Still clearing! So far we've removed things that don't fit, things that are the wrong season and things that needed fixing (I hope your cupboard isn't bare).

Two more passes and you will have a wardrobe with only things that you can wear and like to wear!

First pass isn't too hard - anything that's just worn out. Stretched necklines or cuffs, baggy elbows, saggy knees or bottoms, bobbled fabric (pet hate of mine - no more acrylic for me..). Let it go! You've had your moneysworth - no need to get the last gasp out of everything. No need to relegate it to gardening/painting either if you've already got plenty in that category like me. Recycle bin.

Take a good look at what's left. And ask if there is anything in there you simply dislike. 

This is a hard one for me. I think - but it's perfectly good/I paid good money for it/it was a present from..../so and so made it for me/it's too wasteful to get rid of it, and so on, and on.

Then I remember the reason for this clearout is to have only things I really like to wear.

I can - Keep it as a memento (just not in the wardrobe)
           Pass it on to someone I think would want it
           Donate it

I forgive myself and move on.

Feels good.

Feels even better if you can donate it where it's useful. Here are some links to charities which can make really good use of your quality items. The first two help outfit people who are going to job interviews, and the last is a very efficient service to make it as easy as possible for you to donate to a whole range of charites. I'm sure other countries will have equivalent sites.

www.dressforsuccess.org.uk
www.smartworks.org.uk
www.clothesforcharity.org.uk

..as I sort my wardrobe for the new season.

Have you noticed I have stuck with one category - Simply Stylish - for six posts in a row? Amazing for a grasshopper brain like me!

If you are sorting your wardrobe along with me, the next step (last but one before the fun bit!) is to take a few minutes and remove anything that needs fixing before you can wear it. ie anything -

    torn
    stained
    missing a button
    needing shortened/lengthened/otherwise altered

The options once you've removed it are -

    fix it now
    fix it later
    get someone else to fix it
    get rid of it (donate/recycle....)

To take a walk in the Botanic Gardens click here..

The next step..is easy! Go to your wardrobe and remove anything you won't wear till next summer (or winter if you live in the southern hemisphere).

Here in UK, unless you are planning a sunshine holiday this winter (I wish!) put all the summer clothes in a bag or box clearly labelled and put it somewhere out of the way.

In our very variable climate layering clothes is almost essential so some summer items can be worn all year round under an extra layer.

You might take this opportunity to do some weeding out, or you could just put them all away and make those decisions next summer. It depends on how you're feeling, how much time you've got and maybe on how much extra storage space you've got.

But now you have more space in your wardrobe/cupboard/drawers.

Just two more sleeps till you have a wardrobe with only things you can wear!

Have you time today to go to your wardrobe and take out anything which doesn't fit you?

Warning - this will probably bring up uncomfortable feelings! Guilt at the wasted money/shame at the diet failures/anxiety at the unwanted, univestigated weight loss/anger that you're not as well organised as you want to be.....(add your own).

The key to doing this without angst is Forgive Yourself.  If you were with your best friend as she was doing this would you berate her and give her a hard time?
 
No.
 
Be kind to yourself.

You made some mistakes along the wardrobe way. We all do! And beating yourself up about it isn't going to help. Neither is looking at them every time you open the wardrobe door, or the drawer or the cupboard shelf!

So, lets try to get some perspective on this, get rid of the things you can't wear, and make more space for the things you can wear and perhaps some replacements that do fit.

If you plan to lose or gain weight and you really like these items put them elsewhere - out of sight - labelled with a date a few months from now when you can review your decision. Nothing's set in stone! This is an ongoing process, and the more you practice the better you'll get at it. And the fewer mistakes you'll make.

More on how to get rid later, but remember the quickest, easiest way and a way which helps others is to give the good items to a charity to deal with.

Tomorrow - more space, more clarity - lovely!

I'm short on photographs in these Simply Stylish posts, but I hope you like the new header. It's a tree I haven't heard of before - Cladrastris kentuckea or Kentucky Yellowood - photographed today at Benmore Botanic Garden which is a beautiful half hour drive from home.

Two questions for you!

First question: What are your feelings when you open your wardrobe door and look at what's in there? Try it, and give yourself a minute to think..

Second question: What, exactly, would you like to feel when you open your wardrobe door? Take as long as you need to answer this one - two minutes, two days, two weeks....

Share your thoughts?

What if your wardrobe was like your own personal shop which only stocks things you like, which fit you and suit you, in all your favourite colours and ready to wear?

You could do this!

I helped a friend to do this today. Very satisfying.

Some tips tomorrow...

