I've been replacing all of my tops, wanting them to be longer and looser. As for my beloved BR Sloan work pants--not feeling them at all, while shopping my closet for tapered but fluid trousers, and skinnies.

I have a beloved chartreuse silk button-up shirt that I can't get to work anymore! Last year it seemed fluid, now it seems too tailored! Ditto for a couple other silk shirts. Refusing to donate so far, as they are classic pieces.

This has happened to me many times. It's what fashion does.

I look forward to seeing your solutions. You aim for a high degree of control over your wardrobe, and I know you'll regain it!

I have done the very small wardrobe thing for many years, but certainly never as well or stylishly as you, and I have to say I'm tired of it. It's a real tightrope act! I don't want a huge hulking & obese wardrobe but I would like a little numbers 'fat' in the right places so that I can keep a few extra shapes, lengths, fits, colors, etc on hand for precisely the reasons you share. I'm totally burned out on trying to make each individual piece my platonic ideal of what that sort of piece should be. And that in itself is a moving target anyway! So I hear your frustration & I send you no solutions but many wishes for a speedy resolution. Hugs! xoxoL

Claire, you're right -- it helps to be moderate...my current numbers do allow a bit more flexibility and also the odd happy discovery -- the thing that magically "works" with more than I had anticipated, and makes other stuff look more current all of a sudden.

I would put my J. Crew Toile sweatshirt in that category. Bought on sale, too -- but not with sales goggles. More of a "wildcard" purchase while I was ordering something else. It was such a bargain that I figured I could always use it for loungewear if nothing else. Lo and behold, I'm wearing it more than once a week sometimes!

When you are looking for the perfect item, that kind of experience is more rare, I suspect. Heck, it's rare enough anyway!

But even now there are times when I will buy something, wanting to play with a new silhouette (e.g. cropped sweater over buttondown), and the thing bought purposely to play with this new shape just won't work with the other stuff! And that necessitates making it an orphan, or spending money and rearranging the closet yet again. GRRRR!!

I also think your point about body type is absolutely spot on. What works for a Pretty Pear or hourglass won't work for an Apple. I am with you on having enjoyed a slim top or at least tailored top/ jacket with skinny jeans -- this totally worked on me, too. It's a body type thing -- it works on slim rectangles with a square shoulder line. And sometimes a more tailored top will work with the slouchy skinnies, too -- but that does involve tucking, and I also hear you on the difference the belt makes to the overall line.

My best solution to this has been fluid top/ pullover with semi-tuck -- it's really a charm. Welts semi-tuck or faux tuck, too -- and if the sweater is thin fabric (perfect for your climate) it does not add volume to that middle area. I have trouble believing that you have any "apple" tendencies at all -- but I also understand how it's a proportional thing -- and in my case, with an elliptical shape and a small bust, it is easy to look "biggest" in the tummy area from the side, for sure. My solution is not a great one; I just ignore the side view.

I will need a pot of coffee for all the comments, but the pleasure it all mine. Anyway, as your style has evolved you must slowly and deliberately replace your princess seams with looser fits, consign what you can and never look back. I am feeling adamant this morning Claire. But I think you already knew this is what needs to be done :-).

Love your posts Claire! Sipping on a Diet Coke tho, not tea lol

I haven't had time to read all comments yet, but caught Caro's and agree very much. Having really narrowed my style and my preferred silhouettes has almost eliminated this issue. Proportions seem to be the key to successful outfit construction so when they are off, nothing works.

My culottes initially presented a challenge with respect to toppers but after an evening of try ons I discovered some options within my closet. But the culottes sit well within my style so I would expect existing tops in my wardrobe to work.

I guess if we expect our style to continue evolving, we will have these situations from time to time. I like to think it's part of the fun:)

I hear you on the angst cause by changing our ideas of what "fits." My tolerance for anything confining has completely evaporated!

I'm finding myself in more dramatic cardis for toppers, and fewer jackets. Many of my jackets were of that "shrunken" silhouette that I'm passing on these days -- unless they're worn over a dress. I've had great dificulty with jacket replacements. The ones I like are out of my price range and, even if I could afford them, I'd likely be sized out (Zara, anyone?). Coats are the same sorry situation. I've seen wonderful cocoon coats, with generous sleeves and gorgeous fabric -- for 500-600 dollars. Sigh.

I'm going to try Donna's trick and look for more vests to go with my new sweaters. Even in Chicago, they suit my "warm" body temp.

With 10 items, you should feel more freedom to let go and replace items. I'd encourage you to revisit flares on the bottom half, and I'd love to see you in fluid, silky statement blouses!

rachylou, certainly not just any old top! If you're going to the trouble, you may as well get something you really like and make a complete outfit with your new jeans and loved boots.

