YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Following up on my closet edit

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Following up on my closet edit https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 01:27:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php JAileen on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843371 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:11:02 +0000 JAileen 1843371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your closet is very impressive. Large but also so beautifully organized. It does seem like a lot, but if you have space and wear everything, why not? Angie on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843369 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 14:06:49 +0000 Angie 1843369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WELL DONE *applause* Can I clone you?  Anonymous on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843343 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:35:43 +0000 Anonymous 1843343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There is so much to digest here, Ginger! I keep coming back to absorb some more when I have time. For now, let me just say I have serious closet envy! Your organization skills are AH-MAZING! I'd love to hear how it is working for you after you've lived with it for a few weeks. I expect you'll say it makes getting dressed a breeze! Also, your vintage jewelry collection is gorgeous. So many unique pieces! Ok, now I am off to read more about these Pedags.... rachylou on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843313 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 06:39:21 +0000 rachylou 1843313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, yes. That's a tricky sort of sweater. Do you have a serger? I contemplate every now and then cutting up a sweater, but I don't have a serger. The blog post talks about zigzag, which is reassuring... Laura G on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843306 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 05:08:07 +0000 Laura G 1843306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I loved reading your thought process. This kind of post (with numbers or without) is my favorite on YLF. That kind of careful analysis is what takes us from random acquisition to a distilled personal style (at least I hope so--not there yet!). Your closet pictures are so much fun. I thought *I* had a big closet! You inspire me to go do some editing and organizing of my own. Are your dresser drawers Konmari'd? I'm thinking that's next... Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843282 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 03:31:40 +0000 Ginger 1843282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL, Suz, I DO have a lot of clothes! And I have worn the vast majority within the last year. (Not that that's a good rule for me, but it can be an indicator.)  It does make it very important to be organized, though. There are multiple levels of arranging even within categories. Figuring out what to put in my chest of drawers, and in what order, was pretty intense. And it's also very important to me that it looks neat and not messy. I have a tendency to let clutter build up, but it usually starts when something doesn't have a home. So everything has got to have a neat, pretty home. Jewelry was one of them! I was rather surprised at how nice it looked when I was done. There are SO many Pedag products, it can be confusing. If you read the packaging on some of the Amazon pages, it helps a bit. I only discovered them last spring, but here's what I liked the most:  - "Holiday" 3/4 insert is super comfortable in enclosed shoes like sneakers. My navy Keds booties were a little big and flat/hard, but with the Holiday they were terrific. They are rigid and take up some space, so use them in roomier shoes.  - "Drop" arch pad is simply a metatarsal support cushion (sits behind the ball of your foot). It takes a little experimenting to get in the right place, but I put them in three pair of sandals I use regularly.  - "Lady" 3/4 insert is a much thinner, lighter insert designed for dressy shoes. I can usually use a pair for a little while just stuck into pumps, but eventually I install them on permanently. (Some negative reviews say they are so difficult to remove they damage the shoe insoles, so be warned.) They also have black ones, which I put in the flat black sandals where they're totally invisible. Suz on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843262 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 02:17:10 +0000 Suz 1843262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Also -- love your jewellery collection!! It's like a museum! Suz on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843259 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 02:10:54 +0000 Suz 1843259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WHOA!! I am going to have to come back to this to read the text, but just looking at the photos,  first, what a gorgeous and well edited and tidy closet!!!  And second, you have a lot of clothes!! (But beautifully organized and very cohesive looking).  Also, I am grateful for the recommendation to Pedag and want to know more...I would like to try them as they sound as if they might be useful to me. Not sure which ones to try, though.  Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843258 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 02:01:33 +0000 Ginger 1843258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Aww, donnat, I'm just really spoiled with a closet this size. It really lets me play with wardrobe items and not have to worry too much about fitting things in.  (If you mean organization, that's something I just have a bent for! And I've been practicing a long time.) Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843256 Fri, 08 Sep 2017 01:59:49 +0000 Ginger 1843256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, Sterling, your words mean so much to me. I sometimes feel I'm not getting as much out of YLF as I could be, since I don't really do the numbers, track wears, record outfits, and things like that. So I'm humbled and glad that any of this is helpful to someone else. :) Emily K, that's so sad! My previous closet was itty bitty (compared to this) and crammed with non-wardrobe items as well. I hope that there will be a solution down the road so you can have your shoes out again and visible. Those are great suggestions, Laura G! Thank you! donnat on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843227 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:50:38 +0000 donnat 1843227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a closet ! Its beautiful. You are way out of my league. Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843225 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:45:32 +0000 Ginger 1843225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you so much, Lyn! Sal, I know what you mean. It seems easier to get the right fit in a dress, instead of negotiating the right top and skirt together. And the same tops rarely work as well with trousers. Aww, lisa p, I only mentioned the numbers to show how significant my 16-piece cull was! I have NO trousers, so surely it evens out somewhere, right? ;) rachy, you make me laugh! It's a big closet until you try to actually photograph it. It's really tall, which also complicates things. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-drifter-cotton-sweater/id_309631?sku_0=::Y6M">This</a> is the sort of sweater I'm talking about altering. It's not loose and bulky, but not bodycon enough to work the way I use my other sweaters. And it has to be shortened to fit nicely over skirts at my (real) waist. Laura G on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843224 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:41:20 +0000 Laura G 1843224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for the link to the shortening-sweaters blog. I never would have thought that was possible! (My alterations lady said it wasn't.) Here's instructions for shortening a top by ruching the side seams: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2015/06/how-to-shorten-your-tops-without-a-sewing-machine.html">https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....chine.html</a> Laura G on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843217 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:00:32 +0000 Laura G 1843217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/  A lot to cogitate on there, but right off the bat I wanted to mention silver cloth--cotton treated to absorb the sulfur in the air so it doesn't tarnish your silver. You can buy it buy the yard and line your jewelry drawer with it. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Tarnish-Silver-Cloth-Pre-cut-Black/dp/B00T5BV4X2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_197_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=RT34H0ZYM6CNP52DJ76A&th=1">https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Ta.....ph_197_tr_</a> Emily K on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843216 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 23:00:00 +0000 Emily K 1843216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am extremely envious of your shoe storage as I recently had to give up my shoe boxes to make room for other closet items.  Poor shoes are now relegated to hanging pockets   Your closet looks fantastic! Anonymous on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843215 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:57:16 +0000 Anonymous 1843215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This an amazing, amazing analysis.  I loved the fact that you asked questions, answered, and set goals.  Your closet is breathtakingly beautiful.  You have been a great example/inspiration for me.  Thank you so much writing this post.   rachylou on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843212 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:32:03 +0000 rachylou 1843212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ginger, that's a Texas narrow, hehe. I've bookmarked that blog post. Your dresses are my sweaters. I live in sweaters... and being all about sweaters, admit I'm curious as to why you have heavier/bigger sweaters at all, because I admit I don't see how you'd wear them without a big style departure... Love the way you've organised your boots! Anonymous on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843209 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:17:53 +0000 Anonymous 1843209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It is indeed a beautifully organized closet- and I applaud your work.  I was reading with great interest - because I love a good closet cull, until I got to the part where I read "50 dresses".  You're WAY out of my league, and I won't even pretend to have anything sensible to contribute here .  But again, terrific job done on getting organized !   Sal on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843208 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:14:15 +0000 Sal 1843208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OMG what a treat for the eyes!!  The wardrobe looks so tidy and organised and I love your footwear and jewelry collections. I am also not reaching for skirts much - I think my shape means I am struggling with how to wear them in a flattering way whereas a dress is simpler.  I used to be able to double team tops with pants and skirts 8 or so years ago but now that does not work. Lyn D. on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843206 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:11:12 +0000 Lyn D. 1843206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such a beautifully organised closet now- great job! Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843200 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 21:58:11 +0000 Ginger 1843200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Pictures! My closet is long and narrow, so difficult to photograph. 5- The bins hold mostly 1930s and 1940s handbags. I don't use them often, but I want them to be visible. 6- The clear boxes hold my vintage shoes, sweater sets, and stockings. I have some great shoes! It's good to have them lower like this. 9- Accessories, shoe care and inserts, and other wardrobe care items. The train case holds vintage jewelry I do not wear for modern. 10- Short hanging vintage. The big bag holds some of my best pieces: two rare early 1940s suits, one navy and one burnt orange, and a WWII WAC sergeant jacket and uniform shirt. Plus a couple other suit jackets and green cavalry twill jodhpurs. This is defense against moths. 