Trapped by the closet
December 2, 2011 10:50 AM Subscribe
#ShallowFilter! I can pretty much wear whatever I want to work. You'd think this was a good thing! But no, it is a horrible curse. I now own So. Much. Clothing, but I feel like I never have anything to wear, and I think it's because I have too many options. Help me re-learn how to clothe myself.
I'm a late-20s female who for the last several years has been working in media, where the dress code is basically low-key hip. Mostly this means nice-casual (think Anthropologie, J. Crew), but stuff like jeans and a t-shirt is just fine on occasion, as is more fashion-y attire like leather leggings and structured dresses and crazy heels. As a result of this everything-but-a-business-suit dress code, I own — well, everything but a business suit. And everything in my wardrobe is fair game for both work and play.
This tyranny of choice has lead me to an increasingly overwhelming sartorial paralysis. I feel like I've lost my center when it comes to a sense of style (recent weight gain hasn't helped much here), and so when I go shopping I wind up buying things that fit "looks" that are all over the place: hard-edged badass, flowy hippie, minimalist Euro, preppy uptown lady. So now I have a closet overflowing with pieces, and I have no idea who I am anymore, style-wise, and so I have no idea what to wear. Almost every morning I sit on the edge of the bed in my underwear and feel despondent (yes, even when I remember to put my clothes out the night before). The only time I feel like I know definitely what to put on is immediately after I've purchased new things, when they're all I want to wear. But then the ooh-shiny! wears off after a few days, and I'm back with a pile of scrap fabric and a lack of aesthetic focus. There are times when I stare inside my closet and literally cannot remember what it is that I wear on a daily basis, because it all just seems so, so awful.
I don't want to stop being a clotheshorse. I like following fashion and putting together outfits, I find it creatively fulfilling and it's not putting me in financial trouble. But how can I learn how to appreciate what I own better? How can I figure out my sartorial persona? How can I turn getting dressed in the morning back into a joy instead of an ordeal?
I'm a late-20s female who for the last several years has been working in media, where the dress code is basically low-key hip. Mostly this means nice-casual (think Anthropologie, J. Crew), but stuff like jeans and a t-shirt is just fine on occasion, as is more fashion-y attire like leather leggings and structured dresses and crazy heels. As a result of this everything-but-a-business-suit dress code, I own — well, everything but a business suit. And everything in my wardrobe is fair game for both work and play.
This tyranny of choice has lead me to an increasingly overwhelming sartorial paralysis. I feel like I've lost my center when it comes to a sense of style (recent weight gain hasn't helped much here), and so when I go shopping I wind up buying things that fit "looks" that are all over the place: hard-edged badass, flowy hippie, minimalist Euro, preppy uptown lady. So now I have a closet overflowing with pieces, and I have no idea who I am anymore, style-wise, and so I have no idea what to wear. Almost every morning I sit on the edge of the bed in my underwear and feel despondent (yes, even when I remember to put my clothes out the night before). The only time I feel like I know definitely what to put on is immediately after I've purchased new things, when they're all I want to wear. But then the ooh-shiny! wears off after a few days, and I'm back with a pile of scrap fabric and a lack of aesthetic focus. There are times when I stare inside my closet and literally cannot remember what it is that I wear on a daily basis, because it all just seems so, so awful.
I don't want to stop being a clotheshorse. I like following fashion and putting together outfits, I find it creatively fulfilling and it's not putting me in financial trouble. But how can I learn how to appreciate what I own better? How can I figure out my sartorial persona? How can I turn getting dressed in the morning back into a joy instead of an ordeal?
Sounds to me like the first step would be to pare your wardrobe down. I'd pick the five or six pieces that resonate with you the most, think about what you have that would go with them, and get rid of the rest.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:09 AM on December 2, 2011
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:09 AM on December 2, 2011
Best answer: Possibly not the answer you're looking for, in response to "Almost every morning I sit on the edge of the bed in my underwear and feel despondent (yes, even when I remember to put my clothes out the night before)": I have this problem in a hugebig way, due to my ADHD, and the only solution I have found is to basically wear the same thing every single day - one of my 50 or so plain black fitted tees, jeans/cords/cargo shorts in summer, and a sweater grabbed at random if the weather calls for it.
