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Style Evolution

Anonymous

I am very happy with my wardrobe. I have finally reached that critical mass that should be able to support a One In-One Out strategy. I admit to trying this strategy in the past, but I failed miserably. After some reflection, I concluded I hadn't reached a point in my wardrobe (style, number of pieces) that supported the idea of One In-One Out. So I am going to try again.

I am going to try again with a few rules in place. First, I can't cross over categories. I can't buy a new sweater and get rid of an old ratty tee shirt. If I want that sweater, I have to get rid of one of my existing sweaters. That should make me think long and hard about my decision. And if I do have ratty tee shirts in my closet, I need to just dump them right now.

This strategy requires dedication. I think it is too easy to rationalize decisions.For example, if I want to buy a new coat (and not get rid of one I already have), then I could rationalize how winter has been hard, how I haven't bought a new coat in oh so long, how it was on sale, how it will make me happy during the long winter, etc. Once you start rationalizing, you are on a very slippery slope. I know because that was the cause of my failure last time.

I would very much like to hear from others that have implemented this strategy. Advice would be great.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from

rachylou

Veteran

Ok ok. I'm going to purge my ratty tee shirts... I just washed them all up and they're in the laundry basket and there's no where to put them...

Meredith

Veteran

This makes sense to me! Do you think in a year or two you might want to tweak your capsules, though? You like your quantities now, but how/when will you evaluate if you do actually NEED another sweater?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. I haven't quite reached your stage. I'm doing a rough one-in-one out...but it is very rough. As in...I don't really pay attention to specific categories...I edit when I notice that items are worn out or I am no longer wearing them, and don't necessarily buy "replacements" -- I simply wait until the next season and see what I might like, more generally...

Maybe I'm not really doing one-in-one-out at all. Maybe it's more like: when my closet is full, it's full. If there is breathing room in there, it's all good. If there isn't, I need to edit or stop buying or both.

I can't really be that strict because my needs and desires change. Here's an example.

In winter, I need a lot of knitted sweaters because I live in a cold climate. For the past few years I had strongly favoured pullovers for my knits.

Meanwhile, I had some nice button up shirts I wasn't wearing very often, and that bothered me. Plus, I was sort of tired of wearing pullovers all the time.

Well, lo and behold. This season presented me with a slew of fun new cardigan styles. I hadn't been wearing cardigans for ages. They bored the heck out of me. Besides, I am a "jacket" girl.

So...I bought 3 cardigans this season. They did not "replace" any cardigans, because until that moment, I did not own any cardigans.

They did not replace any other sweaters, either. They were a new category.

But they allowed me to wear things from an older category (my shirts) and they have been highly useful. I'm a jacket girl at heart, but it turns out I like wearing cozy knits at home.

I did not pitch anything to make space for them. But nor did I buy a whole lot of new toppers this season apart from cardigans.

Anonymous

I am already doubting this decision. Both Suz and Meredith make really good points and I do love buying new clothes. I guess I was intrigued when Angie talked about it and it seemed like such a good idea to really be sure you were making good buying decisions.

Perhaps Angie will add her thoughts?

Staysfit

Veteran

I am working on a one in one out system, maybe it's a bit like the one Suz is using. I have a specific number of hangers and that limits my hanging items. I have a limited number of shelves and drawers and that limits what I can put there. I do try to keep some balance so I can create the silhouettes I like. For example, for Spring/Summer this year I noted that I mostly need dresses and tops, but I'm set in the pants/shorts department. If it makes sense, I will eliminate from the same category, or from a category where I am over supplied. So if I have too many pullover sweaters and I want cardigans, I will eliminate a pullover when I buy the cardigan. However, if I am happy with all my pullovers and I want cardigans, I will look at what else I have in abundance, which for me is jeans, so I would eliminate a pair of jeans.

I don't think you have to abandon your thought process, only tweak it. After all, you could continue to eliminate tee shirts to justify purchasing coats you like, but what happens when you need a tee shirt?

