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Where to start in a disjointed closet?

Kat

Veteran

Does anyone else have a disjointed closet? One that looks like it belongs to someone with multiple personalities or several people in different stages of life, living different lifestyles? Where do you start in the "unification" process? I've gotten some good ideas regarding eliminating things that don't fit physically (though I'm hanging on to some things as I work on those last 10lbs), or for my lifestyle, or that I don't love, but I feel in some ways that I may be a bit mercurial, something that seemed wrong yesterday suddenly feels right today and vice versa. I am not starting from scratch as I have many things that I love, but where does one begin to create cohesion?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Kat

Sparky

Veteran

Very good question! Have you read Angie's blog posts on capsules? That might be a place to start.

catgirl

Veteran

Or you could just join Team Eclectic. I need a lot of variety to suit my mood, personas, and completely different life capsules.

I think the key is to figure out what your capsules are and what crosses over between those capsules, then go for as many of those items as possible. For example - black skinnies can be either dressy enough for an office or taken down to RATE and casual.

lynn

Veteran

AG, what is RATE?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

RATE = YLF talk for "Rough Around the Edges."

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hmm. Kat, maybe you could start by keeping track of any outfits you come up with that you look and feel great in - take a picture and or make notes (including shoes & accessories). When yo have a few of these outfits, take a look at them and see what they have in common - silhouette, color, pattern, texture, etc.

This might start to give you a feel for the types of style elements you're particularly drawn to. good luck! steph

Kat

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the assistance!

Sparky, I have read the capsule posts and will definitely revisit them. I even bookmarked a few pages for inspiration. I think that part of my problem is that lack of a common thread running through things that was troubling me.

AG, I will happily jump onto Team Eccentric. I wish that I could justify the MPSD (multiple personality style disorder) with a need for an office versus life capsule....my clinical life required scrubs, so no "office" clothes, all my clothes should be more or less for everyday MOTG stuff. I will, however, start running with the idea that its okay to have different capsules to suit my mood and persona and I think I can still try to see what items (ie black skinny jeans) can crossover all my moods and personas.

Kat

Veteran

and mrseccentric, you have given me exactly what I needed in nailing down a starting point. I think that I was overwhelmed with the differences and couldn't find something cohesive to begin organizing. Rather than starting to put things into capsules, I should start with my outfits and then look for that cohesive thread (surely there is something that flows through....). Thanks for the sage advice.

YuYu

*raises hand*
i do, i do! i am totally suffering from a multiple fashion personality disorder. especially now that I am starting to rebuild my warderobe from scratch, and need to watch my budget, and oh, the drama of it all... but anyways. here is my two cents on approaching this problem:

I find making moodboards to be quite helpful. what I do is collect pictures of clothing items/ accessories/ whatnots that represent the styles and moods I like , then take a separate sheet of paper for each of my fashion personas and apply the pictures that go with each persona to the corresponding sheet. sounds like a silly elementary school project, but it turns out that designers do it all the time.
in this way the key style characteristics become immediately visible. then it is easier to determine what crosses over between capsules, what elements are mutually exclusive, what could be mixed and matched in a fun eclectic way etc.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, I forgot to add the infamous "Aida's list" which really helped me hone in on what I do and don't like. I check this list whenever I feel the urge to impulse buy, to make sure what I want is in line with what I said when I was rational.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....th-my-list

Kat

Veteran

AG-thanks for the link, I was sitting here nodding vehemently the entire time I was reading (my kids probably think mom is losing it big time). I am wondering, was this list something you compiled AFTER you reviewed your wardrobe in detail and purged and decided on what you love so that you could move forward or was it a list you used to START the process, going in knowing what you want to achieve and using the list to narrow things down?

Kat

Veteran

YuYu, so glad I'm not alone in "sybil" land.....The mood board is a great idea I may need to incorporate into the now planned month long self-imposed clothing diary (what I wore, what felt most like "me", etc)......Again, searching for the common thread.

Aida

Veteran

I also have a bit of of multiple personalities in my closet As for my list, I think you could do it either way. It just depends on how tuned in you are with what your style goals are. For myself, I didn't compile my initial list until I'd done some experimenting, and then I put it into practice. But I know that others have used it to help them in deciding what should stay and what should go. It may be worth starting it; if you find you have trouble narrowing down those elements, then you probably have some experimenting to do

EDIT: Just wanted to add that the common thread may not be a singular style, but an overall vibe. Not saying that one or the other is better, they're just different.

Kat

Veteran

Aida, thanks for the input. Figuring out where or how to start just felt so overwhelming. Your list is fantastically helpful. I suspect you are right and am thinking that I will probably find a "vibe" rather than a style. I am looking forward to finding out.