11-12- Jewelry! The top shows some of my favorite pieces, especially brooches and special necklaces. The rest is in trays in a drawer right beneath. Ginger on "Following up on my closet edit" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/following-up-on-my-closet-edit#post-1843196 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 21:46:29 +0000 Ginger 1843196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I spent about 12 hours on Saturday doing a closet edit, and a significant part of Sunday finishing up. (My closet edit segued into a closet re-organization, so part of Sunday and a significant part of Monday was involved in finishing that.) I’m grateful for the long weekend, but exhausted. A year ago was my first closet edit. It was extensive and incredibly productive. My goal back then was to clear out the vast amount of chaff in the closet, really considering items that I’d held on to for a long time. My weight was pretty high at the time, too, which really helped me focus. I was asking myself: If this garment doesn’t fit me now, is it something I will want to wear when I do lose the weight? Or will I want to buy something different? There were only a handful of garments that received an affirmative. I ended up donating probably 7-8 large bags of clothing, shoes, and accessories. In contrast, very few items ended up in the holding zone, and some of them for weight reasons. In most cases I left doubtful items in my regular closet, wanting to see if I would wear them now that everything was so much more visible. Now I’ve had a year to wear what was left. I have lost most of the weight I wanted to, so I could assess a lot of things properly. We had an unusually warm fall and winter, so once again I used a light hand in assessing cool-weather clothes. Some categories needed less review: My underwear and hosiery is in really good shape, though I cleared out some more bras and passed on socks. Jackets, coats, and scarves/hats/gloves I also left alone. Those were rigorously gone through last year, and also during January when I got fed up with the lack of coordination. But the one category I had not gone through last year was jewelry. I finally got to that one late Sunday night. I was honestly dreading it, because I knew it would be hard. But it turned out so well! I have a gallon bag of times to donate, all neatly bagged up in sets or categories. And the rest of jewelry is neatly displayed and visible where I store it. Overall, I had very few items to donate. About 3 bags, including shoes and accessories. The holding zone is about twice as large as last year, though. In all honesty probably half could be donated now, but I need to let them sit. I had so much peace about giving away what was in last year's holding zone. While I was doing the edit, I made all sorts of notes in a Word document. I listed items in Temporary Hold (and why/what their replacements would be), a Shopping List as I identified holes, a few statistics on what I was giving away, and general notes to document things I realized. Some of the interesting things: 1. I gave away 16 dresses. (I have over 50 left, all lengths and styles). Only 2 were bought in the last year; my recent dress shopping has been on point. 2. It’s hard to wear puffed-cap sleeves right now. Dresses, blouses, tees – they don’t feel like me. They feel too juvenile, at least for who I am in modern life. I still like the look on me, for vintage occasions. 3. I have a lot of short sleeve blouses in excellent fits and colors and styles I love. I wore blouses and skirts a LOT several years ago. Why am I not reaching for them as much now?   - Answer: I am reaching for dresses more. The ease and beauty of a dress makes it my favorite. Several years ago, I did not have the selection of dresses I have now. Blouses and skirts were a quite acceptable substitute. I am keeping the blouses, many of which are that elusive tailored fit, and I will wear them. They are just not staples any more. 4. Cool weather dressing is tricky, aside from my FFBOs: long dress + tights + booties/boots, short dress + leggings + boots/booties.  With separates, I'm struggling. Part is the "dress effect" from above. But it's also that many of my separates I used to wear in JFE styles, and I'm not feeling the JFE look anymore. I need to work on outfit creation with my cool weather separates.   - Goal: Outfits that make me feel really good, even when compared to a dress. I can't settle for outfits that are just okay. And okay outfit won't cut it when I can opt for a dress instead. I need to search for combinations that make me very happy. 5. Sweaters in particular are difficult. I love the feel and comfort, and have quite a few in different colors and styles. I only regularly wear a few, and struggle with feeling not fab with many of them. Why?   - The ones I reach for are bodycon, and light or medium weight. They look good tucked into any waisted skirt, they're comfortable under a jumper (sleeveless dress), and they are quite flattering with jeans.   - The ones I struggle with are not bodycon (and usually thicker). A couple were good with skinnies, or a very specific mini skirt the last time I tried, but the rest don't work right that way. I need to experiment with a lot of combinations, in case I'm missing the decoder ring for my style. And I'm going to try some altering. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://blog.americanduchess.com/2015/11/retro-cycling-modern-sweaters-to-make.html">This blog post</a> shows how to alter sweaters; several of mine are too short to wear with jeans, but sloppy with skirts. 2-3" shorter and a little side seam taper, and they will sit neatly over my skirt waistline. 6. I have a large collection of cardigans, but those are mostly for wearing over short sleeves when in A/C. I don't wear jackets much, and I have few of them. Chicken or the egg? I don't tend to feel as fab in jackets, since they are not as fit-and-flare as either my cardigans or my coats. 7. Work on styling my oxfords, both cognac and rose gold. How can I deploy them in transitional weather? Do they both need a place in my wardrobe? 8. I need to research how to keep silver jewelry from tarnishing, without hiding it in boxes. I won't wear jewelry if it's not visible in my jewelry drawer.