My wardrobe strategies for 2013

Hello ladies,

While I was absent from the forum I did some thinking about what I want from my wardrobe during the year ahead of us. In 2012, I spent quite a lot more on clothes than I normally do, and I have realized that this can't continue in 2013. My main goal this year is to save up for a trip to China with my daughters and my mother to celebrate my mother's 70th birthday next year. This would be a very significant trip for our family, and it means a lot to me to reach this goal. If I keep up my spending, it might not happen.

But - I still love to buy beautiful clothes, be stylish, and still I have more wants than needs. What to do? I have planned three strategies:

1. I've established a family budget with a reasonable amount of "fun money" for me each month. I will be using these money for going out with friends, wardrobe shopping, but most important, saving up for traveling. There is also another post in the family budget for clothing for everybody, and when this relatively small amount is used, I have to use my "fun" money to get anything else.

2. "12 in 12": I know for sure that I will be wanting something new this year, too, or else I will get very bored with my clothes. I want to stay current. I'm allowing myself the maximum of 12 new wardrobe items this year, preferably less. What I buy must be filling a hole in my wardrobe, and preferably be classic enough to have stayer quality. I aim for basics that will last me for 4-5 years, and more trendy pieces that at least will last two seasons. Whatever I buy must be something I adore, because I must love to wear it a lot.

3. Project 333: I have been reading about downsizing on several minimalist blogs, Project 333, the Vivienne files and so on lately, and I've made plans for a similar project with my own wardrobe. I love the idea of a minimalist wardrobe, consisting of only favorites. Keeping it small should help avoiding unnecessary spending, and also help me to get more wear out of everything. I'm creating a core wardrobe of 30 pieces+3 capsules (1 shoes, 2, bags, 3 acessories) for every quarter of the year. This core will consist of pieces that can be replaced within the limits of my budget and the 12 x 12 rule. If I buy anything new, something old must be donated/sent to trash. The rest of my wardrobe will be packed away. When I edit my Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall capsules/cores next year, I probably will be donating a lot of the clothes that didn't make it into my wardrobe during 2013, OR didn't get any wear despite being included the capsule.

What do you think? is this a good plan for saving up, sizing down and still be able to refresh my wardrobe sufficiently?

13 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

Great plan Ingunn! I think I am on the same page in a lot of ways as you. I have also spent a lot recently on clothes. I got back to being in shape from my baby and "needed" and wanted quite a few things. But like you, I have bigger priorities, like mainly paying off my mortgage. I would rather channel our extra money into that, then clothing, especially since I feel my wardrobe is close to being perfect. I also identify with the minimalist direction you want to go in. Both with my style and size of wardrobe. I do feel like mine is getting close to being composed of favorite pieces, and they work well and suit my life. So I don't think I need much more, which is why I've just identified a few pieces I might get this year (already got 2!) and nothing else.

I think you have a great plan on the go, and I'm happy to see someone with similar goals as me, as maybe it can help us both the keep in check! I would love to compare wardrobes later to see how far we've come, and start to see what kind of remixable outfits we can make. Should be fun!

Mona

Wow Ingunn! this sounds like a great plan. I was sure that after the break from forum you will come back with some great insights. If it is not too much work for you, can you please show us your 30 itemsÉ
A trip to China! So exciting!

Krista

Wow, Ingunn! This is a great plan. There's nothing like a family trip to keep us accountable. Looking forward to hearing and seeing all of your insights as the year progresses!

Anonymous

Sounds like a well-reasoned plan...and what a goal to look forward to!

Suz

(website)

As usual, Ingunn, your thinking seems spot-on to me! I actually came up with a very similar idea quite recently (the 30 items per quarter idea, I mean) although I hadn't quite determined the number of items I'd need per quarter, and I assumed there would be some overlap between quarters. I'm not quite ready for a one-in/ one-out policy (still have some wardrobe holes) but I am getting a whole lot closer there. And in the meantime, I am sort of using one-in/ one-out in those areas where I do not have holes, e.g. blazers.

Have you decided how many shoes/ bags/ accessories per quarter you'll allow or are you giving yourself a bit of freedom there?

By the way, if you want to talk about China travel, please feel free to get in touch!

Vix

Hi Ingunn --

Sounds like a plan that makes sense for you.

Since you mention the quarterly capsules, my only thought would be whether you would want to bunch up your 12 for 12 into quarterly numbers (if possible for your budget). This could be a dollar amount or a item number (3).

Since you mentioned the risk of boredom, I just thought it might be more fun for you to have those new quarterly items up front to allow you to maximize what you do with them.

OTOH I know the original plan lets you get the hit of something new once a month and lessens the chance of adding "just a bit more" to the budget or number!

Good luck and let us know how it's going!

Ingunn

Thank you for your input, ladies! I'm glad to hear that my plans seem reasonable. The main reason why this China trip is so important is that my mother was born there during WW2, my grandparents were missionaries. While still a toddler, she and her family were expelled from the country under critical circumstances. My uncle was newborn, and my grandmother was very sick from typhoid. They had to travel by train through Siberia for weeks, and finally returned safely to Norway. This story is an important part of our family mythology, and I've always dreamed of seeing the country where my mother was born. She has never returned, so it is about time, don't you agree? I also want to share this experience with my children. We plan to go by train from Moscow to Beijing.

Of course I can post my Winter wardrobe, Mona! Thank you for asking. I will post it in a new thread and explain the idea behind it there.

Suz - I'd love to hear more about your China experiences! Will definitely get in touch about that.

celia

Ingunn this sounds like a very well thought plan.

The reason why you want to go to China is so amazing, being able to do that must be a dream come true and some kind of closure for your family.Being able to revisit the past that way is an opportunity in a lifetime.

Carole

This sounds like a great strategy, Ingunn, and your goals sound very reasonable. I have been toying around with the project 333 concept as well, it seems the perfect solution for paring down and curbing shoppping habits.

This trip of a lifetime you are planning is well worth the sacrifice and the rewards will be countless, I am sure!

Looking forward to you sharing the process with us.

Transcona Shannon

Very impressive Ingunn! I too am working towards only having LOVE items in my wardrobe. I hope you will be posting updates on this process from time to time as I would be interested in following it - and learning from you!

nancylee

This sounds like a well-reasoned plan, Ingunn. It sounds like you know your needs and your current wardrobe very well, plus you have a specific goal (the trip) for your saved money, so this is a good time to try a new approach. Thanks for sharing the story behind your interest in China. Such a fascinating family history!

I am hoping to set out some sort of similar plan for myself this year since I've spent a lot on clothing during 2011-12. Your plan is an inspiration for me to get crackin'.

JulieJohn

I saw the title of your post, and that it was from you, and I thought, "I'd better get myself a nice cup of tea before I read this." And I'm glad I did, because your posts are always thought-provoking and pithy.

I love the idea of curbing expenses to save for something really good. I am strangely in the opposite boat, after years of hating shopping I am finally realizing how to do it right! So I *need* to shop frequently to avoid impulse buying of the wrong things. However, I can see this easily becoming a strain on my meager budget, so I'm glad your thoughts came along. I need to practice good budgeting strategies even while I am filling sadly neglected wardrobe holes. Thanks for the thoughts.

rachylou

I should take a page from your book is what(!)

I don't get that, Rachylou:) Sorry about my limited understanding of English.

ETA: Aha! Please do, it's my pleasure (I googled your idiom - what a telling expression.)

Category