To address the "renew my enjoyment of clothes already owned" situation, I find stuff I like on the Sartorialist and then see how well I can remake the look with things I already own. This covers my non-work/going out clothes, for the most part.
If you have things you haven't worn for over a year, get them the fuck out of your closet and your life! THEY WILL ONLY TAUNT YOU WITH THEIR UNWORNNESS. Similarly, do not buy things that are not your size in the hopes that you will one day fit into them. They will also taunt you.
posted by elizardbits at 11:10 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
To address the "renew my enjoyment of clothes already owned" situation, I find stuff I like on the Sartorialist and then see how well I can remake the look with things I already own. This covers my non-work/going out clothes, for the most part.
If you have things you haven't worn for over a year, get them the fuck out of your closet and your life! THEY WILL ONLY TAUNT YOU WITH THEIR UNWORNNESS. Similarly, do not buy things that are not your size in the hopes that you will one day fit into them. They will also taunt you.
posted by elizardbits at 11:10 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Think "uniform", think "dress code": create something that consists of components and stick to it. It doesn't have to be rigid across the whole week, but you need to have some kind of rules that get you past the tyranny of choice, whether it's "jeans on Mondays, dress on Tuesdays", etc. Look for consistency: you don't want to end up like an Ugly Betty extra.
So: empty your closet. Assemble a few outfits you're really comfortable with, then build out from them. Everything else stays out of the closet for the moment. You're allowed to bring items back into the closet as long as they go with items already in the closet. You're allowed to have standalone outfits for special occasions. But after a certain amount of time, the clothes you haven't integrated into your closet need to go to consignment or your charity shop of choice.
If you want to be really anal about it, put a little tag on each hanger to record the date when you last wore an item, so you can see what's actually getting worn and what's just occupying physical space in the closet and mental space in your head. Take a full-length photo of yourself in the mirror every day, put it in a private album, and vote it up or down. Then look back after a month and see what's working for you and what isn't.
posted by holgate at 11:11 AM on December 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
So: empty your closet. Assemble a few outfits you're really comfortable with, then build out from them. Everything else stays out of the closet for the moment. You're allowed to bring items back into the closet as long as they go with items already in the closet. You're allowed to have standalone outfits for special occasions. But after a certain amount of time, the clothes you haven't integrated into your closet need to go to consignment or your charity shop of choice.
If you want to be really anal about it, put a little tag on each hanger to record the date when you last wore an item, so you can see what's actually getting worn and what's just occupying physical space in the closet and mental space in your head. Take a full-length photo of yourself in the mirror every day, put it in a private album, and vote it up or down. Then look back after a month and see what's working for you and what isn't.
posted by holgate at 11:11 AM on December 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
Can you invite a friend over and empty out your entire closet, and have her help you pick out complete outfits?
posted by chickenmagazine at 11:12 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by chickenmagazine at 11:12 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Step 1: Review your whole closet. I.e., take everything out and think about it. Does it fit? Do you like it? Have you worn it in the past year? If the answer to these questions is no, put it aside for donation.
Step 2: Organize your closet. I know it sounds stupid, but life is MUCH esier when the skirts are all in one location, the pants are all in one location, the dresses are all in one location, etc. Then suborganize by color and length. Aah, at last you see where things are quickly!
Step 3: Play around with outfits before you wear them. You can do this by figuring out what you will wear the night before, the week before, whatever -- just not the morning you get dressed. That's too much pressure.
Step 4: Repeat Step 1 periodically, so you know what you have before you go shopping.
It is fine to have Many Looks, the trick is just staying organized enough to assemble them.
posted by bearwife at 11:17 AM on December 2, 2011
Step 2: Organize your closet. I know it sounds stupid, but life is MUCH esier when the skirts are all in one location, the pants are all in one location, the dresses are all in one location, etc. Then suborganize by color and length. Aah, at last you see where things are quickly!
Step 3: Play around with outfits before you wear them. You can do this by figuring out what you will wear the night before, the week before, whatever -- just not the morning you get dressed. That's too much pressure.
