You do make that uniform jacket work for you - love the super fun scarf and earrings! You look great - stylish and at the same time appropriate for the work .

Ummmm why do you have the magic ability to make that work outfit look so good? I was getting ready to see something hideous and there you are looking fab as usual!

Sorry you have to wear a new uniform, but happy for your closet! No before and after pics?

Sharan - congratulations on your retirement ! It’s been a funny time of reckoning . Even if I did return to some kind of full time work , it’s not going to be at the management level . That ship has sailed .

Jenni - do I miss my career ? Surprisingly not . I miss the money , that’s for sure , but I could never return to that level of pressure again . I’m a lot less driven now - which was unexpected . Not bored either . I never felt the urge to explain the size of my wardrobe or why I had such churn -but it wasn’t the only factor in having such a large collection of clothing. ( I did read the comments in the “ I never make fashion mistakes “ post , btw )

Carla - I’ve been looking at those Uniqlo jackets . It’s not quite what I want though . In my mind’s eye , I see a mid - thigh , nylon or even heavy cotton zip front cocoon shaped coat . It would be robin’s egg blue , mid pink even , maybe white ? Contrasting zipper , maybe a drawstring hem or neck . Might as well make it myself I understand the usefulness of a lightweight puffer but after a winter of wearing them .....

Suz- so let me know when you find us an interesting spring jacket As to the blazers , I kept my core collection of the best ones . But honestly ? I can’t see them being the first things I reach for when social life returns .

I know you detest it, but your work outfit + jacket doesn’t look bad! Is the gym cold? If I were bustling around I think I would get hot in a fleece jacket.

Congratulations on your retirement! Doesn’t it feel great?

I retired in 2019, will turn 60 this year, & am doing the same thing. My lifestyle is already different, & the quarantine has made it even more so. I have taken stock of everything I own & have purged & donated a lot, but am left with things I honestly enjoy wearing. Also, there’s something to be said about having less stuff.

Janet - yes , the gym is freezing and the fitness staff are bundled up even in the summer. . I’m in a separate area so this is ok. Not at all what I’d wear in the summer though , but apparently this isn’t a fashion show Janet’s majorette jacket is really great , I agree . No need for it though !

I found this very thought provoking on a tangent if that makes sense. I realized I have never worked in an environment that had a dress code. Not non-profit in NYC, not hi-tech in Tel Aviv, not non-profit in Tel Aviv, obviously not remote work wherever. I don't mean there weren't social parameters but nothing that really impinged on my style, such that it may be. Anyway, I think paring down your wardrobe to what you want to wear and realizing you have nothing to prove are both brilliant steps. And you look pretty amazing in your work outfit, given that jacket .

Lisa, you have done an amazing job purging your wardrobe.
I love your comment "nothing to prove". I am going to write those three words and stick on inside my closet door! Should have done that years ago, but it never occurred to me. Ha
And I have sorry you are required to wear something you don't like.

So well done! I have lots of reactions, and I’m up early this morning with time on my hands, so I’ll share.

- Re: Buying things as a thank you or an obligation - Oh, I can imagine! I have had times when I have done this, and I don’t even work in the industry! I can fall into this trap in nicer boutiques with good customer service — it’s easy to feel obligated to thank a helpful, friendly SA by buying something, even if I’m not 100% sure of the item. It’s not that I feel outside pressure so much as a desire to reciprocate with a little business. I haven’t made too many costly mistakes this way, but I have become more aware of it. In fact, that is why I didn’t leave that boutique a couple of weeks ago with the Veronica Beard dress AND the Sundry chinos AND the COH jeans AND the cobalt blue Frank & Eileen shirt right away. After a cooling off period of a couple of days, I went back for the dress and the chinos, not out of a sense of obligation, but because those pieces stuck with me and I decided I truly did want them and they would be useful. I am learning!

- Re: Retirement/lifestyle change. This is a big incentive, isn’t it? I get the desire to simplify and hone the wardrobe (and other facets of life) as we get older and recognize our priorities and desires outside of what is placed on us by outside obligations.

