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Closet rumination: trying to go deep

catgirl

Veteran

Unlike many of you, I do not have the temperament or skills for in-depth analysis. However, I did try to do a sort of organized purge this weekend and came up with a few "coconut bonk to the head" realizations.

FOR WORK:

1. I've become addicted to patterned knit pencil skirts. While these are fantastic for my FFBO days, I have been defaulting to a patterned pencil and a black topper. I fear this is getting a little stale. I DO NOT NEED MORE PENCIL SKIRTS.

2. I am, AS ALWAYS, lacking in non-sweater tops to wear with or without jackets. Also am lacking interesting, comfortable, professional pants. I have no idea how to solve this endless issue.

3. I have a plethora of lovely blazers currently hanging unused.

4. Ditto leather jackets.

5. Ditto silk button-down tops.

6. I have more dresses than I thought, but wearing them really depends on my mood and on being able to wear them with boots.

FOR CASUAL:

1. I don't really NEED anything. I tend to go with a slouchy top and BFs or a tunic and skinnies on the weekend. As much as I covet other silhouettes I just can't seem to make them effortless enough to be me.

2. I have amassed a surprising amount of printed leggings. WHY?

I have no idea what to do with this information, other than to know what NOT to buy now.

On the plus side, I've purged a lot of chaff like old tees I'd saved to sleep in and unused knitwear I thought I'd use for layering but never do. Also lots of "I may fit this again" (yeah, right) and "just in case X happens" items.

I'm at a bit of a stalemate with myself, but at least I have a better picture. I'm never going to be a charts and graphs and numbers person, let's face it. Sigh...

Dressing

40 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Adelfa

Veteran

This analysis sounds like the beginning of wisdom to me. You don't need numbers to make astute observations. And you don't have conclusions yet, but surely this careful taking stock will lead somewhere! Hooray!

Sal

Veteran

Smart work pants are one of the hardest items to find - so I know what you mean and I share your pain. I do love a slouchy mannish pair of work trousers - I have one pair but fear they are only average.

How about trying out culottes - they could liven up your blazers and silk shirts and take the place of work pants?

kellygirl

Veteran

This is a great start, Una! I did something similar this summer. I am not very analytical but I made some similar discoveries--blazers and woven button down blouses just aren't getting much wear. Knowing what not to buy is a great start. No sense in amassing anymore of the do not needs--I think that's a huge step towards closet nirvana!

Deborah

Veteran

Una, some great assessments! And I feel like you have been in MY closet lol.
Professional pants are challenging. I have been looking for the same for forever and I have come to the conclusion that I really like a skinny or slim straight leg so for the moment I am making substantial weight ponti leggings my work pant. Of course I cannot tuck into this type of pant but that works for me and a blazer works great over them.. and it is appropriate in my work place.

Blazers and leather jackets are not being worn as much as they should. I am not sure why, only that my real life (even my work) is not that formal.

I have moved on most silky toppers and only kept ones that I feel work well with my aesthetic. I wasn't wearing them which told me they needed to go.

Dresses, I hear you. Love them but need to wear them with boots. Really don't like them with "proper lady shoes"! I really enjoy wearing my dresses with leggings and ankle boots and if necessary a jacket. I can see this working for you too, how do you feel about leggings? Of course tall boots and mid calf boots work too.

Like you, I am not a charts and lists person and I work on my wardrobe in a very fluid and natural manner lol. I do think noting what you like, what you reach for, what your comfortable in and what 'feels' like you gets you a long way to working out what is an effective and functional wardrobe for you.

AJ

Veteran

Any analysis that makes you realize that you have too much or not enough of a certain category is a step in the right direction. Plus you purged some items and not just moved things around in your closet.

I haven't progressed beyond my shoe purge last month. I plan to dive in again next month to distract me from shopping before the Seattle gathering.

The blazers/leather jackets don't work with your patterned skirts/dresses?

Which details would make professional pants "interesting" for you?

How about using the printed leggings when you go rock climbing?

My realizations:
I don't like the way masculine shoes look on my feet.

I barely wear button down shirts.

