My closet commitment - YouLookFab Forum

When I started stalking YLF in July of 2012, I had never made fashion much of a priority in my life. After having a baby and finding myself in a "new" body that changed. I went from spending less than 1% of our income on fashion and beauty to around 6%.

That meant a huge influx of new pieces for myself and DD especially, but a few new things for DH (like his Cole Haan leather coat). While DD keeps outgrowing hers so she needs replacement, I feel as if I have added too fast. Too many pieces in my closet don't get enough love.

I spent the last few days sorting through my closet and setting aside items I bought for a post pregnancy body and purging others. The rest I put on backward hanging hangers to see what I am wearing.

My goal is to severely limit purchases (after my already made Talbots order gets here!) until all the hangers face properly because the item was worn or donated.

I am not on SYC. something that strict just makes me look all the more. so, if a fantastic sale item, comes along or I identify holes (which I will with shoes), I will deal with it. But I will use the savings from this for the NAS sale which features items from my dominant fall/winter seasons.

If you have read this far, thanks! As a side note, I am also committing to more WIWs so I know if the items are really working. This may mean a few repeats from past WIWs as some pairings are FFBOs for me.

13 years ago

Hil

(website)

Veteran

That sounds like a great plan Thistle! It's hard to find the balance, isn't it? I have also found myself spending very little on clothing, especially after I had kids and I am now trying to force myself to spend more... hopefully wisely?

Thistle

It is tough. There has to be a happy middle ground, I just have to find it and stick to it!

Anonymous

I enjoyed reading your post Thistle. You have outlined a great plan. I agree it's tricky to find a balance and I'm sure now you have set your mind to it, that it will all come together. I have been making myself spend more time assessing my wardrobe and spending a bit more too so I'll watch your progress with interest.

hedgiehog

Thistle,I think this is a common sense approach to finding what works best for you. When I started YLF, I identified so many wardrobe holes and I went shopping to fill those holes. Then I started Weight Watchers and 20 pounds later, a lot of my clothes don't fit properly. I have put myself on a shopping hiatus until I am at goal weight. Then I will figure out what needs altering and what needs donating and what holes need filling.
I look forward to more WIW from you.....I must try to do the same.

Ingunn

You are making a smart choice, Thistle. I have been spending a lot more on my wardrobe since joining YLF, too, and I worry that I add new items too fast. I might join you in turning the hangers - why not! it will be interesting to see what I actually wear. I will also join you in slowing down to save up a little for next season, which is dominant for me, too.

CocoLion

Good plan! Looking forward to seeing all of your pieces in WIW posts. That will help you be more aware -- of the item's repeatability, happiness, fit and flattery factors.

Suz

This is an excellent plan, Thistle. I also bought like crazy (and seem to be doing so yet again!) when I first joined YLF after body changes. It is natural to buy a lot when you are starting from ground zero, but then it becomes important to step back and reconsider what is actually getting worn and what that tells you about your actual needs. I think taking photos daily (whether you choose to post them or not) will help you notice patterns. And I hope you do post! It is useful to others to see.

Jewell

This will be a great way to work through your closet, either wearing or donating all of your neglected pieces. The hanging turning method is good for ensuring that you wear what you have before buying more. I may try this myself.

goldenpig

That sounds like a great plan, Thistle! I like the hanger turning method.

I also have too many post YLF clothes and have "purged" some of them, but they're still hanging in my closet in a "purge-atory" section. I'm trying to see if I will wear them or not before I get rid of them.

lyn*

I think that's really smart, Thistle! We need to do this kind of thing together - it is kind of crazy how we accumlate stuff, isn't it? I love my stuff! YAY!

Transcona Shannon

Very wise decision Thistle. I think all of us bought like crazy when we first joined YLF and started posting. We got so much valuable advice that we'd never had before and it made buying things so much fun. But there is a happy medium and no point in buying things you end up not wearing. This is where playing with your closet and SYB comes into play.

Caro in Oz

Great plan. I think posting wiws make us pickier too, which is a good thing imo.

Jyoti

Sounds like your thinking of some great solutions for yourself!

One thing I like to do to get more wear out of certain items I feel like I neglect is to pull them out of my closet and hang them on a clothes rack I have in my room. I do a modified 30x30 sort of thing, but I pick out a few pieces that I haven't worn for a while and that are in a similar colour palette and restrict myself to wearing only these things for the week. It forces me to wear certain items and also think up new ways to wear them! It also makes getting dressed that week a little easier, heh. I like only doing a week as then when I inevitably get tired of wearing those items/colours, I can go back the next week to my entire closet!

PS. I also don't like SYC. xD

cheryl

Sounds like a great plan and I think its good that you are being restrictive but still allowing yourself purchases if something wonderful comes along.

rachylou

That's great! Angie always says to love your clothes by actually wearing them!

Freckles

Thats a really sound plan thistle. Sometimes when we start shopping again its hard to figure out exactly what our style goals are so we tend to buy a little more than usual while trying to figure it out. Good luck with loving everything again.

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