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About: Capsule: Vanilla, Kiwi & Blueberry Gelato

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The other side of a wardrobe refresher...

rachylou

Veteran

Was just reading the blog post about Cool Karen's spring 2016 update... And I'm wondering about subtractions... Because I invariably do not weed as I add... which I probably should. But what would be good to cut in 2016?

General

31 replies

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Deborah

Veteran

I think it would be different for everyone. I might start with items that I simply have not worn for a long time.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I was wondering about Karen's editing/culling process as well. I am in continuous purge mode: I keep shopping bags in my spare bedroom into which I often tuck things I no longer want and eventually, they get hauled to the resale/charity shop. I've never really done a full-on, all-at-one-time closet sweep but instead seem to have a weird "I'm so done with that garment" mindset that will kick occasionally and cause me to sweep out things.

kkards

Veteran

rachylou, I've been thinking about the same thing. i'm going to start with the obvious duplicates ---which one do i find myself reaching for, keep that one, let the other go, it's a start

ma

Veteran

Besides the obvi fit, worn, orphaned things, I tend to purge things that I'm just bored with and don't feel like wearing anymore...like my chambray shirt, which might have been a mistake because I am already looking at replacements. Like Nebraskim, I keep a bag in my closet where I can toss things as I go. Doing it all at once seems daunting.

Runcarla

Veteran

Although everything is 'out' in my closet, there are some things that really come out to play when a season changes. Around that time (like now) I'll go through my clothes and make up outfit capsules and combinations.

Sometimes items that looked okay at the end of the season look worn, dirty, pilled, etc. on second regard. These get tossed as well as orphans.
I've started the process, and since the boots have been put away and shoes rotated to the front, I'm surprised at how down in the heels some of my footwear is. I have to see if the cobbler can save my faves!

DH and I do a big purge of his closet seasonally as well. He likes the tradition of me taking him for a BIG shopping trip around his birthday in October - so we edit before. Another overhaul (for spring) occurs before we go on our 'winter get away/spring break'.

You seem to have a large collection of clothes. Why not start with putting together 2 weeks worth of outfit combinations that make you feel fabulous (10 happiness factor) then seriously evaluate everything else, measuring them against whT you love the most?

celia

Veteran

Good question rachy. I realized that I am also not very good at purging.
I would start with the obvious, the ill fitting, damaged and non flattering.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You've got to edit and review before you add, Rachy. I'm keeping my eye on you!

unfrumped

Veteran

This is a fun way to put it!

I need to do this, too.

I have need to create/keep some good outfits for professional presentations, meetings and these usually need to have "3 pieces" plus modern footwear + professional tote or good handbag.

It's amazing how hard it is (for me) to get that right, with proportions, hems, fabric matchups and flattering but neutral or nearly-neutral colors (not ALL neutrals go together, IMO!), how a jacket can destroy how a top lies, i.e. I may need sleeveless shell or a top that fits just so for a certain jacket's armholes or sleeve structure; the pants vs. skirt (pants usually because footwear is often easier and I avoid the dreaded judgement on pantyhose), but then have to watch out for stodgy trouser and blazer combo. In addition, I have to have leeway or options for fit or weight fluctuations--can't assume everything will be static for 6 mos or a year; need to keep checking in on how things look.

Anyhoo, all of that above has cause me to think, keep focused on capsules for real, and different, needs--am I adding just another top + pants combo, or have I nailed down one or more really good total ensembles.

rachylou

Veteran

Angie, I was so torn between 'comedy' and 'wisdom' at your words, because truth is so often funny. I need to be kept an eye on!

It's hard, right guys? I guess the question for me is, what would I give up in order to be of the moment, participate in the new trends and partake of the new offerings? Because I don't necessarily feel dated with anything... I don't want to stop wearing anything.

Yeah, I just want more to wear, lol...!

Mochi

Veteran

Then thou shalt not purge.

rachylou

Veteran

Or maybe another question to ask is: is there anything dragging my wardrobe down? Like in the way a couple of things in the Pantone colors of the year might make things more lively, what is draining it? Two years ago I purged bright orange. Before that, bubblegum pink. Maybe I'll toss all true blue tees...

Mochi

Veteran

Now you're talking heresy....

Penny

Veteran

That's certainly one way to look at it, Rachylou, although my question would be, would you purge a color because it didn't feel current, or because it's not in keeping with your style goals (although looking current could be a style goal!) I'd focus on what doesn't feel right, look right, or advance your style goals in identifying what to let go . . .

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with celia: Do you have any clothes that don't have a good fit or that are getting worn out? That's how I start a closet purge. After that, you could look at items that you haven't worn in a long time and ask yourself (like Janet and Sterling), Why haven't I worn this item? There might be a fatal flaw in it that necessitates a purge for your and its own good.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

We all want/need/have space for different amounts of clothing. And we all have different activities, climates, etc. And different desires for something new.

I like to wear favorite outfits regularly. I have a friend who is 3/4 of the way through the school year and hasn't duplicated a work outfit yet.

