Ask Angie: How do you Manage your wardrobe? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: How do you Manage your wardrobe?

NDMom

Hi Angie & Anyone else who wants to answer!

I read in your blog post today that your two fitted jean jackets are set aside in favor of your more current boxy ones. So, it got me to wondering....

(Please forgive me if you answered this question before.) But what you do with your items that you are not wearing currently? Do you store them away? How long do you keep an item? How do you decide if it's a keeper or not?

What do you do with your items that you no longer want? Do you sell, donate, etc.?

I hope this is to too personal....if you would prefer not to answer, that's fine too. I was just very curious as to how you handle this, as I am always moving items here and there and not really sure what to do with them.

Blessings, Paula

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Joyce B

Veteran

Just tagging along, hoping to learn about this, too.

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. I think I should set aside an area for maybes. I usually put them back in their category place with the rest of everything...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Not at all, Paula. You can ask me anything.

My two fitted denim jackets are still hanging in my closet as classics which I will throw on over the odd dress in the Summer because I love the colour of the very faded denim jacket in-particular. The one I wore in today's post is the current and on trend version - mixed media and more boxy, so that's the one I've been wearing most for 18 months.

My wardrobe stays very manageable because it's always the same size. I have a set number of hangers that occupy the space and that's all I am allowed to work with. That way I know exactly what I have all the time. (I am a total neat freak). I keep ALL my seasons together accept for coats that are in the coat closet downstairs. Undies, socks and yoga stuff are in a chest of drawers. As for the rest - it's ALL there - even shoes. (I don't have a holding zone). And I share a very small walk-in wardrobe with Greg. We live in a modern 1600 square feet city house - so that should tell you how small our closet is.

I practice the one-in-one-out wardrobe principle. I am NOT allowed to overflow into another closet. I am extremely disciplined about that.

As for editing - truly, I listen to my heart more than anything else. There is little method to the madness - but there is lots of meaningful emotion. And I am for the most part in tune with my emotions. For example, I have a 12 year old tomato red dress that I LOVE, but haven't worn in years. There is no way I am getting rid of the vintage piece because I still go gaga when I see it. I just don’t want to wear it at the moment. On the other-hand, I can also be done with an item after three months when the love is gone - like something from Zara that was fun for one season. I never get rid of comfy shoes unless they become unwearable. I keep my designer items for years - Chanel bag is 22 years old.

I never purchase lots at a time - I think that helps a lot. I purchase fewer pieces, and think hard about how the item works with the rest of my wardrobe, and how it fits in with my style descriptor. But I don’t like to overanalyze either because that takes the fun out of it for me too. I like to describe my process as Focused Emotional Shopping. There has to be lots and lots of love for the item - but it also has to work with my lifestyle. (Heavens, you know all about my walking lifestyle with fussy feet and that I am cold at the drop of a hat).

I pass along most of my stuff to charity organizations, which gives me great joy actually. Some of my pass on items go to friends - especially my bags. I refuse to consign (I’ve had bad experiences so it would take a lot for me to do that again). And I’m not the ebay selling type.

I’m not saying that this method of wardrobe management is THE way. Not at all. But it works for me. Some of my clients adopt a similar method and some require a different one. We have to find the way that works for us.

FWIW, I hope this long ramble helped you in some way, Paula. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a great question. I believe Transcona Shannon started a thread some time ago about this, and also asking how Angie identified her keepers. I tried to search for that thread but couldn't find it. But I did find this one.

I can't answer for Angie, but I tend to keep items that I still love if they are high quality, even if they are not quite on trend or not right for the weather conditions. Lower quality items that I'm doubtful about I tend to pass on, mostly to friends or charity, but occasionally I take something to consignment. (This is becoming more rare).

I am still building my wardrobe so I'm not quite at the one-in-one out phase, yet already I do tend to practice this in categories where I feel I have "enough." I don't have "enough" toppers at the moment, so I might hang onto jackets even if I buy a new one (if the the new ones serve a different purpose and are not an upgrade -- if they are an upgrade, I would get rid of the older version.) But I do have "enough" white shirts, so I need to get rid of one to bring a new one in.

