My Closet Edit (Loooong). - YouLookFab Forum

In one of those synchronous-moments that I often experience here, I did a sweeping closet edit two days before Angie issued her challenge (Angie is a magician!)

My motivation was less about fall wardrobe planning, or dissatisfaction with my closet, and more about making sweeping lifestyle changes. I'm trying to really get rid of everything I don't use or don't need, because it's distracting.

I've been very pleased with my wardrobe and my outfits for the past six months, and I want to keep that happiness going into cooler temps. I went through my closet and tried EVERYTHING on, including beloved favorites, and stuff in the holding zone. I made sure everything had a couple of ways it could be worn or styled, and I was a bit of a snob about fit and quality this time.

I was specific about what I wanted to keep, and what no longer has a place in my closet:

1) COLOR: It has to fit my mermaid and ocean color palette. I started with David Zyla's book, nearly two years ago, and eventually I've come up with "mermaid" as a descriptor.

What's in: glowing or saturated colors in peacock green, kelly green, jade, turquoise, pale aqua blues, seashell pinks, blush pinks. Corals and warm peachy-pinks. Also, wine reds that are 'dry', and pops of clear bright red. Metalllic pale golds, nudes, and pale silvers.

My neutrals are black, creamy white, pale camel/gold, and navy blue.

What's out: Any 'dusty' colors - olive, taupe, gray, brown, anything heathered, and any navy that looks dusty. This was hard, as I wound up listing a Roberto Cavalli skirt with an amazing celestial print, that's been somewhat of an orphan.

2) FIT/SILHOUETTE/STYLE: My clothing has to be very fitted, and with a femme-fatale 30's-40's-inspired look.

What's in: tapered and ruched pencil skirts, fitted sleeves, high-cut armholes, slim jackets and zip cardigans. Nothing cut too low. Everything has to have ease of movement. I've gathered a nice collection of Wolford pieces, which is is the backbone of my wardrobe.

What's out: Anything RATE or JFE. Everything that doesn't fit right now, or requires heavy-duty shapewear to wear. Anything oversized, baggy, or boho. Anything fussy with too much embellishment or details. Anything that doesn't look 'sharp'.

I have three skirts and two of dresses left in the holding area, because they're very close to fitting the way I want. They have until December 1st, and if they don't fit then, they're out the door.

4) That Elusive Quality of "Not Quite" That I Can't Put My Finger On: Je ne sais quoi.... these were items that fit the first two criteria of color and fit/silhouette/style. In a few cases, I got rid of things because I had better versions already in my closet. But mostly, there were things that didn't quite measure up somehow; an 'it' factor that was missing.

5) Some interesting things I've noticed about this purge:

Mainstream mall brands are out for me. I have removed nearly every new Ann Taylor, Loft, Banana Republic, J. Crew, and WHBM item I had in my closet, because of the missing elusive "it" factor. I have maybe 15 pieces left across these five brands, and nearly all of them are 4+ years old. My favorite summer shorts are older J. Crew, side-zip, linen blend, in shades of white and cream, so I'm going to keep hunting these down on eBay. And J. Crew long-sleeve artist tees in black or navy are still on my list to buy, if they stil make these.

I almost never wear belts, but when I do, they're wider, corset-style, and I wear them with skirts. Note to self, don't buy skinny belts.

I don't like things wrapped around my neck unless I'm outside in the cold. Silk scarves and turtleneck sweaters are a waste of my time, space, and money.

I dislike wearing heavy statement necklaces. So those are out.

I still have a lot of black pieces, but I've really narrowed down the amount, compared to what I previously had. But I am always going to reach for a basic black fitted tee, so I will keep buying those.

When I look back on what I wore from about April through right now, it's been mostly pencil or tube skirts. I mostly wear pants to and from yoga and dance classes, and I don't really have a need for more jeans right now. I want to work out a way to continue wearing my skirts when the temperatures drop. Warm hosiery is going to figure heavily into my shopping this fall.

My shopping list is basic fitted neutral tees, ocean-color camis, higher denier hosiery, and possibly another pair of boots, in a non-black neutral, to wear with skirts and skinny jeans.

6 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Those are really great observations, especially your insights and lessons in #5. I hear you about those mainstream mall brands -- they are so readily available that it can feel like a default, like they should just work for anyone's closet, but unless I choose carefully, they can feel a bit too conservative or traditional for my style.

I also like your observations about color.

LaPed

Nodding along with your observation about mall brands. I've actually found that this really limits the amount of local thrift-store shopping I do, because almost everything available locally is from the local mall brands -- JCrew/Talbots/LLBean. New England Stodgy! 99% of it doesn't work for me.

