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The endless closet edit

rachelthrives

I'm about a year into a complete style renewal, and I feel like it's never going to end! I got rid of A LOT--I didn't have a big wardrobe to start with, and so much was either too big, worn out, or seriously out of date.

After several months of intensive shopping, I was finally feeling like I had a functional wardrobe, more in need of tweaks than a complete overhaul. But in the last month or so, I've culled a bunch more: ill-fitting skirts, cardigans in poor condition, tops with stains. I'm also realizing I need some pants that aren't jeans (I have zero, other than a pair of leggings that needs a long topper/dress).

I'm getting pretty sick of the physical act of shopping--going to the store, trying stuff on, sometimes coming home empty-handed--it's tiring! But I think I have to keep trucking. My total wardrobe is still only 48 "garments" (tops, toppers, and bottoms) plus 50 or so accessories (shoes, jewelry, hosiery, etc.). For me, I don't think that's enough. I keep expanding it a little, and then finding more things that aren't working, so it shrinks back down again.

Off to the mall again today, on the hunt for more toppers and some casual non-jean pants. Wish me luck!

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from rachelthrives

Bonnie

Veteran

Good Luck on building your wardrobe. It sounds like you have a good start and know what you need.

Anonymous

Good luck - it sounds like you have made great progress. I think finding pants is hard work, so have patience!

Anonymous

First, congratulations on your style renewal. That in and of itself is challenging. It seems that there would be a lot of initial editing to bring your working closet in line with your new image of yourself. I'm not surprised you are still working at it a year into the project. This is actually a huge project. It takes a lot of time ... initially. Once you get over the initial hump, it should really come down to tweaks.

Second, shopping is exhausting. Lots of times I went to the mall and came home empty handed because the retailers were not selling what I wanted to buy. That was frustrating. I used that time to fine tune my wardrobe plan. I pinned a lot of ensembles. I sketched out what I needed for different categories in my life (e.g., work, athletic). In a way you are doing that if you identified pants as a need.

I have a minimal wardrobe and 48 sounds sparse even to me. What categories do you think you might missing? Do you have a work capsule? Do you need a work capsule? Do you need a casual capsule? How much of each do you need? Focus in on those numbers. Then decided what you need within each category. Pants? One pair? What style? What color?

I don't know if you are an internet shopper. I found the internet greatly enhanced my shopping in terms of product availability. I prefer trying things on in the comfort of my own home. Some people hate having to return things that don't work out so there is that consideration as well.

Let us know how you are progressing and what advice we can offer.

Penny

Veteran

Sounds like terrific progress! My experience is that wardrobe editing can be a long process, because after you kick out the worst offenders, other items that could go are more evident, and so on until you're left with your favorites. And it's so hard to find just the right items to replace / upgrade / rebuild - thinking of you and hope you find a few things on your latest foray!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It takes a long time to build a functional closet. After substantial weight loss, I found it took me about four years of shopping and culling to get to a place where I had enough to meet my needs in various roles and weather conditions. Good luck!

Anonymous

What Suz said. Even after establishing a good working closet, it is never really done. Bodies, needs and styles continue to change and our personal styles evolve. Pay attention to Angie's picks and what she says about their fit on body types. If they work for you, they will be favorites

Anonymous

Penny took the words out of my mouth.
For me, it has been 4 years and I think my style is finally starting to stabilize.

I think the reason it is taking so long is that I never experimented with clothes, ever, in my life before. A stead diet of jeans and cotton sweaters put me in a position where I really didn't KNOW what I looked good in, what I felt comfortable in, what colours and textures I liked, what level of dressiness I preferred. So it's been a learning experience and I continue to make a lot of mistakes.

I guess it's all par for the course, but I do feel that many others catch on quicker than i do!

Staysfit

Veteran

I rebuilt my entire wardrobe over a two year period, and agree that it's important to keep things fresh. The process never ends, it just slows down. I am constantly considering whether what I am wearing still makes me happy, still fits, still looks good etc. Are you keeping notes on what works and what doesn't when you try things on? It helps a lot if you have a tendency to repeatedly reach for the same sorts of garments but they don't suit. Also, I have found certain brands just do not fit me no matter what, so I avoid them. It may eventually save you some time when you shop.

BrieN

Veteran

I could have written much of your post last year. I did a total overhaul--shoes, boots, jeans, casual tops, work tops, blazers, dress, a purse, skirts, bras, raincoat, down coat, jacket, yoga pants, tops and jacket. For me it was a TON of shopping, mostly online, with lots of returns. A huge amount of time and energy. I have to say it was worth it. These days getting dressed (oh and PACKING) is so much easier. I had never had anything close to a functional closet before and the difference is dramatic.

rachelthrives

Thanks, ladies!