Step 4: Repeat Step 1 periodically, so you know what you have before you go shopping.
It is fine to have Many Looks, the trick is just staying organized enough to assemble them.
posted by bearwife at 11:17 AM on December 2, 2011
I can't recommend enough actually trying everything on when you do a wardrobe cleanout. It helped me realize what I would never wear, what I wasn't wearing that I should be, and how everything fit.
posted by Zophi at 11:21 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Zophi at 11:21 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
the only solution I have found is to basically wear the same thing every single day - one of my 50 or so plain black fitted tees, jeans/cords/cargo shorts in summer, and a sweater grabbed at random if the weather calls for it
Think "uniform", think "dress code": create something that consists of components and stick to it
This is exactly what I do. In fall/winter, my usual outfit is a fitted black tee, jeans, jacket, scarf. I buy everything that fits well in multiples (plain tees, jeans, scarves) in mostly neutral colors.
For example, if I find a black tee that fits well, I'll buy it in gray and olive green too, then do the same thing with scarves. Most of my jackets are neutral in color, but different: hoodie, trench coat, rain jacket, thicker hoodie, fleece, pea coat. The thinner hoodie can be layered for warmth or variation. I buy different jeans, too: some skinny for wearing inside boots, longer boot cut or flared for wearing over boots or other shoes.
Essentially, I wear plain tees and jeans every day, but I may wear black tee < gray hoodie < tan trench coat one day, and gray tee < brown jacket < green scarf the next. I think buying basic items in neutral colors works quite well for me because I know what items I have and that they can be paired up in so many different ways.
posted by cp311 at 11:22 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Think "uniform", think "dress code": create something that consists of components and stick to it
This is exactly what I do. In fall/winter, my usual outfit is a fitted black tee, jeans, jacket, scarf. I buy everything that fits well in multiples (plain tees, jeans, scarves) in mostly neutral colors.
For example, if I find a black tee that fits well, I'll buy it in gray and olive green too, then do the same thing with scarves. Most of my jackets are neutral in color, but different: hoodie, trench coat, rain jacket, thicker hoodie, fleece, pea coat. The thinner hoodie can be layered for warmth or variation. I buy different jeans, too: some skinny for wearing inside boots, longer boot cut or flared for wearing over boots or other shoes.
Essentially, I wear plain tees and jeans every day, but I may wear black tee < gray hoodie < tan trench coat one day, and gray tee < brown jacket < green scarf the next. I think buying basic items in neutral colors works quite well for me because I know what items I have and that they can be paired up in so many different ways.
posted by cp311 at 11:22 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
It seems like you really want to figure out what your personal style is. I can't recommend youlookfab enough for this sort of thing. Check out some of the outfit formula and capsule wardrobe posts to see what appeals to you. You can also get great advice on the forum - you can experiment with an outfit, post a photo, and get feedback.
posted by medusa at 11:24 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by medusa at 11:24 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Since you're open to so many things style-wise, you can use other criteria to narrow down your options. For example: comfort, durability, quality, fit, ease of care, how many things in your wardrobe it goes with, whether you see yourself wearing it in five years, if it's sweatshop-free, etc. etc. Figure out what bugs you most about your current wardrobe, what the things you wear most often have in common, what the things you wear least often have in common, and use that as a starting point.
You don't have to clean out your closet right now, but start thinking about how big your ideal wardrobe would be. Could you get by on half the clothes you own? One quarter? Seventy-five percent? Do you need ten pairs of pants? (You might.) It might seem limiting to wear only a few things, but if they're all things you love and look great in, you'll always feel good. Think of it as allowing yourself to wear only the best.
Another thing you can do is envision what you'd buy/wear if you only had a week's worth of clothing. You don't have to literally go through your closet to do this, but it might help. If you could own only one skirt, what color, length, and shape would it be? Is there a certain neutral you keep coming back to? A neckline? A heel height? A preferred accessory? Write those preferences down, and carry them with you next time you shop.
Consider, also, experimenting with a signature or trademark accessory. It doesn't have to be the same thing forever, but try wearing the same chunky bracelet or carrying the same purple handbag every day for a month, and planning your outfits around that. It can be difficult to do this if you're used to wearing something completely different each day, but in time you'll grow fond of that accessory.