I know how you feel about non-winter scarves, too. It's tough for me purely from a practical standpoint. I rely on scarves as winter outerwear, and I do wear my lighter scarves but only for the right sort of occasion. On a day-to-day basis, when I'm moving around a lot, I much prefer a small pendant necklace -- they stay put, stay out of the way, and I don't need to fuss with them throughout the day. Also, I look ridiculous with a scarf in my hair, and often am not carrying the right sort of bag to wrap a scarf around the handle so I never use them that way. I shouldn't add anymore, because they are suck limited-use items for me.

Your colour palette sounds so gorgeous, even though its almost diametrically opposed to my own!

Nomad

Active Member

I looove your mermaid/ocean palette, and that's such a smart and discriminating way to sort through your wardrobe.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

YOU DID GREAT, LBD, and I am very proud of you. A very inspirational edit. These are astute and helpful observations that will help you maintain your happy style life.

I absolutely hear you on mainstream retailers. The inconsistent quality is very annoying. That said, and FWIW - may I suggest not ruling out retailers completely because they don't have what you want in a season. Remember that retailers change their focus every season, and it's good to keep an open mind. One of my most WOW dresses this year came from BR - of all places! It looks designer, is very dramatic, and beautifully made. VERY unexpected.

Also, mainstream retailers can be excellent sources for simple and affordable essentials. I just bought these body con tops from BR recently that are the BOMB. They wash and wear very well and fit extremely well. All sold out for good reason - or I'd have bought more.

Banana Republic

Eyelet Maxi Dress

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Top Pick

Rib-Knit Crew-Neck Sweater Top

Suz

Your colour palette sounds gorgeous! Would love to see a photo of some of your remaining items! It must look sensational on you. I love "mermaid" as a descriptor for you; it fits with everything I've learned about your aspirational style and also with your personal colouring.

I am with you 100% on wanting to find a way to wear dresses and skirts more frequently this year in cooler temps. I really loved my dresses in summer and feel determined to continue wearing some. I'm still on the hunt for a great casual fall dress or two and a midi skirt.

Great job on identifying what works and what does not work for you. I hear you on your frustration with some of the mall brands. I do rely on them an awful lot (more than I would like) but lately I have found it more and more difficult. I rarely find what I want there. And even essential items haven't been working out. But it does change season by season.

kkards

I’m impressed with how well you have defined what you are wearing and, just as importantly, what you are not. Clearly you have done the hard work on your style and your needs.

Anonymous

Amazing closet edit. GREAT read. Interesting observations about mainstream mall retailers.

Sal

Thanks - great observations! Sounds like a great rethink and a targeted shopping list.

Staysfit

Your mermaid palette sounds wonderful, and has some similarities to my Mediterranean beach palette. I found having a tight color palette very helpful, and I love that you have clearly been able to rule out what you no longer find useful for your style and honed in on exactly the core features that work best for you.

Kudos to you for being able to get through your edit, trying everything on in only two days!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

I didn't know Wolford made anything other than tights...

I have this itch to try on everything I own and throw away half of it, but I think that's more about a need for control in my life than any real need to edit that severely.

unfrumped

Sounds delish! Good work.

I am trying to hone in on my colors, descriptors and similar to use for editing decisions. I’ll mull over yours for some inspiration.

Stagiaire Fash

When I started reading, I thought “wow, her colors are so close to mine!” And then I saw no heathered colors for you and the brakes squealed. That’s they way the rest of this read for me—total agreement or complete disagreement, very little in the middle. I thought that was curious.

I love dresses and skirts in the winter! It is so easy to bundle up in jeans or heavy pants with bulky sweaters and thick scarves, so you forget entirely what shape your body is—you just get what my son recently referred to as the “phone booth” look, lol. But a swingy skirt with boots and slightly more fitted pieces on top makes all the difference. I hope you enjoy wearing yours this winter!

Runcarla

After completing my wardrobe edit, I made a colour chart with paint chips that I matched up to the clothing in my closet. It now lives in my purse for quick reference. I am putting sticky notes on it with notes on what to look for - not just colour, but styles and items - in order to avoid future mistakes.

Joy

So inspirational! Afrer reading this, I really want to come up with a color pallet. Every single time I have tried in the past, it has helped me eliminate a bunch from my closet, but I start craving the colors again. It must be a flattering pallet that I really love wearing. A good friend wears deep reds and greens with some navy . My sister's best friend wears only pink, purple and turquoise. I wish I could be more like that. Buying only tomato in the red pallet has helped. Any hints on how to discipline color choices I are appreciated.

Jaime

A pleasure to read about your laser focused sense of style and how it translates to your closet editing. Only thing missing is a few illustrations ! Interesting about mall brands - I wear almost exclusively second hand these days, and am fortunate enough to find a lot of designer clothes for incredibly cheap prices, but will still happily wear a few mainstream gems. My biggest issue is usually the material - I have become much less tolerant of polyester lately.

cindysmith

Very impressive! Like, the amount of editing, and the thought that went into the edit. Very well done!

Joy, why would you want a pallet that restricts you from wearing colors you like, if they look good on you?

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