The rash of closet purging posts has whetted my appetite for a closet cleanout of my own. The first victims to fall at my axe are pretty predictable. Remember when I bought five Summer dresses at the consignment store this Spring? Well, I didn't expect them to last forever, but I did think I'd be happy with them for the season at least!

Part I The Predictable Items

The first dress is a Banana Republic silk rich jersey knit. I almost went into orbit when I found this dress because I though it could be "my" DVF wrap dress. Except it doesn't wrap (not good on my figure) and it's not DVF! It was in my colors and had sleeves and a modest length. I think that blinded me to the fact that it was a little worn and dated. When I got it home I discovered that the previous owner had shrunk it unevenly at the hem. Because the print is all lined up at the hem, I couldn't sew it to even it out. Every time I hand washed it, I'd try in vain to stretch out the right side, but it didn't really work, and I was usually self-conscious about it whenever I left the house.

The second dress is by 'bordeaux ' and Angie liked it the best out of my haul. It is the most modern and on trend of the dresses. I bought it because it was modest, neutral and made of soft natural fiber. The best thing about this dress is that it feels just like a nightgown. The worst thing about this dress is that it feels just like a nightgown. I don't care for the asymmetry at all. I'm glad I gave it a go, but I feel drab in this dress and while it's very practical and easy-care, it will not be staying in my closet for next year.

The last dress that will get cut before the season is over is my Calvin Klein safari dress. Let me just say that I LOVE the idea of a safari dress. It must be living in the desert, but they are so cool and practical in the heat. Someday I'll find the perfect one, but this one was close enough to spend $20 on. Too bad Calvin just doesn't get my bod. His dresses are always a little too short and too high waisted for me. The styling on this one is a little frumpy too. I took it in down the sides because I really, really wanted it to fit. This is not the best shade of khaki on me. I need to have a tan to make it work, and I'm trying not to get too tanned. There is also something very "uniform" inspired about this dress that I love. Although it's a bugger to iron, it feels so much more neat and tidy than the nightgown dress. I usually crave this kind of structure after a day of wearing the other one.

Add to this is my white Uni-Qlo denim clams. I think this is their third Summer with me and I have loved them. They are super low-rise however and have stretched to the point that they fall off my hips without a belt. I'm mad at belts at the moment, especially ones that cut across my hip bones and squeeze, so I haven't been wearing these at all. My white full length jeans, rolled at the ankle, have been their stand in, and that's working out just fine.