or, the Great Style Reset for life moving forward.

I can't believe how many comments my previous post garnered.  From constructive critiques, to support, solutions , understanding, and to plain old " I get it " .  There are definitely those who rolled their eyes or shook their heads in disbelief that here I was , at it again.  And that's ok .  I have a hard time accepting myself too.  But to those who were gracious in giving me feedback, please know I truly appreciate it even thought I didn't reply to every comment.  

I was ready to start by 11 am today. Roll of green garbage bags at hand, and my list of what I'd like my wardrobe to eventually look like. 

By 2 pm, I had bagged up almost 100 pieces. Yes, you read that right.  I would NOT have guessed I even had that many pieces in my entire wardrobe, but it's funny how those 8 silky camisoles from 10 years ago, (for wearing under cardigans or blazers - a look I haven't worn in a decade ) those 6 blazers from years past, some outdated holiday pieces hanging in an extra closet ,  a couple of sweatshirts in dip-dye colours  (LONG past their trend prime - ugh) , and worn-out black tops from my work collection ...all add up. Some summer sandals and a pair of sneakers went. Casual pants in colours  that did not meet my new criteria - i.e. never made me feel great , colours were a problem etc......onto the pile.  It took a few passes through everything to make my decisions, and am I left with a closet full of perfect things?  Not at all.  There is still too much , if I use my list below as a benchmark,  so what's left unworn by the end of the summer will be reevaluated. I still have 10 pair of blue jeans , for example, and I lost momentum by the time I reached my black denim....but that can be a fall project.  

But what I do have is a closet with breathing room .  I still have a pretty robust jacket collection - and really those are shoulder season pieces and not for true summer - but did get rid of things like a 10 year old Club Monaco camo-print field jacket  .  It's time to let that look go.  

I drove the bagged up goods to a donation depot - see photo below- at which point my daughter popped out of her bedroom to quip :
 " getting ready for the new Zara to open?" .  I had no reply.  Biggest issue at that point was what to do with 100 empty hangers .  My god.  

Thoughts as I packed up the donation goods:  

 I used to be quite the clothing snob back in my younger years - surprise, surprise - but when my husband retired, we moved, the pandemic hit, and I did a 180 with my career, I decided I could exist quite happily with cheap, low-priced clothes and should, at my age.  I didn't deserve nor need better .  Well, that was misguided .  I ended up spending the same amount as usual, just on more because they were never quite right .  90% of it is crap, I have to say.  The odd Joe Fresh tank or linen Old Navy pant is fine for summer work wear, but do I really want this to be the mainstay of my closet? There is no traction with building any kind of quality , sustainable wardrobe this way.  

For anyone who is interested , here is the spring/summer wardrobe capsule I came up with :

(this doesn't include around-the house , walking/cycling /exercise, or work apparel) 

jeans - 3 pair - 1 light, 1 med and 1 black denim ; in boyfriend, trendy and cropped flare cuts . ( I have 10 still, ugh) 

casual pants - 2 pair : 1  olive green  ; 1 other colour ; cargo/jogger, and cropped wide leg cuts  ( I have 3) 

stand alone tops - (don't need to be tucked or need a third piece) - 3
in knits or woven ;  (I have at least 10 - nothing fabulous though but I do wear most of  them ) 

2 linen tanks,  
3 rib knit tanks 

cardigans - 2 ; one dark, one light  ( I have 5) 
sweatshirt - 2    
lightweight linen-type pullover - 1
bomber/blazer - 2   (still have about 5) 
denim jacket - 1 blue , 1 black 

dresses - 2 or 3 - woven cotton or linen; all below knee or longer 

basic t-shirts -2;  nice enough to be worn alone or as a layer - one white and a colour  (I actually don't have any) 

I didn't come up with a footwear guideline - but I did get my collection down to half of what it was a year ago.  I am buying NOTHING unless it replaces something I already own.  

3 word style descriptor:  modern, pretty, minimal .  This is a big change from where I was even 5-6 years ago. I'm way past my RATE, rockerish stage  and anything too tough or masculine , and all of that stuff went today too.  

Colours: cream, olive, navy , caramel, white, black.  

Well,  thank you again for reading, and for following along as I cracked open the psychological disaster that was my wardrobe.