Adelpha, fashion, she is a cruel mistress! I will mourn with you the loss of your beloved silk top. So sad. Yes I aim for a high degree of control over my wardrobe...but is it really controlling me?

thimbalina, your words have pierced my heart! I can relate to much of what you said. This reminds me of when our family's budget was so very, very tight (all so we could pay off debt early). It was a very stressful time, with no room for error. The ten-item wardrobe project started out as a means to an end for me, and now it has become an end in itself. I think I have some soul searching to do.

Suz, You're right. From my limited experience, finding a great piece is kind of a numbers game, and what I hear you saying is that we have very little control over choosing a perfect item that is guaranteed to wind up as a workhorse. I believe that. Just because you will something to work perfectly with numerous other items, doesn't mean it will! We probably buy the same number of items. i just run mine right back to the consignment store at the first sign of trouble. No wonder they love me! I'm their biggest money maker, FCOL (For Crying Out Loud--it's too sad to LOL).

shevia, drink your coffee and then talk to me woman! I'm having a teachable moment, so whatever you want to say, just say it. So far you're saying I need to phase in a looser fit? Agreed.

Deborah, thanks for sharing how this is all working for you. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel, or maybe that's just an oncoming train! I agree that it's fun to solve wardrobe puzzles. There is something in my brain that would much rather do that than play solitaire or Candy Crush. I just need to learn when it's time to put it down!

Beth Ann, I feel your pain! I need to wait for things to trickle down in fashion too. Affordable cocoon coats will come. I'm not feeling anything shrunken or cheeky right now, even though that cut is still being sold and plenty of people are wearing them. Angie has us spoiled for the latest looks. Sadly, flares are a no-go for me because of the heels I need to pull them off. I'm all for a fluid silk blouse though. Great idea!

Definitely part of your style evolution. Everything you say makes sense. If the pieces you are consigning are selling quickly, why not release those formerly loved things and let them find a new home.

It makes sense that, with such a tightly edited capsule, changing one concept will throw everything else out of whack. I have a lot of hit or miss items - I try to be selective in what I buy but I can't always tell what will be a winner. I'm always impressed by your minimal wardrobe, because it's made entirely of winners - so I'm sure you'll find good updates/replacements for this style evolution.

Claire, this is such a brilliant post. I am quite sure that you will solve the various problems you have identified -- I am in awe of your ability to create such a tiny wardrobe, and if anyone can get through the evolution to less body con attire without buying 3000 new items, it is you. Don't beat yourself up about having to make these adjustments. It is to be expected, when making a significant change, that there ill be unintended consequences that will necessitate further tweaks. (To me it's fun, but admittedly I'm about as far from a 10-item wardrobe as it is possible to be!)

Your post does remind me, though, of how easy creating a capsule wardrobe looks on paper (all those beautiful images of capsule wardrobes, and suggested capsule wardrobes, that are springing up all over the internet) and how difficult it is in real life, for precisely the reason you mentioned: style evolves, shapes evolve, and updating one item in a capsule can necessitate the updating of much of the rest of it. Also, some of the capsule wardrobes I see suggested on the net fail to take into account that in real life that one pair of trousers really won't work with all three tops or all three pairs of shoes. It all looks so easy when you take out the inconvenience of actually wearing the clothes in real life! And then there's colours -- they are tricky things, and what looks good on paper (or the screen) often simply doesn't work in practice in the real world. It is all very well people advocating neutrals because they go with everything, but actually even the so-called neutrals have warmer or cooler versions, and unwanted clashes so often result. At any rate, I think it really isn't simple to avoid making these and similar mistakes, and yes, that does mean being disciplined and trying things on in all the ways one wants to wear them, and returning items that fail those tests (I am speaking to myself here -- I rarely can be bothered to return things, and a little more discipline in this area would be good for me!)

Sorry, didn't mean to take your thread off at a tangent -- my point is that if you think that you have somehow failed because of the issues you are currently having, I urge you to stop beating yourself up and to realise that such issues are inevitable whenever one makes a significant change, and to see the journey of resolving the issues as all part of the fun. Truly, Claire, you are an inspiration to so many of us. I love the way you think, and thank you for yet another insightful and fascinating post. You will solve these problems, and I can't wait to hear all about it when you have!

Sarah

Okay Cocolion(Denise) I've got my three items, plus the glittery belt I am uncomfortable wearing in my car and I'm ready to go to the consignment store. I feel at peace with my decision, and while I'm probably not going to "make money" doing this, at least my costs are defrayed.

