https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:33:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1963376 Tue, 09 Oct 2018 19:57:49 +0000 Like the Season 1963376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, <b>cindysmith</b>. There's so much wisdom in your comment. Yes, yes, yes.</p> <p>Seek balance.<br />Use the good stuff.<br />Don't overthink it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1963014 Tue, 09 Oct 2018 01:39:28 +0000 cindysmith 1963014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can sympathize. I am an emotional shopper, too. I'm a recovering addict/alcoholic, and I was talking to my sponsor about my shopping recently. She said she'd much rather I go buy some new shoes than get loaded, which is a good point. Reading your #2 reminded me of this, and that I have boots in my closet that I didn't wear today because the yard is muddy and I didn't want to get mud on them. Thank you for the kick in the seat of the pants :-)</p> <p>I think Suz is onto something. I engage in retail therapy when my life is out of balance. I've started re-engaging in activities that used to be calming/soothing to me, hoping to bring some balance back into my life and closet.</p> <p>And as for your number 2... I have often been asked why I'm wearing certain garments, because the person asking says "it's just podunk USA, why wear such a fabulous piece in such a nothing little town?" My response is, "burn the $30 candle". What I mean by that is that I buy $30 candles or "precious" shoes or delicate silk trousers because they bring me joy, or comfort, or some other benefit; not burning the $30 candle, not wearing the precious shoes, not wearing the delicate silk trousers... well, that's just wasting my money. Now, when I buy a fabulous piece that I love, I wear it. To the grocery store. In the rain. In podunk USA. I don't ever want to fall back into the habit of saving the "good" stuff for a special occasion, because there just aren't that many special occasions in my life. I don't want to be afraid of ruining a garment, because that leads me down a path of fear that ends up with "well, I could get hit by a semi-truck on my way to the grocery store" (anxiety is weird like that). I wear the nice garment, and if it gets ruined, well at least I got to wear something I loved. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962787 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 16:06:22 +0000 Like the Season 1962787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Bijou</b>. Yeah, once that momentum gets going, it can be tough to put on the brakes.</p> <p><b>Kathie</b>, I agree completely on the dry cleaning. Adding low maintenance to my list of requirements. :)</p> <p>Thanks for the support, <b>Cardiff girl</b>. I'll be looking for strategies to avoid temptation. Suz's suggestion of participating in challenges is a good one.</p> <p>Many thanks as always, <b>Angie</b>.</p> <p>Thanks, <b>Runcarla</b>. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962786 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:58:38 +0000 Like the Season 1962786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Suz</b>. Yes, you're so right about the temptation to shop being a signal that you might be in need of dopamine instead of a new sweater. :)</p> <p>Thanks, <b>Joy</b>. Good advice.</p> <p>Thank you, <b>Barbara Diane</b>.</p> <p>Thanks, <b>nemosmom</b>. It felt good to get some of that down in writing.</p> <p>I hear you, <b>Jessikams</b>. And yes, I plan to enjoy the heck out of my less-than-wise purchases. :)</p> <p>Thanks for the understanding and good wishes, <b>Sterling</b>. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962784 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:57:10 +0000 Carla 1962784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good post! Thanks for sharing your findings. #2 and #7 have particular resonance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962768 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:04:54 +0000 Angie 1962768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A VERY well thought out post. You did some soul searching and it shows. Shopping your closet is a good thing. Enjoy.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962754 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 14:40:21 +0000 Cardiff girl 1962754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a well articulated post.A lot of what you said resonates with me,let us know how you get on with resisting the lure of the shops and I hope that life becomes more peaceful for you in the very near future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962720 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 13:24:58 +0000 Kathie 1962720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I truly hope your life becomes less stressful in the near future. Your point #2 really resonated with me, as I edit. For me, the issue is dry cleaning- I’m precious with anything that needs dry-cleaning, both because of cost, and the chemicals. I’m keeping a small capsule of dressier, DCO clothes, and evaluating the rest, and giving myself permission to pass along the items for which the maintenance isn’t worth it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962703 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 12:52:23 +0000 Bijou 1962703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well you definitely are not the only one who uses shopping as a pick me up - its not called "Retail Therapy" for nothing. It sounds as though you have things very well thought out, congratulations. Wardrobes often have periods of rebuilds, mine was last year when I changed jobs and required a different set of work wear. It was lots of fun to buy new things, but of course now that has occurred, I need to pull back and really think through whether I need that wonderful new thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962699 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 11:53:41 +0000 Anonymous 1962699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This such an enlightening post!!!!!!!!