Not sure if this is a good or bad thing

. . . but I am looking at past season stuff in my closet and just not that thrilled about it. I'm thinking it needs to be purged by the end of this season and not come back to CA when we move back. Some things I'm already setting aside after a week of being here! For a serial clothes hoarder, this is a big step - to get rid of things that aren't worn out or totally dated, but that I've just personally moved on from. I guess that part is good, but the corollary is, that means I will indefinitely be spending about $1000 a year to update my wardrobe. That's not so good. I know we all agree a closet is never 'finished' and it's a journey, but I did like the idea that soon I'd be slowing way down to buying just a few choice pieces each season. Guess that's not to be lol!

13 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mo, it may be that your style has changed more this year? It may not be as 'bad' each year --- have heart!

But I agree (as a fellow hoarder) that it is actually a *good* thing that you can so easily recognize it's time to move on and readily let go! Congratulations on that refreshing attitude.

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Congrats, Mo! I see this as a good thing - it shows you are aware of your style even as it changes. I can even see you spending less as the seasons go by, because you will continue to hone that awareness and only buy items that say Mo Right Now. Eventually you may find a signature style that "sticks" over a span of many seasons.

13 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I've had this happen too. As my style evolved I found more and more of my clothes I just didn't want to wear. Now I try to be careful of trendy items, since I've learned that they do not hold my interest long. I also seem to go through phases so I'm trying to stick to more basics that I know I don't tire of (for example, bootcut jeans or boots) and only add a little of the "new" styles for me (for example, I added one pair of cobalt trousers and one pair of boyfriend jeans this year, that was enough variety for me to feel I mixed up my look). I also am more prone to try "new" items at a lower price point and if I see it becomes a workhorse, then I can upgrade later. I think you are doing well on your style journey if you are identifying items that no longer suit your taste. It's always an evolution.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I think I will look at it as a positive, then. Explaining to the BF that I will be always spending on new clothes will just have to be the hurdle.
Much of what isn't interesting me are my more girly or less streamlined things. Sandals with a leather flower on them, cotton sundresses with full skirts. Instead I'm buying belts with nailhead studs on them and gladiator sandals and a leather cuff bracelet. But I still really like feminine stuff and a good ruffle here and there. Maybe it's simply that at 42 I feel like dressing like a woman more. It will be interesting to see where this takes me.
I do want to heed the brevity of trends, and not go overboard on things only to look into my closet next year feeling the same way I do now about last year's things! That's the trick. Perhaps keeping this in mind will naturally lead me to a smaller wardrobe and wearing what I have more often.

13 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Based on what you will be editing how many items will you need to replace? Will you be happy with a smaller wardrobe?

It also feels as though there has been a fashion shift of late and I believe the clothes we are buying this season will feel fresh for a while to come (that is what I am telling myself).

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Mo, I think it's good too. I've gone through some similar realizations in the last year, even more in the last six months! Some things that were new to me last summer I'm not so crazy about this summer, and I'm finding they're also the "girlier" things. I do think age has a little bit to do with it, but also a shift in trends.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Oh, good - I'm not alone! You all are sensing a bigger shift in trends as well.
RoseandJoan, smaller is all relative lol. I have a good 150 items (about 180 with shoes) so 'smaller' is like 110 or something. But living between 2 opposing climates keeps me in as many sandals as boots, so it's not to be avoided really.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I think it's a really good thing. Your closet is large enough that you could purge some things you don't want to wear and not exactly have to replace them. Some of your major investments lately have been footwear/jackets and they will be with you for a long time.

You were really ahead of the curve last summer when you started wearing looser tops. I remember thinking, "she has such a killer bod that she really could wear more fitted shirts" but you knew what you were doing! Angie saw this coming back in 2007:

http://youlookfab.com/2007/10/.....watershed/

and it's finally in full swing. Even as trends come and go, silhouette changes take more time to fully take hold. What I'm saying is: I don't think you will fall out of love with the things you've been buying this year any time soon. It just might be time to let some of your older things go--or put them in hidden storage and see how that feels.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

While I agree with everyone else that it's a good thing indeed, I'm also wondering if you should let things settle a bit. You have moved locations so many times, and I know that for me, life transitions (even packing for a trip) always make me feel like I need a wardrobe overhaul. I may be off base and I have seen your style evolving along the way - just thought i'd ask though!

13 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

I think you will find that even if you only set aside the things that aren't thrilling you right now, you have a very well developed wardrobe and will enjoy all the things you still love.
Our tastes do change but the shopping skills you possess combined with your ability to pick what is flattering on you is part of you and will always be expressed even as your sense of style continues to change and evolve.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Wow, you all really give me more credit than I deserve lol. I have moved the 'questionable' items to the side for now. And a funny thing happened when I counted what I had left.

with 20 tops I could wear each just once a month
my 5 skirts would be worn twice a month
5 shorts also twice a month
out of my 11 dresses, 5 of the more casual could be worn twice a month and the rest (6) only once each until the very end of the year

this provides me with a full 31 outfits every month and no item would be worn more than a dozen times in the 6 months we plan on being here.

Of course not everything would be worn in these exact frequencies, but it is interesting to play with the numbers in my head. Yes, the numbers geek in me totally digs these kinds of things! So, I essentially 'have enough' even with pushing my meh items aside.
Must repeat to self: "I have enough. I have enough." LOL

EDIT: Una, I totally get what you are saying but if I'm honest with myself, these items (besides the maxi dress) weren't getting any love long before the recent move. I figure they will be lounge wear while I'm here but just haven't earned a spot to be packed back up for Cali

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13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The more I hone and know my style, the more I spend. That is because I become more and more style-involved, pickier, and more eager to experiment with trends at the same time. (So I make mistakes, which costs money, but it's fun while I'm doing it.) When I go through phases of my life when I'm not thinking about clothes very much, that is when I spend way less, content to wear things that aren't at the peak of fashion.

I think an annual budget of $1000 is actually very reasonable.

Mo, it's ALWAYS a good idea to purge your wardrobe. I am doing it all the time but I still feel like I have too many clothes.

13 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Malina, I think your style has become much more streamlined and refined (uncluttered, sophisticated but not aging) in the past year, and it really suits you. I'm thinking of the difference between the flirtier, ruffled items you wore more often in the past, vs. items like your cropped blush leather jacket that incorporate "feninine" details (romantic color, the ribbon-like edge) but in a way that is modern but not faddish or something likely to date in a hurry. Same thing with that olive colored dress you have. The quality of the items that you bring into your closet. These items in particular look like they are higher quality but still laid back and comfortable. They don't look like transitory items that won't last, either physically or in terms of their trendiness, and there is a more timeless quality about them.
Maybe it's time to pause and assess where you want your style journey to go before you introduce any new pieces. In terms of the items you feel you are ready to part with, what patterns do you notice that they have in common? (Styles, colors, prints, fabrics, fit...)

13 years ago

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