https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:30:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721624 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 18:06:05 +0000 Ginger 1721624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>deb</b>, this edit has been brewing for years! I just finally got around to it. It helped a lot that I've been refining/defining my style assiduously for about a year. So there were very few items that were an actual struggle to know what to do with.</p> <p><b>Runcarla</b>, it was a big job, but a day well spent! </p> <p>Thank you, <b>RobinF</b>!</p> <p><b>Lisa</b>, I've been shy of the numbers before now, because I knew so much needed to be passed on. It's nice to have a better handle now! And it's a wonderful feeling.</p> <p><b>Janet</b>, I love seeing nice neat closets as well. And I'm a total pushover for efficient and nice-looking boxes &amp; bins!</p> <p><b>Sterling</b>, they're stackable individual boxes. The front is a drop-down door, like a mailbox. Love them!<br /><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/s/closet/shoe-storage/view-all-shoe-storage/drop-front-shoe-boxes/123d?productId=10037226" rel="nofollow">http://www.containerstore.com/.....boxes/123d</a></p> <p>Thank you, <b>Angie!</b> I had my laptop out with your posts on editing available for a quick reference. It was a long time to stay focused, but that helped a lot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721520 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:37:50 +0000 Angie 1721520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WELL DONE. What a GREAT feeling.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721518 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:32:42 +0000 Anonymous 1721518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OH!&nbsp; Pictures!!&nbsp; </p> <p>I too admire the shoe boxes.&nbsp; Are they one unit or stackable boxes?&nbsp; Shoe storage is always such a challenge for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721516 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:29:27 +0000 Janet 1721516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, great work! I love seeing freshly organized closets. Those are great shoe boxes and storage bins too. I bet it feels amazing to have that done!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721507 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 14:08:53 +0000 Lisa 1721507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I adore number crunching posts and often do this on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://shoppingbrake.com/">my blog</a>. &nbsp;I also enjoy a good closet edit and you did a superb job here. &nbsp;Doesn't it feel like this huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders now? &nbsp;Bravo on a great job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721461 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:09:08 +0000 RobinF 1721461@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, what a great closet! How fun to get it so well organized! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721377 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 04:06:03 +0000 Carla 1721377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Holy moly Ginger! That was a job and a half! Well done. Though I do fall into the minimalist camp, I'm not one for calling anyone out over the size of their closet. Your numbers sound just fine, and it seems like you will love and wear the items you have kept. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721358 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 03:06:22 +0000 deb 1721358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>wow, you have more perseverance and determination than I could muster. Well done! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721340 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 02:23:40 +0000 Ginger 1721340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many kind comments! :)</p> <p><b>Eliza</b>, <b>delurked</b>, <b>BrieN, Joy, shedev, Sally, </b>thank you!</p> <p><b>Barbara Diane</b>, I think the old saying was "one to wash, one to wear." And maybe "one for Sunday." I've got that covered! :D</p> <p><b>Rachy,</b> it feels terrific!</p> <p><b>Janet</b>, we've got a lot of similarities! I'm glad my numbers aren't terribly far out there. There's a lot of real estate between some of the moderate wardrobes on YLF and Imelda Marcos. :p</p> <p><b>TammyB</b>, it's a good thing to recognize. My climate, activities, and job all make a minimalist wardrobe unrealistic, so I haven't been very tempted to try it. (My feet were a bit swollen the next day. Yikes!)</p> <p>Thank you so much, <b>Sterling</b>! Both the encouragement and the words of wisdom. I think I stopped reading blogs at the height of the minimal capsule craze - I just couldn't take it. That is a fascinating link; I'm definitely an Options person. (Love bulletized lists - which this whole post essentially is.)</p> <p><b>RWS</b>, that is so awesome! Yay for nice big wardrobes that are<i> worn </i>and loved.