As a lover of fashion and shopping this is the most wonderful time of the year. It is the start of the fall and winter fashion season. The magazines stands and online retailers are ready to share the new trends with you. Walk into any store and the new items are there ready for you to touch and try. It is wonderful to see them and dream about what you would love to own. Having been a personal shopper for many years I learned a few lessons that I want to share. Don't start shopping for the new goods until you shop in your own closet first. I read that we only wear about 20% of what we own. Stop and figure out a plan to go through your closet and storage from past seasons before you add more. A few of the big trends this season are denim jeans and tops, black leather, plaid items, and belts,puses, and shoes with silver studs or other embellishments. I am sure that you own a couple of these items already. Take the time to clear out what you absolutely don't need. I mean get really serious about your stash. Have you worn it in the last year, how about last 2 years? Does it need mending and has been waiting for a year? Is it stretched out of shape ? Do you really like it and hope it will grow on you? Did you buy it because it was such a great price and hoped that it would work with something? Make the fall season the beginning of a new and organized shopping season. Remember just because something is on sale at a good price doesn't mean you need it or don't already own something just like it. Get honest with yourself about getting rid of the items you just don't wear or need anymore.If you lose that 5 or 10 pounds you will want new things, not the item that has been hanging in the closet for a few years. There are many ways to recycle, donate, or even sell your things around town. I will share some ideas with you in future articles. There are ways to add just a few new pieces of trend to what you already own. But be honest with yourself and assess what you already own before you add more. Make some time for yourself to organize and evaluate your own closet. You will truly save time and money in the process. But do take the time to look and dream until you do.