A sudden change in the weather (gales forecast for tonight) has me sorting the wardrobe and putting away the summer clothes.

Two things I have never had, and never will have in my wardrobe are often described as essentials. The little black dress and the crisp white shirt.

My reasons are these.
 
The black dress only suits women with bold dramatic colouring. If you have very dark hair and brown eyes you will look fabulous in it. If you are white blond with bright blue eyes and a clear complexion you will look fabulous in it. Most of us in Britain are neither, but have softer, gentler, more subtle colouring which is overwhelmed by black. The dress wears you, rather than you wearing the dress. For me the go-anywhere useful dress is either a medium grey (I like grey with a bit of colour in it - blueish, or purplish) or a French navy ie not too dark. Much more flattering.

Similarly the crisp white shirt. Too harsh on me. The shirt itself looks crisp, but I look faded. Unless your teeth and the whites of your eyes are as white as the shirt it's not a good look!  A softish denim blue is my classic shirt. 

Of course if you are young and beautiful you will look fabulous in anything, but as I get older I look with a more critical eye and don't accept any fashion statement that begins Everyone should have....

Do you know what suits you best?

If you are an artist and/or are interested in colour you may enjoy this website and this discussion of greys.

I so hope they have my size! They also come in a beautiful blue, violet, and a lovely soft grey - grey with colour in it. (Riva Mannikin.)

Some of you may remember how I love coloured shoes. These ones are still favourites.(Fly Yaz Wedge.) And some of these are still on the go.

Shoes are the thing I find hardest to part with....

And you?

Oh, and I've also copied in that list of 'wrong reasons' from yesterday's blog.

I take this notebook with me when I go to the city, and if in doubt about something I go for a coffee and consult it. I believe it has saved me from many a mistake! Love it.

See here and here for my efforts at deciding what suits me best.
 
Fashion is still my fun.
 
If you have time you may enjoy a browse through Simply Stylish...(see sidebar).

I've just been to a lovely family wedding in the wrong outfit.

It didn't spoil  my pleasure in the happy occasion, but when I took it off after the event I knew I wouldn't be wearing it again.

Where did I go wrong?

It wasn't 'me'.

A perfectly nice dress, a perfectly nice jacket and a pretty pair of shoes - (all bought on separate occasions some time ago) and all bought for the wrong reasons.

I look at some clothes which I never wear and give myself a minute to think why I bought them.

Here are some of the reasons -

I felt like treating myself that day.

It was such a bargain. It was!  A pure silk jacket from Fenn Wright and Manson for £15 down from £115! Could I resist? No. Do I wear it? No. Well, once. It is much too dark a colour for me and nothing I have goes with it.

I wanted something different.

I thought it might be useful.

I thought I could slim into it. (Have you done this? I did wear it once and could hardly breathe..)

It is gorgeous. I love it.

But - it's not 'me'.

More tomorrow....

If you liked this, you'll probably like this.

There is also an Edinburghcyclechic (but, sad to say, they are just not as chic as the Copenhageners!)

..different.

In How To Be Danish - one of my lovely Christmas books (fascinating!) I found a reference to Copenhagen Cycle Chic which quickly gathered a kind of cult following. Not unlike the Sartorialist, but on bikes.

If you like people watching you will enjoy a browse there (or Edinburgh Cycle Chic, or Melbourne Cycle Chic or.....)  Isn't the internet amazing?

And aren't these Copenhagen cyclists a hardy lot!

And stylish.

It is exactly 22 minutes till 2014.  I shall drink your health at the bells! Thank you so much for reading and commenting..

The addition of this..

to my current favourite coat (see post here) will see me through to winter. Makes the idea of winter quite bearable!

I've found my buy for Autumn. (See post here.) Not the sweater or jacket I set out to find, but this unlined coat from Topshop. It's just the right weight, is beautifully cut and detailed and the finish is remarkably good (all seams are nicely bound, an extra button inside to make it hang well, the collar sits perfectly..).

(Sorry the photograph isn't of the same standard! It's from Topshop's website)

Perfectly put together, and roomy enough for a warm layer underneath.

I thought the price of £79 was terrific for the quality, and because the popper fastenings were loose they took £20 off. Nice.

Love it with these shoes.



Have you bought anything new for the new season?

I've had fun browsing some fashion sites while considering a special purchase for autumn.
 
Two Danes is a label I've recently discovered. You can see some of their range here - beautiful beautiful quality (if I can't afford a garment from a brand I like, I sometimes buy a scarf which is what I did with Two Danes last year). If you take a look at this site also check out Masai and Sahara (I bought a scarf there too!) The knits at Forever Amano are gorgeous (thanks Lucille) and the ethical principles of Everlane are laid out clearly in a way which may become more common - even to showing the breakdown of costs of the things they make, and their markup. Their jobs page is interesting! American; I don't think their products are available here yet; classically beautiful bags.

