Welcome to the Style Suite with Kéla Walker, your source for fashion and style trends for power plays in the workplace. Every Tuesday and Thursday, she’ll share tips and suggestions to help maximize your style on a budget. Whether you’re the style devil in Prada or the apprentice with limited apparel, you’ll find something in the Style Suite to suit your needs.
For 12 days, I’ve been on a retail hiatus, restraining from any kind of shopping. It’s a commitment I’ve made for the entire month of March.
So far, so good but again, it’s only day 12. I know many of you are thinking, “What would possess you  to do such a thing?” Before you write me off, thinking I’ve lost all my fashion sense, consider that statistics show the average woman only wears 20% of her closet. Yes, only 20%.
That’s a pretty significant number since it means there’s an even greater portion of our closet that we are not utilizing. With numbers like that, are you still wondering why I cut out shopping this month?
Along with my retail hiatus, I’ve also made the decision to shop my closet—or, as I should say, I’m forced to do so since I have no other options. It’s a challenge that I’m up for, forcing me to take stock of what I have and pull out more of those pieces that rarely get to see the light of day (like those red platform booties in the picture.)
This retail hiatus/shop my closet challenge has also made me rethink my closet and it’s contents. Do I really need five LBD’s? Ummmm…. Probably not. (Notice the hesitation there.)
But more than that, I’m saving a few extra dollars and who wouldn’t like that? To help pass the time, I’m having fun with the restraints, hosting a photo challenge on Instagram and Facebook and encouraging others to also shop their closet and share its contents. It’s a fun way to show off your style without spending a dime. If you are interested, it’s not too late get involved.  Learn more about the #ShopMyKloset challenge here (And to participate, the retail hiatus is not necessary).
None of this means I’ll stop talking about all that’s new and trendy here in the Style Suite for the duration of March. In fact, Thursday we’ll talk about spring fashion cravings and the season’s must-haves. In the meantime, wish me luck on this challenge and hope I don’t fall weak to one of those flash sales that pops up in my email.
For more fashion and style tips, visit Kéla’s Kloset and follow Kela on twitter @KelaWalker.
Kéla Walker is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated producer and TV host, who has contributed lifestyle and entertainment content for outlets including NBC’s LXTV, Getty Images, YRB Magazine, Madame Noire, and RTL Germany. She also has a passion for fashion and offers the latest in fab fashion trends and consumer deals with KelasKloset.com. Her chic style and trendsetting blog has been lauded by sites including Essence.com and Huffington Post Black Voices.