Yes! I totally feel this. I keep winnowing down my wardrobe and letting go of pieces I love but that don't fit, either my body or my lifestyle or just my style as I get older. I sold a gorgeous jacket that I didn't want to part with, but didn't fit and honestly, once it was gone, I felt lighter. I get to stop looking at that thing that I won't wear, but bought anyway. It's freeing! xo
Love that, Jocelyn! It's so true. The air feels lighter when we declutter anything. We feel lighter/less oppressed (because that's the thing with things; they oppress us!). And if we only wear what we feel great in, we are only going to look great, too. That happiness and contentment we feel shines through. xo
Simplifying my wardrobe was huge for me! In my late 20s and early thirties I was constantly buying cheap new clothes to try and be trendy - but they were uncomfortable and not “me”. I eventually went mostly capsule. Found a few key pieces that worked and were comfortable and then had a nice coat, boots and scarf to pair with them.
Loved not having to make decisions every day, loved being comfortable!
It’s kinda funny because I went for muted colours on purpose … and these days I’m in ridiculously bright colours to save money. I adore my Roots Canada sweats … it’s all I wear now that I’m housebound. They have regular sales but only on the unpopular colours. So I never match! 😂😂
You are creating your own style, BBT, and I'm sure you rock it! Think Vivienne Westwood! Anything you put together with flair goes. And it only takes a few items to make a wonderfully stylish and easy wardrobe. I learned that on a trip to NYC. I was going to be there for 3 weeks and packed just a few things. I loved everything I wore, and wore it all (including the little black dress they always say to take; take it!). Business meetings, running errands, dates, the theatre...I had something for every occasion with just a few smart choices. Still, it took me YEARS to trust that. We are used to having more, following trends, and it's such a trap! xo
Ok, thank you for this -- short and succinct, but inspiring to revamp / revisit this closet situation. I have found, I am much happier with my "elevated basics" purchases -- pieces that I wear on the routine, that can easily go with other options, that stand the test of washing/ironing often. I like Everlane for this, and shop on Nordstrom Rack / Zara / Vuori online. Do you have any "elevated basics" recommendations for me to expand?
I have long been a fan of Gap (which is also Banana Republic and Old Navy). While they are still in the fast fashion family, I have pieces that are 20-30 years old. Depending on what I need, I’ll check them for sales (I have a great Old Navy denim jacket and basic tees from Banana). If you are looking for lounge/active wear, I would try to go 100% cotton as much as possible, so those microplastics aren’t going everywhere when they are washed…or end up in a landfill (there really is no actual clothes recycling, sadly, and fast fashion is doing the planet in). While they are nowhere near 100% cotton, I’m a big fan of Danskin for leggings. They are inexpensive, well-made and last ages. I wear mine for workouts and lounging, and they last years with regular washing and active (near daily) use. Everlane and Madewell are good. I also like Quince (they have activewear as well as organic cottons and linen). And look for things you like on places like ThredUp, where you can buy it second-hand. I got a fabulously perfect white denim, like-new Levi jacket for a song and all my blazers there.
And the secret is air-drying as much as possible to get your clothes to last longer. All my workout clothes and smalls are air-dried, as are all of my darks. LOL. This was probably longer than the post. xo
'If you don't really love it, don't buy it' has been such helpful advice for me. That and the 48 hour cooling-off period before buying something. 9 times out of 10, I don't still want to buy it! The flip side is that sometimes I am too savage with my wardrobe clear-outs. I often think about items that I sold in a post-pandemic purge and I have major decluttering regret...at least I hope someone else is enjoying them now!
I feel you on the regrets, Rebecca. There is always one piece I hadn't worn for years that I'll finally give up...and then come home with the perfect piece to go with it only to realize it's gone. I do the shopping cart hold, too. It's amazing how getting out of the moment of want clears our heads and changes our minds. Nope. Don't really want it. I'm also a fan of bringing it home, trying it on with its prospective counterparts and, if my heart doesn't sing, right back to the store I'll go and return it, same day. Your 48 hours and the freedom to try/return it keeps us from getting things we don't need/want/love. It's just a matter of giving ourselves permission to have that confidence. And that cash! LOL. xo
Capsule. By circumstance. When I moved into my studio apartment, I REALLY had to downsize my wardrobe. The lack of closet space was fo' real. Ended up having to get a clothing rack and a little stackable system.
Girl, size matters! My closet now is the size of my coat closet at my old place…and that was full of coats! I live in LA…why would I need that many coats? LOL. (I love coats, but I don’t have many these days.) And my full wall closet…in an odd way, it’s liberating to downsize and simplify like that. I hope you’re happy in your new place, Ororo. Despite the closet size. xo
I both love and really don’t love my teeny tiny place. For all that it lacks (square footage, a bathtub, a proper-sized refrigerator, charm), it gives me so much more than that. There’s the efficiency of it, the fact that it keeps me honest (no, I can NOT buy another sweater, pair of pants or pair of shoes), and the wealth that it’s provided me. Rent’s cheap (I got in before the gentrification and it’s rent controlled), utilities are included. I paid off almost all my debt there (just my student loan is left now). I wrote a screenplay and two novels there, and edited several other’s books there. I became a happiness, wellness and relationship coach there. I’m stepping into my entrepreneurship there. Small spaces can be great incubators. I wish you got to enjoy your place more, too, Ororo. I have no doubt that it will be a great cocoon for you, where you get to become everything you want to be, and then spread those wings wide and well. xo
Good! And I’m sure the caregiving is beyond stressful. Glad you and your sister are such a good and loving team. And I’m excited to see all that you’ll create from your space! xo
Yes! I totally feel this. I keep winnowing down my wardrobe and letting go of pieces I love but that don't fit, either my body or my lifestyle or just my style as I get older. I sold a gorgeous jacket that I didn't want to part with, but didn't fit and honestly, once it was gone, I felt lighter. I get to stop looking at that thing that I won't wear, but bought anyway. It's freeing! xo
Love that, Jocelyn! It's so true. The air feels lighter when we declutter anything. We feel lighter/less oppressed (because that's the thing with things; they oppress us!). And if we only wear what we feel great in, we are only going to look great, too. That happiness and contentment we feel shines through. xo
Simplifying my wardrobe was huge for me! In my late 20s and early thirties I was constantly buying cheap new clothes to try and be trendy - but they were uncomfortable and not “me”. I eventually went mostly capsule. Found a few key pieces that worked and were comfortable and then had a nice coat, boots and scarf to pair with them.
