The next time you decide to go shopping for new clothes, visit your closet. I think I had a spiritual experience on Saturday. Instead of spending a ton of money online or at the mall, I decided to visit my closet.

Shopping online at favorite websites seemed like a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. There were already a ton of new clothes in my shopping cart when I had to go to my closet to buy a pant size. The shopping cart had James Perse cargo pants and T-shirts, Vince sweaters, and Juicy Couture Bermuda shorts. I was having fun like I usually do when I find a good deal or bargain.

I was going to buy a new pair of James Perse parachute pants when I needed to check my size. So, downstairs and lo and behold, I went into my closet to see what size I bought last month. That’s when I decided to take a closer look at the clothes hanging neatly in sections of pants, shorts, capris, tops, dresses, t-shirts, jackets, and coats. Actually, my closet looks like a well-organized section of a high-end department store. I’m in the designer handbags and handbags business, so I’m in the habit of collecting high-end fashion from every possible interesting website and boutique.

My shoes are neatly organized by designer names and labeled by color on the outside of the box. My favorite sneaker collection is the Nike Rift in wild colors and patterns. Camper leather shoes are very comfortable, so I have a lot of red boxes neatly arranged on the shelves. Prada Sport shoes range from flat to platform, and all are color-coded and labeled. Hermes dress shoes are used less, but are nevertheless neatly arranged on the shelf.

I have a soft spot for boots, so my collection of Henry Leather, Prada, Ann Demeulemeester, Mosquito, Robert Clergerie, Camper, Miu Miu, Diesel, Michael KORS, UGG, and Ralph Lauren are all carefully labeled and ready to wear. . They range from ankle-high to over-the-knee style, and I wear them with just about anything when I’m in the mood for boots. My favorites are a new gaucho style from Brazil. And of course, you can’t beat Henry Leather’s light weight for warm weather.

My closet really is a fun place to visit and keep organized. All Hermès designer bags are neatly stored in their orange boxes and are labeled on the outside. Of course, my favorite of all the Hermes designer bags are the impossible to get Birkin bags. The Hermes Market Bag is also a fun medium style and great for day or night wear.

While looking up my James Perse cargo pant size, I noticed that I had several things I hadn’t worn that still had tags on them. So, I started to pull the items and hold them next to each other. Then, without hesitation, I began to coordinate outfits from the contents of the closet. I found tops I forgot I had. I found double James Perse jerseys in the same color and style! I was having the time of my life. I suddenly realized that shopping from home had a new meaning. Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten tops were funkier than ever! Jackets by Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent and Eskandar were timeless and fashionable pieces. Robert Rodríguez skirts, crochet tops and gaucho pants have never looked so beautiful.

It was impossible to coordinate clothes without trying them on, and I don’t buy clothes if they don’t fit my figure, so I knew everything would fit. I just hadn’t thought or taken the time to put certain things together. I tried on all the outfits I coordinated. It was like buying new clothes. Robert Rodriguez puts on Marni for the first time, and they looked great together. Calvin Klein and Ya-Ya were a couple made of 100% cotton! Dosa and Pinko are ready to wear at a party. As is Gucci and Ann Demeulemeester. One of my favorite combinations is a green silk Bernard Willhelm dress over a pair of Danang cotton leggings.

Most of the time, when I’m getting ready to go out, I go into the closet and think that there is nothing to wear. Who would have thought that Bernard Willhelm and Danang would make a good couple? I’m usually in too much of a rush to think creatively when I need to put clothes together and end up wearing the same thing too many times. Now the task is done. Proactive wardrobe planning is now an integral part of the big picture.

Many of the items matched as if they were meant to be used together. I found an off-white silk Armani asymmetrical tunic that I bought on sale at Neiman Marcus about three years ago, had it dry cleaned and never worn. The Armani tunic now hangs over a black, silk, long, shift dress by Gary Graham, which has also never been worn. The two items appear to have been made for each other. The look is up to date, the style is current, and I have never worn either item! I can’t wait for a special occasion to show off the new outfit.

Buying on instinct is a habit because I am a notorious bargain hunter. Shopping out of necessity or any other motivation rarely produces good results. So the colors, styles and patterns in my wardrobe blend together creating a personal style. You know, probably like a lot of creative buyer types.

The items I tend to buy these days are funky, classic, one-of-a-kind pieces that I know I’ll wear or need one day! They range from Danang silk cargos to Rick Owens knitwear. The prices are often on sale because I don’t believe in paying full price unless of course the price is right! My entire small business was based on prices outside of retail, so I must also do what I say personally. I truly believe that retail is the only way to buy.

Having a small internet e-commerce website lends itself to simple and comfortable work clothes. Sitting in front of a computer all day is ideal for comfortable, fun, cotton clothes and sweatshirts. So when I go out, I like to add a little more flair and accessories. Marni jewelry and Hermes silk scarves can really enhance a simple t-shirt or cotton skirt. For shoes, a simple pair of Prada sandals or a pair of Kork Ease platforms are my go-to shoes to wear with just about anything. It’s hard to believe that I have been in love with and using Kork Ease for over thirty years! Pulling it all together and making the look on-trend is easy when there’s a closet full of almost-forgotten designer clothes, shoes, and bags.

Shopping from home has a new meaning. The time I spent matching tops, bottoms, shoes, and bags saved me a lot of time preparing for my next date, meeting, appointment, etc. I spent most of my quality time shopping at home coordinating items I seldom wear, leaving everyday, very casual items to a more free-style selection process. I no longer worry about what to wear to dinner on Monday night, or what I’ll wear if he asks me out! It’s all there, and it’s been there waiting for me to make the time to put it all together. I feel relieved? Yes. Do I feel my time was well spent? Yes. Do I need to buy more clothes? Of course, but not this weekend! I’ll save that activity for next week, or maybe after I’ve had a chance to use everything I currently have in my closet at least once!