Absolutely agree with Gaylene. Since I reduced my wardrobe to pieces and a palette I love - and started tracking number of items per category, in addition to the one-in-one-out rule - I've made a lot fewer purchasing mistakes because the bar is pretty high. And moving out those items that you aren't sure about to a holding zone for now will probably have a similar effect.

I do a mix of the following with these items, and I do have them!!

1) Try and wear them to make them work, sometimes this inspires me, other times it confirms that they are not going to be worn.
2) Put to a holding zone for a season. I have had some come back but it is probably only 25%.
3) Just accept my lot and wear them anyway. I don't have the budget to replace them all at once, and I often have four of five 7/10 items that I just wear. Currently two black fitted sweaters (both a fraction short), one black pencil skirt (not wild on the fit), a cream structured tee (neckline too crew) and blue jeans (sag as the day goes on).

I get cross with myself when I make a mistake, but it does still happen. Shapes change, spills happen, wear can be unpredictable, and sometimes lifestyles/tastes evolve.

I've had the black crop VC pants below in a holding zone because the fit isn't a 10 on me and I think I didn't have the best footwear and other pieces to go with it. Lo and behold, I think it will work under dresses per Angie's formula!

In my holding zone I also had an unusual Tildon cropped cardigan that creates a wide shoulder line and often the proportions seemed *off*. Then, I bought the pink Mom jeans, and what works best is that old '80s formula of big shoulders so the white shirt below (tucked) works really well, and since I get cold that Tildon cardigan is perfect.

I used to think orphans occurred due to color or pattern, but now I get that an item may be a *7* because the proportions tried don't really work.

I have a top that I have worn 5 times, maybe more, and went back and forth on whether to keep it or not. Today first I tried my one tunic and a few dresses with cropped pants and heels a la Angie's post. Then I tried on the top and it looked great.

It went to a 10 with heels and an 8 or 9 with flats. I'm so glad I still have it. It's one of my longer ones, sharkbite hem, more material than I usually like on top. I wore it today (without the heels. Not quite as fab, but it wasn't a heels kind of day). Turns out having the extra bit of skin showing made all the difference. I also tried it with my other top with more material, one I really like, and it looked even more fab this way.

I also have a dress I love but my bra sometimes shows. Someone recently mentioned tacking something to keep it closed. I'm glad I've kept it now that I know how to fix it. I also have some cotton tanks that have shrunk after a lot of washing, but I am considering adding ruffled material to add the length back.

I also put something I want to wear more or decide about in a more prominent part of my closet so I see it first. And/or have a try on session with different options.

Also, sometimes I keep comfy but a bit worn (doesn't look new anymore) clothes for cozy nights at home or long drive days.

Laura - I've resisted tracking my outfits, but I'm sure it would be enlightening.

Gaylene - I know the direction I will go in is to reduce my wardrobe size. It is nice that such a process led you to a greater wardrobe happiness. And your point of something needing to beat what you have is a good one.

Smittie - I like the idea of good basics. I have a gray tee on my list and a white tank. I know what I'm looking for, and I refuse to get something I don't love. I'm not sure when finding tops became harder for me than finding bottoms, but that's mostly the case now. Guess we both have the same issue.

Penny - I've reduced the color palette I wear, and I have enjoyed that very much. I'm not sure how long it would take me to track to figure out an ideal number, but I suspect that's more analytical than I will consistently stick to. I like to see the analysis others do though, as it gives me good food for thought.

Sally - I understand sometimes wearing something you don't love. I think the goal can only be to bring in pieces that move you forward, when it fits with timing and budget.

Dakotacheryl - I'm sure there are lots of us in the same boat.

Donna - it makes sense to me that the proportions are what bring down a number, and not color.

Barbara Diane - how rare for something to go up after the fact. That's great. I have try on sessions too. My DH just shakes his head. He doesn't get it.

Delurked, I know exactly how you feel. And no - you aren't being picky at all.

But it is true that not everything you try on in the dressing room will tell you it's "issues" immediately. For example - a pair of jeans that bags out...a cami that rides up, or a top that starts to fall off the shoulder during the day. All these "issues" are only revealed with wear, which is where the challenge lies.

Let me tell you, you're not alone. This happens to ALL of us. My trying extra-hard to gauge quality & fit & durability of an item at time of purchase doesn't automatically mean it's gonna be comfy for all day wear. But....I do have a strategy.

