Denim edit and Kondo: getting my wardrobe organized , part 1

I can take a very long time to jump on board with new systems and even new style ideas. It's something that seems to have hit in my advanced age I used to be the Queen of tidiness and organization ,and also was the first one on the block to wear the trends of the day. Now - I'm only marginally organized, and have been slow to update my denim collection .

The denim AND the organizing pros here on the forum - led by Angie's almost unattainable example (or daunting to me, at least) - finally got to me , and I spent an hour or two one recent morning pulling out all of my jeans, editing out the old and tired Gap skinnies and GF's , and Kondo'd my denim drawers into things of beauty.

I put about 4 pair of Gap jeans into the donation bag - all were tired looking ( I realized I have no need now for "yard work" jeans, or going -to-the-park-with-kids jeans because that's not my life anymore) and I wanted to make room for a more updated capsule.

I think I have it nailed down: a nice mix of crops, wide legs, flares, bootcut, black, dark, lighter-wash ,and tuxedo /side stripe looks. All Kondo-rolled to show the hem for identification , and all fitting nicely into two drawers that also hold a couple of sweaters. This feels uber-organized, takes up far less space than my former system of laying them in a drawer, folded in half and stacked on top of each other. I can see what I have, and my capsule feels manageable and generously big enough. I am not open to anymore denim this winter, and look forward to the wearing the variety I have now . Also - high rises FTW !

pic3: Madewell Demi Crops - high rise
4 : Frame crop kick flares - mid rise
5 : Melanie Lyne side trim skinnies - mid/high rise
6: Gap GF's
7: BR crop high waisted straights - high rise
8: BR wide leg ankle length - high rise
9: Jag stretch black metallic top-stitched side mini ruffle (what a description skinnies - ankle crop
10: Vince Camuto straight - kind of weird and I don't love them but...
11: Melanie Lyne stretch high rise flares
12: Jag stretch black raw hem embroidered skinnies - ankle crop
13: Jag cuffed cropped stretch GF's
14: Liverpool stretch slit-hem skinnies
15: Jag wide crops

As you can see, I don't have much in the way of the traditional premium denim lines other than the Frames in pick 4. This is ok with me - I am getting the look and fit I want from the brands I do have , and they work for where I want to spend my money (not on $300 jeans).

Anyways - thanks for reading along if you got this far. Totally a self-indulgent post, but I'm pleased with myself for getting this done

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6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous, Lisa! It's very satisfying to feel the denim capsule is in order. I always think of it as my foundation and when I'm not sure what I have, don't like what I have, or don't like how it fits, I get antsy!! This looks brilliant and you have a lot of GREAT and interesting jeans!

Also -- THANK YOU for the tip re the BR high waisted jeans. Post to come.

smittie

Nice! This looks so organized. It’s nice to open your drawers and have all that organization looking back at you. Very soothing.

I don’t have the budget for premium denim and have been very happy with my inexpensive purchases.

Kathie

Congrats on getting this done! Your drawers look fabulous.

nemosmom

Nice job, Lisa! A generous, manageable, organized denim capsule is wardrobe nirvana!

Anonymous

Yay-and what a great collection!

Bonnie

It looks great. I still have my jeans on hangers but I did my pajamas the Kondo way and feel very organized. You have some really interesting and fun jeans.

Sal

As my 14 year old would say...

Shot Lisa....

rachylou

Good job!!

I'm not sure what Shot Lisa means, but I laughed anyways.

Nicely done & nice variety of styles.

Dana

Great job! I'm not super organized, so very inspiring! I love your tuxedo striped jeans. I really want a pair but haven't found one with a side stripe color I want.

Btw, is that Zebra sweater the BR one? If so, do you find it tts?

Are jeans your main wardrobe item for getting dressed? Or are they part of a larger wardrobe that includes skirts, dresses, pants? Do you plan to go through your wardrobe category by category?

Cardiff girl

Yay!well done you.

Opaline - no, it's from H&M. The BR one was super itchy and not very luxe feeling (quite stiff ).

Sterling - jeans are not my go-to for workdays, but are , as you suggest, part of a larger wardrobe that also includes pants and one or two skirts and one dress. I'll be attacking one category at a time, next up tomorrow is my unwieldy blazer collection !

Thanks, Lisa.
Do you like the quality of that one? I was eyeballing the BR one but trying to find one that’s comfortable & decent quality too.

Brooklyn

Well done. I’d like to do this too but for knitwear.

It means well done - possibly like getting a goal in soccer.

gryffin

Standing ovation!! Well done and want great jeans! Your drawer and organization is amazing! So interesting because I hang my jeans in front of my dress pants (except for a couple of older pairs folded on a shelf). But like you I can see everything for both of us! That's awesome. I love organization, it gives me some sense of control in a world that just spinning out of control. We find out rocks to cling to where we can!! Enjoy it!!

taylor

So cathartic and such a sense of peace with being organized.
Nice job!

Toban

Inspiring. I like the variety. Your post actually inspired me to ADD to my small jean capsule of 4-5 pairs and I ordered two pairs of flare jeans in different washes. Fingers-crossed.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*FAINTED WITH HAPPINESS*

....will comment properly when I'm conscious....

cindysmith

Nice job! I don't have room for any kind of drawers, but I do have open shelving that I stack my denim on. I envy you the drawers

Opaline - it's just OK. It's very soft and fuzzy and will probably pill pretty badly, but I'm treating it as an inexpensive trend piece.....which of course goes against everything I hate about the fashion industry. I'm contracting my values and am somewhat embarrassed about it.

karen13

Yay you!! inspiring. It must feel so mice. I agree that being able to see everything is key.

It’s hard with knits. Thanks for the 411. I appreciate it.

Jaime

Thank you for the inspiration and identifying the jeans. I don't know why but I need to know what every thing is when I see it. It is not like I order online or even buy new jeans! Love the side stripe details and interesting hems. Great collection!

Jane

This is so inspiring. I love the mix of jeans and styles you have, and how you have sorted through and set it out. Like Toban I am thinking how lovely it would be to have a wider collection of jeans.

Style Fan

Looks great. I hang my denim except for my `house' pairs which get folded on a closet shelf (really are on the floor). Like others, I am loving your denim capsule. Lots of variety.

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