It will be interesting to see if other companies follow their lead in this. Do you think they might?

The season is changing and I am feeling that familiar melancholy that comes upon me as autumn approaches.

I have to find things to do to ward it off lest it should become depressing, and I've decided that one of them this year is going to be to find a beautiful sweater or jacket....comforting and warm, in an arty yarn of natural fibres, probably textured like a cable knit, or moss stitch, or a lovely twill weave, possibly in a richer, warmer colour than I usually wear. Something I can put on top of a finer sweater or long sleeved t shirt. Stylish. Sophisticated.

In real life I'm a painter and gardener and live in rural Scotland, but inside my head (if not in the mirror) I am also stylish, and elegant in an understated 'Eurochic' kind of  way! See here.

Have you any plans for autumn purchases?

I bought this beautiful Austin Reed silk scarf from Oxfam online....

(I stitched together the two short ends to make a loop - it drapes nicely and won't slip off as silk scarves tend to do.)

It's a lovely place to browse: clothing, vintage, books, toys, memorabilia, eco products and more, and they have a sale on till Wednesday....

I have too many clothes.

Nice problem.

Nice new coathangers from IKEA led to another sort out. I worked out how many full hangers fitted the hanging space  nicely (32) and decided that is how many things I will have in my wardrobe this winter.

As I changed over the hangers I engaged brain and made some decisions:-

Mistake....forgive myself and let it go.

Can't wear....for whatever reason, let it go.

Don't wear....for whatever reason, let it go.

Don't want to wear....no-one says I have to! Let it go.

Doesn't fit....let it go.

I feel happy in it! Lovely, think of why, and I'll know what to look out for in future.

It suits me! Yay! As above.

Is it right for the season? If not, store somewhere else for now.

I now have some to store, some to give to the charity shop, some to go to textile recycling, a core of good things and space for one or two new!

A good evening's work.

And next trip to the city I'll have a much clearer idea of what I need.

....the suitcase.

I know it's perfectly posssible to travel in sport or casual clothes, and at a push I could probably manage a long weekend away with just a back pack, but for me part of the fun of going away - especially if it is a city break, is wearing my very favourite things and dressing up just a little, so....

My suitcase is small, with wheels. It is hard and therefore a bit heavy and I'm looking for a lighter weight one. In it for a four day trip I had:
Pyjamas, thin cotton
Underwear
Favourite t shirts, long and short sleeved, self coloured, one for each day.
A pair of dressier shoes
Linen trousers pressed and carefully folded
Jacket likewise - hung up soon after I arrived at my destination
Chargers for camera and phone

I also took, and could have managed without: a hairdryer (borrow or have a hair style that doesn't need one), a towel (supplied most places), a small leather shoulder bag, an umbrella, socks, a cotton blouse and more scarves. None of these were heavy except for the hairdryer and on another trip I might need them....

Crinkle fabrics are tempting - but I go easy on them as I'm starting to look crinkly myself!

Another  tip to save weight - post gifts ahead, preferably so that they arrive while you are there.

So, not the last word on travelling light, but a basis for me to play variations on.

Here are some of my current favourite accessories..

Thank you so much for your comments and tips on travelling light. (Check out www.onyabags.co.uk - thank you Sarah.)

I do seem to have a lot to say on this topic, but my thinking is that if I really refine it and think it through thoroughly I won't have to tax my wee brain every time I travel! So, with that in mind the make-up bag and the sponge bag:

I went along to the Bobbi Brown stand in a department store when I found a voucher for their new range of long lasting make up (see post 18 April 2012). It was fun having my make up done - the first time I'd done that. It really does last all day so a few minutes in the morning and that's it....and my travel make up kit now consists of:
1 foundation/moisturiser/sunscreen all-in-one (I like Origins)
1 eye shadow in a neutral colour
1 brow powder and brush
1 eye liner pencil, sharpener and cotton bud to smudge
1 mascara
1 lipstick (another in backpack - I have one pinkish and one peachy)
tweezers

In the sponge bag are mini bottles of shampoo, make up remover, shower gel and body cream. I saved little empty bottles and decanted my favourites into them. Toothbrush and mini tube of toothpaste. (Boots do a range of travel sizes of lots of things - I'm looking for a mini deodorant without parabens). A facecloth, blister plasters just in case, medicines, cotton buds, nailfile, hairbrush. My favourite perfume is in a heavy glass bottle but I missed having it, so will ask nicely for a tiny bottle of it for Christmas....

