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If you’re interested in downsizing your closet, consider incorporating some of my wardrobe rules into your life…
1. Is it comfortable?
Clothes must be comfortable. Life is too short to spend time in tight clothes or things you think are “fashionable” but hate wearing.
Clothes that I didn’t like ended up hanging in my closet for months. Why not give them to someone who will actually wear them?
2. One in, one out.
Every time I purchase something new, one item is donated to the thrift store.
3. Be wary of jobs that require new clothes.
Any job that requires a whole new wardrobe is not my style. I don’t mind dressing up, but I refuse to spend a lot of money on new clothes.
4. Less is more.
Owning a limited amount of clothes means I don’t fret over what to wear. Prior to downsizing, I spent an incredible amount of time trying to decide what to wear and changing in and out of uncomfortable outfits. Having a few, comfortable, high quality items in my closet makes life a lot easier.
5. Purchase high quality items.
I do my best to buy high quality items from the local thrift store. I want items that are timeless and actually last for more than a few months. In the past, I shopped at WalMart and Target but found out quickly that my money was being wasted. The clothes wore down quickly and both companies have a bad track record when it comes to sweatshop labor.
6. Create your own style.
I’m not worried about the latest styles. I don’t pour over fashion magazines. Generally I buy what I like and feel good about it. I just try to listen to my instinct, not shop on impulse, and save up for expensive items.
Please leave a comment and tell me about your wardrobe rules…
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Comments
12.09.09
I love your attitude on this! I hate trying to keep up with the Jones' and people who really are always trying to be fashionable. I don't want to feel guilty for dressing and living simply, you know?
12.09.09
I'm a big believer in separates--you can mix and match, making it look like you have a larger wardrobe than you actually do. And I'm with you on owning less clothing. I used to have a huge wardrobe, and yet I find that I'm just as happy with a smaller one.
12.09.09
I agree with Target/WM stuff, it may be cheap but after 2 months your jeans have holes in them.
Thrift stores are amazing for what you can find there. I have a pair of Banana Republic jeans I found there for 2.50, nothing wrong with them. Great find.
Spending a bit of $$ upfront will pay dividends in the future in terms of longevity.
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12.09.09
@Kate - me too. I have a lot of separates and black, which make it easy to mix and match. :)
12.09.09
Your wardrobe rules are congruous with mine. I need to spend more time at the thrift stores searching for clothes rather than art goodies (riffling through ugly 80s sweaters for that one quality piece is daunting) because I have a big stack of "clothes to be repaired" by my sewing machine- all because I was too lazy and/or cheap to search the thrift store for items with better construction. I also like this quote from Kimora Lee Simmons, "Always dress like you'll run into your worst enemy." I interpret this as, "Always dress like the image you want to portray professionally." Always look presentable, even on the weekends. I do this, but I do miss the oversized boy's video game t-shirts from high school...
12.09.09
In that vein, I buy a lot of high quality pieces from outlets and off season. Because you are looking for timeless pieces, it won't matter if you are buying them out of season. By then these pieces are on sale and in an outlet so you can often get them for more than 50% off!
I really am trying to get rid of that which doesn't fit me right and stock up on those timeless mix and match pieces. My rule is that I don't actually want the big wardrobe, I just want it to *look* like I do.
12.09.09
@Ryan - so true. Spending money on high quality items will pay off in the long run. I purchased a smart wool sweater for $50 last year and kept thinking...
"Ohhh this is too much money to spend." Now I'm glad I spent a little extra. The sweater is my favorite, well loved and has survived my evil washing machine.
@Vanessa - I love that quote. I try to look presentable whenever I'm out and about. Your comment about the over-sized video game shirt made me laugh. I used to wear something similar on the weekends. It never failed - I'd always run into someone I knew and I looked so silly.
@Aleksandra - try the mix and match route. Your wardrobe will get smaller, but still look big. :)
Thanks all for reading my post! :)
12.09.09
I like these style check-offers :)
I also love Tim Gunn's Guide to style. He has ten essential wardrobe items that every woman must have. boys, think of something parallel to that (perhaps stay away from a dress and think suit, or khakis or what have you)
I think if you have these 10 items, you're golden :)
http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/tim_gunns_10_essential_ele...
12.09.09
This post mirrors my thoughts exactly! I've been here in the US for a year and with no girlfriend to guide me, I struggled to find out which brands fit me well and what professional attire really is in this weather (in India I mostly wore a crisp cotton salwar kurta, or some linen / cotton pants with a cotton blouse / tunic to work - all owing to the heat and humidity). Ofcourse I made a lot of wrong purchases from Target. I also bought 2 suits from Petite Sophisticate which are a sheer waste of money. While I still struggle with colors and mixing and matching to make a smart outfit, I've at least accomplished the first step - figuring out which brands fit me well and have good quality clothes. I usually take the help of the saleswomen to help me put an outfit together at a store. Ann Taylor, Express & The Limited are my favorites!
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