https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:51:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965316 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 13:05:51 +0000 Elizabeth P 1965316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I'm going to call this the "Angietoss" technique.&nbsp; Love that idea of an imaginary Angie looking over my shoulder.&nbsp; Although I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with the results of that!&nbsp; LOL.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, great post, and good for you!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965314 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 13:01:34 +0000 Bijou 1965314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>kkards - it is a relief to know that I am not the only one that finds editing a bit tough, especially when there is nothing actually wrong with the garment, it is just that circumstances have changed and so I am not wearing it.</p> <p>Sterling - thank you, I felt like a bit of a fool thinking why would I even keep something that I don't really want to own?? This should not be so hard...</p> <p>Cindysmith - you were a great inspiration with your very effective editing. I will enjoy my new and improved wardrobe.</p> <p>Suntiger - returns are a major weakness for me, I am going to have to practice what I preach with this one.</p> <p>gryffin - you have given me an excellent strategy. Thank you. I will refer back to this as I need to become more effective with my online shopping.</p> <p>Roberta - I read Angie's posts just before I started the edit, so that helped, because I had her words in my head... so not really an imaginary Angie.</p> <p>Christina F - it sounds like you do a great job with the returns. I need to be like you.</p> <p>Janet - you editing post really helped me, especially with turfing items that had fit issues. thank you!</p> <p>Lisa P - I also benefited from your post. I had a sheer top that was too fussy to wear and was reasonably new. I donated it to my local charity as it is better that someone else benefits from it and I have learned an important lesson not to buy sheer tops in the future.</p> <p>Angie - THANK YOU - for your posts and setting the challenge. I do feel much better for this. I still have a way to go, but the hardest part of the edit is done.</p> <p>Suz - you maintain a wonderful wardrobe. I have learned a lot from your edit posts.</p> <p>Fashintern - thanks, you are right, I am sure just having larger clothes sort of gives you a subliminal allowance to put weight back on. Luckily for me, my karate instructor will not allow that to happen! When I am lighter, I move more quickly, so he likes to keep us all fit and nimble.</p> <p>Runcarla - you have a wonderful wardrobe. But you are right, an edit does help to highlight the great pieces in a wardrobe.</p> <p>Joy - yes, imaginary Angie is incredibly helpful!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965189 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:55:30 +0000 Anonymous 1965189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent and helpful post. I need to imagine Angie at my side while making decisions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965133 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 21:32:45 +0000 Carla 1965133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I liked your comment about appreciating 'overlooked gems'. After editing my closet, and helping DH and DS#1 edit theirs, we all 'discovered' items that could go into immediate rotation that were really pretty wonderful! Furthermore, the list of things that were felt to be 'needed' was a rather small list. Cleaning things up was almost like getting a new wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965117 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 20:32:47 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1965117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol at your stage 2 strategy, but it sounds very effective! </p> <p>Bravo for giving up the larger-sized items. I was just encouraging a friend to do that earlier today. He’s lost a bit of weight, but says he keeps wearing the pull-on size 38 pants, because what if he gains the weight back. I told him that if he makes room for it to return, it will. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965080 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 17:33:28 +0000 Suz 1965080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fabulous job, <b>Bijou</b>, and great insights. I love your idea of "having <b>Angie </b>by your side." That's inspired and clearly helped you! No nonsense!!&nbsp;</p> <p>I also really like <b>Gryffin'</b>s idea that if you aren't itching to wear it ASAP then it probably needs to go back. When I have followed that guideline for online purchases I've been happy. I only ever had one regret. &nbsp;I bought &nbsp;pair of boots that were a new style to me and I couldn't figure out how I'd wear them. So I returned. Then I kept thinking of them. I managed to buy them the following year and wore them into the ground. But perhaps I needed that extra time and it was not a mistake after all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965076 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 17:22:21 +0000 Angie 1965076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p>WOW. I'm impressed.&nbsp;</p> <p><i>WELL DONE</i>, sweet&nbsp;<b>Bijou</b>. You are going like Boeing, and are an inspiration to us all. Your lessons are spot on and helpful. Wise, sensible, organized and with plenty of passion. I'm proud of you, Queen Dress.</p> <p>(HAH. I like the word Albatross, and your strategy )</p> <p>MONTHLY EDITS AND REVIEWS ARE THE BEST.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965051 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 16:41:19 +0000 Anonymous 1965051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All good points here. I need to practice a monthly edit too. I rely on a once-a-season hatchet job on my closet and it's a lot of work to accomplish at once. More often would make more sense. Thanks for this:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965048 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 16:23:26 +0000 Janet 1965048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bravo! I need to save and re-read this as I continue my edit.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965035 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 15:46:20 +0000 Christina F. 1965035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You’ve done a great job editing and reflecting. </p> <p>I’m going to agree wholeheartedly with #1. If I’m not sure about something, there is usually a good reason. Sometimes it’s part of a style shift and my eye needs to adjust, so I post here. Other times, something is bothering me. I probably return more than half of what I buy, and well over half purchased online (in some cases, returning and changing for a different size, though). Admittedly, this is s lot of work, but it shifts the work up to the buying stage. I’d eventually end up editing those pieces out later after spending time trying to figure out why they don’t work or don’t thrill me. It’s also emotional labor, and best to avoid where possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965017 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 14:57:57 +0000 Roberta 1965017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that having "Angie by your side" is a great idea. 1. It makes you have an actual conversation about the item rather than just hanging it back up again, and 2. Everyone should have an imaginary get-a-grip friend. Or a real one, but they're usually not in your closet with you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965008 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 14:15:43 +0000 gryffin 1965008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bijou - what a great insightful list!!