&nbsp; And way to go on the shoes. I got those drop front boxes about 3 years ago and it made a huge difference. All those shoes I knew I had, and could remember when I looked at the box... but there's nothing like actually seeing them.</p> <p><b>Aida</b>, thank you for those very wise words.&nbsp; I kept it in mind while working on the organization, that I didn't need to actually filly it up.&nbsp; I hope it didn't photograph as cluttered; it definitely feels more open. I love being able to see the shelves all around without garment bags or scarf/belt hangers draping all over.</p> <p>Good analysis, <b>Jenn</b>. Because of seasonal imbalance (and I have favorites) some definitely get more wear, but I'd say that's pretty accurate. And yes! Costuming is an entirely different wardrobe! (My goal is to have a <i>complete</i> wardrobe for every time period I like to play in. We have an annual November picnic for which is has been variously uncomfortably warm, windy, damp, dry, and downright cold - I need to be prepared. I can't exactly go out and buy an 1810s pelisse at Nordstrom when we get a Canadian cold front the day before...)</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, you've pretty much nailed it. Thanks so much for the reassurance, and the reasoning. And yes, I do change! After work and after church, almost always. Either for another activity, or for lounging, or just because I want to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1721331 Wed, 31 Aug 2016 01:55:16 +0000 Ginger 1721331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pictures added!</p> <p>1-4: Before. (Almost - I hard taken out the skirts from the lower left rod.) 2 - 4 show the view from left to right. Linens on the top left (I have no linen closet), folded sweaters over the dresses, and random stuff and accessories on the right beside the shoes. </p> <p>5-8: After edit, before rearranging. There's a lot more room, but it looks very untidy, especially on the right side. That's the side most visible. </p> <p>The shoe display is good, but I wanted to have hanging clothes on one side only. So I switched sides. </p> <p>9-14: Overview, and left to right!</p> <p>It's great having the shoes on the left. The whole closet feels less cluttered without hangers sticking out into the walkway. </p> <p>I got some pretty fabric bins for accessories. Scarves, belts, need another bin for neck scarves. Underneath, smaller bins with fashion tape, inner soles, leather punch, safety pins. And my bonnet dryer. Above next to the shoe boxes, handbags. My good 1949s ones are in the big bins. </p> <p>And on the right, the hanging clothes and linens. I did slightly segregate the cold weather tops and bottoms into the far right corner. That's as much seasonal organization as is practical for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720457 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 00:55:39 +0000 Suz 1720457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger, I don't think this is outrageous at all. It sound like your size and style have been in flux a wee bit and also you are a person who needs some variety and clothing changes in a day. You've done a brilliant job of figuring out why the items that don't work, don't work, and now you can move forward with a better idea of what you really like to wear in your current life.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720385 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 20:36:03 +0000 Sal 1720385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations, it seems you have made wonderful progress here. &nbsp;I am impressed at your dedication and your clear plan to move forward. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720340 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 18:29:14 +0000 Jenn 1720340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think these are absurdly high numbers. A quick glance at your numbers of dresses, pants, and skirts, and it seems like, with regular rotation, you'll end up wearing each of these 4-5x per year. For someone who gets bored easily and/or has reason to change outfits over the course of a day, that's not outrageous. When you have more clothing than you could wear in a year, that'd be a good time to do some thinking. &nbsp;:) </p> <p>I meant to tell you during your shoe cull, too, that costuming totally doesn't count! In my book, that's a hobby, which is something completely different!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720293 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 14:31:08 +0000 Aida 1720293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five! Sounds like you did an excellent job. No need to feel shy about your wardrobe numbers; we all have different needs and dressing styles, and as Sterling mentioned your item distribution seems to reflect what we've seen you wear so that's good. Enjoy the extra room and your favorites! And as a follow larger wardrobe gal, must also mention do try to get over the feeling that you need to refill the empty space. Once you get readjusted it's wonderful to have the extra breathing room around your clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720283 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 13:56:59 +0000 shedev 1720283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in awe of your closet cleanout. Very well done. