental attachments to our clothes. However, it is important to remember that holding on to clothes that you no longer wear or that no longer fit you is not going to make you feel good about yourself. It is better to let go of these clothes and make room for the clothes that make you feel great.

Once you have decluttered your wardrobe, you’re ready to start organizing it. To do this, start by grouping your clothes by category, such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear. If it’s easier, you can also group your clothes by color or by the occasion for which they are most suitable. For example, you can have a section for work clothes, a section for casual clothes, and a section for formal wear.

By separating and organizing your clothes in this way, it makes it easier for you to find the clothes that you need for any occasion. Although it might feel small at first, this will save you time every morning and reduce the stress and amount of decision making involved in getting dressed. Additionally, by having your clothes organized, you will be able to more easily see what you have, and can often lead to discovering an item you love, but had forgotten about (I’ve lost count of the number of times this has happened with clients!). Again, wearing more of the clothes you love, makes you feel more confident more of the time.

An alternative way to look at it:

Another benefit of this process, is that by removing the noise and clutter from your clothes selection, you’ll be more able to determine and build on your own personal style. When your wardrobe is cluttered and disorganized, it can be difficult to put an outfit together quickly, which leads to compromise. When your wardrobe is organised, it becomes easy to see the clothes that you wear most often, the colors that you prefer, and the styles that you feel most comfortable in. This will give you a better understanding of your personal style and help you to make more informed clothing choices in the future (permission to shop!).

To Summarize:

So in summary, decluttering and organizing your wardrobe will have a really meaningful and positive impact on your confidence. When your wardrobe is well organized, getting dressed every day becomes an easy and enjoyable thing to look forward to. You’ll be able to easily find the clothes that make you feel good for any occasion and by having your clothes sorted, you will be able to see what you have, need, and which go well together better.

And did I mention it makes shopping more enjoyable too? Almost forgot to mention that!

I hope this helps, and wish you the very best of luck in developing your morning routine so you really enjoy getting dressed each day. I hope in doing so, it also gives you the additional inspiration to shop and build a sense of personal style that grows your confidence in whatever you’re looking to achieve. Good luck!

The Ultimate Guide To Clearing Your Clothes Out

With the new season around the corner, it is about time you start to declutter your wardrobe. However, sorting your wardrobe for the winter months is something that isn't easy and it can be quite stressful, especially if you have a small wardrobe. 

Parting ways with an item you have had for years is difficult but, if you know that it is no longer a trend, it is probably time to throw it away. Here is our complete guide to decluttering your wardrobe ready for the winter season. 

Where To Start

When decluttering your wardrobe, you need to prepare to give up a morning to it. So, say goodbye to your Sunday morning because all you will be doing is clearing out that wardrobe of yours. 
The place you need to start is by separating your wardrobe into seasons. Split them all up and put them into separate piles. Furthermore, clear out the previous seasons and start focusing on clothes you will wear throughout autumn and winter. 

You also need to try on the clothes you wore last winter and Autumn. Check to see if these clothes still fit you and are in good condition. There is no need to get rid of clothes you can still wear for the upcoming seasons. 

How Often Do You Need To Clear Out Your Wardrobe? 

Some people clear out their wardrobe every month, others clear it out every season. What we would advise is that you clear it out once every two seasons. So this time round is a perfect time as you will be wearing warmer clothes. After this time round, you want to start again for the warmer months such as spring and summer. It clears out more space and gives you more space to store clothes in your wardrobe for that season. 

Do You Need To Clear Out Your Wardrobe Even If You Stick To The One In, One Out? 

You need to ensure that you do this twice a year despite you striking the one-in and one-out rule. The reason why is because your fashion changes over a year or a few months. Additionally, you can sell some of these items if you think you will no longer wear them in the future. 

How Do You Know When To Throw Away Your Clothes? 

Here, we would advise you to follow the hanger trick. When you buy new clothes you want them all to look the same way. Once you have worn that item of clothing, turn the hanger around and put it back onto that hanger. With that, you will soon see how many clothes you have worn in your wardrobe and how many you haven't. For example, you might have several dressy leggings but only wear a select few. 

What Are the Staple Pieces Of A Winter Wardrobe

Deciding what you need for your winter wardrobe should be relatively straightforward although for some people it isn't. The whole aim of clearing your wardrobe is so you can start buying fewer better clothes. There will be some clothes such as pants and jeans that you will need all year round however, hoodies are something that you will only need during autumn and winter. The same goes for some jackets. Some will be appropriate for the cold months and clothes will be appropriate for the summer months. 

To Conclude

As you can see, there are many things you need to consider for decluttering your winter wardrobe. One thing that you must ensure is that you don’t throw away clothes that you no longer want. If they are damaged then you can throw them away. Nonetheless, if you have clothes that are in perfect condition, we advise you to take them to a charity shop or sell them online to get some of your money back. 

The Best Ways To Store Delicate Clothing In Your Wardrobe

We partnered with a home supply company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

If you have pieces of delicate clothing in your wardrobe, we understand how difficult it can be to store. When you invest in expensive clothing, you want it to last, which is what we are here to help you do. Introducing the best ways to store delicate clothing in your wardrobe, we’re going to cover the best practices to help you prolong the life of your most delicate pieces, so they can continue to be worn and loved for years to come. According to Inherit Clothing, proper storage techniques are essential to maintaining the quality and longevity of delicate fabrics, ensuring your cherished pieces stay beautiful over time.

Hang As Much As Possible

Our first tip to help you store delicate clothing is to hang as much as possible. Not only does hanging your clothes look beautiful, but it is a much better option than folding because you can keep everything slightly more spread out. Also, having it hanging provides that bit of extra ventilation, so your clothes can breathe and this helps to prevent the build up of any mold or mildew. Additionally, when you hang your clothes, it can help to prevent creases developing, which are notoriously hard to get out of very delicate pieces of clothing. 

Overall, hanging is one of the best options, particularly for delicate clothing, so try to increase your hanging space to protect your delicate clothing. If you can have a walk-in wardrobe in your home, we’d definitely recommend it! 

Use Velvet Hangers

Our next tip is to make sure you are using velvet hangers. This is because they will stop your clothes from slipping off, causing them potentially to get caught in part of the hanger and become damaged. Also, this is a much more delicate option than plastic, so your clothes can simply sit on the soft material rather than maybe getting caught in any sharp plastic pieces. Not to mention, having a full set of matching velvet hangers just looks so beautiful. They will work well for all kinds of garments, aside from things like trousers and skirts when you will probably need clippy hangers. 

Hang Embellished Pieces In Dry Cleaning Bags

If you have any pieces of clothing that have embellishments on them, like sparkles or sewn in rhinestones, one of the best things you can do is to place them into plastic dry cleaning bags. So, say you have sequin bodycon dresses, place each of them in a clear plastic dry cleaning bag to hang. This way, you can still see all of your dresses, they will be protected from getting caught with any of your other clothes and it also prevents the embellishments from catching on your other pieces of clothes. This will help to keep your dressing room organised. Plus, your special clothes will be protected, as will the rest of your clothes which may be damaged, so it’s a win-win! 

Fold Along Seam Lines with Tissue Paper

If you have no option but to hang your delicate clothes, fold them along the seam lines. This helps to massively reduce unwanted creases in your clothes, helping to keep them in the best condition. You should also layer your delicate items with tissue paper, again helping to prevent creases from appearing and settling into your clothes. This is such a simple tip that can make the world of difference when it comes to your delicate clothing!