I think it's very interesting what we do when Angie is away. It's like we all get down to business and do our homework! And Shannon is the teacher! I've done some more purging -- which I do regularly -- and I thought I would follow some of you and count, for the first time.

I always knew I had a small wardrobe:

- most of my things live in one side of one closet,
- many are year-round (despite living in Maine),
- many suit both casual wear and my work life (which is business casual at best),
- I like to buy, but I think about buying more than I actually do it,
- some of my items are pretty old (fave sweaters and shirts from 7+ years ago),
- and I purge a lot.

But some of these numbers surprised even me. I'd love some feedback on my assessment and also on my plans for the fall/winter (below).

I did not count loungewear, outwerwear, or shoes -- but those numbers would be completely in line with what you see here. That is, low.

22 tops
- shells, dressy tees, etc.: 6 casual/dressy only, 5 also for work
- button down, cotton/silk/etc.: 3 casual only, 8 also for work

18 sweaters
- 10 casual only
- 8 also for work (but wear for work rarely because they have sleeves and can be too warm for moderating)

11 dresses
- 1 for winter only, casual or work
- 4 year-round, can be worn for work
- 4 for going out, year-round
- 2 for summer only, super casual

11 Bottoms (non-denim)
- 1 full-length pale gray cotton, 3-season for work
- 4 full-length black or charcoal for work
- 4 ankle pants, for work (limited locations in winter for work travel)
- 1 navy curator pants
- 1 black skinny cargos, for casual


9 Bottoms (denim) - ETA 2 pairs I forgot about
- 3 blue full-length (BF, relaxed skinny, straight)
- 1 blue skinny cropped (wear year-round, tuck into boots)
- 1 blue flared cropped (may wear into fall, but they are getting to be too big)
- 1 white cropped (wear mostly warm months)
- 1 white full-length straight (wear year-round)

- 1 black Paige straight

-1 grey Kut skinny


6 jackets
- 1 leather for cold weather only (I am not counting my leather biker jacket which is more outerwear)
- 3 year-round, work and casual
- 2 warm weather only


1 skirt --
- VC Tube

Here's how I feel about it all.

- I am glad my wardobe is small. I don't like having a lot of stuff; it actually can make me anxious to have a lot of things around.
- I often reach for the same things, so I know that I do love a lot of what I have.
- But I know that in my heart I am not a uniform gal. I follow trends and get excited seeing what everyone is wearing and buying. I don't know that my small wardrobe brings me quite enough joy.
- The trick for me is to make purchases that I won't want to purge at the end of the season. This happens frequently. Or, maybe that's okay if I'm not spending a lot? I don't know. I do know that I would like to have a bit more to choose from, and a few more pieces that make my heart race.
- Also, what about all those older items that I still occasionally wear? I'm not sure what to do with them. I finally purged some outdated work pants this year after getting feedback from YLF. I wonder if I am hanging on to some other stuff that is past its prime. (But that would make my wardrobe even smaller.)

I have on order the following:

Black Vince wool pants with white piping; could be worn for work or out. I'm not sure this was the smartest purchase, now, because I have a lot of work-friendly pants. But they are final sale so it is done. I do really love them (I remembered that I tried them on in the spring) and a couple of pairs of my work pants are more than 4 years old so maybe there is a swap in there somewhere. They are much more interesting than what I've got.

JCrew: some basics from their current super sale online: a black wool pencil skirt (totally justifiable, and I will wear it), 2 short-sleeve cashmere tees which will be better for work (camel and peacock blue), and a navy cropped sweater that I just liked. All the tops will work great with those navy curator pants I recently got and love.

Thinking about purchasing from NAS: Hudson or Vigoss Baby Bootcuts, a knit jacket (do not own, must be sleek tho), heeled black booties, black Vince sneakers.

Also planning to purchase burgundy Okalas (not from NAS).

Any thoughts / advice?

9 years ago