Finally: never buy anything without trying it on first. Not only will this help you get clothes that fit and flatter, it'll slow you down when you're out shopping. If you aren't willing to take it to the fitting room, you don't need to take it home. If you need further slowing down, make it a rule not to buy anything the first time you see it. Leave the store and come back in an hour or a week.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:34 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
You don't have to clean out your closet right now, but start thinking about how big your ideal wardrobe would be. Could you get by on half the clothes you own? One quarter? Seventy-five percent? Do you need ten pairs of pants? (You might.) It might seem limiting to wear only a few things, but if they're all things you love and look great in, you'll always feel good. Think of it as allowing yourself to wear only the best.
Another thing you can do is envision what you'd buy/wear if you only had a week's worth of clothing. You don't have to literally go through your closet to do this, but it might help. If you could own only one skirt, what color, length, and shape would it be? Is there a certain neutral you keep coming back to? A neckline? A heel height? A preferred accessory? Write those preferences down, and carry them with you next time you shop.
Consider, also, experimenting with a signature or trademark accessory. It doesn't have to be the same thing forever, but try wearing the same chunky bracelet or carrying the same purple handbag every day for a month, and planning your outfits around that. It can be difficult to do this if you're used to wearing something completely different each day, but in time you'll grow fond of that accessory.
Finally: never buy anything without trying it on first. Not only will this help you get clothes that fit and flatter, it'll slow you down when you're out shopping. If you aren't willing to take it to the fitting room, you don't need to take it home. If you need further slowing down, make it a rule not to buy anything the first time you see it. Leave the store and come back in an hour or a week.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:34 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Why don't you organize your closet in terms of "looks"?
Based on your activities for the day, pick the appropriate look. So, say, if you're meeting with clients, you might go for a minimalist Euro or preppie uptown lady look. If it's mostly doing things at your desk, kind of day, then wear flowy hippie.
Keep tracks of the looks you are wearing. If there are certain looks or items that aren't getting worn at all, then it's time to get rid of those items.
One set uniform works for some people. In my case, since I tend to interact with diverse sets of people in different work situations, I have a number of "uniforms" for different contexts. This doesn't mean I have a huge overflowing closet - I have basics that will work with most of my uniforms, but I also have pieces that will only work with one uniform and not with others. Obviously I have more of the former than the latter. But this way I don't stress out too much about everything coordinating, and I still get to buy some more unusual or fun items.
posted by needled at 11:37 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Based on your activities for the day, pick the appropriate look. So, say, if you're meeting with clients, you might go for a minimalist Euro or preppie uptown lady look. If it's mostly doing things at your desk, kind of day, then wear flowy hippie.
Keep tracks of the looks you are wearing. If there are certain looks or items that aren't getting worn at all, then it's time to get rid of those items.
One set uniform works for some people. In my case, since I tend to interact with diverse sets of people in different work situations, I have a number of "uniforms" for different contexts. This doesn't mean I have a huge overflowing closet - I have basics that will work with most of my uniforms, but I also have pieces that will only work with one uniform and not with others. Obviously I have more of the former than the latter. But this way I don't stress out too much about everything coordinating, and I still get to buy some more unusual or fun items.
posted by needled at 11:37 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
I pared my closet down a lot using the following rules:
1. Take the things out that you will not possibly wear this season (really, are you going to be wearing summery dresses in winter?). Put them in a box. Add to that box ALL the things that you haven't worn in a year. Put that box under your bed. (We'll get to the "things you haven't worn in a year" later.)
2. Take out everything that's left over. Try it on. If it's too big, and you can get it tailored (hem shortened, waist taken in, gappy front closed up a bit), put it in another bag so you can do that. If it's too small, get rid of it -- no fair telling yourself "Oh, I'll just go to the gym" because that always takes forever anyway. (Put a great big box in your room for the "get rid of it" clothes just for now.) If it fits, it can stay -- for now.
