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Summer unpacked...

rachylou

Veteran

I unpacked summer today and packed up winter.

The good news: I put two bins back in the closet empty, prepared two large bags for donation, and there's a sliver of daylight on my shelves.

My proudest act was to weed a lot of my beloved Marc Jacobs. Everything worn and girly girl. I've really moved away from girly girl.

The bad news: I still have a stupid lot of clothes. I didn't realise I had so much summer stuff. I think it's because I think of my hot weather clothing when I think about it. But, of course, most of summer in the SF Bay Area is cold. I have a stupid lot of tees. And a stupid lot of black Marc Jacobs waif dresses, which are all perfectly fine and - I insist - different. Oh and also, apparently, if I'm going to buy a plaid shirt, it's going to be a red and blue plaid shirt.

So, how to slash and burn? I'm thinking about tossing...

Most of my long-sleeve tees. I used to wear them layered with short sleeve tees. I'm a little worried I might regret this. Maybe I should keep all the black and grey ones?
Everything that I'd categorise as *suburbanite with a penchant for Italy.* If it belongs in an ensemble of plaid shirt, straight skirt, sweater around the shoulders, and driving mocs - it's got to go. But this also worries me a little. Maybe I should make a very tiny going-to-the-suburbs capsule and stash it away (next to my almost-cheap-and-sleazy-night-on-the-town capsule).
All my put-a-bird-on-it hipster stuff.

What do y'all think? Is this a plan?

And should I do as my mother says, and run and take pics of my beloved Marc things before they're gone forever?

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

abc

Veteran

Rachy, you seriously crack me up.

It seems you have a good idea of what you want to do to advance your style.

If you're hesitating, how about a holding area for a few weeks to make sure?

Zerzura

Lol; Amazing post! I'd keep one long sleeve grey tee. Driving mocs also sound tempting.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Rachylou- You are the funniest bird. I love reading your post and responses. I say keep a small capsule of the things you love and donate the rest. How does it feel to change over your closet? I made my closet a year round one. I got tired of packing and unpacking 2 closets.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a plan! My rule is, if it spends a season unworn, out it goes. If I only wore it a few time last year or if I'm not sure if I'll wear it anymore, it goes in a "holding area," which actually just means it stays in an section of the basement closet. If it remains unworn, out it goes.

By all means, take photos of your past favorite Marc Jacobs clothing items (and share them with us)!

I love your outfit descriptives! And when you use terms like "sleazy night on the town" and "put a bird on it hipster," photos are a requirement Those sound to fun to give up

MRL

Veteran

Rachylou, my motto is "if in doubt, it goes out". It sounds as if you are moving on fashion wise, good for you.

crutcher

Veteran

Please don't throw all out...You will miss and want to know where is that...?
I would par down half...leave enough to enjoy if you need and at the end of the season do the final cut...That will give you time to decide if it is really a good-by piece...Good luck...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Reads like a great plan or just a great read. I really want you to post your suburban looks though.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

First of all, great job! You've sounded for a while like your closet overwhelms you.

I like the idea of the purges you suggest, but I'm always better at purging other people's stuff than my own. I feel like the days for put-a-bird-on-it-hipster have passed anyway. Even my stepsons shaved their beards off because EVERYONE has a hipster beard now.

unfrumped

Veteran

Congratulations on slivers of daylight!
You may be poised for a super- purge.
If not, try the 50% approach or best 3 or something. Best 3 longT's.
purge at least one black dress. That sort of thing.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I agree with unfrumped by the way. Don't do a total slash and burn of the long-sleeve Ts for instance. Keep the couple that are most useful that you've worn most recently and let the others go. Lay all the black dresses out together so you can see them side-by-side and get rid of the ones that excite you least.

E

Veteran

I love the way you see the world (and write) Rachy.

I like unfrumped's suggestion of keeping your best 3 ls tees. Other than that, your plan sounds excellent! I always use a holding zone for purges I'm not 100% about, just to make sure before they're gone for good. Congrats on taming your closet some more!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am joining the chorus of keep a select few of each category you're considering. The best of the best long sleeved tee (or 2), the one black Marc Jacob dress that stands above the rest, one suburban foray outfit.

rabbit

Veteran

I agree about keeping a few that you love best. When I do this I tend to toss the boring clothes, but make sure that I don't end up with none of something I once had a lot of and used frequently. I usually divide them into categories, and then do best, okay, and toss per category, where the okay usually go live somewhere else and get tossed if I don't go hunting for them during the season.

I also feel better if I'm able to resell/rehome some of the more special clothes with associated memories.

I mean it's easy to buy another long-sleeve gray tee or driving moc if you need to, but not so much for some of the more unusual stuff.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh people, people - did I mention that it started to rain while I was doing this? I was definitely *like* oh felgercarb! (for those of you into when Battlestar Galactica was super cheesy).

