A few years ago, I started doing bi-yearly wardrobe check-ups, once in spring and once in autumn, which means I was due one this month. While my wardrobe isn’t as minimalist as Elisabeth’s, I try to run a fairly tight ship. This was by choice previously, but now that we’ve moved into an apartment, this has become necessary. We don’t have any extra storage places, so I keep all my clothes in my wardrobe, including off-season and specialty clothes. The number 1 rule is that everything must fit neatly into my half of our wardrobe.
About three years ago, I started systematically doing this. I wrote a list of the types of things I do, realistically assessed what I actually wear, not what fantasy me might wear, and then compiled a list of what clothing items I needed and how many of each. That original list helped me get started, but now, with a bit of practice, I know what I will need. I don’t need special work clothes because I work from home and if I need to go somewhere for work the dress code would be smart casual. Most days I wear jeans, a T-shirt or shirt (long or short sleeve depending on the weather) and a jumper, windcheater or cardigan if needed. I have a variety of these items ranging from not allowed outside the house and dog park to suitable for a restaurant. Black jeans are my dressier option for bottoms. If I need something dressier than jeans, I wear a dress. Once the temperature goes over 25, I start considering wearing shorts … over 28 degrees and jeans are out, so it’s shorts or a dress for me.
The wardrobe assessment involves pulling everything out, deciding whether I still wear or need each piece of clothing, writing myself a list of clothes I need and putting everything back neatly.
I hang all of my everyday clothes.
My hanging space includes 1 metre of half-length hanging rail:
and half of our joint full-length hanging rail.
Currently hanging in my wardrobe:
- 1 x blue jeans
- 1 x black jeans
- 1 x hiking pants
- 1 x ultra lightweight wide-legged jeans
- 4 x summer shirts/tops
- 4 x summer T-shirts
- 4 x cardigans (1 dressy lightweight grey, 1 casual summer grey, 1 black that goes with summer or winter clothes and 1 big, fluffy grey winter)
- 3 x jumpers (1 lightweight, 2 medium)
- 1 polar fleece jacket (we went on a hiking trip with a strict packing list, and this was one thing I needed for that)
- 4 x windcheaters
- 2 x long-sleeve shirts
- 5 x black long sleeve T-shirts (2 with a skivvy neck)
- 3 x summer dresses
- 1 x winter dress
- 1 x dress for weddings and more formal occasions
- Ski jacket and ski pants
Hanging on hooks in our hallway: puffer jacket and rain jacket
Clothes heading to the op shop:
- Dressy winter top that I’ve had since at least 2017. Still nice, but I’ve worn it enough.
- Red cardigan. I love the feel and colour of this, but I already had four other cardigans, and it’s not something that goes well with everything else in my wardrobe now. I would wear it more if it were lighter, but it’s too warm for summer. I’ve had this since 2015.
- A light red colour long-sleeved T-shirt. The colour’s not great if I overheat. From now on there will be no more experimental colours … all long-sleeved T-shirts will be black. I’m over 50 and still learning what I should wear … sigh.
Heading to the textile recycling:
- One pair of blue jeans ripped four weeks ago.
- T-shirt with a hole in it.
Once everything is put back, I write my list of clothes to look out for. Some I might need to try to find immediately, others I might just keep a look out for something that’s suitable. The list:
- 1 pair of blue jeans to replace the pair that ripped.
- 1 snuggly winter jumper. I love a soft, woollen jumper but don’t currently have one.
- 1 winter dress. I like my dress, but I’d like something to alternate with this when going to dressier events.
The first two items I’ve already found. A really nice designer pair of jeans from the op shop. A gorgeous green-blue coloured jumper from a local designer.
Next up will be a look at my four drawers, containing the rest of my clothing.
Do you do regular wardrobe cleanouts? Are there lessons you’ve learned about what you really like to wear?
Comments
4 responses to “My Bi-yearly Wardrobe Check-Up Part 1”
I LOVED this post. It makes me so calm to see other people’s clothes for some odd reason. What a great sweater and pair of jeans! I think it’s genius to write a list of things to look out for; I have a mental list, but should do a better job of getting my running list out of my brain and on paper/my phone.
One thing I also do is look at things I’d like to upgrade. For example, I’m not a fan of my black ballet flats. They’re fine, but not my fave. Years ago my friend got tired of her black flats, donated them, and then couldn’t find decent replacements for months. So now I will hold on to things that are okay…but know that if I find something else to upgrade, I’ll donate/consign the less-appreciated item in my closet.
Another related mention: I adore having velvet hangers. It’s how I hang my pants (exercise pants get folded in my dresser, but jeans etc go into my closet), and works wonders for coats (no need to zip them up to have them stay on the hanger). A few years ago I bought a 50-pack and have them in every closet in the house. I still use plastic ones for most of my shirts, but anything that has a wide neck that would slip off goes onto a velvet hanger.
Yes, to hang onto something until you find a replacement. I couldn’t count the times I’ve headed off to the shops to try to find a particular piece, and there’s just nothing suitable. Velvet hangers sound like a good idea.
Oh, my closet is dire need of a overhaul. I love how you think about your closet and how you organize it.
The blue-green color of your new sweater is gorgeous (I always forget that you’re moving into winter this time of year ;)).
I had a few years of being frustrated with my clothes and not feeling like I had the right things to wear, and I finally decided to do something about it. The weather has turned here, and I’ve been able to wear my jumper a couple of times and I’m pretty happy with the purchase.