Greyscale, if only! I wish my ten items were made up of only winners (and indeed, that is the idea), but obviously, that is not the case. My aim is to "remove irritations" from my wardrobe, as Anushka says on Into-Mind and have only things that work for me. Not sure if that's even possible. Maybe if I lower my perfectionist standards a bit, and look for things that are "good enough".

I've recently become aware of the concept of "satisficers and maximizers" and I am 100% a maximizer. I'd really like to change that so that I'm happier with my purchasing decisions in general. (You should have seen hubs and I, both maximizers, shopping for new phones & phone plan, new smart TV and TV service recently. Oy!)
http://online.wsj.com/articles.....1412614997

Sarah, we must have cross posted. Thank you so much for your your kind comment! You are so right about things looking great on paper or in photos, but not really cutting it in real life. Part of that is the fashion dream, that will always keep it just beyond our reach. Just like the most beautiful women in the world still aren't completely happy with their looks, I'll bet the women with the most amazing wardrobes aren't completely happy with their clothes either. So as long as I remember that, maybe i can learn to be content with however my wardrobe turns out in any given season. I won't beat myself up, I promise!

Yes Claire, it's one of the main reasons I cannot even think at having a well working and minimal wardrobe for me. I find new cuts, fits, colors and fabrics always a challenge to match with older pieces without screaming dated, trying too hard, or innapropiate.

My solution is not jumping on all the fringe trends but only adopting some well currated and milder versions of them, which will anyway suit best my own style. I mainly buy step by step for integral outfits sticking to a cohesive color scheme and trusted (mainly comfy but flattering to me) sillouettes, adding very few patterns but more textures and, when all together, am not feeling ashamed of wearing the heck out of them (remixing with similar items also great and alternating the newer outfits with the older ones is no problem to me).

I'm glad you are at peace with it Claire-- change is part of things and I'm glad you are feeling comfortable in the new fits and having fun with fashion, although the calculated decisions of a small wardrobe can make that hard.

I love how you put that "not buying too deep"-- perfect! Not too deep, not too broad, and not naked!

Claire, the same thing happens to me with my voluminous wardrobe. If I change one piece or add a new one, then I get a whole new dynamic happening with other pieces that are related by outfits. This thread is interesting, and like Ornella, I can't really do it justice right now. I will say that I think style evolution and adapting are basically the same thing; your style will continue to evolve, and that sounds like what's happening. Here's hoping you'll find a couple of pieces that will make everything feel just right again for a few more months!

Clair, the article does say the people become less of a maximize the older we get. See, there is hope.

What a great read this has been! I'm nodding my head at a lot of this, and learning too.

I'm still trying to reduce my wardrobe. I've gotten a few steps pickier, and eliminated lots (I should do another wardrobe count after my one a few months ago). But I still have more than I want in the space I want to use. The problem now is that I like everything. And they're all in good shape and fit the way I want. I need to become more of a maximizer and ditch things that are even a little less than perfect, or that I don't reach for even though I like.

It's tempting to me to hang on to things that I suspect I'll start liking more again - like colored skinnies. I'm inspired to you to just let them go and let my style evolve as it will....

I have very few pieces with a tailored fit in my closet anymore. I strongly prefer a more fluid and even some oversized fits, especially in my tops. I have a mix of styles in pants but prefer a more slim, or at least tapered, leg.

I think what you are experiencing, Claire, is actually a positive- your style IS evolving and your new preferences are in sync with current trends. Isn't that better than wanting to wear sky high heels when all that is available is loafers??!

IT ALL MAKES SENSE.

*applause*

Claire, I often suggest to clients to stop shopping for a while because they need to road test the new items that they have first in order to get a sense of their accurate needs going forward. Only then, do you manage to get to the nitty gritty of what your current style preferences and comfort levels are telling you for this leg of your style journey. This is exactly what you did, which led you to your "now preference" - baggier jeans and roomier long sleeve shirts. We are always evolving our style in small or large ways, which is why it's important to keep those fashion feet moving - no matter what the size of our wardrobes. 10 items or 1000 items. The strategy is the same. xo

Such a great thread. I've definitely experienced it when one new item changes the landscape of my wardrobe and then makes other pieces seem not quite right anymore. Actually, I had a similar thread on how I no longer feel comfortable wearing a tailored top with skinnies.

I *love* what Angie said. It does seem like this issue is a normal part of fashion evolution.

What a read and what s discussion! I am super late here, but I just wanted to say: MUST you stick with your exact numbers? Do you fear endless creepage upward if you keep, say, one fluid and one more tailored sweater that aren't in constant play? I guess if you have to stick with your plan, then as Suz said, a couple of preferred silhouettes are the way to go. I think of a pencil skirt and skinnies as similar sometimes, as they are fitted bottoms, but I allow a lot more leeway than you do in terms of my closet.

lyn, I really like your idea of adopting the milder versions of the trends, and not all of them. I need to learn how to "cherry pick the trends" as Angie says.
I don't have a problem repeating items and outfits frequently (obviously!), although I felt funny doing it at first.