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>GREAT analysis.&nbsp; A lot of it applies to me as well so your lessons are my lessons.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>I'm sorry about the stress in your life at this time.&nbsp; &nbsp;I hope it all works out soon.&nbsp; Best wishes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962686 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:40:07 +0000 Jessikams 1962686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shopping timing is so hard! Things are on sale out of season—- but then I don’t know yet what I want or need. Also it tends to add to the storage problem. I just duplicated some shoes that I loved over the summer, because they were on sale- but now I have to PUT them somewhere for the next 8 months.<br /> Excellent analysis. Hope you can derive some comfort from your fashion fun and the new stuff you’ve already bought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962685 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:38:32 +0000 nemosmom 1962685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to beautifully articulate (and share) your post-edit wisdom!. Your post really resonated with me (esp #2 and 6!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962653 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 06:38:53 +0000 Barbara Diane 1962653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats on your edit and analysis, which led you to a shopping break. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962643 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 04:42:47 +0000 Anonymous 1962643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What the wise Suz said. I hope things get less stressful for you. Remember that we can't fix everything, but be supportive and listen. It is hard to do that without wanting to do something </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962639 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 04:15:39 +0000 Suz 1962639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is extremely well thought out and sensible. Easier said than done, of course.&nbsp;</p> <p>I tend to indulge in retail therapy, too. Sometimes if the temptation is really huge I permit myself an accessory (e.g. a new scarf) -- but *only* if I also edit out an older one. I also think these moments of temptation are useful signals. Often we're in a period of stress and are missing "fun" and that's the real problem.&nbsp;</p> <p>Instead of shopping I sometimes participate in forum challenges and try to wear my clothes in new ways.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-following-closet-edit#post-1962638 Mon, 08 Oct 2018 03:54:58 +0000 Like the Season 1962638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A period of tracking wears followed by a closet edit gave me a number of things to think about regarding my wardrobe. The most important one is this:</p> <p>1. I enjoy my clothes and the creative process of putting outfits together. :)</p> <p>A few principles I should keep in mind for future acquisitions:</p> <p>2. I don't want any of my clothes or shoes to be too precious. I don't want to save anything because I might wear it out or ruin it in the rain or stain it or ... whatever. I want to wear virtually everything at least seasonally, if not year-round.</p> <p>3. I don't like waste, but I'm not a minimalist. A certain amount of variety is important to me.</p> <p>4. However, space is quite limited, so almost everything needs to mix and match, and fit my lifestyle.</p> <p>Thus: </p> <p>5. Comfort and durability are key in both clothes and shoes.</p> <p>So far, so good. But, as I've alluded to in previous posts, the last several month have included some major challenges on the personal/family front. Which leads me to:</p> <p>6. I'm prone to indulging in retail therapy when I'm under stress.</p> <p>That's a tough one to admit. I pride myself in being a frugal, smart shopper. But I overdid it this year pre-buying for fall/winter without fully assessing what I already had or if I needed anything.&nbsp;And even after getting rid of a number of items (mostly worn out) during the edit, my closet is at maximum capacity. </p> <p>So:</p> <p>7. I probably shouldn't shop out of season.</p> <p>8. I should avoid shopping as a way to boost my mood.</p> <p>To treat this over-buying hangover, I'm going to challenge myself not to add anything new for the rest of the year. I've got plenty to work with, more than I need, and hopefully enough creativity to keep things interesting. Time to shop my closet.&nbsp; </p>