Ask Angie Keeping a small closet vs returning trends...

I don't currently have this problem as I lost 40 pounds a year ago so had to replace *all* my clothing (poor me! LOL).

I'm wondering about how you manage to keep a "small" closet, and how you decide what kind of things you'll keep for "years and years" so much so that they come around again. I'm thinking of the fur collared jacket you wore in your post with the black turtleneck with the Long and Lean jeans. You said you've had it for a long time.

How do you decide what items get purged, and what items you are going to keep for a long time? Is it by how much you love the item, no matter whether it's in style or not? (I'm kinda leaning towards this theory). So much so that you'd wear it any year, not just during "70's are back" years?

I don't want to hang onto items in the hope that one day in the future I'll get more use out of them when they come around again (thinking how long my Gap Vintage Flares might stay in my closet...)

Do you have any "rules" about this? I want a smallish effective wardrobe, but I don't want to be buying pieces over again every few years because I got rid of them the last time they went out of style...

How does one decide what to buy and then eventually keep or purge?

I hope you know what I'm rambling on about? LOL

Thanks for any insight!

15 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Oh, good question! I'm looking forward to Angie's (and others' wise) input. . .

taylor

Good question.!!
I think quality in both fabric and structure and classic silhouettes are some of the determining factors,

I am bumping for Angie to expand on, with her trained eye and expertise:)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah! Great question.

Well, I never get rid of "my good stuff" (by that I mean designer items that cost a pretty penny) even though they aren't as fashionable the next season. I just wear them a little less frequently when they aren't as trendy. Or I just keep on wearing them in refreshed ways.

For example, today I wore a belted suede and cracked patent leather jacket. I bought it at the NAS 5 years ago and it was expensive even on sale. I LOVE that jacket. It's beautifully made and fits like a glove. I wore it a lot the first two years, but went off it for the next two years. Now I am all over it again. I guess it goes in cycles.

Knitwear I like to replace most seasons.

Accessories I purge every season. Bags too - but not the designer items.

Blouses, jackets and fashion dresses I purge fairly regularly because I like a fresh look each season. But my designer button downs I never purge.

Footwear is hard for me to purge when its comfortable because I have fussy feet.

I don't wear Tees or knit tops so I don't need to purge those.

Does that help?

Refugee

But what about those things that have special value, Angie? Like your mother's jewelry? Do you have any hints about this type of wardrobre item?

Maya

I think "small" is also very relative. I have more clothes than I ever had in my lifetime, and I still think I probably have far fewer than many YLFers based on some numbers that have been thrown around. Definitely have less than Angie, Kristen, and Laura, based on their frock counts and outfits.

And no doubt, the amount of space you have affects the amount of clothes you have.

Personally I never cared for the "small yet efficient" philosophy because for me, a small wardrobe is by definition inefficient. I like variety.

Mamapicklejuice

Angie - fascinating! Of course, you're such an ever-evolving creature of fashion...I hang on to things like grim death. I'm suprised to hear you purge accessories and handbags so often. Not sure why, I suppose because I imagined that if you were buying quality items (at whatever price point, sale, thrifted, gifted, full price) then you would just hang on to them for longer, even if they weren't designer.

Lisa

Very interesting question. I don't have a very large closet but have noticed, most items I tire of after 2-4 years. Pricey items such as handbags, boots and non costume jewelry of course sticks around and gets worn in waves of lots or little frequency. Anything else I either wear out or after lots of wear become so tired of it I don't mind moving it along. I don't mind a small amount of items that sit unworn for a season, but if this starts to become half a closet it's time to purge. I've noticed most often when a style returns it's always refreshed from the first version. If I want it, I tend to want the refreshed version anyway. My style doesn't stem from vintage items/style so it's easier for me to purge than hold on to something waiting for it to return. And if something I love is not in season (such as bootcuts and cowboy boots which go in waves) I like them so much I wear them anyway. In the end style is what you wear and how you feel not following the latest "must have's" in a season. That can get exhausting.

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