Tomorrow the suitcase..

I'm planning on travelling lighter still and here are my notes on what to wear, culled from my recent four day trip (see yesterday's post).

For travel I wear simple clothes in mostly natural fibres. I like these to be nice quality. Good quality ones can be worn for several days and still look great. Cotton trousers, a long sleeved self coloured cotton t shirt, shiny flats which are comfortable. Patent can look dressy or casual (mine are a little worn looking but comfort matters more, and I can have a smarter pair in my case if I think I may be going somewhere dressy).  I spent a long time looking for the  perfect coat. The lightweight one I have is poly-something-or-other, a slightly crinkly showerproof fabric which keeps the wind out, with a hood (avoiding the need for an umbrella). It can roll up small and fit in my bag.

None of these items have any decoration or trim on them - no logos, flowers, stripes, spots, tabs, buckles, belts or even buttons in the case of the coat. All the colours go with one another and suit me (a whole other story but a fun one, for another blog post). On my recent trip I had light grey, bright pink, lime green and a neutral I love - the colour of the froth on a cappuchino.

According to the season and the weather the t shirt can be long or short sleeved, thick or thin. A thin vest top underneath can be a top if it gets really warm or an additional layer if it gets cold and can be rolled up tiny and put in your bag when not needed. The shoes can be sturdier or lighter, or boots can be substituted, a jacket or a sweater can be worn under the roomy coat, tights or socks can add warmth....but basically it is still the same four items.

The fun bit is accessories - scarves and jewellery for me. I like bold necklaces - 'statement' jewellery I suppose you might call it, in bright colours, and big scarves - linen from Hobbs especially. I got a beautiful lime green one for £9 in their sale last year. Four necklaces and four scarves - two linen and two light cotton ones - don't take up much room or weigh much and create in effect a different outfit for every day. Also at the end of the day if you feel a bit crumpled and worn just putting a fresh scarf around your neck or shoulders with a pair of gorgeous earrings and a squish of perfume....can make you feel and look a million dollars again. Well, I exaggerate, but you know what I mean....

Any travel light tips most welcome....

Not Greece, but the British Museum London - wonderful!

My word for 2012 is lighter. (What was your word again?)

When I travel with the car I take lots of stuff without thinking about it too much, but when I'm carrying my own luggage I like to plan carefully and travel fairly light. After a lovely four day trip to London I've decided I want to travel even more lightly. So I tried, when unpacking, putting everything I had taken and not used to one side and made lists of everything else.

These lists will form my new Travel Light list for those occasions when I have to carry my own bags.

I took a long hard look at everything asking Did I really need it? and Can I find a lighter or smaller version?

My lists are Wear, Bag, Suitcase, Spongebag, and Make Up bag.

Tomorrow - my notes on what I like to wear when travelling....

I bought Elle magazine on impulse. Total fantasy! Airbrushed impossibly beautiful people and everything costs hundreds or thousands of pounds. What can any of this have to do with me and my life? I asked myself, about to bin it and tell myself I'd wasted a few pounds.

But then I thought Wait a minute, something made me buy this - what was I looking for? Surely there is something in there for me!

So here is what I gleaned:

I could do a simple manicure on my gardening hands (I did - nice).



There was one smiling model - amazing - and I thought I could smile more even if my teeth look nothing like this

Next time I'm in the city I'll look at Mango where they actually have dresses for £22.99? I don't want a dress but I do like looking..

 
I quite like wearing lipstick, and somewhere I've got a nice bright pink....there seems to be a trend for very soft colours, must have a look

I'd like to see this exhibition at the V&A of glamorous ball gowns and it is on till January 2013

Fragrance - I like perfume - maybe i could get some for my birthday. I tried all the little samples in the magazine but the one I liked was £67....hmmm, always did have expensive taste.

I could jump, wearing nice shoes?

For free.

I like high heels (about three times a year). Must plan more occasions to wear the ones I've got.

Prints are in it seems - maybe not this backless dress, but a shirt or a scarf might be fun.

I love my sunglasses which are very old and may fall apart any day. If I carry them in my bag I may find a pair that are similar...

A free make up lessson and personalised face chart from Bobbi Brown? Could be fun..

I realised that what I was looking for when I bought the magazine, was a little boost, a little incentive to think about my appearance and the end of winter clothes and winter skin (there is still snow on the hills as I write this!) but I think I did actually get my money's worth and am off to rummage in my wardrobe right now....and put on some lipstick!

(NB I am having annoying problems with the layout of my blog pages and hope the text is lining up with the pictures!!)