Wardrobe musings on my journey to veteran and wardrobe love

This is going to be rambly.
When I joined YLF it was because I was going to Paris and had absolutely no casual wardrobe beyond sweats and t-shirts. I had to buy a whole wardrobe for the trip. That was the start of my casual wardrobe and those pieces are still workhorses.

I kinda think of these as the stages or steps everyone goes through here on YLF

Step 1
I read learned about capsules and then did a huge purge of my closet section by section. Started to rebuild - Got rid of lots of patterns and colors and focused on gray, black and navy

Step 2
Discovered the NAS and shopped and shopped way too much - everything bought has been a workhorse

Step 3
Realized I had to slow down with the shopping. Had outfits and clothes I loved and no more wardrobe orphans.

Step 4
Started to refine capsules

Step 5
Realized the importance of organization and did a seasonal organizational overhaul

Step 6
Guess what I'm back to purging and editing - I was to emotional about things before - After reading posts about letting go in the last week I have been able to do another mini-purge refining my wardrobe even more

Step 7 - Right now which is wardrobe love in a big, bad way
Got up today Saturday and went doll hunting with my daughter starting at 8:00 and didn't even have to think for one minute about what to wear from my organized and capsuled (my word) closet it has been months since I left my house in yoga pants and a sweatshirt for saturday errands

So as I see some upcoming steps -

Step 8
Capsule refinement and the realization I need a lounge capsule

Step 9
No more closet purging - but more of closet editing

Step 10
Continuing to refine my system for organized emotional shopping and seasonal capsule creation

Have I missed a step?

9 years ago

deb

Veteran

This all sounds good to. Good job getting this all down.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

You'll find that you will repeat this cycle over and over and over again throughout the year. It will take less time with each passing cycle as you become more intuitive about your style and purchases.

Style Fan

I am impressed. Great job.

Caro in Oz

Well done Agreeing with Angie - it's getting quicker & easier for me.

I know this isn't for everyone but the only thing I would suggest is to make a note or take a picture of what you wear on a daily basis. You can also track CPW & JPW (joy per wear). Doing this has REALLY changed the way I shop & makes it so easy to leave behind the ho-hum stuff.

Good for you! I hope you had a marvelous time in Paris too. What a fun reason to join the forum.

fuzzylogic

That's a great breakdown, frannieb! I am so glad to hear that you love your wardrobe!

Like Caro, I try to take photos of what I am wearing each day. I find it really helps me see things with different eyes- the camera doesn't lie!!!

Keep having fun!

K.M.

Your post is so helpful for me as I try to figure out the ropes. Thanks for sharing this in such a clear and concise way; although my issues are slightly different (I have way too much casual in my wardrobe), your points are all applicable and very inspiring!

Jaime

Well done and well described!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Your time here has been very constructive. I would not be able to articulate these steps. In fact, I'm not sure I've experienced many of them--ha ha! I seem to be more of a drifter. Nevertheless, it's informative to read your description of your YLF journey so far, and I hope you'll continue to sharing your progress--and your outfits!-- with us.

rachylou

Lol - totally recognise myself and, also, feel we need to come up with two more steps to make it to 12... one of which has got to be style evolution. Like my Quirky Waif has started to present differently, gotten less cute in my mind...

Summer

You have done really well to have put all these newly-learned strategies into practice. Isn't it satisfying to be really in control of your wardrobe?

frannieb

you know rachy lou is right - I missed a step - style evolution - on that one I'm still clueless because I couldn't name my style with words if I tried and love how lots of people are able to do that.

Suz

Congratulations! You have achieved a lot in a short time! I think you are super fast learner.

I agree with Caro's point -- paying attention to what you're actually wearing the most can be informative, as well as the joy per wear of some items. They may or may not be the most worn items. It's useful to know that.

jackiec

Well done and well articulated. So glad you are enjoying your wardrobe.

Mellllls

great job. happy veteran-versary

celia

Great way to summarize your journey. Yes, I think most of us go trough that in their fashion journey .
Happy veterans day.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Congratulations! This was so much fun to read - I always love to read about the processes everyone uses to sort and curate their wardrobes. It's very inspiring

shipskitty

I really enjoyed reading this frannieb Thanks for sharing your experiences. Looking forward to when I can love my wardrobe as much as you clearly do yours.

Windchime

Congrats on your exciting progress so far! I'm enjoying reading about, and identifying with, most of the steps on your YLF journey. (No Paris trip, alas, and I bought only two NAS items, but both are loved workhorses.)

I, too, am gradually becoming better at choosing items to let go. Caro's Joy Per Wear could be a valuable tool.

Elizabeth P

Great to see your journey articulated like this Frannie. You've obviously put a lot of thought into your wardrobe.

I think I am somewhere in Step 3 and 4, after ALL THIS TIME! My style evolution step is in here as well. I have a lot of clothes I love, don't struggle in the mornings, still have many combinations of things I want to try. So now time to slow down, use that knowledge and do more purging.

Except then it'll be a new season and everything will change...

I like how you say the purging evolves into editing. Makes a lot of sense.

cjh

Thanks for the great analysis. This is informative and a good guide in some ways.

This is very helpful for a newbie like me. I have to ask, what is NAS?
And it is so nice to hear that "you didn't have to think about what to wear" - that is my goal. And I too have a love of Black, Navy and Gray.

AM... NAS is Nordstrom Annual Sale. Happens at the end of July/early August (I believe) A big deal on here, as you'll see...

Elizabeth P - Thanks! NAS -- got it!

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