https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:27:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717523 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:43:26 +0000 Barbara Diane 1717523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job editing. And adding percentages to the types.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the word retirement. I think that applies most to the items I've loved but don't seem to wear anymore, as opposed to the mistakes, for which I like the feeling of purging, or maybe letting go of.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717515 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:26:44 +0000 Glory 1717515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awesome job Chris. Excited to see it all unfold especially step 4 pics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717511 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:13:37 +0000 Elizabeth P 1717511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post Chris, very impressive analysis!&nbsp; I like how you developed your thinking.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to part 2.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717404 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 13:23:59 +0000 Ginger 1717404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an undertaking! This is such a big job, and it sounds like you achieved a lot.&nbsp; I never thought of analyzing the get-rid-ofs.&nbsp; How interesting! I'd agree that as you continue to shop more wisely (and clean out the kept-too-longs) those proportions will change significantly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717393 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:50:22 +0000 Momo 1717393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you! Good insight too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717388 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:38:15 +0000 Eliza 1717388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great work! I refined my closet in a major way this spring and it is liberating. Your "never quite right" category is an important one here, too. Remembering that when considering wardrobe additions will go a long way over time. Today, I plan to do a light closet organization; it's possible only because of the reduction of the clutter. Your posts are great tutorials. Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717377 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:21:36 +0000 Chris987 1717377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for all the wonderful replies. I totally support everyone copying my categories if they work for you.&nbsp; -) I actually changed them as I went along...my first set of categories was not quite so clear. So let them evolve if that is right for you. </p> <p><b>Thanks Runs With Scissors</b>, I am not always able to answer the "does it work" questions so decisively but I seem to be getting&nbsp;better. Asking the question for a whole bunch of stuff all together seems easier that doing it with one item I'm trying on in a store.&nbsp; </p> <p><b>Roxanna</b> absolutely right, the reasons I found were the biggest benefit! </p> <p><b>TammyB </b>I think it was 4-6 hours total including the time to put all the detail in a spreadsheet. It's a little hard to tell because I found it hard to stay focused and kept taking breaks. Not more than 8 hours. </p> </p> <p>thanks <b>Shedev, Joyce B., Bonnie, Cerinda, Aquamarine, GreyScale, Shevia, Muffin, Rachylou, Gretchen, Ledonna, Style Fan</b></p> <p><b>BrieN</b>, my closet DOES feel lighter although I have not gotten rid of anything yet </p> <p><b>Staysfit</b> I didn't have any idea when I started what the reasons would be for getting rid of stuff, but once I started asking the question for each garment the answers became really clear. </p> <p><b>Firecracker</b>, I never thought about why I was donating stuff either, but I had a hunch I was in an endless loop of something that might be changeable. That hunch turned out to be right. </p> <p><b>Suz</b> - hmmm, "retirement" IS&nbsp;so much nicer a concept than&nbsp;"purge". </p> <p><b>Summer</b>, exactly, that's what I want to do. I'm still drawn to the casual stuff when shopping but I'm almost always noticing it before I fully commit. My goal is to notice it in the store most of the time instead of only after I get the thing hom. , </p> <p>As always, thanks so much <b>Angie!</b></p> <p>Let me close with a story about one of the "kept too long"-ers. It was a dark green almost black long velvet dress in a very simple style with a scooped neck, long sleeves, and no defined waistline. I wore it to a work holiday party many years ago, where one of my very favorite pics of DH and me was taken, although it's a head shot so only the neckline of the dress is visible. I also wore it for a few holiday concerts, also a very long time ago. It has sat in my closet unworn for about 15 years. There is nothing very special about the dress itself and it was quite inexpensive. If I want another velvet dress I'm sure I can find a more modern one. I have the picture if I need to reminisce.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717115 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 15:09:27 +0000 Angie 1717115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p>I am soooo proud of you, Chris. You did the edit with patience, passion thought and grace. WELL DONE.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717066 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 10:34:21 +0000 Style Fan 1717066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your categories.&nbsp; I just donate without much thought behind it.&nbsp; Well I don`t want to think about it.&nbsp; <br />Great idea to create capsules.&nbsp; That will be the fun part. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717060 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 09:54:44 +0000 Ledonna N. 1717060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm loving your attention to detail and write up. I will be borrowing heavily when I start mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717057 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 09:26:30 +0000 Summer 1717057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This certainly is very impressive, Chris.&nbsp; You are a quick learner!</p> <p>The point that resonated most with me was your aim to buy smart casual rather than&nbsp; casual.&nbsp; This is what I've been doing over the last few&nbsp; years, and it has meant that I now have outfits to take me almost anywhere, but which still reflect my more casual lifestyle.&nbsp; It also means that some of those items can eventually be demoted to my casual capsule, which now practically looks after itself without too much outlay.</p> <p>Good luck with the capsule building, and do keep us posted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717037 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 04:50:55 +0000 Suz 1717037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Kept too long." That's an interesting category with a rich history, no pun intended. I do think it contains multitudes. But you're so right that as you continue the process of regular edits, this category will become smaller. You'll be able to identify why you keep, why it isn't quite working, and how to let it go.&nbsp;</p> <p>An edited closet is such a lovely place to play. I LOVE my seasonal edits and "retirements."&nbsp;<br />Some other forum member (sorry, cannot remember who!) talked about how much more respectful it was to speak of "retirements" than "purges" and I have loved that and tried to follow that way of thinking ever since.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717028 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 04:12:29 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1717028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are so organized, thoughtful, and analytical! I am impressed. Nice job! It never occurred to me to stop and categorize why things were going into the donate pile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717015 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 03:24:51 +0000 Gretchen 1717015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job! </p> <p>I like your categories. Now that I send clothes on to my family, I find that mentally I go to "Mom might like this" and I feel better about pulling the not quite rights out of my closet.</p> <p>I would love to hear how your closet edit progresses...I'm not as diligent yet, and have a lot to purge! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717014 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 03:10:35 +0000 rachylou 1717014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your kept too long category. That's insightful... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1717009 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 02:41:48 +0000 Muffin 1717009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In full admiration of your devotion to this project. I like your categories and thoughtfulness in using them. I tend to be relentless when getting rid of things and don't give them much thought. I'm trying to hang on to more now and decrease the churn so that when Angie throws an outfit idea out, someday I'll have all the pieces!</p> <p>Great job and excited to see the progress! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716995 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 02:01:46 +0000 Jaime 1716995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Impressive! Never quite right is always the hardest to identify and it seems you did an excellent job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716990 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:34:21 +0000 Greyscale 1716990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad it was so satisfying! I'm about due for a careful re-assessment of some things. There are a handful of expensive purchases that I have never worn once (tags still on, in many cases). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716989 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:32:36 +0000 Staysfit 1716989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very impressive work! I am fascinated by your analysis. I have never considered why the items I cull need to go. My assumption has been that it's color or fit. I just send them on their way without much thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716986 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:27:51 +0000 Aquamarine 1716986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job. I'm impressed by your self-analysis. You've obviously learned a lot here. I'm with you...clutter makes me crazy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716984 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 01:21:29 +0000 Bonnie 1716984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your pragmatic approach to editing your closet. Have fun putting capsules together. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716982 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:58:33 +0000 BrieN 1716982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sit in awe at your motivation and analysis. Reading your post was definitely therapeutic. Your categories are very useable. I bet your closet feels lighter! Well done.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716978 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:36:08 +0000 Cerinda 1716978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brava for all that good work! &nbsp;And thanks for the useful "never quite right, kept too long, good" categories -- will copycat.