Fall purge

Glory

The weather has turned here and I even had my heat on this morning for awhile. This afternoon I decided to bring out some of the fall gear to be ready for the week.

Yuck - I do not like even 10% of what I own. How did this happen? I have now purged about 80% of all of my fall / winter items. I tried most things on if they passed the initial do I like it test. Almost all tops/sweaters I found too slim fitting, too short - really really too short, uncomfortable. This amounts to 3 large bags (think extra large bags). Even if I were to drop my extra lbs I will still not like them. In the past I would have kept to see but not now. I got rid of all of the pants and only kept my 2 jeans and 2 ponte which are new.
Shoes/boots are good - I just ordered the putty pettys.

I feel pretty good except am very concerned about knowing what to replace the toppers with.
Where to go from here.

12 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

Peri

Veteran

Hi Glory...yay, good for you! This would be a good time to read Isabel's post further down the page. Sounds like you have a great handle on #1.

I'll be following because I want some new sweaters this winter and don't really know what I want. But won't it be nice not to have junk in your closet while you are looking?!

Longer and looser are the only ideas I have about what is on trend sweater wise, and sounds like what you want anyway. If you are starting from so low, how about longer and looser in your favorite colors and great quality materials?

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glory, that is brilliant!! Good for you!!!

Okay, I know I shouldn't sound so excited about the fact that you have purged and now need to replace most of your clothes because heaven knows, most of us can scarcely afford to do that as quickly as we'd like -- but at the same time, I feel as if this actually represents a huge advance for you. You are ready to move on, and are doing it!

I know the feeling of fear, though. I also know the strange sensation of suddenly disliking all the cuts and fits from a previous year. We've all been taken over by "fluid" fit and I also decided to pass on many of my knits this year and upgrade.

Some suggestions for sources -- Banana Republic has a more fluid fit in many (not all) of their items this year. They're always having sales, so wait for that.

Zara has some nice looking stuff but I don't know about the quality since I have not seen in person.

If your Bay is better than my Bay, they have Vince Camuto and also some Lord and Taylor sweaters at decent price points.

Do you know your needs? What styles do you prefer? Approximately how many sweaters do you think you could use?

Maybe one in each of your key neutrals, one in one of your best colours, and one print or unusual style to start?

12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

It's like sports. Some years are rebuilding years. Sounds like you've kept enough in your closet that you won't go naked. Now's the time to make a plan!
I'd check the archives for blog posts covering wardrobe planning, capsules, style goals, etc.

Where do you usually shop for clothing?

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Well done. It's the perfect time to make a capsule wardrobe with your pants & jeans

http://youlookfab.com/2013/08/.....-for-fall/

12 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Kudos for purging before shopping. I usually do the opposite and wind up with crowds of stuff that doesn't go together, confuses me and clutters up my mind and space.

Good luck on the replacement project and have fun!

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Good for you! going through it is half the battle, and now you have a good idea of what you don't like! And, it keeps your closet tidy and only full of pieces you like and will wear.

Now, to get to the bottom of how those other pieces ended up there so you only buy what you will love!

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

Seconding Thistle on working to figure out WHY things you dont like now ended up in the closet? Sale goggles? changing aesthetic? changing body shape?

I have a hard time letting go of things so major kuddos for getting the old out!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GREAT job editing, Glory. *applause*

I vote focus on tops to wear with your jeans and boots first.

12 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

Glory, you rock! You have your road map forward by inverting the reasons why you purged the items. Go longer, more fluid, be comfortable and spend time in front of the mirror to be sure you are bringing home likely keepers. Walk in them, sit in them, stretch in them. Then once those criteria are met, ask the harder (for me at least) questions: does this reflect my style aspirations, what does it "say", is this the best place for this percentage of my budget? The answers will come, but take your time.

The fact that you could be so decisive about such a high percentage of your closet tells me you will be able to get it where you want it.

Cheers!

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Congrats!

I have been looking at my closet with an editing eye for the last few weeks, and gradually getting rid of a few things here and there, and I totally understand what you mean. There are some things that make me say, "Ooh, I can't wait to wear this" but many more than are OK, that I'm not excited about but need to get into the fall season to see if they have use. I want to edit, but I don't want to be too hasty.

Good luck rebuilding!

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

My version of What not to wear continued and I have now purged an additional bag.
I think that the reasons for this are several fold:

-reluctant to part with items that I have paid hard earned money for
-purchased items on sale so they were a good deal
-purchased items that almost fit because they were a good deal
-purchased items that I saw on others and loved - also known as Lemming (but not in a good way like the VC tube or Speigel)
-hoarding because it might come back in style
-feelings of not deserving new or higher quality items
-settled for items that looked ok but were not ideal or comfortable

So I am down to very few items. But, I am not complete on the purge. I still have a few items that made the cut but didn't deserve it - see number 1 on my list. Some of these have tags. I am going to purge the rest of it this week. I expect it to be about 90% when all is said and done. Even a couple of items I bought since joining are in that pile, which shocked me.
I do not have a plan as pf yet. I do have my colours mapped out though. And I have a wish list of sorts. I am going to do as Angie and others suggested and focus on the toppers. My closet is staring to look pretty spiffy.
And, UPS just delivered the Putty Pettys .... feeling excited.

12 years ago

Category