3. Now - go back through the things that are left over, and re-add the "to be tailored" stuff for now. If you can use each separate piece of clothing in at least TWO different outfits, it can stay ("let's see...I can wear this sweater i an outfit with....THIS jacket and the suitpants, and I can also wear it with....THIS sweater and that skirt. Okay, it can stay. And this skirt looks good with that top over there....and nothing else. Okay, get rid of it.") If that still leaves you with a hell of a lot, try upping that to "if each separate piece can go into at least THREE different outfits". When you're done, put the "to be tailored" stuff back in the bag so you don't forget to do that, and put the rest back in your closet.
4. If there are a FEW things to get rid of that it would break your heart to let go of -- and I do mean a FEW -- you can put them back in your closet too.
5. Take those clothes to the tailor so you don't forget. Work with those clothes through the winter, until it starts getting warm again.
6. When it starts warming up, drag that box of warmer-weather clothes out from under your bed, get a second box for the winter-wear-only stuff, and repeat step 1. (You may find that a few things you can wear year-round; that's just fine.)
7. Take the "I haven't worn it in a year" stuff out of that summer-wear box and ask, "Did I miss this?" If you didn't, just get rid of it -- don't even bother trying it on or anything. Then go through the trying-on-and-testing with all the summer-wear stuff.
If you get into the habit of switching out the colder/warmer weather stuff, and doing a small purge each time, that will really keep things under control.
There are two categories of things you can probably be more lenient about --
1. Accessories. Scarves and belts and things are small, and can help "finish" an outfit. So it's actually okay to have a ton of them (that may help you pare down some clothes too).
2. Sentimental stuff. I am pretty ruthless with the rest of my usual wardrobe, but there is NO WAY I will EVER get rid of the dress I wore when I was the maid of honor for my best friend's wedding, or the kimono my great-grandmother gave my 10-year-old mom after Nana took a trip to Japan in the 1950's. (This category should probably not exceed 10 items.)
This will feel like surgery the first time you do it, but it will get easier with practice, I promise.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:40 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
1. Take the things out that you will not possibly wear this season (really, are you going to be wearing summery dresses in winter?). Put them in a box. Add to that box ALL the things that you haven't worn in a year. Put that box under your bed. (We'll get to the "things you haven't worn in a year" later.)
2. Take out everything that's left over. Try it on. If it's too big, and you can get it tailored (hem shortened, waist taken in, gappy front closed up a bit), put it in another bag so you can do that. If it's too small, get rid of it -- no fair telling yourself "Oh, I'll just go to the gym" because that always takes forever anyway. (Put a great big box in your room for the "get rid of it" clothes just for now.) If it fits, it can stay -- for now.
3. Now - go back through the things that are left over, and re-add the "to be tailored" stuff for now. If you can use each separate piece of clothing in at least TWO different outfits, it can stay ("let's see...I can wear this sweater i an outfit with....THIS jacket and the suitpants, and I can also wear it with....THIS sweater and that skirt. Okay, it can stay. And this skirt looks good with that top over there....and nothing else. Okay, get rid of it.") If that still leaves you with a hell of a lot, try upping that to "if each separate piece can go into at least THREE different outfits". When you're done, put the "to be tailored" stuff back in the bag so you don't forget to do that, and put the rest back in your closet.
4. If there are a FEW things to get rid of that it would break your heart to let go of -- and I do mean a FEW -- you can put them back in your closet too.
5. Take those clothes to the tailor so you don't forget. Work with those clothes through the winter, until it starts getting warm again.
6. When it starts warming up, drag that box of warmer-weather clothes out from under your bed, get a second box for the winter-wear-only stuff, and repeat step 1. (You may find that a few things you can wear year-round; that's just fine.)
7. Take the "I haven't worn it in a year" stuff out of that summer-wear box and ask, "Did I miss this?" If you didn't, just get rid of it -- don't even bother trying it on or anything. Then go through the trying-on-and-testing with all the summer-wear stuff.
If you get into the habit of switching out the colder/warmer weather stuff, and doing a small purge each time, that will really keep things under control.
There are two categories of things you can probably be more lenient about --
1. Accessories. Scarves and belts and things are small, and can help "finish" an outfit. So it's actually okay to have a ton of them (that may help you pare down some clothes too).
