This week I helped a friend rediscover her own closet. By cleaning out, reorganizing, and then “shopping” her closet, we were able to put together a bunch of new outfits. Sometimes taking stock of your preexisting wardrobe can save you from buying something new because you shop what you already have! Here are some tips:

1. Start with a clean slate -- take everything out of your closet.


2. Weed out everything that needs to be repaired -- or chucked.


3. Designate sections of your closet, for instance, “work” and “play.”


4. Divide your clothing into categories, i.e., tops, skirts, blazers, etc.


5. Put clothing back into your closet, utilizing designated sections and categories.


6. Give prime real estate to your tops. Nine out of 10 times a top is the first item you pick for an outfit.


7. No wire hangers! Ever!


8. Grab a friend and a bottle of wine and start playing dress-up! Keep a camera handy to catch the outfits you come up with.

After the jump, check out four brand-new outfits that we came up with using her own clothes!