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Closet pests - keep or ditch - LOTS of photos

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I was going through my closet to pick out some transitional items for vacation and the next few weeks at work, and again realized I have a few little pesky items in my closet that I don't wear, though maybe I should. So I am looking for honest opinions. I have plenty of items that I can and do wear more, so don't worry I'll be nekked or anything if you say, DITCH! (Excuse the lack of tights - cooler today but still warm trying all this on.) Thanks for looking.

#1-4 red blouse with print lace design, black ribbon belt. Does it work with this velveteen pinstripe blazer? How about tucked and belted instead? How about this wool textured 3/4 jacket?

#5-6 This checkered sweater is so cozy and I like the way it nips the waist if buttoned, but I can't figure out what to wear under it. How about the red blouse? How about the blue form-fitting sweater-t?

#7-8 Flowered smocky top, also very comfy and warm for winter. Would you like it with this belt? How about with the blazer and a sparkly necklace?

#9-11 some type of odd vest that I don't know why I bought... Is it supposed to tie? What should go under it? I am discovering that I don't care for the high contrast layers. Or should it go out the door?

#12 - blouse I've had a few years. Fit is very nice, and it's interesting without adding jewelry or whatever, but is it still in style?

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, I'm in a serious closet cleaning mood, so I'm going to say let it all go except the last blouse - the pattern and fabric makes it really interesting and it looks like a nice fit.

Red is a fabulous color on you though!

Take my advice with a grain of salt - as I said, I'm in purge mode. Love the term "closet pests" - that's exactly how I've been feeling!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ditto! "Closet pest" is excellent.

If you have even a moment of doubt about items, or they hang there and you just don't ever wear them, out they go. The odds of you missing them are very, very, very small.

Excelsior!

Jjsloane

Veteran

The red blouse looks best in #3, but not a "10". I love the last blouse. No passion for the rest. You could do the temp hold technique, but as others said, you've already called them pests so best to be done with them.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Red top - I definitely vote keep! It looks really good on you, and reminds me of the Jason Wu tops that a DIY site was hot to copy this week:
http://ispy-diy.blogspot.com/2.....-neck.html

Houndstooth sweater - I would also keep this one. I love it with both tops shown, and I think it would also go with turtlenecks.

I don't have any strong feelings on the last two, so I my vote there is to move on, since you haven't worn them and they don't feel especially current the way the others do.

NK

(website)

I vote to get rid of the vest. The color (white?) seems to be in contrast with the seasonality of it. I also think life's too short for complicated clothing and anything that confuses you shouldn't be in your closet.

I like the houndstooth sweater and think it has a kind of vintage quality to it. I like it better with the blue knit than the red blouse, but that's more about the neckline than the color.

rachylou

Veteran

I vote for keeping the checkered sweater and the last blouse. It was like *pow* when I saw you in the blouse. The sweater is very versatile - it helped the red shirt, which I vote for chucking. I really *want* to like the red lace shirt, I feel it *should* work, but the lace never seems to be in the right place to my eye.

The floral shirt is very flattering to you. But it does say "commercial property management." It has a non-uniform uniform aspect.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm rooting for the last blouse and would think about the checked sweater, too.

Marley

Veteran

I'm like Una - in serious closet purge mode here - I'd ditch them all and work toward replacing them with more contemporary pieces - but, be sure to get a red top of some type because that shade of red looks great on you!

HeleenH

Veteran

I like the blouse in picture 3, tucked in. I also like the blouse in 12. I like your vest but can imagine the colour is difficult in your wardrobe. I just painted a couple of items that I liked except for the colour black, it was really easy and worked like acharm. They are summer items so I won't be wearing them till next spring. Your vest is light and could be coloured any colour you like, to make it work in your wardrobe.

nancylee

Veteran

I vote you keep the red blouse and the blouse in photo #12. The red blouse is unique and can be styled many ways...it has a festive holiday vibe so you might find ways to wear it at that time of the year. The last blouse is lovely and a perfect fit.

Di

(website)

Veteran

The red blouse, while a great color and great fit, doesn't look like what I've seen of your style. Something about it is just off to me.