But I think really knowing what you have is an important first step. Noticing which items or entire outfits are well loved and figuring out why. And then comparing the rest of your clothes and outfits against the ones you love. Maybe you can wear items in different combinations, etc. to move them up the list. Or maybe it's time to let them go. I have both done major purges and one item at a time purges. I try to notice what I'm not wearing, and if I can't come up with a way to wear something more, or like it more, it goes. The exception has been a few very well loved items that I am just figuring out ways to make them work because I'm expanding my knowledge, like through YLF.
In the last year my purchases of slingback sandals and fringed booties made the biggest impact on how up to date my wardrobe feels.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

And keep your style goals and wardrobe holes in mind. Once you identify a problem the solution often appears.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok...Right o', I have a massive wardrobe. I've been on a 5-yr long (at least) intensive (in my mind) purge project. Massive as it is, it's down to what I think of as current stuff. So it should be one in, one out now. I got a new short poppy blazer, so I should probably give an existing one up ... These are: a navy blazer, a light blue (long), and a mint (short). I have to have always a navy, because my family is so preppy (it's like having an emergency outfit for funerals always on hand, lol). I feel the light blue is 'in' this year and something I want to play with. That leaves the No Not My Mint!!

Maybe I should turn to my sweaters instead. I keep telling myself to give away this old BCBG (do I have those letters right?) handkerchief sweater. However, it lives at the foot of my bed like a robe. I throw it on all the time...

rabbit

Veteran

I think four blazers isn't too many if they tick all the other boxes and are different from each other. Also comfy lounge wear is good (although for me I try to only have 2 lounge outfits at any one time really, so there is something to wear if one is the wash, but I'm not saving a lot of old comfy clothes). Is there another category where you have far more stuff that you can wear and you can do one blazer in, one top out or something?

Cutting down on my color palette helped me edit too, and it seems like you have done that in the past. Maybe try on some stuff you are on the fence about and post some keep/edits in a particular category?

rachylou

Veteran

When the cold weather stops, I will be tossing some old bakery fleece-lined leggings... can that count? Lol. But thing is, I'll probably be getting new ones next fall... It gets down to almost 40 in the dead of winter inside there...

Kari

Veteran

Guilty as charged. I am not a good pruner and I have a lot of clothes in the probation/will-I-truly-miss-it holding zone for months. I know it's time to let them go.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Maybe we should work backwards from what you have your eye on to buy - perhaps it will lead to some questions about what you already have?

Anonymous

You could purge the navy from your everyday capsule and limit it to just the funeral capsule. Sort of a semi-purge.

For me, updated footwear is a big deal. Maybe it is for you too?

I have a couple of pairs of sandals that I could purge in favour of some more updated block heel/gladiator types.

rachylou

Veteran

I should go thru my shoes. Have injured my foot tho. Have to wait until I can make better decisions. Right now it's tempting to chuck them all.

Shevia - top on my list is a blouse with a collar suggestive of something Elizabethan and a long pencil skirt with a flounce at the hem...

Joy

Veteran

If it is any help. This spring my collection of long drapey knit cardigans is being purged. Most are Bobeau from a few years ago. This year they look too unstructured and not long enough. I am also eyeing cropped little jackets but need to be sure that none are needed as frock toppers ( say that fast 10 times).

rachylou

Veteran

Hehe. My mum might smack my wrist for swearing, if I try, Joy. Lol. But that's brilliant about the sweaters. I think you are right and I WILL finally oust that sweater.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

So, do you really need to get rid of clothing? Are you out of space? It seems you like and wear your clothes.

Staysfit

Veteran

Yeah, space constraints are a big factor for wardrobe size. I like the idea of using color palette for weaning items. The item you choose to eliminate could be important. For example, I'm not convinced that eliminating shoes in place of a blazer is a good trade unless you are trying to balance your closet for having an over-abundance of shoes. They take up a different kind of real estate in the closet and in the end you aren't really creating a space for the blazer, you're only keeping your wardrobe the same size. It depends on your goal.

Glory

Veteran

I have improved my purge skill since being on the forum. 2 x per season I review all items (spring/summer and fall/winter). I also keep a bag in the closet. My methods work better in theory because I have a pretty large holding or probation (I like that word) zone. I have 4 large bins and in the interests of transparency 3 of these are are clothes that no longer fit (one bin for each size down). I have kept them because I am hopeful and they are quite nice. The bag in the closet fills up quickly because if I put something on and it doesn't feel great I tend to toss it in there. Strange though that those items do not end up on probation. So Rachy this probably doesn't help because I am purging due to fit whereas you love your items and they work for you. Do you need to purge? Only if you want to or are out of room.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I get rid of things that are obvious no-go's like the fit was off or I didn't like the way the material felt or something. Or washing it made it change shape. Then next it's usually the things I'm just bored with and have worn as much as I care to wear. They don't always get purged, but they make the "holding drawer" status for a while.

This year my graphic tees will be taking a break and I'm focusing on slightly higher quality tees and tops (at least I'm trying to do this). Last year I was doing some part time work in a messier environment and the graphic tees were an easy, affordable option. Same goes for shoes, last spring/summer it was all about easy shoes that could take a beating, this year I'm opting for a couple of nicer (still casual) but nicer options like my new navy sandals.

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