Wardrobe essentials - or, the laundry pile doesn't lie.

Inspired by K.'s post on wardrobe essentials I got to thinking about my personal essentials and how much I enjoy wearing them with very little additional acts in the mix. It reminded me of my old wardrobe-management system from my younger days - every few months, I would wear my clothes until I felt really compelled to do laundry, and then pretty much whatever was left in the closet (if it was seasonally appropriate and not 'special occasion' wear) was gone, since I obviously didn't want to wear it for whatever reason - easy peasy!

Anyways, I don't use that approach anymore but I did take notice of what's been in the laundry bin this week - on any given week where I don't give my clothes too much thought, it is roughly the same pieces, give or take a few (except in the coldest days of winter or hottest of summer when it's definitely different):

- navy/white striped crewneck sweater (fine knit)
- black and white marled crewneck sweater (fine knit)
- black button up fitted shirt
- light blue crewneck sweater (fine knit)
- charcoal boatneck t-shirt
- blush boatneck sweater (fine knit - tucked b/c it's too oversized for my comfort)
- gray tunic-length slim-fitting hoodie
- skinny jeans
- skinny black jeans
- bootcut jeans
- skinny cropped jeans

This list took me through a date night, Easter church and family get-togethers, as well as my regular week's schedule. I guess I know what my essentials are!!

Anyone else use the laundry trick or any other weird tricks to figure out what they really wear?

9 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

Nice! Thanks for sharing, Torontogirl.

Anonymous

I'd not thought of figuring out essentials that way and will have to be more aware. This week casual bottoms have been black Ponte pants and grey jeans.

Staysfit

Hmm, my laundry is filled with exercise gear! I didn't include that on my list, a major lapse on my part. The other item is flannel pajamas!

Ha! What an inspired technique, Torontogirl. I love this idea.

Sal

I do keep an eye what moves back from laundry to immediate wear. At the moment (autumn/fall) it is:

Black crop pants
Black tee with sheer back
Pink silky tee
Black and white patterned loose pants/harems
exercise gear

The last two weeks I have reintroduced jeans into the mix after avoiding them for summer (too hot). I am enjoying wearing them although the skinnies I bought last summer are losing their stretch and slipping alot (which is my pet hate).

Helena

Joy, black ponte pants would especially make a great essential and workhorse item. Staysfit, real life shows itself in the laundry pile ha! Alasse/Aliona, thanks! Kiwigal, glad it's not just me Black crop pants will come back into my rotation as the weather warms up. Enjoy the break from the summer's heat! My fave skinnies are starting to slump down around the waist and butt *wipes tear from cheek*

Ooh is that silk

Active Member

I'd not thought of this approach, but what a great way to come up with a capsule wardrobe! Your list reads just like one of those Pinterest-worthy minimal wardrobe pictures.

texstyle

(website)

This is what often leads me to wanting to duplicate (exact color/style) a few items. Unfortunately, by the time I want to duplicate, the items are often no longer available in my size.

AviaMariah

The laundry method is brilliant. My dirty laundry is full of lounge wear every week as I spend evenings and weekends with my 1 and 3 year old and they get dirty fast. Also a few key pairs of jeans, black ponte pants and striped T-shirts. So I suppose those are my essentials right now!

Carla

Ah! The truth is revealed! Jeans, grey trousers, striped mariner t's, turtlenecks (black, navy) fine knit, flannel shirt. Fitness gear with towels gets processed twice a week in addition to weekends with everything else.

krishnidoux

Now I want to go explore MY laundry pile lol!

Laundry?? Pyjamas, underwear and fitness gear I honestly don't wash clothes much at all unless they are dirty from something or need dry cleaning from being worn a lot. (in summer, it's a different story, of course) . But I did think a little while ago about going through my tops and sweaters literally one by one in my closet and wearing a different one every day and seeing what was left. Same sort of strategy. I like to do this at the beginning of a season as a way of weeding out stuff I won't wear again.

chirico (Chiara)

My laundry pile includes mostly pajamas and jeans that I wear on weekends and get dirty easily at the Park. My work wear doesn't get soiled that much...

Ah true, I never did consider the dry cleaning piece ... I guess this works best for the easy care clothing set!

I have recently done a rather extensive closet cull, and have gotten rid of things that no longer deserve to take up space anywhere in my home. I wash 99% of my clothing, so I have a good idea of what's getting worn often and what's not. Most of what I have gets washed in cold water on gently cycle and then hung up to dry. I think it's safe to say that the pieces that get dry cleaned are the pieces that are not essential. They are, however, pieces that I need for special occasions.

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