Aida

Veteran

Rae had a good thread on this subject as well, you may find it useful:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....on-journey

Looking forward to joining you on your journey

Lisa

Veteran

*raising hand* I am on team disjointed. My style wavers from classic to preppy to boho on a daily basis. I don't mind mixing it up. I get bored too easily otherwise. They key is to keep each style small so they all fit in your closet.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I'm pretty disjointed too. I just did the exercise that people came up with in the thread that Aida linked to (and, I think, invented). This is what I did: pick out the bits of Angie's style personas that seem to apply to you, list the colors you tend to wear or don't like, identify some "elements of love" which I took to be style concepts that inspire you (punk, vintage, mod, etc.), and list various features or clothing items that you like. I also added a list of looks that I admire but hardly ever wear myself, and a list of things that I really don't like and would only wear under duress. Finally, I tried to summarize all my choices in two words.

For me, that is "eclectic frumpy" or "goth classic".

I'd be happy to post my lists if anyone is interested. I think breaking it down in this way was a useful way of thinking about what is actually in my closet, and the way I wish I dressed.

YuYu

I've been watching this thread, and just had to chime in and thank all you ladies for the fantastic input.
and yes, Mander, please do post your lists, every bit of insight counts!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Right, now keep in mind that I am only just getting started with decluttering my wardrobe and actually getting a grip on things. I actually feel pretty unhappy about my clothes and my appearance in general right now, and I definitely don't feel fab just yet. But hopefully this exercise is another step in the right direction. I was into goth and industrial music all through high school, and I still have a tendency to identify with the "alternative" music scene although I don't actually participate much these days. For the last 10 years I have been a graduate student and I am an archaeologist, which both translate into a tendency to seek out comfortable or practical clothes, although I'm not much of a tomboy in other respects.

Anyway, here are the lists I made, starting with the bits of Angie's personas that seem to fit me:

* The modern classic – stripes, solid colors, updated tailored items, knee length skirts, button down shirts, dark blue jeans and plain pumps
* The artistic eclectic – novelty, selectively choose fashion trends, ignore key looks that everyone else has latched onto, accessories are often vintage
* The sporty natural – low maintenance, tomboy element, live in jeans
* The bohemian hippie – ethnic jewelry and flared leg pants, long wavy hair, enjoy the opportunity to be creative, don’t follow trends
* The funky urbanite – retro, shun polished and pristine, embrace practical messenger bags and fashionable walking shoes, uncomplicated and efficient, often edgy and a bit gothic

I don't really have any "trendy fashionista" tendencies.

- COLORS:
PRIMARY NEUTRALS: black, beige, cream
SECONDARY NEUTRALS: charcoal, white, chocolate brown on occasion
MAIN COLORS: reds, aqua, green, blue, jewel tones in general
ACCENT COLORS: purple, yellow, orange
DON'T WEAR COLORS: pink, mustard yellow, olive green and other "earth tones", most pastels

- ELEMENTS OF LOVE
GOTH + ARTSY + CLASSIC
40s, 50s, 90s

stripes
solid colors
bold geometric prints
rock band t-shirts
dark denim
boot cut or flared jeans & trousers
button-down shirts
v- or scoop-neck tops
wrap dresses and tops
knee-length skirts
opaque tights with colors or patterns
cardigans, especially long floaty ones (but not cocoon style)
tailored jackets
trench coats
biker jackets
knee or mid-calf boots
Doc Martens
stacked or thicker heels
Mary Janes
oxfords
comfy flats (but not the super thin-soled ballerinas)
big dangly earrings
nerdy glasses
big scarves
soft knits
closer-fitting garments in general (but not tight)

- THINGS I LIKE THE LOOK OF BUT DON'T OFTEN WEAR
tweeds and wool
velvet
shift dresses
figure-hugging 50s-inspired dresses
trouser suits
tuxedo jackets
filmy blouses (but not with neck bows or lots of ruffles)
corsets and corset-like details
hippie and ethnic styles (especially jewelry)
leather and fur

- DON'T LIKE OR WON'T WEAR
skinny jeans or jeggings
leggings + tunics
tapered legs or ankle-length trousers
mid-calf or mini skirts
bright colored jeans
shorts or culottes
most pleats or gathers (skirts and pants)
puffy sleeves
gathered empire waists, tiers, or big ruffles
things that are tight around the neck (bows, turtlenecks, chokers, crew necks)
cage heels or gladiators
ankle boots
peep toe boots
platform heels and stilettos
tassels and other dangly details, esp. on shoes
jeans tucked into boots
ditsy and floral prints
shiny and glittery fabrics, including patent leather
hardware
big logos, labels, and writing in general (except souvenir t-shirts)
80s revival fashions

Try to sum it up in two words: ECLECTIC FRUMPY or GOTHY CLASSIC. Or, totally confused!

Kat

Veteran

I am learning so much from all the input and feeling very reassured that I am not alone in my multiple personality closet! Thanks for all the lists, how you arrived there, etc....I am incorporating bits of everything and keeping track for the next bit of what I wear and what feels the most "me" so that I can look back and find the commonalities and move forward. I also did a huge purge of all my hanging things yesterday, on to Tshirts and sweaters this week. ..... I hope everyone else will continue to keep my posted on your thoughts and journey as well.