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The annual closet audit, and the shopping list!

Runcarla

Veteran

As is our custom, DH and I performed our annual closet audit over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. (We picked a cold rainy day for the project.) It’s easier now, than when we started the tradition 6 years ago after retiring. Our collections of wearables has shrunk in the intervening years. We’ve delt with any work wear that didn’t transition into retirement (most of it!) and we’ve resolved the issue of some heavy duty winter gear and winter sports kit, we had been holding onto since relocating from ‘up north’ to the temperate climes of the northern shores of Lake Ontario. We’ve had time to sort out what we need for our real life day to day through 4 seasons - with a little travel, and enough special events to support modest ‘dressy’ capsules.

We’ve both experienced a downward shift in weight that was unplanned. It’s created churn in our respective wardrobes that we hadn’t anticipated. During this past weekend we both edited out items that no longer fit, and DH commented that all his golf shirts are now ‘M’-since the last of the ‘L’s’ were dispatched for either not fitting or being old and faded from the sun. Some items too worn were binned, but we did end up with one large bag of items for donation.

All leather items (shoes, boots, belts, bags) got treated to polish and/or conditioner. Some sneakers got put through the wash as did washable summer hats and accessories. F/W clothes got moved to the front of the closet rails, drawers got the Kon Mari treatment, and gloves, hats, and cold weather coats have been rotated into the hall closet.

Lists have been made, and if all goes to plan, we will be visiting a Big Mall tomorrow! I’m hoping to find:

-2 merino sweaters (one wine coloured) possibly Uniqlo
-gold coloured footwear (loafers?)
-a HEWI I’m carrying over from last year - low heeled dressy booties (point toe or square toe) with a higher shaft to close the gap when I wear cropped pants or midi skirts.

I’m also keeping my eyes open for a wildcard or two that will add some texture to my somewhat flat looking collection of garments. Maybe a faux fur or shearling vest, and/or a chunky knit sweater? Any ideas? What’s on your shopping list?

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Runcarla

Sal

Veteran

Well done - inspirational organisation!

I agree adding texture and/or pattern in winter is really nice - but not always easy. Suede I know is popular - a suede or imitation suede jacket could be a nice option.

I didn't add a lot this winter - my green cashmere does add nice texture and I thought the chunkier striped sweater would do so. Whilst I like it I haven't worn it quite as much as I thought I would, but some winters ahead I am sure I will. I did enjoy adding these wool herringbone pants in early spring - and expect to wear these three seasons (not in summer).

I know your green leather pants have been a winner and I expect the texture has been one of the reasons. They can be hard to find but nice cords could be great on you Carla - adding both texture and colour and warmth.

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Runcarla

Veteran

@ Sal - leather or faux leather, and quilted items like puffers seem to be my current texture range, and I do especially like what ‘leather’ can do to add interest to an outfit. Corduroy (and velvet) would be great! Especially since I’m looking for things that will keep me warm.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Carla regarding new possible loafers, I am hesitant to say this but you know your recent thread about looking for “elevated”… I just really think your current black loafers are so very plain and that they maybe needed that little something extra? I think it might be Helena that also has some black loafers but hers have an interesting buckle on the front.
Gold would definitely be more interesting than black and I would hope maybe some interesting texture as well, or a buckle, or something just a bit different?
Hope this doesn’t offend

Star

Veteran

I am totally in awe of how you manage a small closet. This is my dream goal. Cord trousers will look very good on you and work for your style, I agree with Sal. Watch out for some velvets, and cords to a lesser degree, that are lint magnets. That drives me crazy when an item of clothing picks up my own hair or anything else it wants to!

Katerina

Veteran

Carla, the annual closet edit sounds like a satisfying work, or the results of it, before the shopping for the season.
As for the texture - faux fur sounds great and you could also try chunky knit sweaters Maybe in mohair or alpaca blend if you tolerate the materials. I could also imagine some knits with a bit of shimmer or metallic yarn that enhances textures nicely. Or how about a boucle topper? Or a brocade top or topper? Sometimes there are great ones to be found in second hand shops.
My HEWI to add texture to my wardrobe is a pair of black or dark navy velvet pants. They should be a blend of natural fibers - ideally viscose or silk, flowing and relatively wide legged. Also draping nicely. So it is a tall order. I had a pair in navy which got worn out and fell apart. Have not found the perfect replacement yet.

