I wasn't going to bump this so late in the game, but since Lisa just did.....
First, you all know there's no hatin' goin' on. If you have/need/want a large wardrobe, that's SO much fun; go for it. Thank you for letting us all live vicariously through you! For some reason, a having lot of *things* gives me anxiety and make me feel claustrophobic. I also live in a very strange climate and I live a pretty tame life. Even when I have large amounts of clothing, it seems like I gravitate to the same basic core. Hence my interest in this crazy idea.
MNSara, the three dressing gowns did not escape me either! Perhaps she spends as much time "en dishable" as I do? Too funny.
Velvety, it's great that you chimed in with your always astute observations! I got the same impressions as you did from my excerpt of the book. I can't help remembering the discussions we had when La Francaise was on the forum. I'm still trying to wrap my head around better quality and fewer pieces. Your polyvore examples were right up my alley! Thank you! (Nice that they were from someone in SoCal, too.)
Suz (and Julie) you are so right, and feel free to speak for me any time. You have a very good handle on what makes me tick. I'm so glad I've taken the time to get to know what I really like. I see some retail (not resale) purchases in my future. And I'm sharing your jacket frustration of summertime. Imagine 9 months of it! I will really need help next year.
Manidipa, I can't believe you can remember with such accuracy your college wardrobe! I remember those crazy jeans we wore (while thinking we were SO cool). because of your extreme climate you get a pass on this exercise if you want one. I seriously don't know how you do it. One thing about living in a desert suburb is that everything is so clean. It hardly rains, and when it does, everything is paved and there are sidewalks everywhere. I can definitely wear my white jeans multiple times before I wash them and suede footwear is not a problem here.
GP, don't worry about it. You and Lisa have fab wardrobes and I wouldn't change them if I could.
Which brings me to all of the comments about writing a How To of sorts. Folks, I seriously am fumbling around in the dark. Perhaps I need to show you more of my misses and let of my hits? Keep a running tally of how much money I've actually wasted trying to be thrifty? And even if I did figure my thrifting methods out, I could never see myself telling others how to do "what I do". This journey is so highly personalized, as the comments in this thread have shown. And not everyone has great thrift stores. I've been in some so depressing that I've wanted to cut my wrists!
The best advice is just to know what's current and breeze through looking for newer things or your own essentials. I've had some luck buying older silk blouses because the masses haven't learned of Angie's boxy silk blouse love like we have. I think I'll be turning my attention onto belts and accessories now. Thrift stores in nicer areas often have a better selection of newer things (someone tried a belt and couldn't make it work so they donated it right away). Your average Josephina in my area hasn't started tucking and belting so no one is fighting over the belts yet (like they do the hand bags--yikes)! So there you have it. My book in a nutshell, lol!