help with identifying wardrobe holes, and ?

always trying

OK, dumb me is having a problem here with identifying what are wardrobe holes and my want list. Would a wardrobe hole be something like -just simply lacking a suitable topper like a blazer because you have only 1 and it is wrong for your needs? Another way I am calling holes is like having a closet orphan that is just an orphan because nothing works with it. But if you just added a couple of things to make it work it world be worn a lot.

When analyzing my want list for spring I realized that a white denim jacket is not really filling a need. If I just get things I want I will have to still get something dressier in a neutral like maybe white for dressier occasions. But if I get a more multi purpose topper will not have the "hole" when it comes to having to dress up more. any suggestions of what to get?

11 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

anne

Veteran

I think both those things are wardrobe holes. And you have correctly pointed out that just getting what you want can leave gaps in the wardrobe.

I do actually think a white denim jacket could be a very versatile item to get, but don't know enough of your lifestyle to know how suitable it is. I bought an ivory jacket for a wedding 18 months ago and have found it pretty versatile for many casual occasions too (Although it needs drycleaning fairly often, which I have just decided I am not going to do again and will risk hand washing)

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

To me a wardrobe hole is apparent when I go to put an outfit together and it doesn't work because I don't have _____. Most recently it was black booties with a shorter heel that I could walk miles in to go with my skinny jeans. I have been using 2 3/4" boots with too high of a shaft in their place and it just doesn't work very well.
Another wardrobe hole was less specific. Light colored, dressy jacket. I looked and tried some for over 2 years. Ended up with off white slightly BF fit blazer. Waiting paid off. I love it! (still don't have the booties, though . . . I'd rather do without then plug the hole with a substandard item)

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

What I have started doing is keeping an outfit log every day. I write down what I wear each day in a table in a notebook. (It would be easier to do it on Excel, but I haven't had time to set it up.) I have columns for top(s), bottom, shoes, and other (like scarves, belts). And I have started adding a column for wardrobe hole.

If I wear an outfit that is adequate but is missing something that would make it outstanding, I write in the "wardrobe hole" column what I need. For instance, I put together an outfit the other day where I had to wear a cardigan that was ill fitting, because that was the only one that was the right color and style for my outfit. I obviously want a cardi that fits better but still fulfills these functions, so I wrote a note to this effect in my "wardrobe hole" column ("replacement for VS cardi"). Also, some days I notice that I really need a scarf for my outfit, but I don't have one of a suitable color. So I make a note in the table again ("solid-color scarf that goes with Billabong skirt"). I hope that after I have been doing this for a while, I will see some patterns emerge and will be able to get some of the most necessary wardrobe holes filled.

I also have a fashion notebook section that I called "Things to Buy." I've divided it up into categories by style persona (because that's what works for me now). And I write down what I need in each category (e.g., "wide cognac belt with embroidery"--for my boho-style bootcuts). Every so often I peruse the list and see if I can track any of these down.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Gigi,

That's such a good system. I sometimes have difficulty identifying what is a 'hole' and what is a nice to have. So a black blazer would be a hole but I have other black toppers: cardigans and casual jackets. Therefore since I don't need it for work, its a 'nice to have'.

The same with a long raincoat. I have a gear raincoat that has been fine for a long time. Although today when the gear raincoat velcro kept catching on my under layers I thought that maybe a city raincoat really is a 'need' not a 'want'.

The stuff that is easy to identify as holes for me is usually the smaller stuff, the right color tights or belt, a tank top/cami of a certain color for example.

I saw a wide leather cognac belt with tan embroidery today, at a consignment/thrift/outdoor shop. If you are looking for a RATE version, that might be a place to check

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes -- for me a "hole" is different from a "want" (although, as you point out, it's awfully easy to confuse the two when you are out shopping!). But I think I've hit a wardrobe "hole" when I can't make a great outfits with the pieces I've got because they're missing some element. Or, when I lack an garment that is pretty much essential for my climate or lifestyle -- so in my case, snow boots (climate) or jeans (lifestyle).

"Wants" are all the other things that would be nice to have but that i can easily get dressed without.

11 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

What Mo and Suz said. Hole is what makes dressing difficult because you don't have X. Want is ...well want. It is not essential to build outfits and you have some substitutes which give - almost - the same result but not quite.

However sometimes holes and wants are so intertwined it is hard to say which is which. For example full length white jeans is my hole I am trying to fill for 3 years now. However I was able to survive those 3 years without them so maybe it is a want? on the other hand they will be a base for endless outfits for me which I cannot create now so maybe it is a hole I really want?

