Wear It Well summary

In 2020, Allison Bornstein had been a fashion stylist in New York for over a decade. But it was the pandemic and lockdown that gave her true insight into the impact clothes have on us all. Allison saw that people everywhere were struggling to love themselves, their clothes, and feel comfortable with their closets.

Allison realized that most people don’t see their closets as creative, expressive spaces, or recognize the link between loving their clothes and their confidence levels. But when you look good, you feel good. So how can you approach getting dressed in a healthier, more positive way?

Start with this simple exercise to banish the negative voices we all have about our bodies and closets.

Get a piece of paper and a pen, and sit comfortably in front of your closet. Now, take some deep breaths to ground yourself. Then, listen to what those negative voices are saying to you – maybe that you're too old or young for certain clothes, or that you don't have time to care about fashion. Write down whatever the voices say.

Reflect on how believing these voices has impacted you. Then, throw that paper away. 

Next, spend some time tuning into your relationship with your closet. Pay more attention to what makes you feel good when you get dressed. Tune into the styles, fabrics, and colors that light you up inside. This will help you see your closet as a supportive place full of possibility, not a source of anxiety.

Finally, stop pursuing some idealized version of your appearance and start loving your unique self. Now, you’re ready to transform your closet into a space grounded in what's true for you, using the AB Closet-Editing System.

First, pull out everything you wear regularly at the moment. Don't judge these clothes yet – just observe what your current go-to outfits are.

Next, pull out everything you never wear. It doesn't matter why – if you haven't worn it recently, it goes in this pile.

Now, sort your never-worn clothes into three piles. Pile One is clothes you'll never wear again – donate these. Pile Two is clothes you can't wear now but want to keep, like maternity clothes. Label these and put them into storage. Pile Three is clothes you love but don't know how to style – this pile represents opportunity.

Make emotional overrides if needed, keeping pieces that spark creativity in you.

Finally, organize your closet. Arrange your regulars and how-to-style piles by color or type, so you can see all your options at once. Do the same with accessories.

With your closet reset, it's time to embrace the power of clothes for self-expression. Let’s explore that next.