I need a variety of summer shoes and purses to add interest to an outfit when I can't layer or wear much jewelry because of the heat.

Gigi

Veteran

AG, it sounds like you are doing just fine without spreadsheets and state-of-the-art analytical tools.

What I have found with myself is that if there is a tough-to-find item (such as work pants), I tend to get sidetracked with easier-to-find items while I'm looking for the tough-to-find ones. I told myself no more easy-to-find items until I get more of the hard-to-find ones located. That seems to have helped my closet grow at a better rate. Otherwise, it seems like the closet gets overly saturated in one area (say, skirts), while you have hardly anything in another (say, tops).

Do you know why you don't wear your silk button-downs? Are they too conservative for your style? Can you wear them under sweaters in the winter?

Neel

Veteran

I think that's a decent analysis AG. I did something similar and it has helped me tremendously. I know now what I should not buy, what I should upgrade, what is just not my style and what is really a wardrobe hole.

Remember to be easy and kind to yourself

unfrumped

Veteran

Every little bit helps!
Work pants are hard to make interesting and still be work- appropriate, for me, hence the plethora of black pants. Footwear can be more interesting but not too out there, and yet I'm always surprised at how the pant style and hem width affect the shoes that will work , so I'm
trying to focus more on what are my most fun yet reliable pant- shoe/ boot combinations.

The sum and not just the parts. More on outfit creation, why this and not that, and not just adding more parts.

Because I hear you on the pencil skirt thing.

frannieb

Veteran

This is a great analysis - I agree you don't need to do anything with it yet.
I giggled because when you stated I have amassed a large amount of printed leggings - I could relate. Just this week I realized I had a large amount of red shoes.

rute

Veteran

eh eh like you I tried but just cannot do deep analysis. I'm not analytic.
I big eye opening was when Angie talked about what make us happy, that made a click.
Like you I do closet cleanings by analysing what I wear a lot, what I don't wear and why and what I need.
You don't wear leather jackets? I love, I tought they fit your style!
You can wear leggings for working out also.

viva

Veteran

I think that understanding what you don't need to buy is really big. And any exercise that helps you get rid of chaff is worthwhile. So good for you.

Anonymous

That definitely sounds like a good analysis you'll be able to build on in the future! I'm not a spreadsheet person either, BTW. Wouldn't even know where to start if I tried.

Can completely relate on how hard it is to find non-boring work pants. Can you maybe go for a few basic pairs you can wear with more interesting tops (and your awesome shoes!), at least as a stopgap? And this is probably obvious, but do any of the blazers or jackets or silk shirts work with the patterned pencils?

I also know what you mean about defaulting to a few effortless silhouettes on the weekend. For me, it's a knit dress when it's warm and either the same knit dresses or tunics/long sweaters with leggings when it's cooler. I always think I'll mix things up more, but just can't make myself pick variety over comfort and ease when it comes right down to it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay, first off, this sounds like exactly the kind of analysis you needed to do to start the season with more mindful purchases. You know what you have enough of, you know what you tend to wear, and you know what you would like to wear.

Just to complicate things a wee bit...

Re the blazers and jackets and silky shirts: are these not getting worn year round, or are they not getting worn right now?

I ask because I almost fell prey to expunging a huge section of my closet a year or so ago, because I was convinced that I "never" wear button up shirts of any variety any more (even though they suit me and work for my style.) So...yeah. Then autumn rolled round and for two months I wore little else. Uh...except said shirts with blazers and leather jackets!!!

Two months later it was true winter and I was barely wearing jackets and shirts any more. Shirts only as an underlayer to a sweater.

So I would keep an eye on what you reach for moving through the seasons. Until you've passed about a year in a new job/ climate/ lifestyle you can't be 100% sure what you reach for and why.

Oh -- and why are your silk button up tops not wearable to you with or without jackets? (Since you say you're lacking tops, but also have too many tops, LOL. Remember that old thread...I have too many X and not enough Y?)

