How I prepare for fall

So the time is here... it is almost fall, and we all need to start preparing for it, and just for fun I thought I would share my routine for preparing for fall with you guys.

First of all, twice a year I try to make a bigger effort regarding my wardrobe. I honestly believe that really great wardrobes are not created without a plan, so I try to make a plan for mine before every fall and before every spring.

I start out by looking through some fashion magazines (right now I am reading the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar) to get an idea of the latest trends, colors and such things. While I never follow any trends blindly, I do feel that this can be very inspirational and it's great to get some new, fresh ideas every once in a while.
(I do read fashion blogs and fashion websites such as Style.com on a regular basis too, of course, but since I do that all year round, it really is not something specific for fall or spring)

The next step is to sort through my exisisting wardrobe, and get rid of things that are worn out or damaged or just not relevant in some other way. This is great, because too much clutter in your wardrobe actually makes it much harder to get dressed in the morning. (This is the phase I am in right now)
I also put away all summer clothes, and take out some old favorites for fall and winter from my storage.

Once I have done that I have an idea of what kind of clothing I have to work with. This really helps, since you really can find some forgotten gems while doing this, it's like shopping in your own closet!

This is also helps me make a list of new things I need to buy. I make a list of basic items such as pants, tops, underwear and whatever it happens to be that I need right now, and then start my shopping for fall by buying those things.

After that is done, I allow myself to buy things I love, no matter if they are classic or not (even though I do tend to favor classic items). I know I have the basics covered after all, so I do not need to feel bad about getting some trendy pieces or whatever it is that I happen to fall in love with at the moment.

And that's pretty much it! This has been my shopping style for a few years now, and it really works for me. I know what I have, know what I need and allow myself to get things I adore. It really is the best way, and I truly recommend it!

(the wardrobe pictured is not mine, I am afraid. I wish!
I found it on Vee Vee Waa Waa)

This is not my idea of a good time

I'm the kind of person who doesn't do basics very well. If I could choose, I'd be shopping for colorful, sparkly one-of-a-kind pieces all the time. Buying basics (and by that I mean timeless pieces that remind me of stuff I already sort of have) has always bored me a little bit.

However, I do wear a lot of basics. I'm not the kind of person who plans my outfits religiously weeks in advance or anything, so a lot of the time, basics is what I reach after early in the morning when I really don't want to be thinking of anything clothing related at all.

So how do you solve this puzzle of not liking shopping for basics while loving wearing them?

I do it by shopping in bulk for all sorts of basics I could possibly need once or twice a year.

That way, I can shop for stuff I actually enjoy shopping for, during the rest of the year and still manage my wardrobe every morning.

For the past few years, my shopping trip while on a basics hunt has included a rather long visit to American Apparel (a store I don't visit regularly otherwise) and by the looks of their website I think I will be going there this year again.

Now the question is... does a circle scarf qualify as a basic or not?

(pics from American Apparel)