The baking is done ( yesterday) with actual Christmas meal cooking still to come of course.
So time for a 2019 fashion review of sorts. This is inspired by Runcarla, Synne, Nemosmom, Jenn mainly- and all of you because you all help! Angie, of course- no YLF without Angie!
In January I will have been on YLF 3 years. So I wondered if I have been doing better than I was before I joined. My wardrobe had been bloating up for a good 9 years ( 2008-16) before I joined. Those were the years since menopause at about age 46/47 ( forget exactly) and gaining weight and also earning more thanks to kids being older, more time for work! So I could afford to spend on clothes much more than when in my 30s with young kids. But a fair bit was a waste due to no plan.
Still in my working wardrobe from pre-2011: 19 items, 11.5 %. Pretty old right? Almost 10 years or more. Includes only one item not worn for some years, the oldest, my mother’s 1964 red coat. I can’t bear to ditch that.
2011, 9 items
2012, 9 items
2013, 14 items
2014, 10 items
2015, 20 items
2016, 18 items.
Post YLF: 2017, 14 items ( only bought 18 that year)
2018: 27 items
2019: 24 items
So just on 40 % of my now 164 piece wardrobes ( clothes and shoes, includes outerwear but not underwear, accessories or bags- not really a bag person) is post YLF.
I have retired 38 items this year and 42 last year, ( 80) so my wardrobe has shrunk by 20 as bought just under 60 in past 2 years. I am aiming for an approximately 150- item wardrobe which feels about right. So need to shrink a little more. By buying less and I suppose editing out: trying to wear 30 times at least before editing but have not fully succeeded on that. Finally edited another 2 high-heeled uncomfortable shoes that I had been hanging onto. Angie and Sterling will be proud of me. I will consign them in the autumn. One had 2 wears and one 4
In 2018, a clear out year, only 17 of 42 had over 30 wears.
In 2019, 20 of 38 had over 30 wears.
The best thing is the greater proportion of post- YLF buys that are hitting 30 wears! I have learnt to buy for my lifestyle better and not just because something is pretty!
And to suit my style persona of the “Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf”. This is all a win.
Thanks to all of you and all the best for 2020. Much love xx