How to figure out gaps in wardrobe

So, being totally inspired by you ladies, I have been going through my closet item by item to purge repeats, unnecessary, worn-out or unused items. Now I'm left with a random assortment of stuff that doesn't really make sense or bores me to death. If left to my own devices I would wear some version of this uniform:

1) black or grey
2) trousers or skirt with
3) the same black dressy t-shirt and
4) cardi or blazer

I don't even know where to begin making a list of what's needed to pull it together. The only thing I knew I needed was more work shell/blouses and I've found three to fit that bill.

Specifically I know I have:

Lots of boring black work blazer/jackets in different styles;
Enough work trousers (could use a navy but have grey, black and tan);
Tons of funky skirts - these are the easiest thing for me to buy, as I can eyeball fit and know my style;
A mishmash of tops that don't necessarily go with my skirts, mostly bought because they fit and I'm picky about fit with tops;
A good collection of cardis, mostly black and grey. Again, boooooring.

I also have a good boot and bag collection, and reasonable jewelry, though belting is a weak area. My concern is really work clothes, since I'm either at work, at home in comfy clothes or outside in "gear". I feel there is a huge lack of coherence with color and outfit-making ability. It's the typical "my closet is (still) full but I have nothing to wear!" dilemma. I don't know where to go from here!

Maybe I need to fly Angie up from Seattle...

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It sounds like you need tops to pull your outfits together. I would go through your tops again and see if some of them can work with what you have already. It sounds like you have a good basic foundation.

Queen Mum

you say that your tops don't go with your skirts, but do they work with your pants?
I'm also betting that pulled together in the right way you have more outfits in your closet than you realize. sounds like you need to start snapping some pictures to post

Sarah

(website)

I agree! Posting photos does so much more for me than just posting for comments here on YLF. I am much better equipped to face my closet than I otherwise would be. I take photos of outfits and look at them objectively before I keep, toss, or buy more.

catgirl

QM, I tried this morning using a cereal box on my kitchen counter to prop the camera. Not a great success. I think I'm going to have to invest in a tripod and invent a backdrop. The skirt/top issue is patterns... no easy-to-mix situations (although I do like pattern mixing if I can manage it).

Pictures by this weekend!

alaska girl... try a large pot turned over on your kitchen counter. that should give you a good height for a picture. books are also great stable "risers"
I figured the issue with the skirts and tops was patterns, but I'm assuming your pants aren't patterned, so you should have some outfits there.

Marley

I am a visual person - I really have a hard time imagining outfits in my head , so I'm not going to be much help. How about you either try the pot or the book suggestion with your camera - or, go get yourself a tripod (I got one at Best Buy that was on clearance) - and show me your outfits Alaska Girl! I can't wait!

Anonymous

Hi Alaska,
This post summarizes my situation so well. I'll be watching with interest.

Zapotee, right now I feel like everything in my closet is an orphan! Sigh.

Carole

Definetly post some pictures, it helps so much to have a visual! Sounds like you have a great assortment of options. I am finding that a great scarf for the season and a great handbag in a great color give me and my old boring clothes a big bang for the buck. It can get you started anyway....

MNsara

I'm certainly no expert in wardrobe gaps (in fact, spontaneous purchases often create more gaps that now need to be filled. . . ), but I like what someone here said once about taking note that when you try to put together an outfit, you find yourself wishing you had a _______________ (fill in the blank).

If you make a note of that wish, you might see the same item coming up. Then you definitely have a gap.

Another different approach might be to pick an item you have and love but never wear. What do you need to make it actually wearable - a longer red top or a cream silk blouse with lazy ruffles or a great fall scarf, etc.

taylor

great advice here, so I have nothing further to add...I would love to see your posts. I bet your wardrobe is better than you think:)

Lisa

I agree with Taylor, I bet a few photos and you will be off in the right direction. I suspect you just need some tweaking of the wardrobe and fresh opinions. Have no fear, we are all here to help you!

Kyle

I would also start thinking about an expanded color palette. What colors are best for you? Pastels? Jewel tones? A basic palette to complement the black and grey might be very helpful.

Goldie

Active Member

I started out this summer in the "all holes" category as well, and I think I did reasonably well by keeping a running list of what I wanted as I was wishing I had it putting together outfits -- for example, I kept being frustrated with my black sandals and wanting something neutral but more fun, so I put "metallic sandals" on my list, searched for them, and when I got a pair of copper sandals, they got great use.

The harder part for me was identifying whole categories of things that I didn't have (like dresses), since I wasn't as sure what I wanted. In those cases, I just bought cheap pieces to try things out (silhouette, etc) to try out, and I now have a better sense of what I like and what looks good on me.

Overall, though, it was just being introspective about what I was wanting and what I was wearing, and what the commonalities were. For example, I have always been drawn to red, red, red, so I just kind of assumed that I would always want everything in red if it was available. Looking at what I was being drawn to, though, I realized that I'm more interested in greens, blues, and purples right now. If I hadn't taken the time to think about that, I probably would have just gone for what I went for in the past.

Now it's fall, and I'm going through the whole process all over again! I feel your pain!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm there!

First question: Do you have tops to go with all your remaining funky skirts?

Second question: Have you read this post?

http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....lifestyle/

Third question: What type of look do you aspire to?

Angie, Alaska could certainly use a visit from a professional stylist of your caliber!

So, I do not have tops to go with the skirts. I will have to post pictures so you can see them. Since I'm picky about tops, I tend to be more adventurous in skirts and then just pair them with a boring shirt. I just sorted out another two bags of items to consign (time to admit that I am more than twice "Forever 21"...).

I will go read that post now.

As far as the look I aspire to, there are really two. One for work - professional and put-together but not BORING. I'm really drawn to the j crew work line, though it's all too tall and small-busted for me.

For the rest of life, I'd say I'm urban eclectic. I like certain vintage looks, creative combinations and edginess. I like (though I don't often buy) anthropologie, sometimes modcloth, some of j crew's funky new styles. I am most definitely not girly and tend to be drawn to rocker glam/boho looks. Two fashion bloggers I follow are Audi of Fashion for Nerds and Kelly of the Glamourai - very different in style, but both great at mixing up elements in a creative way. Add into that the practicality of living in a true winter climate, and you have my mess of a wardrobe.

Ahhh. I was worried about those orphaned skirts. We want to see them!

Let me know once you've read the wardrobe capsuling post.

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