I quarantined my clothes! - YouLookFab Forum

Finally after almost a week of being uncomfortably sick and bored out of my mind with lying around, this evening I felt upbeat and energetic enough to take a good look at my closet.

The subject header refers to me forcing a few items into Clothes Purgatory. A holding space. I actually didn't outright purge many things at all. Maybe two button-downs and a few tees. The quarantined items include three really nice Foxcroft button-downs that are just the right cut for me, but way too tight in the bust. (Does that size run very small? Because I'm usually a 14 or sometimes a 12...and the 16 was way too tight. I bought at a point when I was not as rational about things immediately fitting as I am now. I could wear unbuttoned as an outer layer with a tee, but don't want to.) I'm also holding onto a few weird novelty-ish items that fit but don't really fit into my style direction, but I may regret giving up later. So these five or six items will stay in quarantine for another few months before I revisit them. Maybe by then my body's changed, or I've moved on.

But in the meantime, it felt really awesome to have done what's less a purge than an assessment. It's only the very beginning. And it was easy (it's still not even done--I have shoes, scarves, etc to go through). I really have a tiny wardrobe at this point. But now I know for sure that something looks good on me, if I'm keeping it.

So a few things I excitedly learned:

1. Like Angie's post said, a dress can really not look great on a hanger. Especially if it's knitwear wrap dress. But mine is really great, can't believe I ignored it for over two years. It will be easy to style. Of course now the season is over, heh.

2. An intentionally slouchy tee is not the same as a bagged-out tee. And

3. I look better in a fitted tee than I had expected.

4. There's stuff I never reach for, and my previous assumption would be that I was intuiting correctly that the pieces were wrong. But as in the case of the wrap dress, as well as a skirt and a few button-downs, my intuition turned out to be wrong. I haven't figured out why I wasn't reaching for those pieces. But I suppose it helps to revisit your clothes unless you feel an aversion on sight.

5. If I have too much knitwear and try to KonMari it in a box, I will forget what I have and not wear most of it. I need the long-sleeved tops hanging, at least.

And the upcoming challenges I envision:

A. Shoes and bags. Bags in particular. Because I don't dislike any of them, but not really excited by any of them either. And the replacement cost for bags is steep. And I want to deeply love whatever I purchase from here on. For shoes, maybe similar, to a less extent. I have more shoes than bags. Many I haven't worn much. But I am compelled to have more diversity with shoes than bags, meaning I would more likely justify holding onto a pair of shoes.

B. Accessories like scarves. Frankly, I barely wear them. But I love the concept. Plus, they add a lot of lovely color to my closet. And also frankly, I don't own that many and they don't take up a huge amount of room. But it's the principle of the thing, right? Then again, some of them are made of beautiful silks, they're gifts, etc yada. LOL. Yep, me being indecisive.

C. Me not even having much stuff, and already seeing the physical space as limited. That can be dealt with when the time comes.....

Anyway, it is so pleasurable to look at the clothes I have somewhat randomly but somewhat intelligently managed to assemble in the past few years...almost all entirely after joining YLF. And it's only NOW that I'm even starting to have an idea how to create my own style(s), and figure out wardrobe holes, etc. It's incredibly daunting, but also fascinating!

So far, so good.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Good job! I have the same problem with scarves...

Mochi

They're PRETTY!

JamC

Mochi, Well done! You are on your way. That assessing and cleaning out seem to be key. Good for you for moving forward.

Ginger

It sounds like you made a great start! And although you say you have a ways to go, you've put in a lot of the mental effort and analysis already. I find that on tougher questions (like how to handle your scarves, and what to do with bags) it's better if I let them simmer in the back of my mind for a couple days. Often the solution will present itself when I really get back to it.

Kari

I have the same issue with Foxcroft. That brand is just cut opposite for my body regardless of size or material.

Fantastic job quarantining! I hope you find lots of love in your compact, cultured wardrobe.

