WIW – Timely to Angie’s Post and some reflections

First, the decision to turn my hangers around so I can see what I am wearing has been very interesting. I have a lot more clothes than I thought I did. I am on week three without rewearing any work clothing (I am not including shoes in this). My jeans are workhorses on casual Friday and the weekend. I need to keep that capsule in good repair and be willing to spend on it. I also need to upgrade my shoe capsules.

Since turning my hangers, I have also found my desire to purchase more has dwindled as I am more focused on “turning the hangers back”. I have also found myself more particular because I know I have a lot of “hangers to turn” so do I really need to add another. For me, this has helped visualize how much I have as well as realize how long it takes me to wear it all. I am also seeing which pieces I reached for first, which I am still excited to wear, and which I am having a harder time forcing into rotation. I need to do some introspection of why these are not being chosen.

All of this said, Angie’s post today really made me realize a huge weakness for me. While I have clothes, turning them into outfits is really difficult. You have seen today’s WIW before. All the pieces are identical. I am definitely looking forward to more outfit creation posts!

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13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

What a great exercise! Anything that gets us to use what we already have and keep us out of the stores at least for awhile seems like a good idea to me. I need to try this as well. I did make the effort recently to change out all the hangers so they match, so this would make a great next step. Good luck, keep us posted! Cute outfit BTW.

Sara L.

I really like this outfit with red and blue together. The red belt looks good and the neutral colored shoes are perfect. I see no reason for not recycling outfits it you like it and it looks good on you. You don't want to get bored, of course, but not every outfit has to be new.

missvee

Good point about your casual capsule. Even working full time, the hours in our evenings and weekends add up. And these are the times when we're most likely to be out with friends and family, so good casual clothes are just as important as work clothes.

unfrumped

Thistle, this is so timely, and as you can see I have also been in the wardrobe organization mode! YLF is helping me get more PPP, and your post is part of that.

Day Vies

It's always wonderful to see you in this outfit. It is one of my favorites of yours. It has lots of color and the proportions are so flattering on you!

Shopping your closet and learning to play with the clothes you have is a process of discovery. It forces you to confront issues like: why so much of this and not enough of that? I never wear that -- why? I am looking forward to see what you discover hiding in your closet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GREAT ephiphany and learning curve.

KILLER outfit.

NOTHING wrong with repeating outfits.

Don't worry. This gets easier, Thistle. It's just practice.

Beth Ann

Gorgeous outfit!

Thanks for sharing what you're learning about your closet and your choices!

Sarah A

I love this outfit on you!

I am wondering if I should try turning my hangers? (It would give me a new obsession besides my 2013 shopping list) I definitely know what gets worn a lot b/c it is in every wash load but what doesnt get as much wear and why? I have hunches but nothing definitive.... thanks for the thoughtful reflections!

annagybe

I had not seen this outfit before but you look great in it. If I did the hanger thing it would probably take me a more than a year to do it.

Suz

Great outfit, Thistle! And I am definitely in favour of repeating. I do it all the time. Then again, nobody sees me most of the time so it doesn't much matter! Great exercise to "turn the hangers." I don't have that many clothes and I am pretty aware of what I do and don't wear, and why. In my case I don't wear things that I can't make outfits with (duh!) or things that don't match the weather conditions, yet I need a range to work with the varying weather. Especially in the transitional seasons.

Transcona Shannon

Loved this outfit the first time and love it again! One thing I've learned from Angie is how to repeat outfits and not worry about it. If I feel great in something and it works, why not repeat?

I've been thinking of doing the hanger trick myself - I imagine it would provide me with a bit of an eye opener.

Thistle

Sarah - The hanger thing has been working really well for me. I encourage you to try it, especially as it is free! I wish I remember where I heard it and could give credit. It not only tells me what I like wearing, but shows me how much I really do have to wear and how long I have to go before I turn them all around.

And I really enjoy turning the hangers around, like I enjoy crossing things off my lists

Anna - your closet would be a dream for most of us to shop in. It is amazing!!

Off to go flip hangers! I wonder how much I care that some things dont get worn much? I have certain items that arent much a part of my life right now but I hope will be again and since I have the room.... Good thread for reflection!

deb

I love this outfit on you! The hanger trick is one that I use every season.

Caro in Oz

Another repeat offender here - if they work & look fab you'd be silly not to repeat imo:)

shedev

It's smart to repeat great outfits. I did the hanger turnaround once.

Jaime

This is a terrific outfit and it bears repeating!

Jenava

I love this outfit on you! It's flattering and I love those colors!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Thanks for your reflections. I haven't tried the hanger trick. I suspect, like Annagybe, that it would take me a year. But I might surprise myself, and I'm sure I would learn some things.
I love this outfit you! Fit, flattery, fabulosity! And gorgeous colors on you.

Elly

I love the proportions on this-- I'm glad your doing this exercise in self-discovery. I'm all for wearing what you want, what you love, and what works for you rather than trying to get the most out of clothes that aren't the most flattering or "you" or don't serve a real specific purpose, but the hanger trick can help you see what you do wear, try out things you aren't wearing but own to see why the do or don't work, and where to go from there.
Posts like these put a big smile on my face!

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