In and Out List - YouLookFab Forum

I keep a little notebook for things that come in and go out of my wardrobe, so I wondered if others do, too? I understand some folks have very high-tech spreadsheets linked to their monthly budgeting, so my system may be a little quaint!

Anyway, just the simple list of outs on the left and ins on the right--usually start a new month per small page just because it's easy to do so--does help me some.
My goal isn't so much to have a tiny wardrobe but I think I have plenty of "items" so if I'm bringing in more than goes out, it usually means I'm not thinking about purchases well enough, duplicating items or looks, or I'm not deciding to let go of things to move on to new wardrobe style or upgrade, or all of that.

I'm not rigid about one-in/one-out on a weekly basis, but it does make me stop and think--if I thought I needed to bring this item IN, why, exactly, is there not something going OUT? Is it a new clothing need , as in, I've taken up mountain climbing (I haven't!), or is it cardigan # 17?

2012 was the big de-frumping wardrobe turnover so I had lots of ins and outs for some months. Now I'm having to be even more critical because of the things I have now, I have to decide, do they need to go through yet another round of cutting, or if I like them, I should not just shop and get something else that's similar.

So, writing down any new purchases helps keep me more accountable. It's important for me to write it in BEFORE I take off the tags and wear it, because a few times that's helped me say, wait--this needs to go back because my in column is exceeding my out column for the month (or whatever time frame ) and I can't honestly say there's anything in my closet that I like less and would toss out, so it's evident that it was not really a PPP purchase.

13 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Im going to try this too....sounds good to me. I need to use the old pen and paper too!

Sylvie

That's a very smart way of doing it. I do add things to my spreadsheet as I buy them and move them to another tab as I delete them. However, I don't add the "date of purging" in the new tab.

I feel like writing things down is so much more concrete than typing things in a spreadsheet. You're doing a fantastic job at holding yourself accountable.

catgirl

This is brilliant.

I've started to write down how many times I wear new items - too exhausting to catalog it all, but just a column and tally marks. The Burberry coat is at 4 already, and the DV boots are around 9. I'm hoping this will help me keep track of PPW, and I'm going to try to tie that into when I can buy a new item (i.e. have I gotten a new purchase down to reasonable PPW yet?)...

rachylou

Smart!!

(website)

Just this year I moved my pen and paper scratching to the computer. And a handful of things were misses and got purged before they even made it more than a few months. I mark those, but anything not bought this year (and therefore not on my sheet) are not accounted for when they leave. I figure, move on lol. As a matter of fact, I am now removing most of my older WIW pics that include items I no longer own.

Lyn D.

I write all of this down too, along with amount spent and received if on-sold.
If I purge an item purchased this year I add the cost to the replacement item (ouch!) to hold myself accountable, and try not to make the same mistake again.
I like your idea of keeping the information on the same page too!

Janet

This is a great idea. Why have I never done this? I think I will have to start.

Caro in Oz

I used to do this & then I stopped. Thanks for the reminder!

unfrumped

The "out" column is helpful for me. I don't have to look back if I don't want to, but actually sometimes I've forgotten I've purged something (where is that darn skirt! oh--oops) and if I do want to get more analytical, I can decide whether "looking back" will help prevent some similar mistakes or just show from whence I came. I expect this would be a personality-driven choice--don't record your toss-outs if you know it creates more anxiety or problems for you.

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