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720276 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 13:21:57 +0000 Janet 1720276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, that link was informative. I'm definitely more of an Options person, but in some aspects of my life I am more of a Procedures type. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720274 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 13:14:30 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1720274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your non-minimalist closet sounds a lot like mine. &nbsp;Except mine is even more non-minimalist. &nbsp;:) &nbsp;For that reason, your reorganization story is more inspiring to me than those of the more minimal folks. &nbsp;I'll never get close to what they are trying to achieve, and don't want to! &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>After seeing your shoe re-org, I tackled mine this weekend. &nbsp; I got drop-front boxes like yours, plus rolling racks. &nbsp;And while I did purge some incidentally, mainly I feel like I got a bunch of new shoes, because suddenly they are all in reach rather than buried in piles of shoe boxes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720263 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 11:25:07 +0000 Anonymous 1720263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You did AMAZINGLY well. &nbsp;I am in awe of you. &nbsp;</p> <p>Without even knowing you, it was clear that you wear skirts and dresses over jeans/leggings. &nbsp;Your numbers make sense to me. &nbsp;And "closet minimalism" as a trend is starting to die off. &nbsp;More and more blogs are admitting that they couldn't make minimalism work for them and they didn't want to bother. &nbsp;They are finding their own way and celebrating it.</p> <p>Here is one link that speaks to the spectrum of individuals that dress creatively versus in a uniform. &nbsp;I happen to be a uniform dresser, but very much appreciate friends of mine that are anything but a uniform dresser. &nbsp;</p> <p><b></b><a rel="nofollow" href="https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2015/07/abcs-do-you-like-options-or-prefer-procedures.html">https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....dures.html</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720262 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 11:17:40 +0000 Tammyb 1720262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very impressed. And 22,000 steps to get it done! That is both mentally and physically taxing. (I too cannot be a minimalist. I need to accept that.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720255 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 10:31:15 +0000 Janet 1720255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that sounds like a marvelous job! And your numbers do not alarm me a bit, but I'm another wardrobe non-minimalist. I also relate to your comments about hanging onto bottoms because they are a harder fit, and tops being too easy to buy! </p> <p>Kudos to you! I hope you are enjoying your new streamlined closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720239 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 07:20:07 +0000 rachylou 1720239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Serious power edit. It must feel good! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720219 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 04:47:53 +0000 Anonymous 1720219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on all the work and a job well done. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720211 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 03:56:55 +0000 BrieN 1720211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow. That was a huge undertaking. So thoughtful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720207 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 03:45:25 +0000 Barbara Diane 1720207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Pat on back." :)<br />That was a lot of items to go through, and you let go of a very significant amount. I hope you enjoy your new edited closet and find it easier to find what you want to wear.<br />Give yourself a lot of credit. You worked hard.<br />There is no one right size to your closet. Well, probably everyone should have at least one change of clothes. :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720203 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 03:16:54 +0000 Anonymous 1720203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good job going through everything. Glad you could cull your wardrobe and keep the winners. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720200 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 03:00:03 +0000 Eliza 1720200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ginger - congrats on your impressive edit and analysis. Wardrobes work with many different sets of numbers; seems good to have refined your assessment past the "can I wear this?" point, which is a process I relate to and now embrace. It is great to have a closet full of real choices that are visible and organized. Bravo! Enjoy the results of your effort. