First a confession: I’ve never taken the time to set style or wardrobing goals for myself. Never thought it was for me. Some of these ideas take ages before they click with me, or until they feel useful and authentic. Also –and more importantly, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WANTED FROM MY WARDROBE OR WHAT DIRECTION, IF
ANY, I “SHOULD” BE GOING IN . But now I know.

I am sick of having too much stuff. I don’t like not remembering what I have and finding stuff months later that I completely forgot I owned. I don’t like the amount of wardrobe churn I create. I am buying too
much and getting rid of too much – which tells me that I’m making bad purchasing decisions. I am over the idea of shopping as something to boost my self-esteem or to fill some unidentified need. And I am done with experimenting and feeling like I need to constantly have new things. Some of this comes from age and experience, and some of it comes with ( hopefully) an acceptance of my size and body shape, and an unwillingness to keep fighting it . In my job, I work with “stuff” all day long : samples and boxes and catalogues and books take over my office and my house, and I have hit the wall with having too many things in my personal life. I want a calm , clean, and classic backdrop
for the chaos of my work. Another major purge of my closet and home
décor stuff will be happening soon. I do not want nor need 20 purses, or 20 pair of shoes, or 20 scarves. I just don't.

So – if I haven’t lost you yet, here are some thoughts (thanks to members like StyleFan, Sterling, and Shedev, among
others , whose recent postings have struck a chord and pushed me in the right direction, and to a variety of blogs and
style “mentors” who have helped me clarify how I want to look ) :

1. I like the idea of a small, hard-working, minimal wardrobe.

2. I like the idea of capsule wardrobing.

3. I like the idea of planning ahead, and identifying 5 key pieces (a la Shedev) that will form the basis for my look each season and at the
same time serve to update it.

4. I like the idea of working through what I own FIRST, before buying anything new for the season. This means waiting until I can do the seasonal closet switch, and then even wearing each item once before determining if it deserves space in my closet (which is very, very small).

5. I like the idea of identifying a few key combos/silhouettes that I know work on me, and sticking to them ( a la Tanya) . At
this age, I’ve experimented enough . Simplicity reigns.

What I value/guidelines for shopping: pieces of the best quality I can afford; a tidy, minimal closet where I can easily see what I own , not buying new clothing “just because” , not giving in to impulse or unplanned purchases, and sticking to my preference for personal style over trendiness.

Colours: blue, white, olive/khaki, black; with bits of pink, green and red (probably in florals/stripes)

The 5 key pieces I have identified as essential to the capsules I will build and that I will focus my $ on this season: a navy blazer; the perfect white t, soft, feminine, floaty, print and solid button through tops (sleeveless or cap sleeved, ideally in a silk or poly chiffon ) that will replace tanks and t’s as everyday tops; suede pumps or block heeled sandals in pale blue or tomato red; and the perfect pair
of shorts .

Words that appeal: sophisticated, modern , fashion –forward, minimal, flattering, fuss-free, athletic, and pretty .

Words/idea that do not appeal: trendy, maximal, stiff, complicated, busy, RATE .

I am in the process of working out the 2 or 3 key silhouettes that I will build my outfits around, and have determined that my casual/work-from-home /around the house capsule needs the most work. The navy
blazer and some pretty tops will round out my work/social life capsule (they are one in the same ) .

Despite it taking some time to work through this thought process, I do believe it has been valuable and worth-while. It is very
important to me to stick to this, and to feel control over my closet .
It is also very important to me to control and cut back my expenses, and to settle on a small mix that can carry me through my day with confidence. Wish me luck?

I know this has been self-indulgent – another reason why I’ve never done this before – but I do acknowledge that reading other members’ posts like this has clearly influenced and encouraged me, and I hope perhaps mine can do the same for someone else.

Thoughts and comments always welcome!