Page 118 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2026

SHOPPING
FOCU
on
PMRUNING YOUR SPRING CLOSET
arch is a transitioning month for those of us who love and follow fashion. Winter coats and sweaters have been put away and spring steps in with warmer weather, lighter-weight fabrics, floral designs, and softer color schemes to brighten our outlook and attitude.
story by
Barbara Travis
Just as spring is the traditional time for garden renewal and regrowth, the same holds true for your wardrobe. So, get busy re-assessing what’s in your closet and follow up with a strategy to cultivate a garden of clothes and accessories that make you feel as happy and confident as you do when you see beautiful new colorful blossoms pop up in your garden outside.
Spring Closet Cleanout
You seasonally prune your garden’s roses, bushes, and shrubs— the same should hold true of your closet. Most of us are all
too lackadaisical in doing this because we are too emotionally connected to everything housed there to let go of the stuff that doesn’t work anymore. It’s hard, I know, but there are so many things that linger from your past size, style, and purpose that you need to toss or re-frame. Ready, set, go. Let’s do this!
What to Keep
Keep the classic items you truly love and serve the life you lead today. Focus on basic pieces that fit and need only a new trendy piece of jewelry, scarf, shoes, or belt to give them a fresh look and appeal. Get creative; don’t shy away from wearing things
in a different way than you did before. That’s what developing personal style is all about.
What to Toss
Difficult as it may be, toss what you haven’t worn in a couple of years. Toss what doesn’t flatter you anymore. Toss what doesn’t make you feel happy. Toss what you wouldn’t want to be seen wearing at the grocery store if you ran into your old flame or your spouse’s old flame. You get the picture.
Trending Watch
Classics should always be the bread and butter of your ward- robe, but it’s good to know what’s currently trending, if it suits your fancy, and how you might use it to spice things up. The 2026 spring and summer professional fashion pundits point us in this direction: bright color combinations, polka dots, black oversized sunglasses, asymmetrical cuts, statement skirts, capris, trench coats, and cardigans. Not all my favorites, but all are cer- tainly worth consideration for jazzing up traditional looks.
118 | March 2026
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