Janet - Well, that does it. Put-a-bird-on-it has to go! Hehe. (And oh yes, my closet is overwhelming and I still have such a long way to go... argh!)

ladywone - I have to say, it really creates a mess, packing and unpacking for the seasons. I guess it's a sign of progress, though, that I managed to do it in one day. My neighbor was laughing at me because she knows me. I was telling her I had to get everything off the bed so I'd have somewhere to sleep. Normally, this would entail me sleeping on the sofa for a week. Anyways, I have no choice now but to keep one season packed away. Moving in from the suburbs, I've gone from multiple giant closets to one very small one. It's pretty marime for me to keep the vacuum cleaner in with my clothes. Do not tell your gypsy friends... or your Chinese mum...

MRL, shevia - I appreciate the no-nonsense encouragement. This is like, what, year four of my great purge? Lol. But hey, my mum has been at it for longer. I can feel good about being ahead of a self-declared little old lady, right?

abc, Zerzura, Karie, crutcher, unfrumped, Mo, E, rabbit, and Janet - Ok, I hear you guys telling me not to be completely rash. Especially as this is the beginning of the season. Leave myself something to wear.

Ok. But now, I can't imagine why y'all would want to see *I love Italy* Suburbanite and Put-A-Bird-On It. It's just what you imagine. With the former, I look like I'll be gassing you with a Glade Fresh Scent in every outlet. And with the latter, if we were roomies, I'd be very very upset with you when we ran out of dish soap and you went out and bought some Dawn. Hello! We make our own from Hemp!

unfrumped

Veteran

Partly it is our hoarding tendencies, and I can't be completely innocent there myself. So there is just this need to have backups, and backup backups.
I am gradually weaning myself of that, but to still have the best couple of outfits for each of various occasions (outside of work) and not lots of dupes and second-stringers.
You may have to cogitate a bit to identify what is the payoff for you as your motivation--whether it's more shelf breathing space, better outfit satisfaction, more enjoyment of each new item, more true style persona, whatever. So it's not driven by what you think you ought to do.

dustt

Veteran

rach - you are crackin' me up today!! - the mini suburban capsule should fit on one hanger!! - 2 LS tees - white and grey - then.... if you don't LOVE it - purge baby purge - there are plenty of Suburban ladies waiting to get your cool stuff at the thrift store!!

Day Vies

Veteran

Oh Rachy you are TOO funny. I actually agree with you that you should keep the black l/s tees along with the gray ones. These are basics and can fall-ify a sleeveless dress in seconds it can also change the look of a sheath dress as well. A l/s tee isn't the piece of your wardrobe that you use to ask yourself am I making a statement here. It's a basic.
Also if you've moved on from girly-girly so should your wardrobe.
Suburbanite w/a penchant for Italy - Wow I can really see those ensembles in my mind! It seems like you may be holding out for this category because its so familiar. Honestly if it doesn't mesh with your current style goals perhaps that capsule should go too. Unless you need a blend-in costume to wear when you return to the 'burbs :-D!

rachylou

Veteran

Purge baby purge! I like it, dustt Also, I think the one hanger is a good idea.

Day Vies - Ya, *Italy* - you so know you know what I'm talking about I do feel a need for a suburban costume. The context of the suburbs is so, so different. I find urban-wear quite depressive in the suburbs. Also, that was very well articulated about the basic nature of the long-sleeved tee. You're right. I better not get too crazy.

E

Veteran

LMAO @ your elaboration of Italianophile suburbanite and put-a-bird-on-it hipster behaviors. That is all.

Beth Ann

Veteran

OK, but is suburban preppy some sort of alter-ego shadow style? Does it deserve a honest-to-goodness capsule?

I think condition of the clothing in question is the first priority. Don't keep anything scruffy, unless it has been designated for painting and gardening.

Gigi

Veteran

You are hilarious, Rachy! I think everyone else has given good advice already. I would second rabbit's advice to divide things up into definite yes, maybe, and definite no. For the maybe's, you could store those elsewhere for the upcoming six months and see if you ever have a need to wear what's in there. That way you can "practice" being rid of those clothes but not have to go out and buy a replacement if you have made a mistake.

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, and maybe you should suggest to Angie that she develop a Cheap and Sleazy Night on the Town capsule. ;^)

rabbit

Veteran

Lol the sleazy night on the town capsule! I've been wondering about that. What DO fabbers wear when they go clubbing...

Anonymous

You are inspiring me. Rachylou, I think you should come do my closet next. I know that you will keep me from the ladies-who-lunch look or the dreadful I- am-retired-and-winter-in-Florida (so put bling on my jeans pockets and everywhere else) outfits.

cheryl

Veteran

I love the way you write. You are so fun!

jackiec

Veteran

My word you are funny I can't even keep up. Too cool for words. I agree with what everyone else says. How cathartic to clear out so much space. Keep yourself a few things to wear. I recently went to put something on when I realized I'd tossed it during a massive purge last year. I was so sad. I'm already due for another. I'm so good at buying garbage and orphans. Good luck and keep 'em coming. Thanks for the smiles.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Rachy, you posts are the best mood-lifters! Hilarious is an understatement for them.
I am on the team "if you don't wear it you will not miss it" and "purge baby purge". Anything I am struggling with, anything I am not reaching for because I don't feel fab enough wearing it just goes - and usually I don't miss this stuff. But that's me...you may be better off to follow more moderate advice above...:-)
I am also joining the club and demand to see " Cheap and Sleazy Night on the Town" outfits!