Navy suit and cream trench are definitely wants for me though because my lifestyle does not demand them and I am not sure I will wear them that many times...but I want anyway!

If you have not read them already those Angie's posts can provide some clarity:
- wardrobe essentials;
- wardrobe workhorse;
- shopping categories

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

To be fair, some of what I am calling wardrobe "holes" would probably be considered by others as "wants." Like Sveta said, sometimes the two are intertwined.

I think that there is a continuous spectrum. At one end is probably the situation where you simply can't put together particular outfits because you are lacking something. At the other end is perhaps wanting to replace something that is less-than-perfect in some minor aspect.

Sveta's example of the white jeans is interesting, because although it's not a wardrobe hole in the strict sense (she said she has gotten by without them so far), it will greatly increase the amount of outfits she can create. But maybe that would be considered a versatile wardrobe want? Not sure. :^)

I guess I consider something to be a wardrobe hole for me when I feel limitations when I'm getting dressed. So I want to wear a scarf with my outfit (my neck gets cold easily), but I don't have a scarf that looks good with what I'm wearing. I have a scarf that looks only so-so with the outfit. For me, that is a hole, albeit a lesser one, because I am feeling limited as I am getting dressed. Or when I put my bootcuts on and have to use a skinny belt instead of a wider one--I feel limited because the skinny belt just doesn't portray the style I'm going for. So it probably depends on your definition of wardrobe hole. My example of the belt is more of an emotional wardrobe hole, whereas if you can't put together an outfit at all because you're lacking, say, a proper top, that is a physical wardrobe hole.

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

What mo and Suz said. When I have 3/4 of the outfit but can't get out the door. Also I'm trying to keep assessing how well things play together so wardrobe hole- filler would be versatile, and so new items don't immediately create a hole or require something unusual.

11 years ago

Helena

Veteran

This is a bit of a different approach, but I am in the process of doing two things:

- identifying my 'uniform' for my various roles and then ensure I have multiple options for each part of the uniform (so my daily uniform is tees or thin knit sweaters with jeans - therefore I should have enough of each to get through at least a laundry cycle if not two)

- thinking about my time as a pie chart, and making sure my quantity of uniforms corresponds with the pie chart (roughly) - e.g. if 5% of my time is spent out for the evening, my wardrobe should be roughly 5% "out for the evening" uniforms.

This is working for me because about 85% of my time is spent say in comfy flats - so I can have a closet full of tall black boots, pumps, brown boots, sandals, etc. but only one pair of flats, and despite the variety and having all the "basics" covered, I feel like I have a huge hole. I'd be better making do with one pair of dressy shoes and having four or five choices of flats in different colors, etc. so I can mix up my uniform a bit.

Anyways, that was long-winded and not particularly articulate - hope it makes some sense!

11 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Gigi. I think that keeping a log is brilliant. I keep a notebook so that when I am getting dressed if something is missing, I jot it down. If it only shows up on my list once and it is not for a special occasion ( like a wedding ), then I don't get it. If it shows up two or three times then I know I should get it. I should say that my holes are gaping. I usually end up with something on the list like seven times ! LOL

I also have my "must haves". For winter , for example , that is a black, grey, and navy wool or cashmere, long sweater. I KNOW that I use those all the time and that they go with everything and I gravitate to those regularly. There are other things, but you get the drift.

Good luck ! : )

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

This may say something about the state of my wardrobe, but I find holes when I go looking for something and discover I haven't got it. Like navy stockings or a white turtleneck or a warm-but-fancy coat... which is a hole I keep trying to fill, but it never quite works out.

11 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

My feelings about holes are exactly what Mo has described.

I wanted to caution though about what you said about buying a few things to go with your orphans. Sometimes this approach may work if say your closet is just really sparse to begin with and you really do like this orphan and need x to be able to wear it. But let's say the orphan is a rust colored top that really only suits earthy type colors when you have a closet full of cool colored items that really flatter you. Maybe then it's time to consider whether the rust top was just a mistake and let it go...

11 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i want to second liz a's comment about buying around orphans...maybe it is legitamately a hole, but i have found that most often i am just buying more orphans.
i'm trying to think more strategically about what i have and what will last another year or so. for example, i have a pair of black pointed toe booties, i have 3 pairs of pants hemmed for this heel height, so not a hole now, but they are a few years old, the clobber won't be able to repair them for ever, so a future hole. therefore, i'm keeping my eye open for a replacement.

11 years ago

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