Loved not having to make decisions every day, loved being comfortable!
It’s kinda funny because I went for muted colours on purpose … and these days I’m in ridiculously bright colours to save money. I adore my Roots Canada sweats … it’s all I wear now that I’m housebound. They have regular sales but only on the unpopular colours. So I never match! 😂😂
You are creating your own style, BBT, and I'm sure you rock it! Think Vivienne Westwood! Anything you put together with flair goes. And it only takes a few items to make a wonderfully stylish and easy wardrobe. I learned that on a trip to NYC. I was going to be there for 3 weeks and packed just a few things. I loved everything I wore, and wore it all (including the little black dress they always say to take; take it!). Business meetings, running errands, dates, the theatre...I had something for every occasion with just a few smart choices. Still, it took me YEARS to trust that. We are used to having more, following trends, and it's such a trap! xo
Ok, thank you for this -- short and succinct, but inspiring to revamp / revisit this closet situation. I have found, I am much happier with my "elevated basics" purchases -- pieces that I wear on the routine, that can easily go with other options, that stand the test of washing/ironing often. I like Everlane for this, and shop on Nordstrom Rack / Zara / Vuori online. Do you have any "elevated basics" recommendations for me to expand?
Thank you, Bethany! I’m so glad this resonated.
I have long been a fan of Gap (which is also Banana Republic and Old Navy). While they are still in the fast fashion family, I have pieces that are 20-30 years old. Depending on what I need, I’ll check them for sales (I have a great Old Navy denim jacket and basic tees from Banana). If you are looking for lounge/active wear, I would try to go 100% cotton as much as possible, so those microplastics aren’t going everywhere when they are washed…or end up in a landfill (there really is no actual clothes recycling, sadly, and fast fashion is doing the planet in). While they are nowhere near 100% cotton, I’m a big fan of Danskin for leggings. They are inexpensive, well-made and last ages. I wear mine for workouts and lounging, and they last years with regular washing and active (near daily) use. Everlane and Madewell are good. I also like Quince (they have activewear as well as organic cottons and linen). And look for things you like on places like ThredUp, where you can buy it second-hand. I got a fabulously perfect white denim, like-new Levi jacket for a song and all my blazers there.
And the secret is air-drying as much as possible to get your clothes to last longer. All my workout clothes and smalls are air-dried, as are all of my darks. LOL. This was probably longer than the post. xo
'If you don't really love it, don't buy it' has been such helpful advice for me. That and the 48 hour cooling-off period before buying something. 9 times out of 10, I don't still want to buy it! The flip side is that sometimes I am too savage with my wardrobe clear-outs. I often think about items that I sold in a post-pandemic purge and I have major decluttering regret...at least I hope someone else is enjoying them now!
I feel you on the regrets, Rebecca. There is always one piece I hadn't worn for years that I'll finally give up...and then come home with the perfect piece to go with it only to realize it's gone. I do the shopping cart hold, too. It's amazing how getting out of the moment of want clears our heads and changes our minds. Nope. Don't really want it. I'm also a fan of bringing it home, trying it on with its prospective counterparts and, if my heart doesn't sing, right back to the store I'll go and return it, same day. Your 48 hours and the freedom to try/return it keeps us from getting things we don't need/want/love. It's just a matter of giving ourselves permission to have that confidence. And that cash! LOL. xo
Capsule. By circumstance. When I moved into my studio apartment, I REALLY had to downsize my wardrobe. The lack of closet space was fo' real. Ended up having to get a clothing rack and a little stackable system.
Girl, size matters! My closet now is the size of my coat closet at my old place…and that was full of coats! I live in LA…why would I need that many coats? LOL. (I love coats, but I don’t have many these days.) And my full wall closet…in an odd way, it’s liberating to downsize and simplify like that. I hope you’re happy in your new place, Ororo. Despite the closet size. xo
I really like it (don't love it), I just wish I got to enjoy it more.
I both love and really don’t love my teeny tiny place. For all that it lacks (square footage, a bathtub, a proper-sized refrigerator, charm), it gives me so much more than that. There’s the efficiency of it, the fact that it keeps me honest (no, I can NOT buy another sweater, pair of pants or pair of shoes), and the wealth that it’s provided me. Rent’s cheap (I got in before the gentrification and it’s rent controlled), utilities are included. I paid off almost all my debt there (just my student loan is left now). I wrote a screenplay and two novels there, and edited several other’s books there. I became a happiness, wellness and relationship coach there. I’m stepping into my entrepreneurship there. Small spaces can be great incubators. I wish you got to enjoy your place more, too, Ororo. I have no doubt that it will be a great cocoon for you, where you get to become everything you want to be, and then spread those wings wide and well. xo
If I didn't have to leave it every other week when it's my Caregiver Week, I would definitely enjoy it more. That's what I meant, actually. LOL
Good! And I’m sure the caregiving is beyond stressful. Glad you and your sister are such a good and loving team. And I’m excited to see all that you’ll create from your space! xo