Elly, yes we're all doing all right as long as we're not naked, lol!

Firecracker(Sharan), thank you for responding even though you're short on time. And you're right, all I need are a few good pieces to get me through our short winter.

deb, here's hoping I morph into a happy saticficer!

amiable, what do they call it on Ebay when you need to narrow your search parameters? Maybe you will narrow your parameters for items you keep over time. Or maybe you will just wake up one day and know that you'll never want to wear colored skinnies again. That's the way it is with me sometimes. Things hit me all of a sudden. But if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Susie, you (and others) must be right about me experiencing a style evolution, because Angie agrees! Good call.

Angie, you're back! We missed you! I hope you've had a lovely holiday. Thank you for bestowing your wisdom upon me. I was actually going to run out and shop to replace the three items I consigned today, but I'm going to take your advice and stop shopping (for as long as I can make do) to make sure I'm road testing my new items sufficiently. Very good advice, and somehow I feel relieved of the pressure to get my count back up to ten. I know I won't go naked, so let's see how it goes. We can call it performance art, lol!

Suja, thank you. I appreciate the commiseration!

alaskagirl(Una) I am not afraid of gong over ten items; that would be fine (I can make my own rules). But I have the opposite problem! I can't find more than ten items that I truly like! And want.

I feel so much relief from consigning those 3 things this morning, it's not even funny. They were just wrong and it feels good to have them out of the house. I tried keeping the sweaters around, but I felt like they were actually blocking my vision to see other sweaters that will work for me. Maybe I am one of those people who have to release first, before the right thing will flow into my life (wardrobe).

Well, that is even more impressive! i need some of what you're having....

@Una, nah, you're doing just fine the way you are. Hey, did you write a post about your reunion? I need to go check.

Claire, I love it when you put out the call to light the virtual kettle. Sip-sip.

I totally hear where you're coming from and perhaps your "style evolution" can be reflected in the pretty, but tight and constricting, Theory blouse-formerly-known-as-a-dress, and how you are releasing it (and the sweaters) from your life. Angie spoke great wisdom in her post and you're just in the middle of living it and getting to the next place.

Your words really resonate here: "Full coverage when worn in a looser fit, seems to have the advantage of being warmer in Winter and cooler in Summer."

I think that your move into looser-fitting tops and bottoms is the transition you've been looking for and rereading Angie's original post helps you to define and confirm this for yourself. You're doing it your way, the Claire way. It's all good and I applaud your total attention to the process, however it works. I wish I had that much finesse and when I think I'm a detail person and then I see someone like you, I realize I'm pretty loosey-goosey and I have my own "style evolution" issues to deal with in my closet!

I keep going back to that word "silhouette" and it's been playing in my head for a while now. Today, when I was looking around at Zara, I was riveted with the huge video above the cashiers and I kept watching it and watching it and I eyed the large, voluminous trousers and sweaters and the big oxfords and I liked it. How it would play on my body, I'm not sure, but it was the ongoing rush of images that did something to my head and I was really quite mesmerized with this video fashion show.

I can really see the high-low sweater working for you as a workable piece, Claire. Someone recently posted a Target sweater (I think it was Kelly) and a piece like this, in a lightweight fabrication, would be a nice addition.

Trust Angie on this one and I thank you for bringing this most important topic up in a practical and real way through the visuals of your working closet.

Vicki, wow, thanks for reading all of this (and Angie's original post) and for your attention to detail. I'll be interested to see what you dream of tonight after having that Zara video loop playing in front of you. We'll have to see you in some volume, I think you could do it, as long as it was in proportion with your frame. You already have some great oxfords, after all!

Claire, I haven't read the comments yet, but, even with a rather large closet, I feel as you do. My tops are not working, even the ones I thought of as fluid. I made mistakes on recent purchases trying to remedy the situation. I went too far in the other direction and am swimming in my new tops. Angie is right. It's time to stop shopping and figure out what will work best. I have noticed that the larger tops must have some structure for them to work on me.
I don't want to mess with wide pants because of the PPL issue with footwear.
I think that you are doing a bit of both evolving your style and adapting to current fashion. I think that it is hard and will be a lot of work. Thank goodness for Angie's guidance.

I missed you too, Claire - and it's good to be back. I'm glad my suggestion made sense, and that you feel confidant about the plan of action. Keep us posted and enjoy the journey. xo

(Thanks for the sweet words Suja, Joy a& Vicki).