https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:34:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962861 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:13:43 +0000 Jenni NZ 1962861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is awesome Suz, thank you for putting it together. Although my move is only from old front house into new back house it is from over-cluttered to hopefully streamlined! So many donations and I also sold some books to 2 second-hand booksellers- only made $135 all told but better than nothing!<br /> I have donated 33 items of clothing since March, and that is more than usual and still a struggle. It includes some holding zone/sentimental. Will refer back to your post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962853 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:53:08 +0000 The Cat 1962853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting post. Great advice.</p> <p>Sorry if I have missed some info you might have given earlier, but I just wonder: Where have you moved to? The info in your profile says "Ontario, Canada," but wasn' that where you were moving from? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962852 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:50:06 +0000 Jenn 1962852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to add that your new closet looks great! I think I’d probably have quite a few more pairs of shoes if I had racks like those. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962844 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:31:32 +0000 Suz 1962844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenn</b>, yes -- I definitely erred on the side of "eject it" if I had doubts, prior to the move! Moving really is an opportunity to re-evaluate.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm grateful to you for both the "30 wear" guideline and also for your 3-5 years idea...when you mentioned it, I looked at my own closet and made estimates and realized, that yes, on the average, that is how long I want to own most items. Some things wear out faster (footwear for me, because I'm such a heavy user of it and it also is a style definer) but even there, I rarely have a shoe for less than 3 years unless I completely wore it out with daily wear (which happens...).&nbsp;</p> <p>If you edit regularly and want a current wardrobe, the 3-5 year standard is a really good one. Apart from occasion wear, most things will have had 30 wears by then, and if not, there's probably a good reason (and good reason to let them go).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962839 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 18:20:40 +0000 Jenn 1962839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for this post, Suz. I'll likely be coming back to it when I'm prepping for my own move next year.</p> <p>I think culling 20-30% of your wardrobe per year makes absolute sense. If you expect items to last between 3 and 5 years, that's how the math works out. It was a big, eye-opening moment for me to realize that, in fact, clothes don't last forever, and you can plan for that. </p> <p>I'd expect the cull to be on the higher end when you're moving, too! I always feel like a move is a chance to critically evaluate all my possessions. Not that you can't do that without moving, but moving makes it more relevant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962825 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:47:49 +0000 SarahD8 1962825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post and discussion here, <b>Suz</b>. Thank you for taking the time to write it out and to add further thoughts as the thread evolved. I am inspired by your tracking of how long things have been in your closet when you pass them along. I think that is very useful and I will aim to start doing that (will have to estimate for some things but I can start recording the dates of new purchases going forward).</p> <p>I think that a lot of my "not me/mistakes" tend to be essentials, too. I wonder if it's partly because we don't know precisely what we're looking for. For a statement piece, it's that heart-stopping effect -- if the love is there, I'm likely to wear a piece even if some detail is a little off. For essentials, the details have to be exactly right -- but it's harder to develop a sense of what those details are. And then, even when we know exactly what we're looking for in an essential, it can be hard to wait and not settle precisely because they are essentials! It's easier to live without a statement piece while waiting for the right one to show up.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962696 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:59:05 +0000 lyn67 1962696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wanted to comment the exact thing like <b>Windchime</b>, and agree with all you answered her, <b>Suz</b>! This is <i>fashion's magic</i> indeed!<br />Thanx for the post <b>Suz</b>, it's very inspiring! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962606 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 01:15:35 +0000 Suz 1962606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Windchime</b>, I think there are a couple of reasons this can happen for me. Sometimes if it's a newer style I don't have the right support act for the item in the first season, try as I may to find it. Then all of a sudden I find the complements it needs and I start to wear it. Sometimes, the item is a "style stretcher" and it just makes me a bit uncomfortable at first -- I felt like that about my first pair of white jeans, for example, and I had to force myself to wear them the first few times... but now I wear them constantly! Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate or expected occasions don't materialize so I just don't get as many opportunities as expected to wear it in the first year.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, if I'm tempted to get rid of something that I still like a lot, I sometimes look at Angie's "how to wear it" type posts and get enough inspiration to create some new outfits. :)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Janet</b>, I know, right? These closets are <b>HUGE!</b>! But weirdly, no drawers, and hardly any "full length" space for dresses, etc. I'm not complaining, though. A trip to Ikea solved those issues. I also have a <b>TON </b>of mirrors in this house! An entire wall in our bedroom, plus big bathroom mirrors, a mirror in the front entrance, and a big mirror in the hallway. I see myself coming and going. It's weird living with someone else's decor and "stuff" but also really interesting!