- Re: Updated ideals on how we want to present ourselves - I’m wondering if and how has the pandemic has affected this for many of us? I am feeling a sort of shift myself, but it’s hard to articulate. I don’t want fussy or too “done” — nothing over accessorized or anything that makes me feel like I’m “trying too hard.” I think I need to do another closet review with this idea in mind, and while I’m at it, go through the holding zone again, as you did.

- Uniforms usually suck. Sorry you’re having to adapt to yet another one. My only true uniform experience was having to wear a grey polyester suit as a hotel front desk employee back in the 80s for a luxury suite hotel. I was lucky though — I was quickly promoted to front desk supervisor and got to wear my own clothes, as long as a blazer and skirt or dress pants were involved! I had spent a summer working at Jos A Bank and had gotten a couple of nice suits in colors and styles that appealed to me, and I also remember wearing black skirts with a royal blue blazer. But oh god, those grey suit uniforms were yuck!

- I’m curious to see where you take your evolving preference in sneakers/footwear — what’s looking appealing to you now?

- I think a lot of us are rethinking bags and totes in post-pandemic times - I am feeling the need to purge clutches that skew too dressy or fussy, and I’m not feeling totes as much as I used to. Backpacks are where I’m feeling these days and I’m milking it for now.

- I hear you on basic tees — I rely on them too heavily in summer, but they’re so easy! I’m trying some new non-tee top options in black to go with my printed skirts.

- I can see how you need an outerwear piece warmer than utility jacket but not so warm as a puffer, and not gearish. Is a trench coat too fussy? A lightweight anorak?

- I like to see that you feel you’re “coming into your own” - you rock the sophisticated casual look, and I think a lot of us can relate to not feeling the need to dress “up” at this point in time.

Thank you for sharing all of your insights. It’s helping me to think about this stuff a bit, because I’m starting to feel the dressing and shopping thing for the first time in over a year. I’m trying to be smart and mindful about it though.

Yesterday I gave away more than two dozen nice hangers to someone in my local Buy Nothing group. I’ll never be tempted to fill them again!

Great style focus and organizing inspiration!

I did some fairly big culling sessions this past fall and winter , after letting the initial shock and awe of retirement + pandemic settle a bit. Mostly items I could find something wrong with, fit- wise or fabric or colors.
I feel like this year will be interesting for wardrobe, with things and activities “ opening up” some but still probably not doing all the things/ people- gatherings that I expected for this phase of my life.
Plus, I bought, wore, or combined some things last spring and summer and haven’t yet got fully into those temps/ seasons of wear yet to see what still works or how much will be, “ what was I thinking ?!”
So, I’m hoping to relax into the process for this year and enjoy going yay/ nay as I try things on or wear an outfit, without getting into negative head- talk about having to meet a timetable or wardrobe size, or get upset about what fits , whether I should or shouldn’t wear or keep something , what other people would think ( and really, WHAT other people?— there still are almost no other people / situations to be dressing for !).

Such a good morning read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and process. I’m inspired! (And, all the input is worthy reading.)

This new “spring” jacket is a duplicate to a black one I’ve worn a million times in the last few years and still looks like new The color may not be the best on me, but I add a scarf and it’s perfect.

This post was extremely inspiring, Lisa. It's a rainy day and today's workload is light, and I was planning on a few extra hours in bed reading - but then I read your post and got up and actually TRIED ON everything in my closet. I ended up with about 20 items to bring to my consignment shop. I realized that I have had things hanging in my closet for a couple of years simply because I love them, but they no longer fit. And even if I get my recent 5 lbs off, my body shape has changed in ways that I just know are here to stay. A couple were quite beloved items but I don't need them clogging up my closet anymore. Only things that are in my style wheelhouse and fit, for god's sake.

I am particularly inspired because - not only are you dealing with the limited/nonexistent social life from Covid, but your situation is exacerbated by a work life that is bound by uniform. That leaves you so little room for self-expression! I do love the scarf with your uniform and your jewelry and hair, OF COURSE, but I look forward to the day when we both can be more adventurous in our dress, and have places to go. For now, though, stripping down the wardrobe felt really, really good. Thank you!

Murph11- I love this jacket ! Kind of what I’m looking for . I’m always sorry Athleta doesn’t ship to Canada

Trench coats hold little appeal to me . I envy those women who can wear them , but I find them fussy and too masculine for me . A more fluid mac design is better .