My one-in-one-out isn't always that exact, by the way. I might look more to the item's purpose (so a casual moto jacket might replace a casual jean jacket). But I might also toss a relatively unworn or no longer pristine or less loved dress in favour of a skirt that I think will get more wear.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just wrote a book, Suz.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup! We cross posted! I was looking for Shannon's thread because there was some really good conversation on it. Maybe she'll know how to find it.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Read with interest!
Angie has such a cohesive wardrobe, and it is easy to imagine that it is endless rather than extremely well-planned. Love to hear the details

viva

Veteran

Thank you so much for posting this question, Paula! Angie's lengthy response was so enlightening and helpful and so easy to visualize and follow.
I am close to having all of my things in one closet -- it is less a problem of space than of organization. I love the idea of a set number of hangers and one-in, one-out. I will aim for that. I do consign, but I have a great relatioship with a small local consignment shop so I am happy with that arrangement. I also donate.
Most of my clothing is in one closet now, and the things that are "waiting" tend to be hung at the right edge of that section. My eye and hand go to the left first, so the very last pants in the pants area (at the very right), or jacket in the jackets area, etc., will be the ones I'm not currently wearing.
Thanks again for posting this. I've been feeling quite uninspired the last few days and this has gotten me thinking creatively again.

Style Fan

Veteran

Angie I am so excited that you wrote a book!!! I can't wait to read it.

I have moved into a completely different style house recently and my lifestyle totally changed. I retired (I work very part time). I love our house but the closet in our bedroom is slanted ceilings and impossible to hang clothes in. Finally I gave up and moved my clothes to the guest room. I have clothes all over the house. I do not recommend this organization of a wardrobe.

I severely edited my wardrobe when I retired and I donated most of my work clothes to charity. I keep a few for events like funerals, things like that. I do regret some of the things I said good bye to.

I store out of season clothes in plastic bins in the storage area and try to keep the present seasons clothes out. It is a bit chaotic and I am usually an organized person.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I have respect for the organized and minimal, but I would feel naked and scared in that scenario. I like to have options and am fortunate to have adequate storage space. I do devote a good deal of time to managing keeping it organized and workable and transitioning with the seasons, but it puts me in touch with some of my favorite things. With age and with wisdom (from Angie and YLF) I have realized what is a long run keeper (don't be tempted to purge - it is classic) and I purge sporadically. I donate some, consign (but have not been real successful with this) and used to ebay, but it's too much work and drama (people who don't pay and have sob stories for why). I like to pass on items through style exchange here, but the smallest sizes seem to be more popular so it's been mixed success.
I love to read different systems, but think it's a personal decision how to manage. One size (or method) does not fit all and that's OK.

Marlene

Veteran

My wardrobe is managed by having a limited number of hangers and a one-in-one-out policy. Most of my clothing is in one closet with coats and special occasion dresses in another. I also have a "holding zone" for items I am thinking of getting rid of, out of season items and for items that are not my current size (my size has been yo-yo ing all over the place the past 2 years) that I want to keep just in case. I'm slowly getting it all honed down to fitting in my closet.

I do sell a bunch of stuff by consignment and the rest goes to charity. And my daughter gets first dibs at anything I am passing on. She's just 10 but she likes the t-shirts and sweatshirts that she can wear to dance class.

NDMom

Dear Angie,

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to write a "book". Just like Viva, I could also visualize just how your organize your closet and follow your line of thinking. I am a neat freak, too, and would love to use your strategies to get organized. Focused Emotional Shopping--Brilliant! You are such a gem to share all of this with us so freely!

Suz....thank you, too, for trying to find that link. I would love to read it if you or Shannon find it some time. I liked reading the link you did provided and loved how Angie's response then is the same today. And, your response is a treasure as well!

VIva....That is exactly how I arrange my closet right now. The out-of-seaon items are on the right edge and the items that get worn on the left side.

StyleFan... I also have tubs as a holding zone and now want to incorporate what Angie does by having everything in one place. I think I feel out of control when everything is scattered to and fro, don't you?

Thanks again for your wisdom, Angie! Much appreciated!

Blessings, Paula

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm on my phone right now so can't link but my post was titled "How to know when to keep".

Heading to get my hair trimmed and will pop back in later.

Style Fan

Veteran

Paula I do feel a bit out of control with my clothes all over the house. Also getting dressed means going from the loft (our bedroom) where my bathroom is and my dresser that holds my undies down to the very bottom of our house to the guest room for the rest of my clothes. This is 2 flights of stairs and lots of windows. Fortunately we live in a wooded area.