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-complete-long#post-1720197 Sun, 28 Aug 2016 02:44:53 +0000 Ginger 1720197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As of yesterday. It took about 12 hours, with breaks, and over 22,000 steps.&nbsp; And I'd already done the shoes last week. Whew!</p> <p>To the six piles, I added "1940s Wardrobe." (This is similar to what I did for the shoes.) I used to dress in all vintage or me-made repro, so I still had a good many things mixed in with my regular clothes. I want to hang on to the good vintage stuff, for costume/vintage events and possibly reenacting, but there's no point in hanging onto what doesn't fit or I don't like. I've<br /> got a box of good fabrics and lots of good vintage patterns for replacements. So the "1940s Wardrobe" category is for items moved to that separate capsule, but not hanging in the closet for regular wear.</p> <p>I'm a little shy about posting these numbers - they're kind of appalling in comparison to the awesome minimalists and moderates on this board! But it's good for me. It might get smaller in a year, but not nearly to this extent.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><u>Skirts</u></p> <p>Beginning: 36<br />Keep: 18<br />Alteration: 2<br />Holding Zone: 3 (black winter skater skirts that need experimentation)<br />Sentimental: 1<br />Pass On: 11<br />1940s Wardrobe: 1</p> <p><u>Jeans/Leggings</u></p> <p>Beginning: 22<br />Keep: 11 (2 jeans/jeggings, 5 leggings [wide variety black + denim], 4 atheltic/lounge/work)<br />Alteration: 2<br />Holding Zone: 2 (colored leggings for experimentation)<br />Pass On: 4<br />1940s Wardrobe: 3</p> <p><u>Blouses/Tees</u> (not sweaters or folding tees)</p> <p>Beginning: 88<br />Keep: 28 (2 lounge/work)<br />Temporary Keep: 3 (LS Western shirt, blush collared shirt, SS glitter red turtle)<br />Alteration: 1<br />Holding Zone: 2<br />Sentimental: 5 (Ukraine blouse, 3 choir polos, 1 work polo)<br />Pass On: 46<br />1940s Wardrobe: 3</p> <p><u>Cardigans/Sweater Vests</u></p> <p>Beginning: 34<br />Keep: 17 (2 lounge)<br />Temporary Keep: 1 (cropped white 3/4 sleeve - need LS)<br />Holding Zone: 1<br />Pass On: 15</p> <p><u>Sweaters</u></p> <p>Beginning: 40<br />Keep: 16<br />Temporary Keep: 1 (red - need shorter)<br />Holding Zone: 8<br />Pass On: 15</p> <p><u>Dresses</u></p> <p>Beginning: 72<br />Keep: 48 (5 lounge, 4 semiformal/choir)<br />Temporary Keep: 3 (2 Max Edition dress - need S; wool '50s reproduce)<br />Alteration: 3<br />Holding Zone: 4<br />Pass On: 13<br />1940s Wardrobe: 1</p> <p><u>T-Shirts</u></p> <p>Beginning: 52<br />Keep: 41 (includes layering LS tees &amp; turtles, graphic tees, fashion tees, old favorite/work shirts)<br />Pass On: 11<a rel="nofollow"></a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow"></a><u>Notes</u></p> <p>I'm fascinated that for skirts, jeans, and cardigans, I kept exactly half in the Keep pile. Talk about consistency! The skirts &amp; jeans are bottoms, which are difficult to fit on me. I'm also less tolerant of discomfort. I guess I figured that out in the past, and even my pre-YLF attempts at editing kept the number of duds down.</p> <p>For blouses and sweaters, though especially blouses, <b>less </b>than half remained in the Keep pile. I'm a lot easier to fit in the upper body (moreso in the past), so tops are very easy to shop for. (Too easy!)&nbsp; Pre-YLF attempts at editing focused on "Can I wear this?", which was usually Yes for the tops, so they stayed. This is why trying everything on was SUCH a good discipline. I discovered that my bustline has increased (!), so a lot of tops I might have dithered about were clear non-starters. This segment took several hours, but it felt so good to whittle it down!</p> <p>But now for the ones that didn't narrow down so much: dresses and t-shirts. Dresses first.</p> <p>At first I was discouraged that I didn't want to get rid of more - the Keep is two-thirds instead of half or less. But this closet edit wasn't primarily about reducing numbers. It was about passing on the things that I won't wear, so that the ones I do want to wear will be visible and available. That two-thirds I'm keeping? I wear them! Regularly, or occasionally, but I do wear them, they fit, and I like them and the variety. And honestly, 72 to 48 is a decent reduction.</p> <p>T-shirts, I just don't know. I used to live in t-shirts. In my vintage phase I pretty much stopped wearing them. Then I relaxed the vintage thing. Last year I re-discovered their value when in musical rehearsals 3 days a week, sweating constantly and really wanting clean and fun t-shirts to work in. This year I've discovered the fun of good graphic tees for casual days. So I've got a bit of a collection. And also a smallish set of more sentimental shirts (Maroon Out, and show t-shirts) that I don't want to pack up but aren't in regular rotation. I should be more ruthless... but honestly, they don't take much room, so I'm okay with it for now. :)</p> <p>No pictures now, I'm afraid. It's late again, and the pictures mostly show in process. I have so much more room in the closet I really need to think about where I'm going to hang stuff. </p>