Wardrobes in multiple cities

I have secondary wardrobes in two other cities, where I keep summer clothing/cultural clothing/a few items that I only wear there out of convenience. For example, I have t-shirts in multiple colours for the unbearably hot and humid summer, but they tend to get saggy and show sweat stains easily, which is why they're there, and not with me.

I got rid of a ton of clothing from each location, because I don't like idea of having junk spread out in different countries. On the other hand, the clothing is there because I wasn't able to pack them due to space constraints and there is a convenience factor of not packing much when I go home due to the considerable lounge wear options.

For those of you with wardrobes in multiple cities, how have you managed them? Do you hope to consolidate everything? Or is that unrealistic?

12 years ago

General

5 replies

Latest reply was from April

(website)

Veteran

I do tend to forget some of my winter stuff left in CA when I come here to FL. I mean, I know it's there, but I forget wearing it and pairing it up with stuff, etc. I never leave anything behind in FL because we just rent here and everything must go when we do. I'd love to have everything with me all the time, but that's just not realistic. I mean, we only have 2 plates and 3 forks here . . . and I would expect to have every last jacket and pair of boots? I don't think so. I just keep pictures and mental images of what's dear but not near

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I theoretically have a working wardrobe at home - but I don't go to "home" often enough to pick through anything. I just wear my high school stuff :p Still fits, even after 12 years. HAHA.

I prefer to pack a few things from my main closet rather than rely on my old stuff, though.

That being said - gear I usually leave behind - i.e.: my bike equipment and stuff (gloves, helmet, biking attire) is at home.

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

I find it difficult to consolidate both home cities into one travelling wardrobe. Two reasons:
1. Baby's wardrobe shoehorns out mine! And his needs must travel because he is growing fast enough that I can't park extras for him.
2. Climate is pretty different at each. Serious galoshes at one place and a proper close-to-freezing winter in the other. Why lug 2 sets of heavyweights and bulk? (Though this is tricky for travelling elsewhere, as starting in the wrong city means I am missing raingear or winterwear)

So yes inevitably some duplication plus some favourites to shuttle with. I maintained a spreadsheet for a while but have not managed to update lately, between baby taking priority and a flooded home that I haven't managed to assess damage from.

I do keep mini here/there lists on my phone for key pieces: bags, shoes, coats/jackets, jeans, dresses. Tops, tunics, leggings, lighter weight pants, skirts, sweaters travel easier (dresses are FFBOs I like parked in each place but currently have zero!).

I don't keep a count of loungewear or sleepwear but bring a couple of sets everywhere and have extras at both ends.

Exercise gear travels (well, not shoes but clothing). Swimwear ditto.

I used to aim for full duplicate sets before baby. This closet splitting explained my resistance to buying more expensive tops and tees though. I had a nagging fear I won't wear it enough before it dates because it just wasn't there! Now i can upgrade with toteability in mind (nothing too bulky). Which helps because the same budget covers half the numbers now.

But I made peace with the fact that I simply need the same budget to cover 2 sets of the bulky things (see above). Which means really loving what I buy as it cannot be refreshed as often. I thought this meant plainer, mote classic. But am finding avant-garde or a little 'out there' has great staying power too.

12 years ago

MuseumGal

Veteran

I have not managed them well at all and basically have duplicate wardrobes. Now that I'm moving to one place permanently, I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what to keep and what to purge.

12 years ago

April

Veteran

I've really struggled with this, though it sounds like my struggles are slightly different since I go to the other places several times a month. It's not as easy as it sounds to "keep a capsule wardrobe" in the places you go to often but where you don't live most of the time.

For one thing, it pretty much requires you to go home in the same clothing you came in. Sometimes this is easy and fine, and sometimes it's impossible, such as when there's been a radical weather change overnight.

For another, if I really love something, I would prefer to have access to it all the time, not just on weekends. Also, the weekends are when I get to see my husband, and I don't like to be seen by him only in the same couple of outfits.
Then there is the problem of remembering what is where. For this one, I recommend having a well organized closet and snapping a few photos of it as a reminder, as well as keeping lots of lists.

This is how I keep track of what's in the various refrigerators as well.

12 years ago

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