Interesting thread. Just reinforces my thinking that wardrobe systems are as diverse as the women who wear the clothes!
After being on YLF site for decade (and succumbing to all the traps which can envelope an enthusiastic newcomer to the site!), I finally realized that I’m happiest with a small wardrobe. That insight came after I discovered three “tricks” which I learned from Angie and other YLFers which really worked for sorting out my attitude towards my wardrobe vs.fashion:
(1) Making a list of a) what elements/styles/shapes I like to wear, b) what I don’t like, and c) what intrigues me. That tattered list is still in my closet because it helps me sort through cyclical fashion trends and enthusiasms. The list has become MY personal style guide since “what intrigues me” gets regularly tweaked, but my likes and dislikes have remained fairly constant over the years. I think the specifics of the list work better for me than a fashion moniker. The “likes” part of the list also pretty much defines my “essentials” since it’s easy to distill what I need to have in my closet to put these looks together.
(2) Thinking along the “French 5 (or 6 or 10 or whatever number works for a person)” when I add to my wardrobe. Forcing myself to assess if I’m willing to “sacrifice” a number for an item has really helped me become a more careful shopper. I spend less because I ignore sales, bargains, and “deals”. Instead, I look for how well an item fits into my wardrobe based on what intrigues me at this moment—but always with my personal style likes and dislikes in the back of my mind.
(3) Maintaining a “one in, one out” philosophy. I have a limited amount of closet space so I’m constantly thinking of what will need to be eliminated if something new is added. Ideally the eliminated piece will be worn out, but, if it’s not, I’m forcing myself these days to consider how the item can be re-purposed without adding to the mountains of clothing deposited at our local thrift shop. I’ve had good success with consignment and handing down my pricier items to younger family members, but sometimes I’ve been left with having to re-assess my thinking about an item. That’s how I ended up with an almost new, buttery yellow, $$$ cashmere hoodie as loungewear last year. The color was a bad lapse in judgement (I adore the shade but it doesn’t return my love when placed next to my face). Demoted to loungewear, the sweater has become my favourite item to wear around the house. And who knew how useful cashmere could be when forced to wait around a chilly ER at midnight—it kept my poor friend warm and cosy while waiting for the orthopedic surgeon and the paramedics entranced by its softness whenever they came by to check on her!
Those three “tricks” work as my planning tools because they help me control what goes into my closet. I still make mistakes (cashmere hoodie!) but overall I’m pretty happy with the current size and functionality of my wardrobe.
