After having a busy, productive day yesterday, I got home and didn't have the mental energy to go out, and I had the house to myself. On the way home, I had considered stopping at a nearby mall, mostly to walk around because it was so darn cold outside I didn't feel like doing any outdoor walking. However, I was not in the mood to be near shopping temptations. Other than the BR cropped jeans, I have not bought anything for my wardrobe since Christmas, and I'm actually itching to shop *less*, which is a significant shift in my mindset and habits. I have always tended to fill idle time with a "quick stroll" through the stores, which all too often ends in impulse purchases. Some have been great, no doubt, but many have been extraneous and ended up causing regret and guilt. This shift towards less shopping is a good thing, as our income situation is changing. Plus, we are about to start some significant home renovation projects, for which I will happily sacrifice clothing budget!

When I got home, I wandered into my closet to take a thoughtful, critical look at one segment of it: my jackets. I have a wonderful collection of short or cropped jackets that have not been getting enough love lately, as I default to a couple of favorites that are the easiest to work with. I've had all of them for at least a couple of years, and felt quite attached, but realize that I need to be appreciating and wearing them. I ended up spending quite some time trying on various tops and sweaters with these semi-orphan jackets, and also some orphan vests that I keep hanging onto even though I can't remember when I last wore them!

Here's the thing. When I am considering an item from my closet that never gets worn, I try it on and think, "well, that looks nice." It's flattering, it's a good color, it's good quality, it's interesting, it fits well, etc. Reasoning stands then that I should keep it, and back into the closet it goes. But I need to stop more and ask, "So why don't I wear it?" Often it's because I don't have an easy FFBO idea for it, or it's not easy to style for the life I live now (crisp button front shirts, I'm looking at you). The comfort conversation we have been having lately also comes to mind -- choosing to layer over a button front shirt is not as comfortable or fuss-free as layering over a tee or knit item.

But back to the jacket collection. In the winter, these jackets have languished a bit because they're warm enough for an outer layer in a winter outfit, but not warm enough to be outerwear. At the same time, they're bulky enough that wearing a winter coat over them has been a problem. Well, hey, I realized last night that I have solved that issue with the new Madewell cocoon coat that I got before the holidays! That coat fits over everything except for maybe my longest jackets, which come to my knees.

So I am now armed with a bunch of photos on my phone of combinations I tried on last night, and I have jackets lined up on my valet bar in my closet, so that over the next week or two, I will be wearing outfits with those jackets -- this is a busy time for me right now, so I have the added benefit of having outfits nearly pre-planned by doing this. Choosing a pair of jeans and boots to go with each jacket-top combo should be simple enough. I'll try to post WIWs with these combos. If a jacket continues to be hard to work with even after this exercise, it may be a sign that it needs to go. I did pull one out of the collection last night to go to consignment. It made me sad to do this because it was not a cheap jacket, but the fit has never been quite right (it's a little too wide across the shoulders) and I don't feel fab in it. Out it goes!

So again, this is another long post from me. I'm on a little bit of an editing/evaluating roll lately, so thanks for indulging me. It feels good to get some clarity around what I have and how to wear it.