Every February we start a month-long #worthyofwearing challenge. Whether you are joining from social media, or through my newsletter, I encourage you to share your interpretation of what #worthyofwearing means for you this month— share online, or just share with a friend. What makes you feel worthy, of dignity, of love, of goodness? Wear that, and share your light with the world.

Check out the blog post, and head to your closet to start digging in! Please tag me on instagram @nmcaruso and use the hashtag #worthyofwearing so I can share how this movement impacts all of us.

We all love before-and-after TV, and the reason is that glimmer we see in the eyes of the after moment. Unless it was a tragic change that muted the authentic beauty in that person, most after shots show the person recognizing themself in a new light. And that glimmer is just the beginning.

When we recognize our worth, our God-given dignity, our talents, our strengths, and our uniqueness, it emanates from us in every interaction. When we feel confident, we can focus less on ourselves and our insecurities, and more on how we can serve through the state in life in which we live. A friend so wisely told me recently that she struggles with vanity most when she doesn’t “get ready” in the morning, because she spends the day thinking of herself and her insecurities, rather than being present to the people and tasks that require her attention in the moment. I find her point of view so poignant, and I often feel the same way, but couldn’t express it so concisely. Is it possible to fall into vanity when we spend no time at all getting ready for the day? If we are more concerned with ourselves than others, then you know the answer. Taking a few moments each morning to prepare for our day, both feeding our soul with prayer, and dressing in an outfit that emanates authenticity, we can serve in our state in life with more abandon and true presence.

Fashion and beauty always get dismissed as a frivolous use of time; a pursuit that is both materialistic and narcissistic, but alter the intention behind what you do, and even the pursuit of holiness can put self above God and others in an unhealthy (and sinful) way. So, as you wade through your hangers in search of your favorite pieces, the ones you always feel great in, keep in mind your intention in dressing. Ask yourself: “Does this represent who I am, who God created me to be? Do I feel like myself when I wear it? Does it reveal part of my story, whether playful prints, streamlined separates, or vintage pieces? Does this outfit distract from my dignity in an immodest way? Is what I’m wearing fitting the context of where I am?”

If you are going to tackle this challenge this February, I encourage you to go to your closet and drawers and do a bit of a look-through.

PREPPING YOUR CLOSET FOR #WORTHYOFWEARING

1. Separate your clothing by category.

   • Keep gym clothes in one section, pajamas in another, and categorize your hanging clothes in sections so tees and blazers are all separated. Brownie points if you like to hang them in color order too! this reduces the time it takes to choose your outfit so you can get on with your day.

2. TRY ON YOUR FAVORITE PIECES.

   • Take 20 minutes to put on the outfits you feel best in. Notice what you like about them, and how you can replicate them in different colors, textures, and seasons of the year. There is nothing wrong with having a signature style! In fact, a self-imposed uniform is often the best way to combat outfit-decision-fatigue, and some of the most stylish women of all time often wore similar versions of the same outfit, like Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy.

   • I use Pinterest to log my favorite outfits, and ones I want to try. I don’t save ideas that do not reflect what I would actually wear, only what really works with my body, lifestyle, and personal preference. It’s a digital lookbook of my favorite things.

3. HOW IS THE FIT?

   • Is the fabric bunching and creasing across the bust, around the mid-section or across the crotch seams? Is it hanging so loosely over your frame that you are drowning in fabric?

   • Take note of the fit and decide if it’s worth keeping, or if it can be sold through a secondhand site like Poshmark, Thred Up, or Tradesy, or even donated to a charity.

   • Keep an eye out for stains, rips, and excessive pilling. Consider donating the textiles or cutting them into cleaning rags, if possible.

4. WHAT CAN GO?

   • Is there a top you keep meaning to wear, but every time you put it on, you take it off? Is there a dress that’s 2 sizes too small, and you’re holding onto it hoping it will fit again? Or, is there a sweater you got as a gift that you really don’t love?

   • Give yourself permission to part with these things. There is another woman out there who will love finding your unused pieces! More than cluttering your mind with “No, no, no,” every time you get dressed, these unwearable pieces are holding you back from an edited closet that is a reflection of you, in this present moment. One woman’s clutter is another woman’s dream score at the thrift store, and when you reframe it that way, it’s much easier to let things go. Remember, you can even take note of what you loved about it, and look for it in a size or shape that will suit you better.

5. FIND YOUR ACCESSORIES.

   • Earrings and necklaces are the simplest adornments to feel a little more dressed up, even with a very basic outfit. This challenge is not about wearing heels every day, though you should go for it if they are your favorite. This challenge is about taking time to let yourself feel feminine, to cultivate that inner smile where you love your outfit and don’t care who knows it. Accessories are fun to switch up. Be a little more daring with colors and patterns on your scarves, bags, jewelry, and headbands.

6. take stock of what you’d like to purchase to round out your closet.

   • I keep a folder in my phone with my “to buy list”. In it is a list of pieces that I am missing from my wardrobe that will make my other clothes even more versatile, or a little more modern. I always add a few wishlist items in case I see them on major sale! Every time I go shopping, I review the list and keep a lookout for specific pieces. This is especially helpful at thrift stores or places like TJ Maxx where the inventory can be overwhelming.

So do you feel ready now? I do! We are stronger together, so solidarity girlfriend. I can’t wait to see how we can build each other up and dive into this challenge together.

Need a little help sorting out your closet? Download this FREE guide I created called The Edit to uncover your Worthy Wardrobe.