1) You were wearing an outfit where ALL 3 pieces ended up being uncomfortable. Unless you can afford to just get rid of all such mediocre clothes right away & shop for new items, I recommend you try pairing something "fussy" with something "guaranteed to be comfy". For example - wear those jeans with a very nice & comfy shirt that's a workhorse. Add a belt. Wear that top with a very comfy pair of jeans that work well for you, and with a tank instead of cami that doesn't ride up. Or try a cami with lacy straps underneath and wear at home to lounge in. I find cute tops that fall off the shoulder (unintentionally) rather alluring. Point being- if only 1 item in your outfit feels "fussy", sometimes that's not a deal breaker. But if at the end of the day you still hate the item of clothing despite pairing it with your comfy favs, donate it ASAP.

2) Keep a mental note of all these items that are so-so. If you come across a replacement, buy it and then put the original problem child in the donate bag.

3) Also make a mental note of what brands/cuts/styles you prefer. Stick to these when you go shopping to eliminate mediocre items. Also keep a mental note of what to look for in terms of comfort from your experience with these 'mediocres'.

For example, I know from experience that I do best with mid-rise or high-rise jeans. No matter how well a pair of low-rise jeans fit me and how comfy they feel in the dressing room, I don't buy them anymore. I know I will find 'issues' with them later. Same for cap sleeves on top that have a higher neckline....they make the top bunch up unattractively over my bust as I move around when the sleeve pulls the whole top up. No matter how cute a top, I don't buy such sleeve anymore. And i have the same problem as you with camis. They ride up and I find that very annoying. My solution is to avoid camis all together. 99% of my summer wardrobe doesn't need one underneath. For the remaining 1%, I have started wearing a tank underneath. And I buy one size big....that makes it not ride up, somehow.

I recall writing down why the items were 'fails' for me and it really helped me see the patterns of why things didn't work.

I've done some pretty major closet editing over the past couple of years but it's still a work in progress.

Something I was just trying to do was to create a list of items (tops first) I feel I reach for most often in my closet -- by memory, no looking.

The goal is to figure out what I feel is memorable and what I feel most comfortable wearing (and why) and then try to determine how many other pieces I have that fall out of that category, but I can justify because they get worn once in a while and I do like the way they fit/look/feel. Then, what else am I still hanging onto and why?

It was surprisingly difficult for me to list more than 15 summer tops (including casual tees!) that I really reach for again and again. I have some others I remembered, maybe 7-8 or so, but the 15 are definitely my favorites for color, fit and comfort. Some of the 15 I have duplicated (tees) but I'm not counting duplicates.

So, if I removed all the other items I would have a true "what I wear" tops capsule for summer I suppose.

Next up, bottoms, then fall/winter items, then shoes.

Another thing I wanted to mention, and this goes back to another thread you posted recently, is that I'm quite a bit pickier about what I'll buy online vs. In person. Online, I'll stick to all my buying criteria and only after a lot of hemming and hawing will I pull the trigger. Not so in person. For some reason, in person, all of my best laid plans are thrown out the window and I overlook a lot of issues. (Maybe this is 'emotional shopping'.)

Maybe the best approach to wardrobe nirvana is a two tiered system of pickiness: 1. Purchase things online to get the exact things you need (item pickiness) and then 2. Try them in at home to get the fit you need ( fit pickiness).

I think the above is probably the ideal way to be, but it doesn't work for me since shipping and returns are so costly.

Delurked, this is a very intersting post ! I have been in the same situation for years. You have already received a lot of helpful answers and there is nothing I can add. For me, tracking outfits, removing from the closet all the mediocre items and putting them aside, deciding to become more picky when buying - were all things that helped.

Maneera - I like the idea of incorporating something comfy with something less so. That may do a better job helping me determine if something can be salvaged. I've also been thinking about my favorite pieces and what makes them so.

Jenanded - figuring out a common theme can be helpful on both winners and losers. I'll be happy if I can decrease the percentage of the fails.

Texstyle - I've also done a mental list. It lets you know what really stands out. I live in a warm climate and don't have enough short sleeve tops I like. I can't believe how hard they are to acquire when I insist on loving what I get.

Smittie - I like your system. I am picky about what I keep from online, but if I can return it easily, I take a lot of (usually unsuccessful) chances to see what might work. I will almost never be willing to pay shipping, and return shipping has gotten crazy as well.

Sisi - I know there's lots of us who keep trying to figure it out. That's why I'm on this site.

I'm getting super late. But I'm commenting just so that I don't lose this post in the forum. There's just too much wisdom in the post and comments.. Read initial few. I'll have to come back and take notes.

Ha - that's when I add to my favorites Nishaa.

I may try something counter intuitive. Shop more to buy less. Especially in person, I am pretty discerning. Sometimes I will go shopping with no intention to buy anything. It helps me get an idea about what's in the stores and helps me consider what would help with wardrobe cohesiveness.