Summer

Veteran

I don't do this at present, because I have a very small wardrobe anyway, but I think it's a good system to follow with a wardrobe that is already functioning well. I don't think I would be quite so strict about the categories, though. I'd ditch the ratty tee shirt rather than a perfectly good sweater.
Still, if this method is the only one that will keep you on track, I would go with it. Whatever works for you to master your wardrobe should be the one to use.

kkards

Veteran

sterling, i don't think there's on right way to do this. it sounds like you've thought about this, and have a game plan. so i say, give it a try.

trekkiegirl

Veteran

I've not officially implemented this yet but would like to, so I am curious to see what others say. I think once I get to a point where I have a closet full of items I love though, that will be the end of this strategy and I'd have to use something else.

JuliannWhick

What a great idea! I hope some day I can get this organized...

deb

Veteran

There is no way I could do this. I am way too indecisive when making purchases. I have noticed the I am very particular now when making purchases. Jus came from Macy's with nothing because I saw nothing that met my needs.

DonnaF

Veteran

Like Suz, I have changed the distribution of my clothing over the past couple of years (to a number of pullovers where I previously had none), so 1 in: 1 out in a particular category wouldn't necessarily work. For me, I think 1 in: 1 out within a category would work well for bras, panties, and hosiery unless a special need came up like a racer back or strapless bra.

I am also finding that weather/temperatures and where I travel and for how long in a given year affect what I need/want.

This year, to slow myself down I am trying to limit the number of my purchases. This isn't working as well as I'd hoped, but I still have the tags on a couple of things and haven't made my final decision. . .

Sal

Veteran

I don't do this, but I can see the merits. However I like to change things up and like Suz my preferences can switch around a bit.

In 2015 I am counting my purchases and trying to stay under 20 for the calendar year. This includes shoes and handbags. I am at 2 so far. I have an approximate budget so if I buy a pricey coat or bag some areas will either be thrifted or from cheap stores. Since quality does not always equal price I am fine about this.

I think the pros of the one in one out method are that it does make you accountable and that it keeps the wardrobe size constant.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I find that a loose 1-in-1-out works for me too.
I combine it with being quite picky about fabric/function and fit- when the new item is good quality it is easier to purge a piece that no longer fits my strict guidelines, so out it goes!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I was committed to 1-in, 1-out this past Summer and Fall but I forgot about doing it! How can that be? I just came back from San Francisco where I purchased a number of things. So this is a great reminder to get back on track.

I don't do it strictly by category but I try there first. I just purchased a cardigan from Gap. I do not need another cardigan. But I couldn't resist. I had seen it a month ago and loved the pattern and bright colors. When they had it for 40% off, I decided to get it. Even though it's so late in the season to buy a cardigan, living in California. So I will look to purge a sweater first. But if I can't find anything that should go, I will see what else I can come up with. Maybe look at jackets or vests next?

Joy

Veteran

I'm at a place where I like my wardrobe too. I find that, when shopping, asking myself what I would get rid of if I buy a piece will force me to stop and think about how much I really want it. I tend to do this by seasons...so much room per season. Mo's calculations of how many dresses, etc. would actually get worn in a given season also helps keep me grounded. I can have more jeans than skirts, for example, because I wear jeans almost daily and skirts only about once a week for part of a day. I am familiar with what is in my current closet. It is harder to buy out of season.
I'm still working on reducing my wardrobe a bit and get more wear out of what I have. When shopping, I find that it also helps to ask myself what I would reach for if I did not have the piece that I am considering. Does it really fill a hole?
Good luck to you. A few years ago I was needing everything. Now it is hard to pull back after establishing a buying habit.

Anonymous

Reading Angie's post this morning and all the comments posted makes me even more interested in implementing this strategy. It does not seem as daunting as it did when I originally posted this idea. Furthermore, there is a battered women's shelter that would greatly benefit from my cast offs. Win-Win.