A couple of recent forum posts inspired me to attack my wardrobe - and I mean attack.I've never considered myself to have a large wardrobe vis a vis other members' numbers, but after yesterday's purge, I think maybe I do . I will say that a lot of my spending and accumulating was a hazard of my job in the fashion/accessories/homedecor industry. I liked to support my customers, and usually bought things from them as a "thank you". Much of it was bought too hastily or without plan, and I'm not just a little grateful I am out of that environment now.

The inspiration:

• I retired from my "real" career in September 2020 - earlier than planned and definitely influenced by the pandemic- and still had a lot of professional /dressier clothes purchased as recently as last summer . I cannot see myself ever needing them again.
• clutter, and stuffed drawers and closets stress me out ; I function best in an orderly, clean, minimal environment with things chosen for a reason . The lack of storage in my new home has been a real problem.
• changing ideas for how I want to present myself and how I want to dress; updated ideas for social occasion dressing that better reflects my age and lifestyle reality ; I'm turning 60 soon ! Ack!
• yet another new uniform for my part-time job (provided for us , so can't wear my own stuff ) which means no need for black blazers, bomber jackets, cardigans, etc etc .

The results:

• I bagged up 57 pieces of spring/summer/all season clothing , 6 pairs of footwear (mix of sneakers, boots and sandals) 5 purses, and 3 large totes formerly used for work and too structured/big for everyday . I will probably be adding another 10 items by the time I work through my "holding zone" later today. I'm waffling on 3 pairs of shoes which if I bagged up today would leave holes I'm not prepared to fill for an other couple of weeks -( haven't had time to shop or even look online)
• I purged my holding zone of 2 denim jackets, a couple of old Aritizia sheer trench-style dress/coats and 8 blazers/moto jackets that I haven't worn in a year, and have no interest in wearing again.
• organized my now-less-jammed closet into jackets, sleeveless tops, long sleeved tops, short sleeved tops, pants, and long cardigans/toppers . I still have too many jeans for my liking, and may need to revisit this again soon.I also have a LOT of workout gear, and could probably stand to go through it again.

Lessons:

• I do not want nor need so many pairs of sandals and sneakers. I'm living with a couple of pricey mistakes from last summer and am committed to wearing them anyways rather than donating them , but am ever mindful of not settling for less than perfect. These are issues of style, not comfort . My metallic sneakers are looking tired and somewhat dated. It's a look I dove into several years ago, and it's time to update to something more elevated (not sure how else to describe it ) . Also over the whole novelty mixed-media sneaker trend, and will be sticking to classics with and edge.
• I do not want nor need so many bags or totes. I am no longer in a retail environment , visiting stores, calling on customers and attending trade shows, so this whole category has changed drastically for me. I almost never used a purse, let alone a tote, in 2020 and thus far into 2021, and what I will use now has to be quite specific.
• basic t-shirts are not my friend. Vnecks are always far too low cut , and as a category , a cotton knit t or tank rarely looks good or flatters. I want something more structured and interesting now.
• I am missing an outerwear piece - casual but graphic /interesting/modern and NOT BLACK OR GREY to wear on days just like yesterday where it didn't rise about 0C, and was cold and windy. Ideally a fun colour , not sure what it would be. At this time of year, I'm not interested in winter outerwear anymore, and need a brighter, prettier colour in a jacket warmer than a utility jacket but not a winter parka either.
• I feel I'm honestly coming into my own at this age - and don't feel the desire to "dress up" for social occasions (heeled boots, "fancy tops" etc) the way I once did . I'd rather show up in the best looking sophisticated pieces that are more relatable and realistic for a 60 year old with nothing left to prove