I’m dealing with this too. I think I have more the problem of I just don’t need so many options, because I don’t go to work daily anymore. But I guess that really means I don’t need as many “ smart” options ( going out to lunch, dinner, theater) , let alone dressy. And I mostly won’t wear those things for just a day at home. Weird I know.
However, sort of like what Lisa said, I have some items and even combinations I wear just because I have them, or because I have 6 ways to wear item X but only really love 3 ways , so wearing not because I like it better. So a combination of not- wearing, and wearing because it’s there.
It’s a little more complicated because I do have items that I love but might not seem to be using them in the right way, but then will try it again, could be with something newer, and go, yes!- that’s what it’s for. So that keeps me holding on to some things. Or being not sure when to stop trying.
I think it was Allison Bornstein who did one of her micro- posts on how repeating things is necessary to develop a signature style. I think that’s true for me.
I edit very slowly, though that might amount to a number of things per season. Even though I sometimes think I’d like to toss 80% , I think I’d add back too quickly.
I’ve never quite settled on the “ 3 words for my style” but have a list of contenders! Still, I do my best editing when I try stuff on, or better, wear it out of the house, even just to the grocery store, and say, is THIS how I want to look? Why or why not? Something is off about fit, or, I’ve realized I need this tiny bit of feminine or dainty aspect even while wearing a lot of sporty, or track shoes, or chinos or flannel shirts. Otherwise I veer into a masculine-frumpy - invisible zone ( not cool androgynous or tomboy). I do a lot of fluid fit but I can’t do the oversized blazer thing, for example. This is not full- on flounces, ruffles or romantic style or anything , but I know it when I see it. And it has to look not precious at the same time.
Another AB thing ( I’m not stuck on her, but was most recent searches I did to get just some more of the motivation you’re talking about) is not having a “vision “ for my wardrobe. This is really just saying the same things another way- style persona, style goals, shopping list, etc but it seemed a little more broader, to give that more thought , doodle , not-shop time. Using it to edit, to move to holding zone.
I browse a lot of posts on wardrobe editing tips , because while they’re basically all the same, I still get a nugget or aha! from time to time. Or maybe it’s just like a pep talk.
I live in a 4- season climate, hot summers but not severe winters, but I run cold so I wear completely different clothes for 3-4 months in winter- very cozy, fleecy, wooly. So I have to do the seasonal swap, and one pitfiis I may overstock for the season I’m in, and then feel like I have 2-3 full wardrobes. So I’m currently working on writing down seasonal capsules- not a rigid capsule, but rather focusing on the cohesiveness of the S/S/F/W “ groups” and editing within the “ warmth levels” so that overall wardrobe doesn’t get out of control. I get spring fever for certain colors and fall cozy color zeal also, but these temperatures are similar so I almost tend to have too many items in a range tgst I actually won’t wear when it’s warm or cold! So I have a current goal of figuring out the best Spring and Fall “ same basic” items with just a few tweaks to satisfy my seasonal moods. Otherwise I’m at risk of having 4 wardrobes.
So, if you’re still awake:
Be ruthless on fit- poor fit or wrong fit for your current taste
Within a category of items, see if you can pick the best 3 or worst or rank- anything to help see what’s superfluous
Identify several “ this is ME!” outfits in different categories ( function, role) and take photos, use as benchmarks.
Make one of those dreaded pie charts on % time spent in various activity/ clothing -I think it’s ok to be slightly aspirational ( dare I say mani####) but it might be better to get to shop for new occasions! This is my pitfall- I haven’t actually accepted how casual/ comfy my situation is now, compared to prior wardrobe fabrics & tailoring . So I could join you in the pie chart challenge.
I love the Holding Zone because I need to be able to remove items for some clarity and “ can I live without it” and not go , oh no! It has helped me cull them out a few months later. But others prefer a clean break.
