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My closet is changing

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I did a little mini-closet-edit today as I got dressed -- there were a couple of things I wanted to pull out for alterations, and I found myself pulling out the stacks of knits and jeans and rifling through the hanging tops. About 8 items went into my holding zone (likely to be donated a couple of months down the line), another half dozen into the donation bag, and a small handful in a pile to sell on eBay.

Once I was done, I refolded and restacked things on the shelves, and I noticed a few things that have changed over the last six months or so:

- The color scheme in my closet has narrowed, perhaps a little too much when it comes to my cold weather items. I could stand to add some pretty color *other than blue or green*. Plum and berry tones would be nice. Burgundy seems to get rave reviews when I wear it.

- Prints have dwindled. I'm getting choosier about prints. Plaid is now well-represented, but I've tired of some of my old printed items, or the fit is not quite right anymore.

- There is less in there. The stacks of tops and sweaters used to fill those shelves.

Not sure what all this means for my style evolution, but I'm happy with my closet and I'm actually pretty psyched about being more selective when it comes to new items entering my clean, organized, cohesive space.

Is your closet changing?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

deb

Veteran

Yes, Mine is changing also. I like the colors in yours although, I see why you want more color. My prints are all plaid with a couple of stripes, now. I really need to do some culling also. Good job.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Deb!

Funny, looking at the last photo, I'm seeing two more jackets that need to go into the holding zone or the donate bag… I barely looked at the jackets today.

Mona

Veteran

First of all, your closet is so neat and organized and a treat to look at. Wow! Closet purging feel wonderful and how awesome that you have realized which colours you would like to add. This inspires me to do some cleaning in my closet too.

Thistle

Veteran

Gorgeous! It sounds like you are really honing your style. Less in the closet, but happy with what is there and the feeling that there is more to wear? Sign me up!!

jackiec

Veteran

Well done! What an uplifting feeling Your closet looks great! Mine is gradually becoming more and more efficient.

Alassë

Veteran

Good job! I hope you find your burgundy.

Anonymous

The organizer in me loves looking at closets. Yours are well organized and beautiful.

My closet is in flux as well. At the start of every new year, I do a massive re-organization (entire house). I am more than 85 percent done.

Like you, I have much less in my closet than I used to have, but I much more clothing choices to wear. I love it. Unlike you, I started incorporating prints for the first time in my life. I got to feeling so comfortable, I started taking chances with new things ... prints.

Oh, and I bought the Fossil Sydney Satchel in fuchsia. I have been following Staysfit's post on her new bags and I am seriously considering duplicating the backpack she bought in blush pink. I considered white, but I think pink will work better in my wardrobe.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Love photos of organised wardrobes Most of the colour in my wardrobe is blue or green too - I want to branch out into brick red for winter. I'm the same with prints I find prints in neutral colours more versatile.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

I love a good edit. And style evolution when you are interested in fashion, is inevitable.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yay! Looks good. I agree that you look smashing in burgundy.

I too love an organized-looking, not overstuffed closet. It makes me feel happy -- like I've got at least one little piece of my chaotic life under control, lol.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Beautifully tidy! I love a closet edit. It's a great feeling. And it sounds as if you are happy with where you're at and ready for the next step in the evolution.

Anonymous

Your tidy closet is inspiring! Mine is changing, especially when it comes to prints. I have become much more fussy about them. I still like stripes and kimono type prints, checks, plaid, polkadots and some animal prints. I want prints to be simple and not high contrast. Very few florals remain.
I am also trying to move to lighter neutrals year round and most of my hope-to-find list are pieces in white or light neutrals...a sweater dress, a sheath dress, a summer skirt, silky track pants. And footwear.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm admiring your closet, Janet. It's interesting to read your discoveries. It's good to recognize what you want more of (colors, and certain ones) and what you have moved away from. My closet is not changing, no. It is neglected and needs to be groomed.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Brava on the closet edit! Your last set of outfits was a beautiful example of casual consistency --- they are so wearable, but also flattering and updated.

We have different styles, but the same colors in our closets!

I vacillate between more in the blue/teal category and the berry/purple side of the equation, too. I find I tire of only cool or only berry tones -- it has to be both. I also find that I will change color values over the seasons, so burgundy lightens to raspberry, teal likes to turquoise, cobalt lightens to chambray.

It's grey that sucks the life out of me, and I don't understand it.

Anonymous

I do love a peek into other peoples closets Yours looks so neat and tidy and I'm loving the look of your colours, but I agree that a little more would be the way to go. I love you in burgundy too, so it's a great place to start. Well done on reaching near Closet Nirvana!

Summer

Veteran

There's nothing like a closet-edit to re-focus the mind. The very act of moving things around seems to provide a fresh insight into what we really love, and what we may be wearing simply out of habit. I'm feeling the need to do this, also. Isn't it strange how something that was once a favourite suddenly feels less appealing?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I've been doing bascially the same as you Janet - I have just a few patterns, mostly plaid and just a few animal print, a couple of striped things but I don't wear those much. I have to admit much of what I've culled was due to fit - too fitted for my current taste. Some crossbody bags I can't use due to them weighing too much on one shoulder, a few shoes. I have a big holding drawer that is stuffed full and I still should cull a few more things (jackets are one of those for me too).

