starry night
Recycles dryer sheets
I’ve been struggling with this since we previously downsized and moved across the continent 3 years ago. I never felt satisfied with my closet — contents nor organization — so here goes another attempt toward a better curated wardrobe. I aspire to fewer, but nicer, things — a more subdued, neutral color palette — easier decisions for daily outfits, etc.
Where we live now requires a more seasonable wardrobe, so there’s that to manage. Also, I have decided that printed fabrics exhaust my eyes and clutter the playing field, so I am moving toward solid color block choices and combos, and having accessories do the decorating part.
Now in my dotage (age 72), with gray hair, pale skin, and pale eyes (blue), I have concluded that pale tones look awful on me, so I am eschewing whites, beiges, grays and pastels. Of course, I will still need some white slacks for summer, but not gonna wear pale tones above the waist. I have chosen the background neutral colors of black (which I think looks flattering on everyone, male and female, and in all seasons) and browns (from dark chocolate to toasty butternut), a more warming tone, works well for winter, summer, spring or fall. For color spikes I have chosen dark or bright (not pastels, due to my paleness) jewel tones in blues or pinks (think burgundy, wine tones, fuchsia, etc.). So this is dark to medium neutrals paired together with one another or joined with bright cool colors.
I have scarves, hats, belts, bags, shoes to lend focal accents.
So, that is the image I have of wardrobe options. Now to organize.
I start with a clean slate. Remove everything from the closet, into piles on my king size bed, sorted into tops, bottoms, dresses, lingerie and accessories. This is the chance to clean the empty space, wiping down shelves and bins, (don’t forget to dust off the clothes rod, too) and vacuum.
Now, everything must argue for its existence in my new closet space. There are some “easy YESes”, the best stuff, obvious saves which can go in with little review. But the bulk of my “stuff” is the “MAYBEs” or “really should be NO’s”. This is not about simply “finding a place to put everything”, but a REMOVAL of things I don’t need or even use anymore.
I must try on each item to conclude if it fits well, is in good repair, feels good, and will work within my palette and with multiple items already in my collection. If not, it is out from the get-go and will be donated away. The keeps go to their appointed location in closet. This starts becoming a visual confirmation. I can see my palette and categories filling the space with good choices, without the unnecessary volume crowding them out.
When I find that my selected “keeps” have reached a suitable mass, I really don’t need to keep more and should really give stern consideration to dismissing all of the rest. I try not to rationalize keeping something that just doesn’t work just because I can’t part with it. Part with it. And my psychological bias for keeping something has moved from the questions: “Could I still wear this? Would I wear this?” to “SHOULD I wear this?” Why should I keep something less worthy of my limited space when I have all of these other preferred choices already in there?
I encourage myself to be a “let go of it” person. I truly can do without it, and someone else may find it will suit their needs at a bargain in a thrift store.
An added bonus is that I can better identify any perceived gaps in my plan and can reward myself with some limited, yet strategic shopping. Yay!
So this really worked for me. I did accomplish it in waves, though. My first attempt was back in January — New Year’s resolution — and I was pleased with the outcome but knew I could do better. So this time, this weekend while transitioning toward spring and summer needs, I did do better…..and hope to revisit again in a bit. This will reveal if I have learned anything of lasting value, or fall back into a junk closet filled with things I just don’t choose to wear anymore.
DH is not interested in what I would call “improving” his side of the closet, but for myself, I’m quite chuffed today, feeling rejuvenated, less burdened and inspired to a life of style that is easier to manage.
What about you? I’d love to hear your advice and suggestions.
Where we live now requires a more seasonable wardrobe, so there’s that to manage. Also, I have decided that printed fabrics exhaust my eyes and clutter the playing field, so I am moving toward solid color block choices and combos, and having accessories do the decorating part.
Now in my dotage (age 72), with gray hair, pale skin, and pale eyes (blue), I have concluded that pale tones look awful on me, so I am eschewing whites, beiges, grays and pastels. Of course, I will still need some white slacks for summer, but not gonna wear pale tones above the waist. I have chosen the background neutral colors of black (which I think looks flattering on everyone, male and female, and in all seasons) and browns (from dark chocolate to toasty butternut), a more warming tone, works well for winter, summer, spring or fall. For color spikes I have chosen dark or bright (not pastels, due to my paleness) jewel tones in blues or pinks (think burgundy, wine tones, fuchsia, etc.). So this is dark to medium neutrals paired together with one another or joined with bright cool colors.
I have scarves, hats, belts, bags, shoes to lend focal accents.
So, that is the image I have of wardrobe options. Now to organize.
I start with a clean slate. Remove everything from the closet, into piles on my king size bed, sorted into tops, bottoms, dresses, lingerie and accessories. This is the chance to clean the empty space, wiping down shelves and bins, (don’t forget to dust off the clothes rod, too) and vacuum.
Now, everything must argue for its existence in my new closet space. There are some “easy YESes”, the best stuff, obvious saves which can go in with little review. But the bulk of my “stuff” is the “MAYBEs” or “really should be NO’s”. This is not about simply “finding a place to put everything”, but a REMOVAL of things I don’t need or even use anymore.
I must try on each item to conclude if it fits well, is in good repair, feels good, and will work within my palette and with multiple items already in my collection. If not, it is out from the get-go and will be donated away. The keeps go to their appointed location in closet. This starts becoming a visual confirmation. I can see my palette and categories filling the space with good choices, without the unnecessary volume crowding them out.
When I find that my selected “keeps” have reached a suitable mass, I really don’t need to keep more and should really give stern consideration to dismissing all of the rest. I try not to rationalize keeping something that just doesn’t work just because I can’t part with it. Part with it. And my psychological bias for keeping something has moved from the questions: “Could I still wear this? Would I wear this?” to “SHOULD I wear this?” Why should I keep something less worthy of my limited space when I have all of these other preferred choices already in there?
I encourage myself to be a “let go of it” person. I truly can do without it, and someone else may find it will suit their needs at a bargain in a thrift store.
An added bonus is that I can better identify any perceived gaps in my plan and can reward myself with some limited, yet strategic shopping. Yay!
So this really worked for me. I did accomplish it in waves, though. My first attempt was back in January — New Year’s resolution — and I was pleased with the outcome but knew I could do better. So this time, this weekend while transitioning toward spring and summer needs, I did do better…..and hope to revisit again in a bit. This will reveal if I have learned anything of lasting value, or fall back into a junk closet filled with things I just don’t choose to wear anymore.
DH is not interested in what I would call “improving” his side of the closet, but for myself, I’m quite chuffed today, feeling rejuvenated, less burdened and inspired to a life of style that is easier to manage.
What about you? I’d love to hear your advice and suggestions.