Anonymous

These posts are SO MUCH FUN! And I learn so much from other people's analyses.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, yes to what Suz said about your silk button fronts because I recall you looking great in some Equipment shirts. And will you wear the leather jackets more in the autumn/winter? Apart from that your insights seem very useful. I don't think there is anything wrong with limiting yourself to two signature casual looks btw.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I am with you on not wanting to do a thorough analysis. I did organize my wardrobe drawers this weekend and purged any underthings I don't wear, jewelry I'm not wearing, and belts I don't reach for. In addition I purged at least 4 more pairs of jeans that just weren't right and I used the "Would I buy these now?" approach to make a very quick and easy decision on them. I also hacked off the one pair of white jeans to make shorts but they seem a bit slim when rolled, so I'm not sure they will work this way either but it was a good experiment.

I agree with others that figuring out what you are *not* wearing is a great way to get your closet in better order. Mine is starting to feel like a good size for me and at most of the items are things I wear at minimum a few times each season. They are not all 10's but it is improving.

And it does seem like you'll wear more blazers/leather in fall/winter, right? I don't have to wear dress pants per se so I only have black ponte and a jacquard navy pair for those special times. I think I have 2 pair of older, but more traditional dress pants in the spare closet "just in case".

Anonymous

Una, it sounds like your closet analysis has accomplished a lot. I like to make lists, etc. But then I ignore them. I learn the most by working on making capsules

Lisa

Veteran

I always enjoy an analysis. And it sounds like you come out of your closet clean out knowing what NOT to buy, which is half the battle right there. As far as interesting, comfortable, professional pants one place to start may be

What material do you prefer/fits you best (for me it's non knit pants, but for you it may be the opposite)? I'm able to easily pass by or know to stop and look at pants once I realized what materials I preferred.
What colors do you want or don't want? Maybe a new color would freshen things up.
What prints do you want or don't want? Professional pants are often solids, but I used to freshen mine up with the occasional pattern: pin stripes, tweed, tiny checks and plaid usually come in professional styles.
What shape do you want? With the abundance of styles in the stores today, perhaps you can try a new shape? I used to always sport a boot cut trouser, but now I also have a slim leg pair and a wide leg cuff pair. All 3 are black but the shapes vary up my looks.

I hope that helps!

christieanne

Veteran

Seems like the perfect simple analysis of a closet and how you are actually dressing. The others brought up good points.
Until you stumble on a cache of work pants and blouses/tops (the constant need in my closet as well by the way) can you start mixing the silk shirts with the skirts? Or are you just bored by the shirts?
Nothing wrong with the constant rotating of a work "uniform" in my mind.

jackiec

Veteran

I think this is a great analysis. In fact, it's my kind of analysis as well. It makes you aware of what's in your closet, and prevents you from adding where you don't need to add. I also default to certain looks, and will easily snap up more if I'm out poking around in stores or see a sale. If I have a decent map of what's in my closet, it helps me prevent doing this. (PS love the term "Coconut bonk to the head!")

Windchime

Veteran

Actually, this sounds like a very useful analysis!

Yes, finding reasonably on-trend professional pants is a challenge, isn't it?
I have the opposite shirt abundance issue than you. I have more sleeveless shirts than I need and not enough tops/blouses with long sleeves. It's because I have a very hard time finding long enough sleeves for my long arms. Sleeve length obviously becomes a non-issue with sleeveless tops!

Eager to see where your insightful analysis takes you!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Hm, my post got eaten!

The pencil skirts sound like a really workable uniform. Nothing wrong with that!

With pants for the office, Lululemon and JBrand both make pants that are comfortable and blend in, but are suitably stylish and flattering.

Jules

Veteran

Why aren't the silk tops of #5 a solution to the missing tops from #2?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hi Una, love the musings!

I may be completely of base given my holiday from the forum but you strike me as a uniform dresser, which is not a negative in any way. You have a current uniform for both your work and casual life which if my hunch is right you tweak to match the seasons. Do the silk shirts belong to a past uniform by any chance?