It feels so much better actually having less in the closet. Most of what I have now are things that I will wear. A few items I only wear on occassion, I think I have to blame that on the fabric not being as soft and comfy as I want because I am just so picky about that. I can't stand crunchy feeling fabrics. Even some of my linen is just too stiff. I've tried using various softeners but I've learned going forward simply never to buy something that doesn't feel really good to my hands.

Susie

Veteran

Your closet look terrific. It sounds like this cull was part of your natural progression...no big project, just easily identifying some pieces that you just aren't feeling anymore and moving them out without a lot of angst. That's what my edits are like at this point. I too use a holding zone but I honestly don't anticipate bringing any of the pieces I currently have there back into my wardrobe. I LOVE having less in my closet when everything in there just works.

I hear you on the prints. I have many more solids than prints but I do like interesting textures and tone on tone patterns. I have a fairly narrow range of colors but it feels like enough. I have purples/berries/burgundies and some blues. While I love teal, I don't love it with some shades of denim so I've shied away from it.

My primary motivator these days seems to be how things feel, both in terms of physical comfort (nice fabric, nothing uncomfortable, no fussing/fixing needed) as well as just feeling like me and liking how I look in something; feeling confident enough to just go on about my day.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

You are doing well. I too am holding myself accountable the next few months. I don't need anything right now and have most of my winter work and play wear that should tide me over. I did take a load of clothes to good will and feel pretty good about it. I'm also allowing myself a budget of $250 a month so that I don't spend needlessly and look at quality rather than quantity. If I don't use it, I can carry it over to the next month. So far so good.

Currently, my wardrobe has solid colored sweaters, with dark bottoms including plaid, a few printed tops (some floral or stripe). I've been making do.

And I've been good about not purchases any shoes. That's a good thing.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

"Hi, Janet's Closet!"

"I'm Vicki's Closet and I think we have a lot in common as we're moving in the same direction!"

These are great observations as we continue to curate and refine ourselves. I've noticed that my colors have narrowed, as well, to navy, creams, and a few berries. My prints have diminished, too, with stripes and plaids taking center stage. Of course, my cat print and the clock polkadot shirts hold center court.

I'm about to donate some oversized, baggy and dated navy striped pants, because I don't like the silhouette on me and I have three pairs of black flared/wide-leg pants that need to be donated. Add to that a couple of bright jackets (solid yellow and rust floral print) and some unworn dresses (teal and the Magic Nine West red print dress) and my closet is feeling more space and the clothes and hangers can actually swish.

I salute your style evolution and being more selective, Janet! Your closet looks great.

crutcher

Veteran

Well. it means your style evolution is doing just that...evolving...Your closet looks organized and ready for someone to peruse and select...Good for you...
I am into the subjective that Angie suggested where the item must make my heart sing...I know the feeling..I walk by..run my hand over my article and I smile...
Otherwise, I am more into the pattern of white, creme, black and grey...
I guess we are all participating in the YLF Evolutionary Process and it does feel good...smile...

MsMaven

Veteran

I love seeing closets arranged by color--such a beautiful rainbow. I love your color range for the colder seasons. I think it helps with shopping as well. It certainly has helped me to realize I don't need to buy yet another black top.

Inspired by so many YLF closet purges and refinements, I've been working on it as well. My most difficult challenge comes from trying to stay with "one in, one out," and hanging on to clothes that no longer fit, just in case.

rachylou

Veteran

I am purging "tropical fruit" colours...

Anonymous

I'm having much the same experience , Janet. Big major purge in the fall, and finding my closet tidy and with all visible, but....little if no colour, little if no print, and still a lot of repetition. Like you, I'd like to add in colour, but as excited as I am to do it, I'm a bit scared. Colour can go wrong really quickly, and a closet ends up looking like the mature ladies department at Sears. I know that department well, thank you very much (buys her mothers' clothes there Same with prints. I want, yet I don't know exactly WHAT I want. Maybe these wants are based on just not seeing colour and print. Maybe I don't really want them? I don't know . I love a good clean-and-sort. Your closet looks good - lots of jackets in colour -so you are good in that aspect.

Ariadne

Veteran

Your closet looks wonderfully serene and inviting.

I've been purging for a year or so and just did more today. The only prints I have are two plaids and a couple of stripes. I have a ton of gray and navy/ink, denim, a splash of burgundy, one or two teal items, some white, and a tiny bit of blush and taupe (mostly packed away for spring/summer) and that's about it. I want to add a few more colours from my palette such as berries and pinks, and maybe a touch of green and cool lilac, but I'm really happy with my slimmed-down wardrobe.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Nothing says "New Year" like a closet purge!
Janet, you already have a stunning and enviable closet (cobalt moto! patina vest! BCBG long jacket! - the list of stunners goes on) so editing of what is not as stellar is a very natural thing to you to do. It looks good and I bet feels even better.
Here is for more burgundy in your life for this year!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I added some berry tones to my closet this fall/winter, and all of a sudden my happiness factor went up when I opened the doors. They have really balanced the overall look of the place. I do have to laugh though. You say you want to add colour... I have so much less colour than you do and I'm happy :). I also have very little pattern... A couple of plaid shirts, and a few striped sweaters. Everything else is solid.

So now I'm happy, I need to do some editing. A touch more space would be nice.

Congrats on yours, look as great! And let me know if you're getting rid of those joie jeans, huh :).