I did dream up another perfect jacket last night : a pale blue knee length shacket in a light weight wool twill , or even a brushed wool .

Oh darn! So sorry for the jacket tease. I can picture your dream shacket -- order one for me too.

Not a shacket, but kind of interesting...

https://www.thebay.com/product.....28856_colo

I admire your fortitude! I really have to gear up for a purge like this, so this is inspiring. I agree with everyone that you look very chic in the gray fleece uniform jacket :)! Spring coats are a HEWI, I have found. I think it's partly because of the very changeable weather (I live in the Great Lake region of the US), and partly because after a long, dark winter, I crave something cheerful and bright. But then, OTOH, I don't really wear bright colors, so I need to find something spring-y but in a color that works with my existing colors in my wardrobe. Very tricky...so I commiserate! Your dream jacket in pale blue wool twill sounds beautiful.

Carla !! This looks like a great piece ! I’m going to order it and see how it is ! Can you tell I’m excited ?

It looks like a ‘good’ blue IYKWIM. Not too sweet. The large wale corduroy and oversized shape gives it a casual vibe, though it does have that hint of blazer formality that keeps it from being too casual in a Carhart jacket kind of way. The only thing that bothers me is the synthetic fabrication, but that could be a benefit. It might feel comfy like a fleece, and easy care.

Please report, but do return if it’s not a ‘10’, okay? Promise?

Yes ma’am . I will not keep it if I don’t love it .

Janet - as to the what’s looking current in shoes question : I don’t know . I’ve only looked quickly , and I do like a few styles at Dolce Vita , and I want to look closer at Sorel sandals . Also waiting to see what my local dealer brings in from Fly London for summer . Sneakers are bugging me right now - I’m very specific about what looks right , and until I see it I don’t know what it will be . I like the snake print ones you’ve been wearing , but I think I’d like to find something graphic and bright . There’s a couple of pair from Nike I like right now . Free People has this bizarre espadrille/ sneaker hybrid in olive green and I can’t decide if it’s gross or great .

Lisa, well done, it sounds like this wardrobe edit has helped you get closer to where you want to be. For me, the issue of a large scale wardrobe edit is that then there is space to subsequently shop. A reason why I am slow with my editing.

I have no wisdom to add, because with a change to working from home in Oct 2020, a style change is occurring for me as well and I am feeling my way on how to maximise the pieces that I currently own. My goal is in three years from now to be like Brooklyn, having reshaped my wardrobe to meet my real needs in a considered way. Thank you for this insightful post.

I soooo need to get to work on the downsizing. My big house will be sold within the next month and I need to downsize everything by 5/6 to move to an apartment. My clothes are just the tip of the iceberg (I presently fully use a very large, well-shelved walk-in closet, two shoe closets and a coat closet and most certainly will not have such storage as of May).

Sorry about the track jacket. Maybe you should get the entitled fitness center members to complain about the new aesthetic so management will go back to the other system.

congratulations on the wardrobe edit! thats fantastic to move out the space hogs.

Im feeling big shifts in my wardrobe the last few months too, Im not retired but a year of teaching from home has me thinking about comfort, style. About wanting clothes that feel like me, and don't feel fussy or otherwise like the clothes are wearing me.

sorry about your uniform, it's a drag to have to wear something that doesn't feel right. I remember when I was working as a designer I interviewed at a fortune 500, only to find they still had a dress code that included "pantyhose"! No thank you. it was mid-90s in Seattle and I was all about the leather, artsy/ slightly grungy look. One thing I love about working in the creative industry, anything goes.

I think this is the first time I've seen you do a closet purge and end it with "I feel I'm coming into my own" instead of lamenting that so much of your closet isn't "you" and you're not really sure what would fix it. This feels different, and I'm excited for you.

I can see why you dislike the uniform but also, doesn't it allow you a sort of freedom to not be fashionable at work? As social life comes back online, you can focus your fun wardrobe on that.

Have you seen this coat at Simons? They are the best for free returns..https://www.simons.ca/en/women.....85&am.

Neelie ! This is perfect !! On order - thanks to you I’ve had decent luck with Simon’s so I’m good to order from them !

Thanks for the inspiration. I've just started a serious clean-out and re-appraisal today.