Just curious: how do you do?

Sisi

Despite having a smallish wardrobe I tend to forget what I do not see.
I have just spent a few days at the mountain house of a friend and struggled preparing the trolley because I could not think of some practical but not too casual things to take along (I do not like the "sweatpants-sneakers-sports jacket" look that is common in that environment).
Now the weather has suddenly turned chilly, so yesterday I took out of storage my mid-season things. Dammit! I found the new denim joggers I bought this Spring, that would have been perfect for such occasion (I had completely forgotten about them) and also a Spring jacket that would have come handy.
Do you remember all what you have in your wardrobe? How do you do? You have good memory, or use Finds, or else?

20 hours ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Sisi

Star

Veteran

Sisi as part of my tracking I have all the clothes I own on typed list in my computer. They are broken up into sections; Dresses, Skirts, Pants, Jeans, etc. Totally works for me.

20 hours ago

Mirjana

Veteran

It happens to me sometimes, don't worry.

20 hours ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

At least now you know you have great denim joggers! Don't worry. It happens. You know for next time

Sisi, to answer your question, I don't pack my wardrobe away for the seasons. I find it very handy keeping it all out! I also have a digital representation of my wardrobe in Finds that I keep meticulously updated.

My Finds excludes: undies, sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear, and yoga wear. That's easy because all of that is in two drawers and nowhere else, and not very much - so very easy to see and access.

I know exactly what I have at any moment. The digital representation of my wardrobe in Finds was life changing from an organizational wardrobe and style point of view. Well worth the initial time investment.

20 hours ago

Lisa

Veteran

I track my wardrobe with an excel spreadsheet which is great for tracking my cost per use (or how many times I've worn it, or if I have worn it or not, or when I bought it), but as far as it helping me to remember everything I own, I can miss items that I own. A great example is that I actually have a few mustard items (like a handbag/clutch) that I didn't remember about. I try to stay away from storing anything in baskets or bins, because I will forget what I own if I do not see it. That's actually how I forgot about my mustard clutch! It was stored inside a tote bag.

I've started adding my wardrobe to the finds Angie mentioned, which is a long process if you have a large wardrobe (and I do) so it's taking time. I anticipate it will be helpful once I'm done.

For storage, I do not put away any items. I'm fortunate to have a large closet so all items can be stored in there year round regardless of season. What I do though, is rotate seasonal items in easier to reach locations (say a top shelf to a bottom shelf) because I'm short and want items I'm wearing often within easy reach. For pieces I hang (like say, shorts, I'll have them near the front of the closet in the summer and then in the winter I'll push those to the back and put the jeans up to the front). Having everything in one closet has helped me during transitional weather or when travel to locations with weather different to what I have at home. It also helps me to stop buying duplicates because I see something on sale during the off season.

20 hours ago

sabimct

Active Member

This is a very interesting and useful question for me.

Could folks say a bit more about how they use "Finds?" [Full disclosure - I have never clicked on this button on the YLF blog - new to me!]

Thanks for any tips - always looking to better manage my wardrobe!

20 hours ago

Irina

Veteran

I switch seasonal wardrobes. I also shop for all seasons any time. So I need a reminder of what I have. Also, my wardrobe is on the larger side.
I'm a visual person, so I keep 99% of my wardrobe on Pinterest. I have boards by seasons, by colors, by a year of purchase. I did it initially 6 years ago and it took some time to search for pictures of my items. Now, it's easy because there are always photos available from retailers.

19 hours ago

JAileen

Veteran

Okay, if that were me, instead of being mad at myself, I’d feel like it was Christmas - oh look! New joggers!

19 hours ago

cat2

Veteran

I’m not one of those people who find digital organization soothing. I am able to keep my wardrobe on two rails, one for Summer and one for Winter, so I can dig through during the shoulder seasons and weird weather glitches to find all my clothing. I do tend to forget about my accessories as they are tucked into scarf boxes and a drawer and can be out of sight and out of mind. I did try taking pictures of them, but never remember to check the pictures. Maybe when I shrink my wardrobe a bit further I can hang the scarves?

19 hours ago

Roberta

Veteran

You have my sympathy! Spreadsheets, and having very little packed away, all of these things help, but there's always going to be a moment when you forget you own something. I put away a small portion of my seasonal wardrobe. I pack away sweaters in the summer, and short sleeve t-shirts in the winter. When I open them up for the new season, it's like buried treasure!
I use the Finds as a partial list of what I own and what I'm thinking about buying. I also like to see what other people have chosen as Finds. If I particularly like their style, I will go in and rummage around in their Finds board. I like that it is so easy to limit the Finds to sneakers, or dresses, or sweaters, for example (or by store). Can't do that with Pinterest!

19 hours ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Isn't that annoying? I hope you had a fun time, regardless!

I have a moderately large wardrobe and switch some items out seasonally. I tend not to forget what I have because --

1. During the switch out, I edit, paying attention to what's not working any more and what I love.

2. My closet is large enough that I can place many off-season items towards the back, where they are not front and centre, but still are visible when I look.

3. I keep most of my wardrobe in Finds.

4. I take outfit pictures. Irregularly, it is true, but often enough that I can look back at what I have worn in various seasons/ weather conditions and spark my imagination for repeat or new outfits.

18 hours ago

Sal

Veteran

I hope you had a great break- sounds lovely.

I have my wardrobe in finds and a spreadsheet. I don’t think you need to do both - but it helps me know how many pairs of pants I have even those that are packed away. I do have things that are less front of mind and that I forget to consider sometimes. My chocolate linen pants are one as is my slip skirt. I like them both so I don’t know why I forget them!!

14 hours ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Frustrating but the mountain cabin sounds lovely. I know I am the oddball, but I love finding things I forgot about. I consider it a treat.

10 hours ago

Sisi

Veteran

Thanks to all for the comments. You all are well organized!

I sometimes print out my wardrobe list and hang it on the fridge. It helps, but this time I didn't do it ...

Jaileen and Jaime - good attitude!
Anyway I had a great time. The weather was sunny and crisp, we walked in the mountains and along the nearby lake and participated to an outdoor event consisting of a mushroom exhibition followed by a lunch of polenta and mushrooms. I wore my white cotton pants "decorated" by the adorable labrador of my friend ...

1 hour ago

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