2. Sentimental stuff. I am pretty ruthless with the rest of my usual wardrobe, but there is NO WAY I will EVER get rid of the dress I wore when I was the maid of honor for my best friend's wedding, or the kimono my great-grandmother gave my 10-year-old mom after Nana took a trip to Japan in the 1950's. (This category should probably not exceed 10 items.)
This will feel like surgery the first time you do it, but it will get easier with practice, I promise.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:40 AM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I totally get how you're feeling! Lots of great tips so far, here are a few more:
-If you put something on in the morning and just aren't feeling it, throw it in the giveaway pile immediately! Likewise, if you wear something all day and realize you hate it, put it in the giveaway pile when you get home (maybe wash it first?). I've realized I've been hanging onto clothes that I like the idea of more than I actually like when it's on.
-Try a 30 in 30 challenge -- pick 30 items of clothing+shoes and wear only those for 30 days. Or, try a no shopping for x amount of days challenge. Forces you to be creative with your current wardrobe.
-Avoid fashion blogs and magazines and store catalogs/emails -- great for inspiration, but also leads to buying too many clothes! (Ok, I can't seem to give this up either...)
-Don't hang onto something just because you might need it for some once-in-a-blue-moon occasion later. If your budget's fine, it will probably be more fun to go shopping for the perfect cocktail dress if the occasion ever does come up.
posted by wsquared at 12:02 PM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
-If you put something on in the morning and just aren't feeling it, throw it in the giveaway pile immediately! Likewise, if you wear something all day and realize you hate it, put it in the giveaway pile when you get home (maybe wash it first?). I've realized I've been hanging onto clothes that I like the idea of more than I actually like when it's on.
-Try a 30 in 30 challenge -- pick 30 items of clothing+shoes and wear only those for 30 days. Or, try a no shopping for x amount of days challenge. Forces you to be creative with your current wardrobe.
-Avoid fashion blogs and magazines and store catalogs/emails -- great for inspiration, but also leads to buying too many clothes! (Ok, I can't seem to give this up either...)
-Don't hang onto something just because you might need it for some once-in-a-blue-moon occasion later. If your budget's fine, it will probably be more fun to go shopping for the perfect cocktail dress if the occasion ever does come up.
posted by wsquared at 12:02 PM on December 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: When I'm feeling the need to pare down my wardrobe I go through and ask myself (about each piece) "Is this ever going to be the best thing to wear?" If I can't come up with any situation in which a garment would be my first choice*, out it goes.
*"When I haven't done laundry in two weeks" may be an acceptable situation; "when I've lost ten pounds" is not.
posted by mskyle at 12:22 PM on December 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
*"When I haven't done laundry in two weeks" may be an acceptable situation; "when I've lost ten pounds" is not.
posted by mskyle at 12:22 PM on December 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
Is it possible that part of the problem is that you're still buying clothes that will flatter your old body, and not your new one?
The tent dress that looks fabulous on a stick figure may look matronly if you've now got hips...even if it fits perfectly, but the pencil skirt that used to be sort of boring could now be just the ticket.
posted by psycheslamp at 1:26 PM on December 2, 2011
The tent dress that looks fabulous on a stick figure may look matronly if you've now got hips...even if it fits perfectly, but the pencil skirt that used to be sort of boring could now be just the ticket.
posted by psycheslamp at 1:26 PM on December 2, 2011
Sort everything by colour. If it's unseasonable, put it away. Stuff that's unseasonable now includes: floral prints, linens, open-toed shoes, straw or fabric hats, sundresses made out of that kind of cotton that sticks to itself so that it clings to hosiery.
Out of what's left, write everything down. Now it won't conceptually disappear when you can't see it.
Fold the t-shirts and sweaters and jeans, and put them in drawers, stacked by colour.
Hang the shirts and dresses. Clip skirts to clip hangers. Drape trousers over trouser hangers.
Take a look at your list. Check the weather tomorrow. If the maximum temperature is over 10 degrees, you need a lighter coat, otherwise, a warmer coat.
What are you doing tomorrow? Going to work or to a house of worship? If so, you need to make sure you have sleeves, that your neckline doesn't drop below cleavage level, and that your hem is at knee level or below. If you're lounging at home, it needs to be something that you can comfortably lounge in, and don't (for example) have to wear with heels.
