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Wardrobe Mgmt Strategies

cjh

(website)

Veteran

It is so interesting reading various wardrobe mgmt strategies. I think we could make it into an advanced degree course with all the options and combinations thereof. What do you think about, have you ever participated in, which sounds good or appeals most to you???

Project 333 - limiting pieces to choose from for a certain length of time, and putting the rest into holding.

Minimal Closet - paring down to a prescribed number of items, 10, 21, whatever limit you set for yourself.

Capsule Wardrobe - designing a mix and match strategy based on shapes, color scheme, favorite neutral, season, activity, and/or fashion persona.

Outfit Lineup - formulating outfits that you love and never straying, or simply composing outfits in advance of need.

One in-One out - managing the size of the wardrobe by getting rid of something whenever a new item is added.

Trend Update - adding a few new, trendy items to existing classics each season or year, wearing them until they go out of trend.

Uniform Dressing - choosing to wear the same all the time, whether identical items or based on a set formula such as shape or core pieces.

Closet Purge and Restuff (or restock) - sadly the "strategy" to which I often succumb.

I think Outfit Lineup and Uniform Dressing are the ones which would work for me better than some others. How about you all?

35 replies

Latest reply was from aine1313

Anonymous

My wardrobe management strategy has been a combination of one in-one out, trend update, and uniform dressing (based on shape).

Marilyn

Veteran

Definitely an advanced degree. I'd have to study hard for that exam. Sometimes the plethora of strategies makes my head spin.

Currently I'm somewhat of a uniform dresser. I'd like to get more organized with capsules but need to devote more time to that.

Anonymous

I'd love to operate with combo: minimal/capsule. Not sure if it's possible or if I'd like it once I got into it, but it sure holds a lot of appeal.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm in the process of trying to work this out for myself.

I know I don't want a truly minimal wardrobe (e.g. 10 or 20 items.) That won't work for my climate or lifestyle.

I do a version of 333 but not by numbers -- I simply put what is not "in season" in a different closet. I don't limit myself to 33 items for 3 months or whatever. I have no interest in doing that.

I definitely pay attention to "capsules" and it has helped me to organize my wardrobe and ensure that all parts of it are up to date.

I am considering a kind of "uniform" dressing -- or, more accurately (and slightly different) developing a clearer "signature style."

Thistle

Veteran

An advanced degree for sure

I am at the uniform and pre-planning stage. Two small children don;t leave me a lot of time for fussing with clothes. And they have taught me that handwashing cashmere does, indeed, get spit up out and not harm the sweater

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Well I definitely employ the Project 333 method, but only on a seasonal basis so I'm not sure that counts.

Mostly, I'd say I fall into the outfit lineup and uniform dressing categories. I'd love to work on some capsules though!

Anonymous

Capsule dressing!!!!!! I'm all about capsule dressing!!!!! FOR the first time in my life, I can walk to my closet and pull together an outfit that I love in less than 60 seconds. I have fewer buying mistakes than ever. AND I am supremely happy with my wardrobe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, ooh, ooh, [puts hand up]! There is also Frequency of Wear - X shirts worn Y number of days per month or season or year. Say I wear a shirt 6 days per week. So, if I want to wear my shirts at least 10 times, I can't have more than 31 shirts, or I won't get the average wear per year I want, for example.
There is also the French 5 or 10 item (depending who you read) update. You add 5 quality items each season, or 10 a year I think.

I am at the 'don't buy so much, you can't wear what you already have often enough already' stage. tee hee.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Yay, Mo. Thanks for the course additions! You get extra credit.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Then there's my current strategy: Keep stuffing.

Summer

Veteran

Minimal Closet - though not by design!
Capsule Wardrobe - I love my capsules.
Uniform Dressing - though I'd like to veer away from this one.

I love hearing how others organize their wardrobes, and, yes, I think a degree course would be well-subscribed!

rachylou

Veteran

Omg, cjh. That's beautiful. A person needs an advanced degree, seriously.

My thesis - I already know what it's going to be: Predictive statistical analysis on the replacement rate of items in minimalist wardrobes

harmonica

Veteran

This is a great sum up of different ways of working with your wardrobe!

I'm drawn to the idea of a minimalist wardrobe, but couldn't do it in practice. I think my wardrobe is leaning toward a capsule.

I always line up my outfit in advance (can't stand adding more stress in the morning). I also like uniform dressing and FFBO - it's easy and time + energy saving to wear a previously successful outfit. Why not?

I'm trying to do one in-one out, but I'm not very successful at it. But I do purge along the way, especially when seasons changes. My closet has limited space. I try to do a trend update, but I find it hard to follow every seasons trends.And I often need some time to adjust my eye to new to me looks.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great thoughts here.

I prefer a Moderate size wardrobe. I practice the one in one out principle and am very strict about it. I have a set number of hangers in my closet and THAT IS IT. Closet space and my budget controls the size of my inventory. I like to buy better-end stuff a lot of the time, so I never seem to have a quantity problem - or space shortage challenge - because my budget only goes so far. As a result I don't buy a lot once, nor do i want to.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

A little exercise in Uniform Dressing, which I would like.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/480477853971160523/

shipskitty

Veteran

Hmm...I mostly use a combination of capsule dressing and formulas (which is a nod to uniform dressing) where I have figured one out. I think I prefer Suz's 'signature style' as a descriptor though. I'm still working out the more casual aspects of my style but once I have nailed that I'm hoping to move to more of a one in one out type model to replace/update essentials and statement pieces.

frannieb

Veteran

Seasonal, moderate, Capsule dressing 100% and like Sterling the best I have felt about my wardrobe ever.