Not great.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Great question I'm really trying to get my version of Angie's wardrobe too. For me that would be fairly fixed numbers & a lot of love. It's still a work in progress - I still have too much & not enough if you know what I mean. The best thing I did was to start to log what I actually wear on a day to day basis. It made it so much easier to let go of the things I wasn't wearing. For example, I bought some linen/cotton shorts for summer. I wore them 3 times & really would have rather worn a dress or long linen pants so it was easy to let them go. I also have a pair of silk pants that can be capris or shorts & they were worn 9 times. If I had to guess before buying either I would of said I'd be much more likely to wear the linen ones

I'm with Angie on passing things on to charity or friends too. I have sold lots of clothing on eBay but it never seemed worth the time & energy. It's a great feeling to just give it away when you are done with it imo.

Not sure if I've answered any of your questions but thanks for making me think about this some more.IMO working out what kind of clothes you want to wear, & how much clothing is enough for you, needs to be decided before you can truly manage a wardrobe.

sassya2010

Thanks for the question, Paula, and your answer, Angie. I am reminded of the fact that I need to bring some more discipline to bear in my closet! I don't think I'm ready to toss more at this stage but perhaps I can put them away in a 'maybe' box as a first step towards tossing!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for asking, Paula, and Angie for answering! Very thought-provoking. I'm quite organized but not nearly as disciplined.

Aida

Veteran

What a great read! I also have a limited number of hangers, but I keep sweaters and knits folded up on a long shelf above the hanger rack and do not limit the number of those. Basically if I can still reach the top of the stack I'm good; once it's toppling, I have to clear some out I do need to get my closet redone though, it's not optimal at all right now!

NDMom

JJsloane....you are right on! It sounds like you have your system all worked out AND it's working out for you too!

Marlene & Aida....limited hangers too? I hadn't heard of this before and now I learn that several of you do this. Cool idea!

Janet.....if I had a closet like your new one, well....... (coveting here)

Caro....I totally get what you are saying and the log sounds like a great technique to find out what's really been getting use and for narrowing down your style. Thanks for sharing your wisdom too!

And, I with those of you who donate to others. Although, I am going to try ThreadFlip once for kicks!

jackiec

Veteran

Thanks for all of the info - great question!

I am learning to get better at purging. We moved last year, so it involved a big clearout of my closet. Already in our new place, I've run out of hangers. Instead of buying new hangers, I'm going to re-evaluate what I have. I think I can do another purge.

I'm guilty of hitting flash sales and sample sales, and buying lots of items with my sale goggles on. Then I end up rarely wearing the pieces, but refusing to get rid of them b/c they seem so new, and were such a good deal....

I will re-read this thread with interest. Thank you.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

What an enjoyable read! Thank you Angie and everyone. Just so the less disciplined and organized don't feel alone, my closet is somewhat more chaotic. I love going to thrift stores and currently supply my sister with her wardrobe as well contributing various pieces to my nieces, friends and of course family. And I sell what's left on consignment when possible. So there is a lot of flow in my wardrobe as I replace one thing with a newer (or older) better version. And when I am feeling stressed I like to re-sort the whole thing. Nonetheless, it all has to fit in my Ikea wall closet somehow! I actually would like it to be 80% highly disciplined and 20% fun flow but I just made that up so I have a way to go!

Susie

Veteran

I love these kinds of posts!

I was never too bad about holding on to things for too long, but I have become more discerning over the last couple of years. When reviewing my closet for a purge, I used to just sort of skip over some things thinking 'that's fine.' But keeping track of what I actually wear made me realize that 'fine' isn't good enough. I still like to have a good bit of variety and still have more than what I really need, but it's been easier to purge the things I no longer love.

My closet is very organized and not overcrowded. I keep the majority of it in one closet but I do remove some very seasonal things, not so much for space reasons but to keep things feeling more fresh. Seeing something year round, even if I'm not wearing it, tends to make me grow tired of it. But bringing out my cashmere sweaters next winter will make them feel new and I will be more excited to wear them.

I take most of my things to Goodwill. Last year's donations added up to some hefty tax deductions! I've sent some shoes and bags to my sister and my daughters have benefitted from some of my less than perfect purchases! I have also sold some things to Twice a few times.

Adelfa

Veteran

As many of you know, I moved recently. I went from having 7 closets to one smallish bedroom closet and a tiny coat closet. I got rid of a lot of iffy items and I went from storing out of season clothes to having everything in one closet. I have really enjoyed these changes as I am a closet minimalist, no pun intended.

I'm responding really strongly on a gut level to Angie's description of her system. I so want to do this. I actually have far too many hangers! Thank you Angie, for telling us about this!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's a pleasure, Paula.

Thanks for sharing your strategies, ladies. This was a good read.