GP (Natalie) started two threads recently that got me finally moving out of procrastination mode: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-cracking and http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-wardrobe

Epiphany 1: I have nothing to wear... because I have too many orphans!

Seeing as I have a trip in the offing and had to root through my closet anyway, I decided I may as well get started on My Complete Closet Spreadsheet, to help plan for my impending cross-country move.

I spent all day; I'm still not done (it's nearly midnight); and already the tally has me shocked witless!

Epiphany 2: I have too many clothes! (period)

Some of you will remember I had been asking about shoes and talking of buying bags recently. Well, throttle me or shout me down next time I do that, would you please?

At last count (and this is just what I could remember, including the other half of my closet in another city), I have 30! pairs! of! shoes!

Okay, let's say half of these are 'mistakes' or 'outgrown' because my lifestyle has changed unexpectedly --- but I surely *cannot* actually NEED more shoes?! No, I don't have business-formal black shoes, and no, I don't have nude heels to elongate my legs. But really...? 30?! Can't I just make do with what I've got?

I won't bore you with the rest of the hyperventilating I indulged in this afternoon, halfway through this exercise. I think the numbers speak for themselves (and I'm not even done counting). What they say loud and clear is that I NEED TO BE STRAITJACKETED INTO SYC MODE FOR A TERM OF SIX YEARS AT LEAST!!!

::deep breaths!:: Here comes the confession:
*Tops (including knits, T-shirts, and Indian ethnic garments) ---> More than 93
*Bottoms (pants, skirts, Indian ethnic garments) ---> over 70
*Dresses --->Baker's dozen, maybe more...
*Sarees--->Two score and more, perhaps three!
*Sleepwear --> at least 15 sets/outfits
*Scarves & stoles --->30-odd?
*Sweaters, coats, jackets & shawls --->Maybe 35?

Now, it's possible I should let go of more than two-thirds of this lot for reasons of fit or frump, but am hanging on out of sentimentality... or because of some stupid fear of running out of options and not being able to find or afford replacements.

BUT EVEN THEN, a third of this is still an outrageously unwieldy number! Wouldn't you agree? (I won't be so crass as to ask a lady about her personal numbers; but hands up, please, all those who think this is MORE than enough, or should be!)

Epiphany 3: I'm clearly a terrible shopper with no sense of personal style, else with this many clothes, looking decently put-together should be a breeze!

I'm putting this out here, posted up in public, to hold myself accountable. STICK. TO. SYC! at least until I whittle down the wardrobe to manageable proportions.

Yes, I need a cardigan or two --- but only for next winter! Yes, a cami or three will sort out a couple more orphans apiece. But...

Epiphany 4: I have enough orphans to remix, repair and pair up BEFORE I even consider shopping

And the corollary to #3 and #4 is...

Epiphany 5: I *need* to urgently narrow down my style goals and perspective in order to dig myself out of this mess and not make things worse

I'm wondering if putting together every random outfit combo I can think of and photographing for assessment is the way forward... or is it too confusing and overwhelming? Should I just start with a Pinterest board to identify what I like... or would that be impractical because I clearly *don't* know whether what I like will work for my shape, style and lifestyle?

What *would* you do, if you were mad enough to find yourself in my closet crisis? (Pretend you fell down the rabbit hole --- that might help. I seriously cannot imagine how anyone sane or sensible can get to this place. Me? I must be barking, or in possession of Mad Hatter crossed with March Hare genes!)