&nbsp; Kudos to you!&nbsp; I was nodding right a long with you.&nbsp; I am an internet shopper.&nbsp; If it doesn't fit it must be reboxed and sent back within 24 hr, unless I am trying it with things or waiting for a different size.&nbsp; I will tell you my personal rule.&nbsp; If you love it so much that must immediately go into protective custody and you could not physically pack it back up, you've got a winner.&nbsp; If you can rebox it without angst, it's just not good enough.&nbsp; That's helped me a lot.&nbsp; Yes, I just got done with a total dressy capsule overhaul.&nbsp; I get about 10 yr from that capsule then usually it needs a change.&nbsp; I too edit in little spurts and if I can I will cull an item if I repeatedly don't wear it or take it off.&nbsp; It's hard on the super good stuff, but think about the joy that piece will give someone that it fits and flatters and then there is "room" for a better item for you!!&nbsp; Congrats!! Enjoy your wonderful wardrobe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1965006 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 14:09:53 +0000 Anonymous 1965006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yaas! Taking to heart about the returns especially. If i cannot return something easily, i should not buy it (looking at you 6pm)! No more keeping the things that dont work because its too much bother to return.<br /> And agreeing with Sterling. If your body changes post menopause, chances are your life and maybe climate will too. You really dont know today what 5+ years in the future will look like. So good decision to pass the items on! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1964995 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:35:57 +0000 cindysmith 1964995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done! You really did some hard work. Now you get to enjoy a lighter closet load </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1964993 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:21:02 +0000 Anonymous 1964993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an inspiring post. &nbsp;There is so much wisdom in this post. &nbsp;</p> <p>This sentence in particular stood out to me: &nbsp;<i>do I really want to hold onto items that I hope I never need again?</p> <p></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1964992 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:09:58 +0000 kkards 1964992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>perfect lessons....i could have/should have written most of this...</p> <p>1. If something is not right, return it <b>...</b>for me, this means being faster and more ruthless in deciding somethings not right....and being quicker re online returns and NO buying final sales.....<br /><b></b>2. If clothing does not fit my life or body, remove it from my wardrobe...<b></b>i've yet to tackle the business part of my clothing...i know when i moved from formal/suits to business casual, i held on to that stuff for 5 years ---"just in case"....even as i knew that if we went back to a more formal dress code, i'd want more current items....and as i've aged my body was changed so things fit differently, its just how it is....</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/edit-challenge---getting-rid-of-the-albatrosses#post-1964986 Sun, 14 Oct 2018 12:46:51 +0000 Bijou 1964986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did Stage 2 of my wardrobe edit, removing the Albatrosses.&nbsp;&nbsp;I call these my Albatrosses because I felt that I could not get rid of them, yet there was no love or joy from holding them.</p> <p>Stage 1 was easy - removing things that were worn out or dated. For Stage 2 I imagined I had Angie with me and if she was standing next to me, would I really have the nerve to pretend that I would be wearing this in the near future...it was a tool that worked well for me.</p> <p><b>Lessons learnt:</b></p> <p><b>1. If something is not right, return it</b><br />I need to improve on returning items, especially when I buy things online. So many of my Stage 2 edits were just not right - either in fit or style and on reflection in many cases when I bought them I knew it, but somehow thought I could make them work....</p> <p><b>2. If clothing does not fit my life or body, remove it from my wardrobe</b><br />Over the last 10 years, I have changed jobs 3 times (all with different dress codes), had a baby and changed my leisure activities...This has meant that over this time, I have been different sizes and my pursuits have changed. Of course my wardrobe needed to change too. It is OK to edit out things that once worked but no longer do.</p> <p>I had clung onto designer jackets from my 1st job, because they were great jackets for that role...but that time has passed. I have moved on, my wardrobe needs to too.</p> <p>In the last two years I have dropped one dress size. I have been training more regularly, yet I held onto my nicer bigger clothing, worried that in the future I will get bigger. Menopause may not be that far away for me, yet it may well be 5 - 10 years away and do I really want to hold onto items that I hope I never need again? I decided to let all the too big stuff go. I will deal with menopause when it arises and buy clothing appropriate for my lifestyle if future body and life change require another seismic shift in my wardrobe.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>3. A dressy capsule needs editing too</b><br />I have a number of dressy events that I attend and I like to dress up for these. The issue I have is that over time, I have built up quite a collection of items. Dressy items date too. It was time to stop being sentimental and be honest about what I prefer to wear and realistically will wear in the future.</p> <p><b>4. I don't need a Holding Zone</b><br />I am decisive when doing a closet edit. I did an edit in April and put things in a holding zone. Nothing came out of that. I have put a few items on notice (so maybe that is my holding zone) and will take all of the April and currently edited items to the local charity shop.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>5. I need to edit monthly</b><br />I need to be more mindful of editing. Doing this large scale edit and critically looking at items for wear and tear - has helped me appreciate some overlooked gems in my closet and also see what needs to go.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>6. How did I get so many t-shirts??</b><br />I do wear t-shirts from time to time, but I had far more than my needs. I got rid of at least half of my collection, they won't be missed. I need to be more mindful about smaller purchases or editing when a new t-shirt comes in.</p> <p><b>7. Dresses are my thing</b><br />The wardrobe edit showed that I have a good and diverse range of dresses. In terms of numbers, that is the most represented and worn category of clothing. I edited out the old, the doesn't fit, don't like that colour anymore, no longer my style - and I love what is left.&nbsp;</p> <p>I still have my shoes, bags, loungewear and make-up to go. My closet is looking much neater and now I can see those items that I love to wear! </p>