Dee

Veteran

I admire your disciplined approach to wardrobe maintenance and now you have your priorities all set to go when hitting the malls. Should be fun although there’s often a gap between what we want and what’s available and that’s often where I end up making compromises that often trip me up. Good luck on your shopping expedition, it will be fun to see what you end up bringing home.

LJP

Veteran

I'm in awe of your focus and routine when it comes to wardrobe management. Including the schedule you adhere to! I agree with others in thinking that cord jeans would be great, as well as an updated black loafer or flat with maybe a flash of a buckle or other metal trim. I'm really loving (in the 2 weeks I've been wearing them, lol) my cashmere sweaters that I've put through the wash to fluff up and shrink a bit. They look so much more luxe now.

Joy

Veteran

My shopping list is very small...a flannel shirt that includes red for winter holidays., pants that fit (XS) , replace old worn out or midsized underwear, maybe a new warm sweater. I have plenty to get by. I think I need more winter color, not sure what., and white snow pants. I have enough coats and accessories to go with them. What am I getting tired of ? Lots. I wish I could start over but don't have the budget for replacing everything, especially pricier winter items. I have not tried on winter yet to see what fits. That could be eye opening.

cat2

Veteran

I’m seeing a lot of corduroy; that might be fun in either pants or a jacket. Do you have Pact there? They have corduroy pants and bomber jackets.

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like a very satisfying exercise. I like that you do it together. I help DH do his but am on my own with mine.

Yes to corduroy and velvet! Love those for winter. And maybe cables?

Lisa

Veteran

Excellent job closet editing and planning a list, you are so organized!

I echo others, I adore corduroy and velvet for winter. I also like ribbed and cable knitwear. I also really like suede and tweed jackets and blazers.

All of the above will add texture from the individual item, but I think you can also get texture from an outfit by layering too. I'd keep in mind pieces that can layer easily to also add interest to a look (if you like to layer).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Sounds like an organized and rewarding process. It's really neat that you and your hubs do your closet audit together. I can't imagine it in our household. Mine would take days; my husband's, minutes! haha!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

Love the organization, planning, and management. Well done, Carla!

I'd make that low heeled dressy boots a PRIORITY!!!

As for gold loafers - I have a pair that are workhorses! Now that I'm wearing lots of full length pants and jeans, loafers with knee highs keep me warm at the start of Autumn.

I think gold loafers will bookend your hair beautifully!

As for my own shopping list - I am successfully ticking things off!

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pil

Veteran

Oh, to be as inspired and organized as you! I’m having trouble clearing out some nicer items after a substantial weight loss a couple of years ago. The ole ‘I paid too much for this’ or ‘it may fit again’. I just need to get over it and clean out.

My husband is retiring at the end of the year - SO many sport coats, suits and dress shirts! Guess he’ll have plenty of time to weed through his closet after the first of the year! Right after he transfers the bankers boxes and boxes of photo slides his father took 20-30 years ago…..

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! And kudos for organization and discipline! Hope the big shopping trip is a success and at least one amazing surprise finds you. (I do not have a shopping list, I have a do not buy list .)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Woohoo, great work! Must be so satisfying. I agree with the suggestions to maybe add a metallic shoe and I think corduroy would be fab for you — I am seeing a good bit of it around.

Hubs and I need to do an edit in his side of the closet. He wears a graphic tee nearly every day (sometimes layered under another shirt or sweater but sometimes not), and those get worn out pretty quickly. He just got some new ones so it’s time for a clean out!

I have some more editing to do too. I recently did a round with a focus on having old favorites altered to work better for me now, but I need to look again with an eye to “do I WANT to wear this?”

cjh

(website)

Veteran

How did the shopping expedition turn out?

Runcarla

Veteran

@ cjh - I was denied the wine sweater. It was sold out in the store, and turned out, also on line. I did pick up a black merino one, though, and some heat tech things. The rest is an ongoing project.