Look at the first item on your list. Does it fit the criteria? If not, move to the next one and keep going till you find a match. If the thing you found is a top, look at your list of pants and skirts and choose one in a colour that goes. (Put black with white, grey, black, and brown; colour with colour.) If one thing is patterned, pick something that either goes with the main colour or picks up a colour in the pattern. If both are patterned, choose a top that has at least two colours in common with the bottom. Don't put two heavily textured items together, for example, not-velvet with velvet; not-denim with denim.
If you need sleeves and the top isn't sleeveless, choose a sweater or blazer that goes with both the top and the bottom.
Now pick shoes that balance the proportions of the outfit and suit your main activity for tomorrow.
Pick a bag that tones with the shoes, and a hat that has something in common with both. Don't forget your sunglasses.
Pick hosiery in approximately the same colour as the shoes. It's opaque tights season.
Now pick two items of jewelry, ones that don't confuse the eye as to where to look - not earrings AND a necklace, for example, unless they match.
Keep cycling through.
posted by tel3path at 1:44 PM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Out of what's left, write everything down. Now it won't conceptually disappear when you can't see it.
Fold the t-shirts and sweaters and jeans, and put them in drawers, stacked by colour.
Hang the shirts and dresses. Clip skirts to clip hangers. Drape trousers over trouser hangers.
Take a look at your list. Check the weather tomorrow. If the maximum temperature is over 10 degrees, you need a lighter coat, otherwise, a warmer coat.
What are you doing tomorrow? Going to work or to a house of worship? If so, you need to make sure you have sleeves, that your neckline doesn't drop below cleavage level, and that your hem is at knee level or below. If you're lounging at home, it needs to be something that you can comfortably lounge in, and don't (for example) have to wear with heels.
Look at the first item on your list. Does it fit the criteria? If not, move to the next one and keep going till you find a match. If the thing you found is a top, look at your list of pants and skirts and choose one in a colour that goes. (Put black with white, grey, black, and brown; colour with colour.) If one thing is patterned, pick something that either goes with the main colour or picks up a colour in the pattern. If both are patterned, choose a top that has at least two colours in common with the bottom. Don't put two heavily textured items together, for example, not-velvet with velvet; not-denim with denim.
If you need sleeves and the top isn't sleeveless, choose a sweater or blazer that goes with both the top and the bottom.
Now pick shoes that balance the proportions of the outfit and suit your main activity for tomorrow.
Pick a bag that tones with the shoes, and a hat that has something in common with both. Don't forget your sunglasses.
Pick hosiery in approximately the same colour as the shoes. It's opaque tights season.
Now pick two items of jewelry, ones that don't confuse the eye as to where to look - not earrings AND a necklace, for example, unless they match.
Keep cycling through.
posted by tel3path at 1:44 PM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I have a similiar situation and it's also complicated by living in northern California where I can wear most anything most any season (with a few outer edge cases excluded). I do a twice yearly wardrobe shift though, which helps me to see what I really am not wearing or forgot about.
The other thing I do is plan out what I'm going to wear WEEKLY, not daily. Usually it starts will pulling a couple of neglected pieces out and deciding I HAVE TO wear those that week and building a nice little outfit around them. Then I pull out more things until I have 5 full outfits (I have a rack hanging over my bedroom door where I arrange it all). I also pull out a couple of other "options" that I could swap in here. But that's it - I wear exactly what's on the rack. I don't necessarily say "this is Monday's outfit vs. Tuesday's ..." (unless I have other plans that require that) but I can wear "what I feel like" only from those options.
It works well to force myself through what's already in my closet. I also allow myself to toss anything I wore that "sucked" into a Goodwill bag in the bottom of my closet. I tried it, it didn't work, away it goes and I dont feel bad about it. Over time what I started to find is that I had patterns of what I liked to wear and what became a good style for me.
posted by marylynn at 3:03 PM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
The other thing I do is plan out what I'm going to wear WEEKLY, not daily. Usually it starts will pulling a couple of neglected pieces out and deciding I HAVE TO wear those that week and building a nice little outfit around them. Then I pull out more things until I have 5 full outfits (I have a rack hanging over my bedroom door where I arrange it all). I also pull out a couple of other "options" that I could swap in here. But that's it - I wear exactly what's on the rack. I don't necessarily say "this is Monday's outfit vs. Tuesday's ..." (unless I have other plans that require that) but I can wear "what I feel like" only from those options.
