YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Minimizing wardrobe upon return

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Minimizing wardrobe upon return https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 17:52:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Mander on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1382417 Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:35:19 +0000 Mander 1382417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can identify with this feeling.  I just came back from the US, and what ended up being more or less a three week shopping frenzy with my Mom. Even while I was buying things I was thinking of how much stuff I still have in my closet. I haven't even unpacked yet but when I do it will most likely trigger yet another purge of my existing wardrobe.  Maybe this afternoon... Dee on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1381490 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:39:04 +0000 Dee 1381490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Every time I travel for a few weeks/months with a minimal wardrobe, I find that I take my favorites and don't miss the other options as much as I thought I would. Until I come back and think of all the variety I have, "just in case." So I definitely understand your desire to downsize. Your style sounds like my transition over my time in graduate school. What I've found is that I don't see myself going back to my more boho style because it makes me look too young, is harder to dress up professionally, and my tastes have matured. So I would keep a favorite piece or two and let the rest go. Shoes are much harder, especially with problem feet, because they can be difficult to replace. So if you really want to downsize, then I agree with Caro that keeping your favorite pair in each category is a good way to start. Accessories can be tricky, especially when tied to memories of people or places. I like to pick up jewelry when I travel but my tastes in my early 20s vs early 30s are significantly different. I've kept one or two long time favorites and eventually let the rest go. I've only rarely had regrets, but overall I appreciate the room/space all of this downsizing has given me more than I did the items themselves. bj1111 on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1381220 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 23:54:18 +0000 bj1111 1381220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ the head coverings can be repurposed for throws or table clothes or curtains... i would keep 1, max 2, blouses that can be winterized for this season.  pack up the rest until the spring/summer.  your attitudes might change with the season. do not get rid of the shoes for a while.  any time have gotten rid of shoes, i have ALWAYS regretted it.  still pining for a pair that i purged in 2009.  see how your insert needs go.   Caro in Oz on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1381156 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:59:43 +0000 Caro in Oz 1381156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agreeing with the others. My advice would be to let as much of it go as you can - it is really freeing :) a. Can you take photos of the unique tops & anything else you loved once & just keep one?  b. Keep the best one of each style. c. This is so personal - the gift isn't the person imo so I'd be inclined to let them go. If that isn't possible again keep one memento from each person. Could the head wear be made into a throw or blanket or something you would use? Elly on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1381041 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:23:49 +0000 Elly 1381041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The other ladies had some really good points. I experienced something similar to Greyscale where I started wearing orthotics for an ongoing foot condition and over time (several years) my feet became stronger and I got smarter about protecting them and now 3 of my 4 favorite pair of shoes I wear without orthotics with no ill effects. That said, it might not be your case.   Ummilila's point about photos from abroad is very valid. You have to ask yourself if you will be back there and use them again, or if you went back you'd want something different. Do the items scream "Morrocco" and "happy times"?     I just wanted to chime in because I went through something very similar. I went for an extended period of time doing contract work where I was traveling between 3 (large) states and was put up by employers for months at a time and usually could only bring the barest essentials of household items if not provided and clothes, a handful of books, etc. That and frequent moving really caused me to question what I need around me.    My advice is this--- keep it if you use it, would use it in a different situation that is foreseeable in the immediate future (i.e. you next location or two depending on length) , or you can't afford to replace it and need it/will need it. Everything else--- only if it is love! I harbor no guilt getting rid of items from family members that I don't want. I have enough special things that I do use or do love from them. I also am not much of a souvenir shopper, will buy something only if I would use it or it makes me smile enough that I want to see it everyday at home. Re-homing special things or setting up a mini photo studio and taking pictures is a good way to let go of them.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1380992 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:58:05 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1380992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Perhaps you could keep just a few of the items, as souvenirs, and not as part of your wardrobe. If you have a lot of photos taken while you were abroad, you might have pictures of yourself wearing these items among friends or in places you want to remember -- the photos might be better than the garments themselves. In the final alternative -- put the souvenir box in a family member's attic as a time capsule for yourself. Then you won't have to trot it around with you. Greyscale on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1380988 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:49:30 +0000 Greyscale 1380988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Will you be wearing the shoe inserts indefinitely? And, can you wear the other shoes once in a while (like for special events) or do you need to wear shoes with the inserts every single day? If you're in it for the long term, I'd pick out a few pairs that are the highest quality and the most timeless design - flat ankle boots, classic pumps, that sort of thing - and sell most of the rest. Over time you can find a few more shoes that accommodate the inserts. But for me, I got orthotics after a dance injury. They only fit in my Converse, so I wore those shoes almost every day for a few months, and then my foot was doing well enough that I could alternate between the Cons and other shoes. I thought at first I'd have to stop wearing almost all my favorite shoes, but the injury improved quickly once I had the orthotics. That doesn't sound like your situation but in my case I'm glad I held onto most of my shoes. (Now I try to buy things that are good for my feet even without the orthotics.) Alassë on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1380981 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:43:03 +0000 Alassë 1380981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a wonderful opportunity to declutter; you're right!  If your style has moved past those retro tops, pass them on. Same for the slim-days-only skirts - they're probably a source of negative feelings whenever you see them (when not a "slim" day). Shoes: keep the 1 or 2 pairs that are most versatile for the dressy occasions in your life, and let go of the rest. Accessories: keep some as decor in your space (or in a little box for sentimental items) and let the rest go.  gradfashionista on "Minimizing wardrobe upon return" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/minimizing-wardrobe-upon-return#post-1380965 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:32:17 +0000 gradfashionista 1380965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just returned after a few months away to my tiny grad room, and am confronted with unpacking the boxes in storage. On the one hand, I'm happy to be reunited with some of my fav clothes, and household luxuries, which I wasn't able to bring with me for reasons of practicality. On the other hand, I'm beginning to feel claustrophobic by the volume of space occupied by these items. These bouts of commuting and subletting a few months at a time have helped make me realize what I miss, and what I need in terms of fashion and function. It would be great to use these moments of unpacking to reduce my number of possessions, given my small living space (think one chest of drawers, and a 1.25m rack) and in anticipation of a long distance move next summer. Easier said than done, though. a) Clothes challenge:  I have a collection of tops that I do not wear, even though they're flattering in colour and fit. I bought them overseas and feel attached to them and their unique style (MidEast retro). However, my own style has shifted and I  gravitate toward silk T-s and blouses in black and white, with long cardigans or blazers overtop. These items are attractive to me because of the clean lines, the fabrics, and the reserved modern look, whereas my other garments seem too "young" or busy and project an image that I don't want to project ("open"?). The same dilemma with a few skirts, except in the case of the skirts, the fit is only flattering on "slim" days.  b) Shoe challenge: Problem feet means that I have only one pair of shoes that I can wear to accommodate a special form of inserts (not orthotics), but a whole range of other shoes and boots for "dressy" occasions. Some of these I'm holding onto because of "what ifs," because I like them, and because I paid dearly for them (before I got these inserts). They take up quite a bit of space, and only one or two pairs at most can make it into to the travel suitcase. Guidelines for keeping and giving away? c) Accessory challenge:  Keeping pretty accessories that were gifts from family, but that I don't wear because of fabric composition. Or again, keeping head coverings that I bought overseas but do not wear. I'm thinking of devoting a small box to clothes that I can keep, but don't wear, and when that box gets full, I need to give something away to make room for something else.  Any thoughts?