I had a successful wardrobe day! I came back with three toppers, a basic top, a necklace, a pair of fun leggings, and two big scores for me: a pair of leopard print pants that looked AWFUL on the hanger--I only tried them on because I have been craving leopard. Turns out I really like them! I also found a belt, which I've been looking for forever, since I wanted something specific: a belt with some elastic, that could be worn over dresses, at my natural waist, relatively wide, and not black. Found a nice embellished belt at Torrid.

Sterling: Yes, 48 feels sparse! I think the reason I've been able to muddle along with this tiny wardrobe is I don't have a lot of variability in my wardrobe needs. My job is very casual (teacher in a very laid back school) and my weekends are casual, too. I live in Chicago, but I prefer to purchase items that can be layered and worn year-round rather than do a lot of switching out with the seasons.

I think I have filled most of gaping wardrobe holes, but there are definitely a lot of areas where the butter is spread really thin! I've always had trouble finding bottoms, and my shoe capsule is also tiny right now--6 pairs excluding gear. I'm only buying things I can wear to work--though that really only rules out things that are overtly sexy or basically pajamas. I do have a small loungewear/at home capsule that I didn't include in my tally.

So far I have shopped online only for pieces I'm very certain about. I don't have a great way to get packages right now and I hate returns. We'll see as things evolve...

Penny: Yes, that's exactly it! When most things in my wardrobe rated about a 2, the 5s looked great...but now that my bar is higher, I'm noticing the things that don't fit into the look I want.

Suz: From what I've read of your story, I think I am starting in a similar place! I will be extremely happy if I end up at half of where you are!

Joy: I have definitely been looking at Angie's picks--haven't pulled the trigger on any of them yet!

Greyscale

Veteran

That does sound like a lot of effort that can feel thankless, but it also seems like your wardrobe has really been improved by all that work.

Question: it sounds like you are shopping looking for things to fit specific needs. That is the most focused way to do it, but it can also get tedious when the right things are never quite there. Are there places you like to shop for inspiration, where something might catch your eye that you didn't realize you needed? That's often dangerous for people like me who don't plan our wardrobes well, but maybe it could add a bit of spark back to your process. Even if it's just window shopping, like maybe a fancy boutique store that you don't usually visit. Even the people-watching part of it can be inspiring for me. Sometimes I like just going out somewhere and making mental notes of things I like about people's outfits. I suppose that depends on how inspiring the style around you is!

Anonymous

Congratulations on your shopping trip. It sounds like you deserved a little success for all your hard work.

Summer

Veteran

You're doing a great job, and it will get much easier the further you get with the wardrobe rebuilding. Good luck with the rest of the edit.

MovingFashionForward

How exciting! I so admire your discipline in getting rid of anything that doesn't work -- and I'd say keep editing as you have been and just let the process evolve over time. Don't be tempted to buy stuff that isn't right just because you have a wardrobe hole -- or if you do need to buy such placeholders, do keep firmly in mind that they are going to be temporary so you might not want to be spending too large a proportion of your budget on them.

The other thing you might find is that what you want to wear may change over time as you experiment and see how you feel in your various outfits, so it is possible that you might end up not wanting to wear a large proportion of your current wardrobe. I would definitely keep an outfit diary in which you note how the outfit made you feel, what would improve it, and of course any fit, colour or fabric issues you notice.

I myself have been finding the Stylebook app helpful in my continuing analysis and editing of my wardrobe, and in particular it has helped me identify a couple of wardrobe holes and stopped me buying more in over-stocked categories.

Have fun editing your wardrobe!

Sarah

rachelthrives

Smittie: I am starting with some idea of what looks good on me--I have always been an armchair fashionista, but too lazy/cheap/unhappy with my body to put it into practice. There is a big learning curve!

Staysfit: I should definitely take notes instead of just in my head! I am pushing myself to try on things that I would have rejected out of hand before and experiment with more silhouettes and colors.

BrieN: It's pretty much a total overhaul for me, too! When I started I had one "acceptable" bra and a drawerful of holey underwear. I'm glad to hear you say all the work was worth it!

Greyscale: Yes, I have been shopping with a general list--I think mostly to avoid getting overwhelmed by all the STUFF! The low-market mall I usually go to isn't the most inspiring place, but at Torrid and NY&Co I sometimes see things that get me going in a totally different direction. Or Nordstrom Rack when I can make it downtown.

Summer and Sterling: Thanks!

MovingFashionForward: Thanks for the point that I may find myself moving past my current style. A good reason to not go TOO crazy buying stuff right now...

The culling continues...edited out a t-shirt and an orphaned scarf this morning. The colors of both felt too classic for my current style, which was an interesting revelation--both would have been worn in a more muted or funky color. T-shirt goes in loungewear; scarf goes in the donation pile. Onward!