The last blouse is great, though!

Joy

Veteran

I'd give the white vest the heave ho. The rest..it depends on whether or not you feel fab wearing it. I like the red blouse best in #3 and least in #4. Maybe the jacket in #2 with the blouse tucked?
The other pieces all look fine to me. I like the checked sweater best with the blouse. How does it look with a denim shirt? A denim shirt seems to go with everything and make an outfit less fussy..

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am not in purge mode at the moment! So you can take my advice with big grain of sea salt.

I think the red blouse is right on trend with lace coming back (Jason Wu). I would def keep that one, I like the way it looks on you. I would wear it without the tie ribbon belt however as it seems (to me at least) a little dated.

I like the last blouse as well as a layering piece although the empire seaming is just a little dated. However the color is on-trend.

I vote to purge the white vest. I'm not sure about the floral sweater or the check sweater-jacket. If you wore the jacket with slim pants that would update the silhouette. The floral sweater does fit you well, if you keep it I think it is best styled very simply the way you have shown it in the photo.

Scarlet

Veteran

I haven't read the other comments yet, but my first thought is heavens, keep the last top!! Do you have brown pieces as well? It would look lovely with brown. My second favorite is the white vest. I like the drape and shape when it is tied. I would wear it with a cream or white layer to avoid the high contrast. Personally I like mixing white and cream. The other pieces can go one way or the other with no pain in my book, since you say you have plenty of clothes.

Aida

Veteran

The red top is OK, but if possible without the self-belt. I like the checked sweater, if worn with other modern pieces. The last printed top looks pretty. Pass on the floral top and vest.

SW Ann

Veteran

First off, I love calling them "closet pests" --thanks for a new name for those items!
Second, you look great in red, just not that particular red blouse; it seems dated to me but I defer to others who may have better ideas for it. I like the pinstripe velvet jacket, and think that a simple top under it would look good , and it would look good with flared jeans this winter. Love that last blouse--great with pencil skirts or trousers; as well as jeans....The rest, I'd pass on to a thrift store...

Vildy

Veteran

I like the long white vest that can look modern, as someone else said.
That's the piece I'd say to keep.
Bearing in mind I'm just looking at photographs, I don't like satiny, shiny,
glaring tops on you. I do figure that if they glare in the camera, they glare
at times in real life, too. I like you better in matte finish. The last shirt that everyone seems to love, I'm not feeling the excitement. How does the swirly floral top look under the white vest?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I say keep the last blouse and wear it with a camel or brown suede midi or skinny cords and some boots. The red top might be cool with some black skinnies and wedge heels, but it looks a bit "mature" with the skirt and shoes you have on. The rest could go since you already called them "closet pests" (great term, BTW!). If you don't feel fab in it, make room for something that does make you feel good! You should feel excited when you walk into your closet!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That last top fits you really nicely, so even though the empire line may be a bit dated, I say it's worth keeping, especially if you have bottoms for it. Although colour or fit are good on some of the others, I'd let them go...but then I am in purge mode, so take that with a grain of salt or two!

Closet Pests. There has got to be a YLF award for best term of the week!

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

I'd definitely keep the last (green) blouse, but probably let go of the others in question.

P.S. That velveteen pinstripe blazer is awesome!

Sheila

Veteran

I applaud you for facing your closet with honesty! I have a feeling that your attitude and spirit are much more youthful than these clothes and now you may want to wear clothes that show your personal style. (pardon me if I am over-thinking this one)

So in that vein, I would donate everything to a lovely charity, with one possible exception: the black and white checked sweater jacket, which I could see styled with the limited palette of black and white or cream, a la Chanel, with a classic top, loads of pearls and black skinny pants. Ballet flats. Try it, maybe you'll like it.

Anonymous

Ditch it all and don't look back......only because you don't wear it now and there must be a reason for it. I find the reason I don't wear stuff is because I like other items better. I am all for less choices of only the best.

Anonymous

Oh and as Suz said "Closet Pests. There has got to be a YLF award for best term of the week! " . I second that!