OUT WITH THE OLD

Houston fashion expert uncovers what to purge, keep, or add for the ultimate 2023 closet reset

Now is the perfect time to put your best fashion foot forward with a 2023 closet reset.

Photo courtesy of Veronica Beard/Facebook

The holidays have come and gone, and new clothes have gleefully made their way into closets everywhere. The alluring (and endless) supply of leggings, t-shirts, jeans, and bodysuits has likely expanded tenfold.

What does this mean? The time has come for a fashion reset. Unlike a regular closet cleanout, a fashion reset is about being thoughtful about each item — paring down the excess, getting rid of micro-fashion trends, and decluttering anything that doesn't fit or flatter. Every accessory, handbag, pair of shoes, and piece of clothing should be something cherished or exciting. Donate, sell, or recycle anything that is a 'maybe' and make room to put the best style forward in the new year.

Emily Michaels, owner and creative director of ESKM Collections, says a prevalent problem she sees when dealing with clients' closets is that they have too many occasion-based clothes instead of everyday clothing. She suggests that 80 percent of your closet "should be things you could see yourself wearing daily and the other 20 should be more occasion based."

Michaels, who recently helped Dominique Sachse pare down her closet, advises her clients to start the closet reset by setting aside the clothes they wear the most and then getting rid of anything that is ripped, stained, or damaged. Once that process is complete, it is time to build the ultimate wardrobe.

Here are Michaels' top five suggestions for a 2023 fashion reset.

Button-down shirts

Get rid of: Button-down shirts that are too formal or can only pair with dressy pants or a skirt.

Keep: A classic fitting button-down that pairs easily with trousers or jeans.

Add: A French cuff blouse with feminine details like ruching that can be worn buttoned or over a tank top.

A French cuff shirt that easily pairs with jeans or trousers is a 2023 wardrobe staple. Photo credit ESKM Collection

Blazers

Get rid of: Blazers that don't fit well or in fabrics that haven't held up over time.

Keep: Blazers in classic silhouettes like boxy or fitted are an easy way to make jeans feel elevated.

Add: A classic investment piece from Rag & Bone or Veronica Beard that will stay in style even after a couple of seasons.

Blazers are a corporate to casual wardrobe staple. Try investment pieces from Veronica Beard or Rag & Bone. Photo credit veronicabeard.com

Jeans

Get rid of: Any jeans (regardless of style) that don't fit well and jeans with large distressed rips and holes.

Keep: Jeans that make you feel confident and flatter your body type.

Add: Well-fitting pairs of straight-leg, mid to high-rise, high-quality jeans in a classic wash. It is best to have a darker wash for the winter and a lighter one for the warmer months.

In 2023, opt for a mid to high rise jeans in a classic wash like these from Agolde. Photo credit agolde.com

Dresses

Get rid of: Dresses that can only be worn once for particular occasions.

Keep: Any dresses that are flattering and simple to dress up or down.

Add: A simple, slip-on knit dress that can pair with heels, sneakers, or flats.

This t-shirt dress from ESKM Collection is easy to dress up or down making it a 2023 closet staple. Photo credit ESKM Collection

Shoes

Get rid of: Shoes that are stained or with worn-out soles or heels that can't be repaired.

Keep: Classic low-top converse in white or nude and a simple bootie with a low chunky heel.

Add: Chunky soled loafer or a modern twist on a ballet flat.

Add a modern take on a ballet flat like these from Alohas. Photo courtesy of Alohas.com

DAZZLING DETAILS

Houston artist's Indian heritage inspires luxe new jewelry collection

Photo by Hung Troung

Maison Merchant’s debut collections feature sculptural gold designs, diamond accents, and customizable details handcrafted by master artisans in India.

Houston’s luxury jewelry scene welcomes a sparkling new addition with the official launch of Maison Merchant, the fine jewelry brand founded by Houston-based artist and designer Sneha Merchant.

The jewelry line is a new creative endeavor for Merchant, whose background as an artist serves as the foundation for the collection’s sculptural, highly detailed aesthetic.

“Maison Merchant is a fine jewelry collection inspired by my artwork, intricate circular motifs, and timeless craftsmanship, blending high jewelry with meaningful design and storytelling,” Merchant tells CultureMap. “This launch represents a deeply personal evolution of my creative journey, expanding my world as an artist into the realm of fine jewelry through pieces that feel luxurious, wearable, and enduring.”

Born and raised in Mumbai, Merchant's appreciation for jewelry began early when she would visit the family jeweler with her mother. “Being surrounded by that world from such a young age gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, detail, and the emotional significance jewelry can carry,” she says. “Over the years, I began designing pieces for myself, and wherever I wore them, people would constantly ask about them.”

This led Merchant to debut her jewelry line with three collections. Cœur du Monde is inspired by mandalas and balanced geometry, while Muse d’Art transforms Merchant’s original artwork into wearable fine jewelry. The third collection, Renaître d’Or, explores transformation through sculptural gold designs accented with diamonds.

Sneha Merchant brings her artistic vision into the world of fine jewelry with the launch of Maison Merchant, a collection inspired by intricate motifs, craftsmanship, and personal storytelling.Photo by Hung Troung

“Every piece is designed to transition effortlessly from day to evening while retaining the craftsmanship and presence of high-end jewelry,” says Merchant.

Clients can personalize many designs in existing collections with different colors and material selections. The pieces are then handcrafted by master artisans in India with more than six decades of experience.

“Bespoke jewelry has always held deep meaning for me because I grew up watching my mother create custom pieces to mark the most important moments in her life,” she says. “Those pieces eventually became far more than jewelry. They carried history, emotion, love, and memories that were passed down through generations.”

Every Maison Merchant piece begins as a hand sketch, which she says is often the most time-intensive part of the process. “As an artist, translating a two-dimensional artwork into a wearable, three-dimensional form requires immense detail, proportion, and refinement before the design ever moves into production.”

Merchant's long-term goals go far beyond the debut collection, which is available exclusively online. “I want people to feel an immediate sense of confidence, refinement, and presence when they wear Maison Merchant,” she says. “My vision for Maison Merchant is to create collectible pieces that people return to season after season and eventually pass down for generations.”

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OUT WITH THE OLD

Houston fashion expert uncovers what to purge, keep, or add for the ultimate 2023 closet reset

DAZZLING DETAILS

Houston artist's Indian heritage inspires luxe new jewelry collection

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