It works well to force myself through what's already in my closet. I also allow myself to toss anything I wore that "sucked" into a Goodwill bag in the bottom of my closet. I tried it, it didn't work, away it goes and I dont feel bad about it. Over time what I started to find is that I had patterns of what I liked to wear and what became a good style for me.
posted by marylynn at 3:03 PM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, it's helped me to take pictures of my outfits, too!
posted by two lights above the sea at 3:34 PM on December 2, 2011
posted by two lights above the sea at 3:34 PM on December 2, 2011
Best answer: The thing that worked for me was figuring out what kind of items I'm tempted to wear more than once in a week. For me, it was printed dresses, but a very specific kind - tailored at the top, nipped in at the waist, flowing to just-above-the-knee in an A-line shape, generally with some kind of sleeves.
I started out with one of these and it got a hammering. Upon noticing this, I gradually bought a few more whenever I found them. I have about 8 now. They all get worn, a lot, in summer by themselves, and in winter with a cardigan and brightly-coloured tights.
Often I am inspired to create interesting outfits out of skirts and shirts and blazers and scarves and all that. But on a day-to-day basis, when there's no time for that? My horde of awesome printed dresses saves the day.
I say this because I know many people have 'failsafe' outfits that consist of jeans and a plain kind of top. 'Failsafe' outfits don't have to be boring. They can be bright, colourful, flirty and fun to wear. Find your failsafe based on what you love most in your wardrobe. Work it around that, and don't stress about the creative outfit-ness until it starts building up by itself.
posted by lovedbymarylane at 1:08 AM on December 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I started out with one of these and it got a hammering. Upon noticing this, I gradually bought a few more whenever I found them. I have about 8 now. They all get worn, a lot, in summer by themselves, and in winter with a cardigan and brightly-coloured tights.
Often I am inspired to create interesting outfits out of skirts and shirts and blazers and scarves and all that. But on a day-to-day basis, when there's no time for that? My horde of awesome printed dresses saves the day.
I say this because I know many people have 'failsafe' outfits that consist of jeans and a plain kind of top. 'Failsafe' outfits don't have to be boring. They can be bright, colourful, flirty and fun to wear. Find your failsafe based on what you love most in your wardrobe. Work it around that, and don't stress about the creative outfit-ness until it starts building up by itself.
posted by lovedbymarylane at 1:08 AM on December 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Like you, I have an awful lot of clothes, and I'm limiting what i buy as much as what i own. (I need some more plain scoop-neck tees and some lounging around PJs, but that is it unless my shape changes dramatically.) I tend to wear a coloured coat, so now I think 'what looks good with the coat I wear every day? What colours look good on me generally?"
posted by mippy at 3:34 AM on December 3, 2011
posted by mippy at 3:34 AM on December 3, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks all of you. I marked as best the answers that seem particularly useful to my specific set of snowflake neuroses. I'm getting really excited about doing a giant purge and reassessing.
posted by firstbest at 8:55 PM on December 4, 2011
posted by firstbest at 8:55 PM on December 4, 2011
Take pictures of outfits you like. Use them as inspiration.
posted by theora55 at 9:07 PM on December 4, 2011
posted by theora55 at 9:07 PM on December 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Only wear things hanging on the coat hangers facing you. Force yourself. Mix and match whatever's left to work with. Maybe plan ahead, maybe don't, but keep putting stuff you've just worn back in closet with the hooks facing the back.
Force yourself to do that until you don't have an entire outfit left that you'd wear outside, and whatever you can't bring yourself to put on that morning, whatever still has the hangars facing you, throw it out because you don't really want to wear it.
Turn all the hangars around and repeat.
posted by mhoye at 11:08 AM on December 2, 2011 [8 favorites]