Closet Edit, Plans for Fall, WIB (long!)

Hi all, a bit of a catch all post as I spent a little time today going through my closet in anticipation of fall.

Summer Review
- all in all, a good summer style-wise! I am happy with what I've purchased and had very little to edit out - most of my summer items were worn and there were no gaping wardrobe holes that bothered me.
- I could do with a white tank top but this can wait until next summer

Closet Edit
- I went through my summer stuff for unworn items that aren't striking my fancy. Pulled a teal ribbed t-shirt, brown t-shirt, and striped short sleeve button up that I never reach for. The teal shirt is in my pyjama/lounge bin for now, the striped short sleeve button up (find) in the holding zone, given it's quite classic and still in great condition, the brown tshirt may see more use this fall - we shall see.
- My blush poet-sleeve blouse (find) is something I haven't reached for in some time so I tried it on - it's just a little tight and although it looks fine it feels constricting. This is going to be passed on.
- Striped shorts are in holding - not reaching for these much at all but they might be handy for beach vacations, the only place I seem to wear them.

Fall Purchases (see Finds)
- I often get caught dithering about items and then they disappear from retail, so when I spotted these two items I thought I'd just go for it. The chocolate brown shoulder bag is late 90s fabness imo and arrived today, while the chocolate booties are en route. I hope they are comfortable *crosses fingers*. I also purchased a jean jacket from Zara that is SO soft and comfy. On DD's suggestion I sized up so it's nicely fluid but not so big that it feels oversized.

Fall Capsule (ish)
- I've moved off of strict capsules but I do like to put my main pieces front and centre, so I did this today. A few fall items that were scarcely worn last year went into the holding zone, including a couple of uber-basic crewneck sweaters and a colour-blocked crewneck sweater that I bought as a fun piece, forgetting that I'm not really a fun dresser If I go looking for them this fall, great! If not, I'll consider whether they should stay in holding or move alone.

On the Wishlist
- I feel pretty sorted for fall TBH! The only item I have on my list to consider is a fluid-fit Johnny collar sweater in a medium to deep neutral shade and a brown belt to round out my brown leather complement.
- also excited to see what's on Angie's trend report and see if anything strikes me that I'd like to add!

Lessons Learned/Notes Going Forward
- avoid patterned bottoms
- careful with light neutrals around my face - they can be rather wash-outing, although they do have their place
- skip the fun pieces - or at least buy knowing they are unlikely to get worn frequently and make sure that's worth it!

Custom Find

by Helena

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Zara

Washed Denim Jacket Zw Collection

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Top Pick

Custom Find

by Helena

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Banana Republic

Cotton Gauze Roll-Cuff Shirt

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Banana Republic

Solid Poet-Sleeve Top

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2 months ago

Lisa

Veteran

It sounds like your summer wardrobe was carefully curated, leaving with items you enjoyed wearing and no gaping wardrobe holes, that's wonderful! Great job!

Your closet edit for summer has some solid plans for the items you've swapped around. I always find closet editing an interesting exercise, style preferences change over time and what's on hold one season can sometimes turn into a workhorse the next season. Also, I've found that CPW is helpful, but it can't solely dictate things that I keep or toss. My CPW on say my business capsule or vacation capsule won't have high numbers for a long time, because those pieces are rarely worn, but they are still essential items in my overall wardrobe.

I just started assessing my fall wardrobe and created a casual capsule today (if you're bored it's this post). I have quite a bit more work to do for getting my fall wardrobe sorted but it was a good start to get my newest and most likely to be most worn capsule sorted out first.

The fact that your fall wardrobe has a short wish list is wonderful, that means you have a solid fall wardrobe that will serve you well and you only need to add items if they strike your fancy, a nice position to be in as fall trend reports come out, versus having to shop for basics or fill wardrobe holes.

The brown booties and chocolate bag both are gorgeous I hope they work out for you.

Your lessons moving forward are some great insights, I have to think about that myself as I move through each season.

Thanks for sharing!

