I started my big closet edit yesterday with the most boring of the categories - the basics. I evaluated my undies, bras, socks, tights, sleep wear, lounge wear and exercise wear. I have more than I need in most of those categories because I am very finicky about my laundry - I separate based on both colors and required wash temperatures and since I live alone it may take a while for a certain category (e.g. whites on hot, or brights on cool) to reach a full load, as I do not like wasting energy.
In general, I purged about 10-30% of what I have in all the categories. In most cases those do not need to be replenished because of high starting numbers. Some particular notes/exceptions:
- I had to purge almost all of my warm wool/cashmere blend socks for fairly cold weather as they were really worn, and this category does need replacing. I'd appreciate recommendations for warm socks you like, beside Smartwool.
- I also need to replenish my sheer knee-highs, with the whole cropped pant/bootie trend. Any good quality brands you can recommend?
- I tried Heattech layering tees last winter for the first time and really liked them, so a few more are in order.
- Bras - a good number are on their last leg as I have to start wearing them on their 3rd, tightest hook. I suspect they will be done in 6-8 months. Since I wear a difficult size to find of 30D and most of the bras I like are fairly expensive; I need to start watching for the rare sales and hopefully slowly replenish, to try to avoid having to spend a huge sum on a bunch new bras all at once next year.
- For some reason, I have a ridiculous number of tights! Plain, patterned, textured, you name it. I have started wearing them much less in the last couple of years because they starting making my skin itch. Before that I used to wear them regularly under jeans in the winter for warmth. I think I also have a habit a throwing a pair with an online order whenever I needed it to be a few more bucks to get free shipping, based on my constant wear of them in the past. So no more tights!
- On a sad note, I washed and packed away most of my dance practice gear as I won't be needing it for a while. My dance partner and his wife had their first baby a month ago so he is of the dance floor for the foreseeable future. It is very difficult to find a new dance partner as there tend to be many more women than men, so it may take more then a year to find a new one. In the meantime I will be practicing on my own a little, but I find that very difficult to do and not nearly as much motivating or rewarding.