Anonymous

Sounds like an evening well spent. I have a million scarves and wear about 3 of them. I'm not sure what's the deal with this, and I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to hang them and keep them wrinkle-free.....and never wear them. Anyways - I like the concept of quarantining too

cjh

(website)

Good word - quarantine. If they don't "get well soon", send them for long term rehab - in someone else's home?

Janet

Good work! My scarves are out. Of. Control. Of course, a bunch are sentimental/inherited, which doesn't help matters. And I have such a variety -- smaller silk squares, large cotton ones, etc. I end up rarely letting any go because different styles trend and wane, and I like all the colors and prints.

Button front shirts are another item I have in way too large quantity. My problem, however, is that when I try them on, they look good. They fit great, and I am loathe to get rid of something classic that fits so well. But I have not been wearing these classic shirts so much in the last few years. Maybe I should quarantine them too.

Maneera

Well done! I seem to have too many scarves too Why oh why must I buy every scarf with a lovely print & pretty color when I anyways wear a lot of prints on my top!!! *slaps forehead*

Yes, I ranked many of your responses as comedy. But it's a SERIOUS PROBLEM. No, not really. It is, however, curious. I'm guessing that a scarf is an easy ticket to fantasyland for many of us females. Relatively inexpensive, colorful, soft, one-size-fits-all and applicable in so many different shapes, colors, patterns, textures, etc. With a scarf, you can be the epitome of femininity or androgynous cool: a chic Parisian woman, or Mick Jagger circa 1975.

Ginger--it's going to take longer than a few days. The shoes and bags are both problematic categories. Like what do I do with the Fluevogs? Trying to sell is a hassle (for me, that's how I am). I may end up keeping them and they'll get worn if I challenge myself to do it, like with today. I don't have that type of patience with bags, but maybe that's because I believe I can have two or three spectacular bags that handle all my needs (which would be impossible with shoes, of course).

Janet--the shirts fit great and look great on you. How fascinating that you aren't wearing them! But I'm finding that as long as I have the space, I get a ton of pleasure out of looking at really nice things just hanging there.

Kari--glad to have confirmation on the Foxcroft fit. I really think it's not going to happen that they will ever work in the bust. I should donate them. It's a shame but maybe if they go to Dress for Success, or my local consignment charity, Boomerangs, they'll provide a much-needed service.

Thanks for listening!

Heh - I said a few days, but sometimes that translates into weeks' worth of days. I still think you have a really good start, and some good alternative approaches identified. Challenging yourself to wear them is an excellent experiment to see if you can still enjoy them. So is putting them in the holding zone. I have things that I could get a nice amount for if I put in the effort; but in a holding zone sometimes they seem to diminish enough that I don't mind giving them away for someone else to enjoy. Or alternatively, I run across them in 6 months or a year, and fresh eyes suddenly see the potential.

Bags ARE tricky! I know it's a hassle to sell, but that does sound like the best approach for you. Either that, or weigh the possible $ against all the trouble it will take to get that. But unless you want to holding zone them as well, it sounds like you'd be a lot happier with them gone and able to find the few you REALLY want.

unfrumped

Great post!

I so hear you on having one idea in your mind about something, and then being surprised, why haven't I been wearing this? It gets back to my finally realizing that I need less items not because of any special minimalism, but I lose track of fits and styles of items that aren't worn because I just don't have as many occasions.
So I am handling some of this by tossing, some by quarantine, and some by wear-challenges and attrition. It's very hard for things I still like but can see I did not need, or need as many similar items. Trying to have the "best in show" challenge and keep 1 of 2, or 2 of 3, but still it's very hard--they grow roots in my wardrobe.
And, I don't have actual reams of stuff--just more than my lifestyle or number of occasions or the length of the season requires.

Barbara Diane

It sounds like you are making good, steady progress.
Maybe a compromise is to consign the bags-not much work, and you still make some money back.

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