I have to admit that last night was the LAST straw! Frankly, I love moments like these, not so much for all of the frustration they generate, but how they force me to face my frustrations and create a plan to deal with or remedy them. Last night I just stood in my closet glaring at my clothes unable to find anything to wear for church on today. Ok, this may look like a minor problem but it was magnified considering I'd had that same problem several times this month already. At this point the picture was PRETTY CLEAR! And it wasn't until my mind drifted back to a magazine article I read on last week did I make the connection.
The July issue of Lucky had a pretty cool article entitled "45 Days of New Outfits: How to Remix your closet". This article showed 19 pieces and how they were mixed and matched to create 45 different outfits which could take you through Summer and into Fall.
(Here are the 19 pieces.....)
(...some of the outfit ideas.....)
(.....and some more. Not all 45 are featured but you get the point!)
I personally wasn't a fan of all the pieces and outfit combos, which is understandable since it wasn't a reflection of my style. But I do LOVE the point this article demonstrated. A wardrobe filled with great interchangeable pieces will definitely yield tons of outfit options. In my post just a few months ago I excitedly discovered my style and decided to only sew/buy items I felt that embodied my simple, effortless, and feminine style. I SO want getting addressed for ANY occassion to be EFFORTLESS!!!
So I've decided to revamp my closet---beginning with a GOOD PURGE! If I have any current pieces, with the exception of a few dresses, that can't be worn at least 3 different ways then it's got to GO!!!! In addition to that everything I sew has to not only fit into the "fun, simple, effortless, and simple categories" but it also has to be versatile. If I can plan 3 different outfits with it then I'm allowed to make it (of course special occasion dresses are exceptions to this rule). So everything that makes it into my closet has to audition first!!!! Trust me this isn't the first time I've thought about creating a versatile wardrobe but I have to admit it's the only time I've gotten drastically serious about it!!!
I've already started my purging and I feel GREAT!!! As things are heading to my church's clothing store I'll also get to work on planning some versatile pieces I can sew up and /or purchase. This may be a bit much, but I hope to create a chart of all my pieces so at a glance I'll know what I can mix and match. For the record I don't want alot of pieces (my emphasis isn't on quantity) but I want pieces I can get alot of use out of!!!! Whew.....breathing a sign of relief.....I love my new strategy and I look forward to making my wardrobe woes a thing of the past!!!
BTW got a quick 2 part question for you. Is having a versatile wardrobe important to you? If so, what steps do you take to accomplish this? I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!
If I worked outside the home then I think it would be a bigger deal to me. Jeans, Shorts, some tops... That pretty well covers me LOL. Though I have been sprucing up my tops and shoes lately! I know shocking but I have! :O)
ReplyDeleteOk Texan, I already envy your life! And now the thought of you having a stress-free wardrobe just adds to that (wink)! I'm sure you look great in whatever you wear! Have fun adding a few new pieces;)
DeleteCongratulations on deciding to build the type of wardrobe that you'll be absolutely mad about!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm on that same path, myself.
I think that the first and most important step is cleaning out your wardrobe . . . ruthlessly!!!
Don't keep any 'if-fy' pieces.
Having a much smaller wardrobe might create some anxiety at first, but in the long run, it'll be worth it.
Good luck!!!
Em
Great advice NBBS!!!! Believe you me having a smaller wardrobe is JUST what I'm looking for!!! The thought of streamling is refreshing. I'll definitely not hold on to if-fy pieces! When in doubt the answer will be no;)
DeleteYes it's important. I've found this blog site helpful for me. The Vivienne Files http://thevivennefiles.blogspot.com. I like the 4 pack that she suggests along with the other pieces to make a whole collection. Good luck with your wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the site link! Love Vivienne's blog!!! It's so refreshing because streamlining is exactly where my mind is!!!!
DeleteI have decided to streamline my wardrobe and adopt a simpler lifestyle and I love this way of being so much. It frees me up and lightens everything. The key is to establish a basic neutral color- tan, black, brown, navy, grey, etc. I chose Kacki-tan for the summer and brown for the winter. Then choose a few accent colors. I chose aqua, green and navy- with a touch of coral. The idea is that as many items as possible should be compatible. And mix and match together. Now almost everything in my closet goes with everything else
ReplyDeleteThis makes it so easy to get dressed in the morning. I like to have classic pieces that will stay elegantly in style for many years and are made with quality fabrics. I'd rather have a few quality pieces than closetful of clothes that must be changed frequently.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck and I know you will like the result. I love your great blog.. You inspire me to become the best seamstress I can be.
Janice
Ahhhh....thanks Janice! You are SO sweet. I'm delighted I inspire you. It seems you've got a great wardrobe planning system. I was just listing the pieces I need/want to keep. I love the mix of neutral with bright pops of color. I plan to do the same. Yeah.....I'm getting too old for all that fuss! I'm already excited about my new wardrobe!!!!
DeleteBy far the most versatile thing in my closet is a silk / linen blend v- neck a- line shift dress in navy. It is my LBD as I don't wear black. The cut is flattering and I feel beautiful in it. I put a turtle neck or blouse under it for winter with a belt and boots. I wear it with evening jewelry and metallic shoes. I wear it with summer sandals, to work I or ay wear it with a green cardi, for fun, I made a colorful obi belt and wear it with nice pumps, I wear it with different belts, scarves and jackets. Without a belt it is very dressy but also if I wear my metallic belt or the satin obi belt. Honestly people think I have 10 different dress with this item!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new approach. I find I can create a good mix and match wardrobe when I shop, but when sewing I have a harder time. I am easily seduced by lovely fabrics that don't go with anything else in my closet. I love sewing with colorful patterned fabrics but prefer to wear solid colors in the blue-grey-black family. When I am mindful of what I actually wear, I can sew things that are actually useful.
ReplyDeleteWhat an EXCELLENT point BeccaA! I've had the same issue! I still have a sewing closet FULL of beautiful print fabric which I plan to strategically use in my new wardrobe. But I do believe gone are the days of sewing without a real plan!
DeleteI've been an admirer of your blog for some time. You seem to prefer making and wearing dresses. Maybe try not doing your laundry for two weeks. Whatever winds up in there is a def. keeper. Then sort the other stuff.
ReplyDeleteBtw, if you are wanting more neutrals in your closet, greys and browns and blues age better than blacks.
Versatility of every piece I sew is a major factor. I have a worksheet on which I sketch my idea, add pattern choices and list pieces in my wardrobe which I can use with the new item. I am trying to sew in capsules or wardrobes. This is vital for me as I have a teeny closet! If I lived in a newer home, I would probably be sewing singles just for fun. I also work in a color palette each cycle...or season. Looking at my closet arranged in colors I see red/ maroon/rose/pink; blue/green/teal/navy; grey/black; taupe/white. There are a few orange but those are corals and go with the first group.
ReplyDeleteI love your style and love your blog!
I am not really into versatility. The only pants I own are track pants and jeans. So I go for versatile tops that go with jeans and skirts but I am mostly a stand alone dress gal. I do like versatile shoes and accessories though.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled on your blog via pattern review and will be waiting for your next post xx
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ReplyDeleteI'm a novice sewer, so I havent advanced as far as you....When I shop, I try and stick by the 'can I wear it with at least three things already in my closet' rule.This has't always been the case, but as I get older, (and I have to feed and clothe two teenagers...) I have tried to make more 'deliberate' decisions. I think my sewing is going to lean toward the classics, and outfits in specific colors that I need for my church choir. I've done the matrix thing too. It's a great tool, but I always wind up with a huge 'need to buy' list. Wonder why?? :)
ReplyDelete