I just tried on every item I wore Summer 2014

I've read blogs (maybe Into-mind or un-fancy?) that advocated a full try on of your whole season wardrobe as part of the planning and shopping process. I've never done this. Why bother? I just wore these things 9 months ago, and surely I could recall what I loved or questioned about these items, right?

This morning I put on a favorite skirt and realized that the 10 pounds I've (re)gained don't look so well. And, in August I'll be going into a job where for four weeks I will not have even a spare moment to plan a new purchase. At that point if I need shorts, I will need to make the best guess and just buy shorts, PPP be damned. (I have some full priced compromises from previous years, and they always haunt.)

Every item, including shoes, went into three categories: love, acceptable, and archive. There were no items to give away, because I cull items constantly. Archive is for the tops that don't flatter in 2015 but which still are a good quality, cut and color for my typical body shape. I snapped photos of the categories (cropped pants, skirts, tops, etc) so I could put everything back in the closet and not have to remember things precisely.

This was so helpful! Think of it: I did this in less than an hour, and now I don't have to spend 20 separate mornings trying to remember how flattering a top was in August 2014. And, I have a short and accurate shopping list for this summer, and a few outfit combinations I hadn't put together before.

These fashion blogs are SMART!

How about you? What are your planning and shopping strategies? I'm always learning from this group!

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

Excellent! I did this for Spring,--complete with outfit photos and capsules. and it was so helpful. Summer snuck up on me (as it always does), but I did manage to at least try everything on and make a list of items to add for this hormonal shift that seems to be happening. Love your "archive" category! It makes so much sense when I'm not sure where my body/weight will settle. Stealing that one!

Sal

It is a smart idea, because looks and shapes can change without you realising! I think the three categories are great too because there is a place for acceptable pieces that are not 10/10... I do this but not quite as methodically.

Janet

(website)

This is a really good idea. I did this recently with my dresses for summer, and for shorts/pants, and I'm realizing that I should also take a pass at the tops. Yeah, you'd think that since we just wore these things only so many months ago, we'd know what will work now, right? But sure enough, I put on a dress that was a total workhorse for a couple of summers 2-3 years ago, and I feel totally meh about it now. It still fits just fine, but my style is shifting in a way that means some things that appealed to me a lot in past years just aren't making me happy this year.

I mentally put it aside in the "pool/beach coverup category" and then realized there are three other dresses I'd done that with. That sparked a whole try-on session of my swim coverups! Wow, was that enlightening. I had stuff I had completely forgotten about, and haven't worn in 5 years. I had just ignored this whole category for years, as most of them were tucked away in an infrequently-used drawer. (We have a pool, so swimwear is an important part of my wardrobe, but I really don't need that many coverups, especially since those mainly get used on vacations, not at home).

But anyway, the try-on session of a whole category of wardrobe was very enlightening. To pull all of one type of garment out of your closet and spread it all out on the bed or wherever really shows you what you have a lot of and where the gaps are. That's how I decided I am not allowed any more summer tops in shades of blue.

Summer

That's an excellent strategy, Annabelle. Fit and style preferences do change after a few months out of action, so best to do a trial run well ahead to avoid frustration later on - says she who neglected to do this, and now finds some things aren't working quite as well as they did in her head!

Anonymous

I have never done this. I wish I had the discipline. Reading your post may inspire me though.

Nathalie

Active Member

Very helpful indeed. Must try this !

kkards

hmmmm, i never really done this. i've done what janet's done, i.e. tried on different segments to determine what needed to go and what i needed to make it thru the season. usually this is followed a year when i was unhappy with that category. for example this year i did try on every bathing suit and cover up. ended up buying 3 new suits and 2 cover ups. need to think about doing this as we move to fall.

Staysfit

I kind of did something like this when I went through my old items trying to decide what to keep and what to toss when I was revamping my closet. After figuring out if the item was in good repair and if it fit, I asked myself if it served a purpose, and or if it made me happy. If the answer was Yes to either question I kept it.

jackiec

You are so organized! I did this, but only as a result or part of a massive closet edit. It was a good idea because yes, some things no longer fit! It's a great idea and a great way to begin each season.

Great idea!

shedev

Twice a year I do a complete edit of my closet. I don't try on everything, but I do try on everything I'm on the fence about.

Meredith

I did a try-on session in early spring because I knew I needed to purchase many things and wanted to be clear on what I really needed (I loose focus easily when shopping....oh, that's a pretty color). I also too pictures of everything. I used a black top as I tried on bottoms and a white bottom as I tried on tops. This really helped me focus on individual items. And looking at the photos on my phone as little thumbnails really yielded clear insight into fit and proportion. Absolutely worth the time and effort.

Well done on doing the big try on. Now why haven't I done this??

Dee

This is a really good idea! I've done this in seasons when my weight has fluctuated and found it very helpful. But I've never taken pictures like Meredith suggested - I should do that when I try on my summer tops this week.

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