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962581 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 00:03:29 +0000 Windchime 1962581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I’m intrigued by your comment about some things “coming into their own” in their second or even later season with you, because I’ve had the same experience several times. I’ve even planned to edit something out and only then started wearing and enjoying it a lot. I wonder why that is?</p> <p>And I also keep track of when things were purchased (thank you, Angie and YLF!) and find that information is extremely helpful for editing decisions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long/page/2#post-1962574 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 23:45:56 +0000 Janet 1962574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is my favorite closet edit post so far — much to inspire me, so thank you! Your analysis is really helpful. And...look at all that lovely empty space! I don’t have that even though our closet is a decent size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962418 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 17:52:41 +0000 Suz 1962418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone. I'm glad if this is helpful. I do think it's useful to note the number of years/ seasons you've had an item and think about its active wear -- sometimes we've had something in the closet for a few years but only wore it in its first and second year, for instance. That's important information. I've learned about myself that:&nbsp;</p> <p><b>When it comes to core essentials, I've often worn the item out in 3 years (or less). </b>But if the quality is really high, and the item has style longevity (like a blazer or a coat) I will keep such items for up to 10 years.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Statement and dressy items get less wear as a rule</b>...but again, may have longevity in the closet if the style is right.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Knits have a shorter lifespan on the whole.</b> I have in fact had some of my cashmere sweaters for 4 seasons or more...but they are beginning to look quite tired at this point.&nbsp;</p> <p>The "30 wears" threshold, as <b>Jenn</b> says, is more useful when you are making purchases than it is when it comes to editing. In other words, in deliberating the purchase you ask yourself, <b>is there a good chance I'll want to wear this 30 times?</b> When it comes to edits, it's a different matter. There's no way I will hang onto something simply because I <b>haven't</b> worn it 30 times. If I'm sick of it, or it didn't work out for some reason, or it doesn't fit, or it's worn out, it goes! &nbsp;</p> <p>"30 wears" can also be thought of as an average. Because I wear denim a lot, I <b>easily</b> get 100 or more wears from favourite jeans (unless they wear out before that, which a few pairs have). I figure this wear standard averages out with the dress or coat that I only wear 10 times in 5 years. In turn, this also tells me that it's worth it <b>for me</b> to spend on denim. (Current denim is important to my personal style; CPW is very low no matter what the initial outlay). It also reminds me that for certain trend items or infrequently worn items (e.g. an evening clutch, a very trendy bag or top) I should look first to inexpensive purveyers like Zara or BP. Or aim to buy on sale.&nbsp;</p> <p>Something else to note: Like many of us here, <b>I tend to wear my clothes much more in the first season than later. &nbsp;</b>I get very high joy per wear when an item is new and pristine. So if it's an essential, I'm likely to wear it about 15 to 20 times in its first season. Thereafter, I'll tend to wear it less. But the trend isn't universal. I've had jeans, for example, that only "came into their own" in their second season with me, or even their third or fourth. So some of this is mystery and magic. And we just have to roll with that. :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962400 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 16:55:48 +0000 Joyce B 1962400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your post is very interesting, informative and useful, I will be re-reading it for further inspiration on organizing my wardrobe items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962393 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 16:32:49 +0000 nemosmom 1962393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for taking the time to put down your thoughts and your process! It was very helpful to see your reasons for letting things go, and how long you had the items! Love this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962374 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 14:53:15 +0000 Carla 1962374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isn't it nice to have a spacious closet? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962364 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 13:53:06 +0000 Chris987 1962364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant post, so helpful to read your approach and results. How wonderful to have a new huge closet!!! I love your <i>"I have never regretted letting go of something</i>".. You clearly don't let go of things without careful thought....but when you do it's TIME.&nbsp; On the other hand you have some orphans you keep, like the light colored booties, because you still loved them...and now you may get to wear them more in your new climate. This whole editing thing helps explain why your wardrobe is so cohesive and lovely. I don't&nbsp; think I've ever quite realized this until right now. Angie of course has told us this and is a master of same too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962338 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 12:18:05 +0000 Cardiff girl 1962338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your reply Suz,that’s very helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962317 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 10:15:28 +0000 carter 1962317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Suz! Brilliant post. So inspirational. I didn't know you had moved...so much I need to catch up on here. I love that you seem to organically stick to a wardrobe size that works so well for you. I envy your decisiveness in purging items. This still trips me up often enough to stall my progress. I'll be working on that this month. :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962304 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 08:50:47 +0000 Sal 1962304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing!! Really interesting. And well done. </p> <p>My mistakes are often in the essentials<br /> Line too- my biggie this year is a black<br /> cropped cardigan to wear to keep warm working at home or throw on over everything.. It looks fab with one pair of pants and one top( which I was wearing when I bought it) and pretty ordinary with eveything else... and it was pricey!