One very good thing - YouLookFab Forum

I really like knowing what I like. It has made life so much simpler. It took decades trying out various possibilities and personas and that was fun, but it’s down to a uniform for the foreseeable future.
We’ve moved a few times in the last few years and each time I culled the stuff I really like from all the rest. So it’s now a pretty tight edit on what functions for me and is worth taking on the journey.
Also, as many have mentioned here, I have more disposable income than the younger, experimental me had.
All of which is to say, it’s finally time to put that “investment clothing” philosophy in effect. Having one good thing rather than several less satisfactory things. Sufficing no more.
So, still within my means (unless I lose my mind once in a while), what items are available that would be both lovely and very, very useful?
I started with every day, high touch items. I bought just what I wanted, and donated the rest of the category. So down to two purses/totes. One really nice daypack for hiking. One suitcase. Empty closet shelves!
One pair of really good sunglasses. Adios, slightly dinged drug store car glasses. Eyes are thrilled.
Two superb scarves, one silk for winter, one cotton for summer.
Like that.
At this age, the good stuff really can last a lifetime.
With the exception of some sentimental items, I look forward to thinking through clothes, art, and furnishings before the next move.
The real payoff is, once I have best in show item(s), that whole category disappears from mind. No desire for improvements, no looking, nothing.
Knowing what I like seemed to be the key. Anyone who thinks fashion is shallow is very funny.

3 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Brava! This really resonated with me. As a second hand shopper I am used to making do with what I find. Well after many years of intense thrifting and working in thrift shops, I realize I no longer need to do that - I can only keep the best of and not the what if one days. Still working on the implementation though .
I also appreciated your last line. I have mentioned this before, but I have a long time beef with the disrespect fashion gets compared to cooking and sports to name just two analogous topics.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

VERY satisfying, Olive Green! How wonderful to have a perfect-for-you wardrobe that is easy to maintain, and a joy to wear. Well done!

Ket

he real payoff is, once I have best in show item(s), that whole category disappears from mind. No desire for improvements, no looking, nothing.
Knowing what I like seemed to be the key.
So good!! I love your thoughts and realizations about it. You have intrigued me as well. <3

Lisa

Excellent job creating a wardrobe that works for you and makes you happy because you've figured out what you like and what you truly need. This is quite inspirational! Thanks for sharing!

Suz

How satisfying to find exactly what works and then enjoy the heck out of it! Brava for all the thinking, experimenting, and refining that prepared the ground for this moment!

AndiB

After scheduling a donate pickup for next Friday I’ve spent the last three weeks picking away at closets and adding to donate bags. I’ve made fully three passes (three!) on my second season closet and still finding things to purge. May do another round on my main closet. I just don’t want so much stuff. I want to keep the better for sure but honestly I’d be happy wearing a neutral top (black in winter white in summer, with on trend jeans and shoes and a third piece) than the miasma that is my three closets. You’ve really inspired me!

Suntiger

I'm mostly trying to do this, though I did buy a second pair of rx sunnies cause I wear them all the time! I try to be as minimal as I can without creating laundry bottlenecks. Though I wash clothes at least twice a week, I hang things to dry, so they're out of commision for a few days.

RobinF

Sounds very satisfying! I am not good about culling the so-so items. Need to improve.

Olive Green

Suntiger, once I have a best of show type item, I can safely duplicate. For instance, I have duplicate colours of all cotton capris or long shorts that are a summer staple, precisely because I know that I can sweat through a couple of pairs a day. Same with tshirts, Birkenstocks, Oboz clogs, and long tunic shirts I thrift.
Jaime, your eye for interesting and well made items is so refined, I would love to see your best in show items, and why they are so wearable. It would be a tutorial. I thrift cotton and linen blouses because often, the quality and condition is so much better, and the details a little more interesting.
Ket, I am taking up knitting as a way to get a perfect fit in a hefty sweater, my mom’s homemade sweaters are getting older, and they are among my favourite pieces. Handmade is a great vibe.
Suz, l love clothes, always have. Women who think about fashion are almost always interesting.
Lisa, you are a bit of an inspiration. Commit to the bit!
Andi B, right on! That is how this started with me. Not wearing the failures or not quite rights was my first eye opener. Did not miss them.
Angie, a lot of this is your fault, lol. Such a stunning and consistent example of dressing and civility. Thanks so much!

Olive Green, glad you've duplicated items to prevent bottlenecks! Imperative to have multiples for hot sticky weather.

And I'm blushing at your awfully generous compliment. Thank you

Firecracker (Sharan)

What a great read, wise and very inspiring, Olive Green. I could not do with just two bags--LOL! But I would like to get to where you are with culling the "less satisfactory" items.

I used to move quite often, and it did encourage a certain amount of clean-out. Although, with moves paid for by the employer and a very generous weight limit, extreme editing was not necessary. Still, I am feeling the effects of having lived in the same house for going on 10 years now. Sometimes I get a yearning to move, just to clean the slate. Then I think: why not clean out as if I were going to move, without the actual move? There are always other distractions. But one day, maybe I will just do it.

Dee

Very inspiring to hear that you've refined and simplified your wardrobe to only the best of what you like and use.

I love this idea in theory but for me, I find my ideals are constantly changing, even at 64 and so although I'd love to simplify aspects of my wardrobe, my stronger need for variety makes this quite challenging.

2 weeks ago

I'm excited to have another knitter in our midst! Learning to knit well enough to modify the pattern to accommodate one's body shape and body needs is so freeing. I'm excited to see what you knit!

Ket it’s been decades since I knitted, but have cleverly ordered a nice slubby flecked wool to hide the tension and counting errors. I could not imagine doing the rather delicate fingering stuff you do.
Dee we have some delicious choices in clothes, with all the colour and textures and I do like a ruffle, but after passing on so many clothes, it feels fine to know that the probability of keeping these uniform items is high. That said, I take risks with a thrift item occasionally, and the answer is still nope. Sure that will change again.
Sharan I want to be there when your donation bags hit the store. Virtue and discipline would be out the door. The big move was 7 years ago, and it was such a chore that I cant face doing it again. Fortunately, they took all the furnishings with the house last time. But art, what do you do with that?

Jenni NZ

I have loved this post! I tend to keep too many things in all categories not just wardrobe but all possessions. Living on the same piece of land for 33 years doesn’t help me clear much, though we did do something of a clear-out when we built the second house in the back yard 2018.
I will try to do more, maybe after retirement?

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