Also #2 is this a wardrobe hole or do you have no real need for such tops?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think any way that gets you where you are going is the 'right' way to analyze your closet needs. No need for spreadsheets or lists.
Part of my question to myself: what if I make myself wear what I have first, before going out to buy more _____? Was to address the very issue of realizing you have half a dozen of ____ that you just are not wearing. I prefer now to have one ____ (or two) and then call it a failed experiment and move on! Slowing down the buy rate in turn slows down the churn as well.
I agree with trying to give the silky button fronts another try as they seem like a good answer to the lack of non knit tops. If they don't work, is it proportion, or a layering issue or what? Figuring that out could help inform future buys.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm so proud of you for doing this analysis, Una. WELL DONE.

I think we all go through phases of what we like to wear in a season - and patterned pencil skirts is your look for 2014. It's not your style to wear them with blouses and shirts, so no wonder those items languished in your closet. You wear them with oversized knitted tops and chunky shoes.

As for jackets - you don't seem to wear them indoors - and definitely not in Summer unless your office is freezing. AND your tops are oversized, which makes fitted toppers hard to layer. It's no wonder those toppers are orphaned. And in Winter, you're a big sweater and coat gal.

I think you have to bite the bullet and wear GREAT current wool trousers - no trying to be all that fashion forward with the item. Match them up with a very fashionable support act, and you are there.

Marlene

Veteran

it seems to me that its time to tweak the uniform! I suggest that you take OUT all the items that you have not been wearing and set them in a holding zone for a bit...see if you miss them I did that with my drapey cardis and I DON"T MISS THEM! So for my fall shopping, I focused on finding new layering pieces and some new style of topper. My basic uniform is the same but I'm tweaking it to be more updated and reflects my current leg of fashion journey. I suspect you are in the same position.

One of the things I am considering is a new style of bottom. I am NOT a traditional work-pant kinda girl so I am looking at the new drapey track-style pants to mix things up a little. They seem to be the pant of the moment. Even Ann Taylor has a nice pair done in a regular pant-weight fabric. I've tried on a couple and if you get them in regular pant material (not silky, not gear fabric) they can be rather modern and interesting.

catgirl

Veteran

WOW! Thank you all so much. You certainly spotted more in my post than I ever did!

Suz, you are totally right. I have yet to clarfiy my summer dressing differences, since so many of my items transition through summer. I need to go through an end of winter analysis after seeing what I really wear this winter. So much of my closet is full of items I haven't been wearing because of the season.

Marlene, that's an excellent idea. I have to say that although I love my drapey pants I am definitely the odd one out at work, where everyone is in much more traditional trouser looks. I don't mind being the weirdo, but it is a little disconcerting.

Angie, THANK YOU for seeing any progress here. I guess I need to find those perfect wool trousers. The issue as always is going to be SNOW, and hems. I'm wondering if there are work appropriate wool trousers with tapered legs (like BFs or skinnies)...

Jules, the silk tops are worn with skinnies, which I usualy wear with boots. If i could find the right pair of heels/pumps for me, I could do them in more versatile ways. I don't like tucking them into conventional trousers or skirts, but I could try untucked over my plain pencil skirts.

Lisa, I have always followed your astute analysis of your own wardrobe, so I am going to take your list to heart here. Really good points.

I know many of you also made these same or other fantastic points, and ALL the insight here is both appreciated and inspiring me to plow through the rest of putting it all together. I'm going to stop shopping (not an SYC, which always sends me into a buying frenzy, but more of a "take a breather to consider new purchases", as Mo advises) in order to see where there are true needs, and what pieces will fill them.

A couple of versatile work trousers would help for sure! That is the biggest hole I see.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Good job! And I love how much you learned just from this one exercise.

Una I totally agree with Suz's comment about letting a year go by. I suggest putting some things away and getting your closet down to a smaller size for a while to further your coconut bonk process. Only when I whittled things down, requiring repeated wearings (or not reaching for at all), was it that I realized what works and doesn't.

And regarding being analytical or not … those of you who require a lot of heavy mental lifting in your job might find it tedious. But for me, where my effort/stress revolves around things like: cleaning tables, floors and toilets, getting endless cups of ice water and ranch dressing, listening to complaints about insects, wanting food hotter/colder … wardrobe analytics are definitely relaxing!

(I just realized, being a waitress is a lot like being a SAHM to pre-schoolers.)

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