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716976 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:28:27 +0000 Joyce B 1716976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good job, I like the system you used. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716971 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:21:51 +0000 shedev 1716971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great job on the edit </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716966 Sun, 21 Aug 2016 00:10:41 +0000 Tammyb 1716966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good work! I am curious how long it took you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716961 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 23:58:00 +0000 Roxanna 1716961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this categorization system - I might try it did my big closet clean out! I think identifying the reasons why things don't work is the biggest benefit of this undertaking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716958 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 23:46:13 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1716958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire people like you who can decisively answer the question "does it work?" &nbsp; &nbsp;I never quite know when I am truly done with something. &nbsp; But you are right, it is clutter. &nbsp;Good for you for tackling the problem head-on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/first-ever-closet-edit-part-1#post-1716943 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 23:26:02 +0000 Chris987 1716943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With tons of inspiration from YLF-ers, I have tackled&nbsp;my first-ever big closet edit, focusing on fall/winter/spring clothes. I'll deal with summer clothes later after summer is over. I only did a partial edit of outerwear.</p> <p>I'm quite pleased with the results so far, although it is a LOT of work! </p> <p>Step 1&nbsp;was to identify everything that could go, and put it all into a donate pile in a holding area. I took a very liberal approach, including anything even vaguely dissatisfying. I reviewed each item, trying many of them on. I catalogued my decisions as I went through them.&nbsp; </p> <p>Step two will be to put together capsules and outfits from the things I'm keeping, dipping into the donate pile if need be. I also need to review how many are "casual" vs "smart casual". My goal is to get to mostly smart casual but I suspect I have mostly casual. </p> <p>Step 3 will be a trip to Goodwill :-)</p> <p>Step 4 will be shopping to fill in holes. </p> <p><b>I'm finished with step 1</b>. Unless I pull them back when I do step 2, I will get rid of 41 items, and keep 136. I give the&nbsp;detail below, but the bigger picture was far more revealing: I seem to have three behaviors with regard to my wardrobe. </p> <p>1. The biggest category, 50% of them, were&nbsp; <i><b>never quite right</b></i>. They are the result of random and unfocused shopping and poor choices. I was a little surprised that most of them were ok quality, I expected to find more poor quality items. &nbsp;I wore most a few times, never loved them (in some cases never&nbsp;even liked them very much) &nbsp;and some never fit very well. I've been donating over the years and then doing more shopping.&nbsp;A vicious cycle. </p> <p>2. 25% &nbsp;of them were&nbsp; <i><b>kept too long </b></i>after I no longer intended to wear them. (This does not&nbsp;include&nbsp;long term keepers like cashmere sweaters or wool overcoats). These are items that no longer fit, or I no longer like, very old styles, etc. Many of them I have tried too hard to like, and wasted a lot of time in that trying. Some were extremely old, like 10 years or even longer. There is some sort of emotional attachment thing going on here. </p> <p>You might wonder why this is a problem if I had space to store them, which I did. The problem is that they became "clutter" that was a time waster&nbsp;every time I looked into the closets where they were stored.&nbsp;&nbsp;As you may be aware,&nbsp; "clutter" takes your time and energy away from the stuff you want to focus on, in lots of little time bytes that really add up. For some of them I tried Marie Condo's system of touching the garment, figuring out what purpose it had in my life, thanking it, and saying goodbye. It sounds corny and silly but it really worked! </p> <p>3. The third category, another&nbsp;25%, &nbsp;is things I like or love, <b><i>good</i></b> choices I've made and worn for a reasonable amount of time, that I'm now ready to part with. </p> <p><b>Behavior Conclusions </b><br />#3 is good, I need to keep doing it :-). I need to address #1 and #2. &nbsp;I'm already well on the path of moving away from #1 since I joined YLF and am learning to be a more focused shopper and wardrobe-builder. For #2, this&nbsp;big edit I'm doing&nbsp;will take care of it for now,&nbsp;and then I need to do an annual edit to keep it under control. That seems easy enough.&nbsp; </p> <p><b>Total Amounts</b><br />My donate pile of &nbsp;41 contains 12 jeans/pants/trousers/shorts, 6 toppers, 8 tops, 4 sweaters, 7 skirts/dresses, 2 outerwear, 2 shoes, and 1 workout item. </p> </p> <p><b>Also...</b></p> <p>A few months ago I pulled out about 35 items and got rid of them, as yet another iteration of the viscous cycle. I kept a list, and analyzed them after the fact. 50% Never quite right, 35% kept too long, 15% good.&nbsp;Pretty close&nbsp;to the percentages I counted in the "big edit". This is good, &nbsp;it confirms that I have identified the behavior patterns correctly. </p>