Closet confidential: my attempt to simplify my closet -- and life

A tailored black blazer like this Rag & Bone one (bought 50 percent off in January!) is a wardrobe staple.

If your closet could speak, what would it say? I blame the emails with the subject line "spring cleaning" that have been inundating my inbox as of late for putting this question on my radar. It also doesn't bode well that recently, I can't seem to pull anything out of my wardrobe without another item falling on me
-- a telltale sign I'm one blazer away from sustaining a minor head injury.

In effect, I've reached the age -- and the space capacity (thanks NYC), where I've decided it's time to pare down my sartorial choices in an effort to simplify my life, boost my savings and create that elusive thing known as personal style.

Interning at a prestigious fashion magazine, I'm surrounded by impeccably dressed editors, and if I've gleaned anything from observing their style, it's you don't need a lot of clothes to look great -- in fact,  quite the opposite. Ask me what their closets would say if they could speak and I could answer you in three words without flinching, but ask me about mine, and,  -- multiple pauses would ensue. Not acceptable. Instead of embracing numerous trends and striving to never repeat the same outfit, they stick to a well-defined aesthetic that compliments their figures and personalities. For instance, skinny blue jeans with button-up shirts and pointy-toe stilettos, or black shift dresses punctuated by bold jewelry.

It seems the unspoken rule to carving out a signature "look" is to stick to a few colors and cuts, and not exceed two style personas, like feminine minimalist or boyish rocker. Hit repeat and you're good as gold. And of course adding an on-trend accessory makes any outfit more au-courant.

You could argue that being 25, the time is now to experiment with looks and trends, but while I do shop at fast-fashion retailers, I gravitate towards high-quality, well-tailored garments with price tags to match. Given I don't want to be in the red as I prepare to enter the work-force full time, streamlining my closet now is a no brainer.

To begin, I perform a wardrobe autopsy. Clearly I'm a fan of the colored skinny jean trend, but was it really necessary to buy them in so many colors? The same can be said for button-up blouses, colorful blazers and printed pants. Also, I need to stop buying skirts I can't match with tops I already own -- such a nuisance. Considering I hate how I feel when my jeans are too tight, the lesson here is I've got to enforce a strict quota on skinny styles and stick to the menswear cuts I'm more confident in.

When I break it down, I realize my favorite items are feminine dresses with clean silhouettes; not too tight yet still subtly sexy. Plain cashmere sweaters are another go-to, as are lightweight black blazers that can be worn under winter jackets. And when in doubt, I always turn to my trusted black leather pencil skirt. Leather in general is one of my greatest loves. Voila -- I'm getting closer to completing my closet detox.

From this point forward I, Valeria Nekhim, do solemnly swear all future purchases (okay, almost all future purchases) will be made with careful attention to the knowledge I've garnered from the aformentioned autopsy report. Can I tell you what my style personality is just yet? No, although I'm leaning towards classic feminine mixed in with elements of rock 'n' roll' and boyish prepster. Does that even make sense? At 25, I'm simply not there yet, nor can I part with enough clothing to mimic the sartorial aptitude of the fashionable women I aspire to dress like. One day I will though, because I'll have the benefit of a getting a head start. In the meantime, I'll settle for more space and less time spent on deciding what to wear -- now that's something.

Another 50 percent off steal -- I know I won't tire of this T By Alexander Wang leather sleeve varsity jacket. 

A curve hugging pencil skirt in a stretchy fabric by Canadian brand Judith & Charles can be worn for day and night and will never go out of fashion. This one's my most recent closet addition following a trip to Ogilvy  in Montreal, and it definitely passes the test.