Jaime

(website)

I like the looks of your new bag and boots! I admire how thoughtful you are about your wardrobe items. And isn't it fun to have a child old enough to give fashion advice ?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WELL DONE, Helena!

You kept your over-editing gene in good check too. Wooohoooo!

LOVING the chocolate brown complement that's in the pipeline. Chic and pretty. Great with your hair!

A little Devil's Advocate

I love taupe near your face. That's a GREAT light neutral on you. So is white!

Don't you dare skip the fun pieces. Think of the green outfit you wore to an event or two. So spontaneous and KILLER fun! Remember that things don't need to be worn frequently to earn a place in your wardrobe. Hope that makes sense!

Jenny H

Great to see such thoughtful analysis to inspire me before I switch my items for fall!

Taking to heart your message about dithering. I'm dithering now on some items from Quince, so will do my best to decide quickly while the items I am interested in are available.

Sal

You are in a good place with your style and it shows - I agree chocolate brown will be great on you and love the sound of the slouchy suede bag.

I have edited out a lot this year.... mostly due to wear but there have been others too.

15 additions of clothing items, plus 7 new pieces of gear in (shoes, swimsuit, rainpants, workout leggings etc..)
19 pieces of clothing out, plus 5 gear out.... (all the gear out is due to being worn out)

I have just finished my two month shopping ban and planning to assess spring and summer pieces this upcoming weekend with some try ons.

Helena

Lisa thank you and I did check out your post! so fun to go through the editing process to refresh for the upcoming season.

Jaime, thank you and yes it is! She keeps me on my toes!

Angie thank you for your insights as always, and I do appreciate a little devils advocate White and taupe are definitely my current light neutrals! Light grays and some beiges can wash me out. Yes to fun items in the right way ... A fun bright dress for a celebratory occasion was great and I am hoping to get another occasion to wear it. The sweater was meant to be for day to day, more of a workhorse intention behind it, and in that case I almost always reach for a more classic pattern like a stripe. So definitely not eliminating fun pieces, more making sure I buy them with the right expectations. Thank you for keeping me on track!

Jenny the dither struggle is real! Hope you'll share your purchases with us

Sal, looking forward to seeing your spring and summer plan!

MsMaven

Gorgeous bag! Yes, the dithering regret. I learned my lesson on that this summer. Thanks for the wise reinforcement.

Runcarla

Love the new bag. Great colour and texture!

pirouette

Active Member

I like your brown bag and hopefully the boots will be comfortable. I have seen some chocolate brown in the new autumn collections in the shops so it’s obviously in fashion this year. You are so organised it puts me to shame. I don’t have different clothes for autumn as our summers are not hot so the only thing I change is I start wearing jackets and later on coats at this time of the year.

Helena, a sound strategy! I hear you on light grey and beige washing you out. Tricky colours to wear on their on.

As for stripes - they are FUN - please carry on! You have never looked better! You REALLY found your style groove the last year. Well done!!!

RobinF

Very disciplined closet! I admire that!

Love the new brown pieces, hope the boots work out. I like what Angie said about the fun items. It would be sad to give up the fun! I wonder why you didn't wear the color blocked sweater? It sounds like it would be right up your alley.

Robin, it does, doesn't it? And yet ... But who knows, maybe it will speak to me more this fall, perhaps with my new brown complement!

Thanks so much all for the encouraging feedback!

Joy

Well done, Helena. I learned a lot . I moved mostly summer things thinking some would expire. I learned that I did not reach for dark neutrels much but I think it is because I have been saving them for fall in the last three days I have worn summer weight black, dark brown, and navy. Dark red pants are too big. I have learned that I need to wear light tan pants in summer rather than all whites . I don’t have enough fall items to fit me to last three months, even with Halloween and Christmas. I need to try on and invest in more green and red and tops and bottoms that fit. Motifs for fall are mostly leaves. I need to add more or add something else. Late winter will be black and gray and some bling. I need new bling bottoms. Any thing else? I would appreciate your ideas.

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