I am trying to transition to the thought of only doing the french 5 piece update seasonally (I live in 4 seasons) Working through what this would really mean.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Fun question, cjh. I sort of do uniform dressing -- not strict, but for the most part I stick to two "uniforms". I have a jeans uniform and a skirt uniform. I also sort of have a one-in-one-out approach, in that I try to replace old items with new ones. When I get the new one, I toss the old one (or use it to exercise in!).

I don't know if this qualifies as capsule dressing, but I do stay within certain colour palettes. If I stray, I will have an orphan. So I stick to the colours I know I'll wear.

I like the idea of the French 5 item update. Thanks Mo!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I think I'm still searching for a strategy. I definitely sized down, and I am aiming for a wardrobe where I love 85% of the items, and where I can comfortably store my items in the small space I have. There needs to be leeway for practical dressing, hence the other 15%. Out of all the strategies I've looked at, the joy factor appeals to me most, moreso than number strategies. The latter can be good at getting you to downsize initially, but after that, they'll likely force you to abandon items that you cherish, but rarely wear.

E

Veteran

Oh fun! My approach is capsule based, which works really well for me. But I'm going to try incorporating some outfit focus this year (aka repeating favorite outfits instead of always remixing). Haven't decided what my acquisition strategy is for the year, but I'm on a clothes shopping break for a bit, just so that I can appreciate all I have!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the comments! It is educational and inspiring to read everyone's moda operandi. Angie, thanks for your viewpoint. You really confirm your pro status by your confident and unwavering approach. Thank you!

ElleH

Veteran

I'm enjoying this post & the comments. I'm rebuilding after weight loss & also as I become more aware of my needs & style so I don't know that I have a formula. I don't buy much that I don't think I need but "need" is different for everyone. I'm curious Angie & other One in One Out folks - does the item that goes need to be a similar item or just any item to create the hanging or drawer space? I don't plan capsules but do consider what else will go with my current wardrobe. I think I follow the "Fill the Wardrobe Hole" method.

Gaylene

Veteran

Could I take a non-credit seminar researching a Down-And-Out option? My super downsizing because of a move to smaller digs and the need to sit on the sidelines instead of buying anything new for a while has, oddly, made me happier and better dressed these days. Only the best of the best made it through the purge and, once I saw what was left, made it very clear that I DID have a very definite personal style. Since I have no room to add anything new and since I don't want to get rid of anything (thus eliminating One-in/One-out), I'm stuck on the sidelines for a while. I get my fashion kicks these days inventing new combinations from what I have in my closet.

LynneS

One in, one out + trend update + a little forgiveness if a great brand in like new condition shows up at the thrift store

celia

Veteran

My wardrobe is a lawless place.
This year I am trying not to buy anything in a hurry because I do have a lot to work with in my wardrobe.
usually I buy thinking about capsules, weekly organize by outfits and try to update by season.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Hands down, I cannot believe what a difference Marie Kondo and her KonMari Method have made in my life! I used her system and went through my closet several weeks ago. I blogged about it here. I am still working my way through the rest of the boyfriend's condo, and my own place.

With regards to my wardrobe, I find I'm not worrying about numbers now, or how often I wear something, or cost per wear, or even style descriptors. I just get dressed, and I love everything I'm wearing - and I can move on with my day. And I find I wear nicer things at home, that are equally comfortable to 'loungewear', but that make me feel happier.

As time has progressed, since doing my initial closet sort-out, I have been able to identify things that I still like, but that are getting in the way of the things that really spark joy, and I've been able to pass them along: sell, gift, donate, recycle.

ETA: I find I am wearing more items than previously, and that a lot of benchwarmers are getting pulled out and enjoyed

shedev

Veteran

I do 1 in 1 out, and right now the thing I purge is the same as the thing I add. I'm also not replacing things I wear out. The purged stuff is just things I'm ready to let go of. I'm also keeping track of the number of things I wear out this year to see what my actual needs are. I've downsized my wardrobe quite a bit but I still feel like I have much more than I need. I plan to use all the info I'm gathering now to organize my wardrobe in 2016.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My ultimate arbiter is space based. I've got s certain number of hangers and a certain amount of drawer space and when things start bursting at the seams I go through and see what's past its prime or hasn't been worn in a while. I also put away my out of season stuff and swap that in and out.

My budget, which is by season (winter/spring/summer/fall) also creates limits. And since I write down what I buy for the budget, I've been able to go back and see what I wear and how often I've bought stuff out of season versus in season and how effective my dollars have been.

One of my fashion NY resolutions was to track my wears but so far I haven't found a system for doing that that that doesn't feel onerous. The apps require a lot of work on the front end and doing it on paper requires a lot of calculation monthly or whatever.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great post and gun to collect all the methods!
I like " focused silhouettes"( a version of uniform; want more capsule concept, even if loose, because I enjoy the feeling of mix and match but am not always happy with the product, hence want itdms more tightly selected
For definitely working together; 1 in/1- out Iz a goal overall nog Judy because of space, but because I want to challenge myself to really ask why do I need another ..(top, skirt, purse, etc).At this point it would have to be because.. I don't like this other ons, I'm not going to wear that one.

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