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962298 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 08:28:36 +0000 Bijou 1962298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like how thorough you have been. You easily had the room to keep these items, but it makes sense that your wardrobe will function better without them.<br />Letting go of worn out items, as much as I am sad that they are worn out, there is a certain satisfaction that they served their purpose and got utilised, it was money well spent and I never have regrets saying goodbye. For me, the hard part is admitting the mistakes, so items that look great hanging up but just don't fit me or my lifestyle well. I need to get more ruthless in my editing.</p> <p>Thank you for this post, it is really helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962297 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 07:51:04 +0000 Greyscale 1962297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very enlightening! It inspired me to look at my total # in and out over the past two years and it's sort of distressing - I need to shop less. Too many things that just never got worn. I think I'll keep that in mind while making some K/R decisions this week! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962271 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 03:13:56 +0000 Anonymous 1962271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, you made this sound fun. When we moved, we moved ourselves and I got rid of boxes and boxes of stuff. My motivation for now doing a big closet edit is to have more a more spacious closet. There is a big built in closet in our basement but I don't want to fill it with wardrobe overflow.<br /> There have been no regrets over anything I got rid of before moving. Your post was very motivational because I would love to be where you are. Most hesitation is because I really can't afford to replace a third of my wardrobe a year.<br /> Most of my essentials are possible mistakes. Tops that are too short, at least for low rise bottoms, items that feel too warm to layer or too cold for the season I want to wear them in. I no longer need a hot fall capsule but still find myself buying for it. This may be true of cold spring too, but I'm wearing these items earlier and enjoy the colors. Many many second hand items that may wear out faster than if new. You have done a beautiful job, both with your edit and explaining your thoughts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962261 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 02:32:11 +0000 cindysmith 1962261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962251 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 02:21:06 +0000 Brooklyn 1962251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! And you make it sound easy - which it probably wasn’t. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962244 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 02:11:13 +0000 Jaime 1962244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really well thought out and inspiring. How fun to have more space and a more temperate climate to play in! Hope to see more of your wardrobe in action as you settle in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962238 Sun, 07 Oct 2018 01:43:35 +0000 kerry 1962238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a master class level of analysis! Your categories make sense and I’m impressed that you categorized each item. I especially like that you included how many seasons you’ve had each item. I’m not sure how many items I’d have for each of your categories but I do know I want more items in the worn out category and less in the others. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962200 Sat, 06 Oct 2018 23:06:35 +0000 Anonymous 1962200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to hear about what you got rid of, and how long you hang onto things. I think my purging-to-buy ratio is about the same as yours. I also hang onto things for about the same amount of time—maybe a little less long because I cycle through things a bit quicker.</p> <p>I’d say we’re both doing a good job!</p> <p>I too find that essentials are where I make my mistakes. They usually end up not fitting quite right, or being slightly the wrong colour, pattern or texture. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962197 Sat, 06 Oct 2018 22:55:30 +0000 JAileen 1962197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to have a large closet like that. Wow! </p> <p>We moved cross country 30 years ago. We were brutal in culling our things. We paid for the move ourselves, so everything we owned was evaluated. Was it worth paying $0.50 per pound to keep it? Mostly we got rid of big heavy items, but also a lot of clothes, and also books. We had a huge garage sale and nearly everything sold. Even sweaters with holes in them. That really surprised me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962194 Sat, 06 Oct 2018 22:12:29 +0000 Angie 1962194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b>, you are absolutely right. It's easier to relax into it when you're more financially comfortable and solid about your style. Makes sense what you left behind too.&nbsp; </p> <p>Your orphaned booties and gilet are coming out to play! YAY :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962191 Sat, 06 Oct 2018 22:06:13 +0000 Kathie 1962191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful post! Your closet looks beautiful. With our most recent move, we have more useable closet space than I’ve had in 20 years. I’ve actually been enjoying the process of reorganizing, and figuring out how to use the new space, as you’re clearly doing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pre-move-edit-long#post-1962189 Sat, 06 Oct 2018 22:03:05 +0000 Colette 1962189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, this is interesting and immensely helpful! Thank you! </p>