Simply..stylish....

4/10/2017

I'm taking the wardrobe sort quite slowly this time. I've considered how I feel now and how I want to feel. (One person I helped felt 'confused' to start with and 'delighted' when we finished. Nice result.)

I've removed everything from the wardrobe that is not ready to wear for whatever reason. I'll examine one category at a time.

I'll start with my problem - trousers. I have many shabby pairs and not many that fit well
There is one beautiful pair I have had for 11 years and not worn for the last five, maybe six? Why am I keeping them? Because they are beautiful, they were quite expensive, I felt so nice in them once....but I try them on but always take them off again and choose something else. I realise they are a bit dated but I could go looking under the same label for an update....

What kind of trousers suit you and your lifestyle best?

Being very small, I suit narrow slim leg or straight leg, full length - jeans/jeggings, one summer dressier pair and one autumn/winter dressier pair, and the one pair which really fit nicely - I am off to buy two more the same to swap with some of the worn ones - that will be the answer for me. I do wear trousers every day.

Because I tried them all on, that took about an hour on yet another rainy day. An hour well spent. Three to donate, one to recycle, two for gardening folded in a drawer, one summer pair to put away elsewhere, five wearable pairs hanging in the wardrobe and one pair on. Nice result.

Yay!

The tee-shirts took five minutes! Six on the hangers, one on, one in the wash. Some fading and stretched at cuffs and neckline. Could do with three new ones. Standard length, cotton, long sleeves, self colours - a shopping list is developing and the search is on for the right colours. That's my basics.

Are you making progress?

I will change the subject tomorrow - a gruesome tail....

10 Comments

Swissrose link

5/10/2017 12:07:20 am

Following this process with keen interest...!
I have lost interest in trousers, to be honest. At some point I realised I don't live a life that requires them beyond a couple of pairs of jegging-type, one 3/4 for summer in denim and another full length in dark green for autumn/winter, (plus a pair of old grey denim jeans for "rough"). If the body fits, the legs are always baggy, which I hate (and which doesn't suit me at barely 5'2"), so this works for me! Trousers also need more washing, I find. A few long tops and jumpers/cardigans fulfil this category of uniform (and keep me knitting!).
All my other requirements are covered by mainly jersey tunics and dresses (colourful) and leggings (3/4 and full) or tights in cooler weather. One new garment is a corduroy dungaree skirt in a rich burgundy that I'm enjoying wearing - it has pockets and is brilliant for childminding, among other things! Very easy to wear.
I do own a few nicer dresses but hate feeling too dressed up. Last weekend I attended a wedding in Portugal in a summer dress that was very comfortable and I wore flat red shoes, too, and felt fine :). Nobody else is interested in what you wear, anyway, as long as you look respectable!
Of course, there are other items of clothing in my collection, too, but this is my core. I automatically multiply bottoms with tops and you soon get plenty of combinations to wear before it all needs washing (must be straightforward there, too, I don't do complicated washing/drycleaning lol!)... so with 6 pairs of trousers and 6 tops, you've already got more than a month's worth of outfits!! Enjoy!! I'm off to pack for my next trip...

Freda

5/10/2017 01:08:00 pm

Yves St Laurent said about finding your own style 'Once found it brings complete happiness.' I think he was talking about you Swissrose! Enjoy your next trip!

Julia

5/10/2017 02:59:46 am

I have a uniform: black pants...and i have them in all shapes: slim leg for dress, leggings for every day. Either with a tunic, poncho, shawl or long sweater, in cold weather...capri length in summer, with a/a only lighter...perhaps a t-shirt with light scarf or shawl if necessary. There are a few other things that i keep just in case. (Waiting for just-in-case to happen!) Freda, it seems to me that your favorite accessories are scarves and necklaces. For me..earrings and bracelets. I prefer to find them handmade at art shows. And not too many. I wear them same ones over and over. Now to part with those i do not choose..:-)

Freda

5/10/2017 01:10:10 pm

A 'uniform' makes it so easy doesn' it? I thought I might put together all the things I don't wear or use and then shop in it....another blog post there I think..

Mary

5/10/2017 03:57:55 am

I'm with you (and Julia). I wear black jersey trousers (some silky, others ponte knit) almost exclusively. Your method of trying all of yours on at one time to evaluate them at one sitting is a great idea. Most of mine are business casual style and all fit over the knee high CAM walker boot I had to wear for almost two years, but they can be dressed up or down depending on jacket/top/accessories. I do need to weed out the ones that are becoming a bit frayed at the hem or elsewhere. Your efforts are inspiring me not to wait until retirement to start this process: just take an hour or two to do one task--sorting trousers.

Freda

5/10/2017 01:12:23 pm

It's good doing this with you all - it helps me focus! If you did an hour here and there on one category at a time you might have it sorted before you even retire - ready for your new life!

Lotta link

5/10/2017 12:53:48 pm

Jeans and T shirts are my basics too, but notoriously difficult to find in the right length/fit. I'm 5'10 with a long body so standard length T shirts are more like cropped ones on me! I like them hip length and not so stretchy that they keep riding up... And don't get me started on jeans! I'm enjoying these posts Freda and I'll come back to them when I can do something about my wardrobe.

Freda

5/10/2017 01:16:18 pm

I am 5' (almost) and spent today looking in vain for a cropped sweater! I like the look of a standard length tee shirt with cropped sweater on top. May have found something suitable in Gap but didn't have XS. Going to try online. It all takes time and I'm not always patient but it's worth the effort just once a year.

Julia

6/10/2017 01:48:51 am

Here we are one short, one tall, and me in the middle and round..:-) i will never find the title now..but at one time i found a book at the library that showed all the body shapes and what to wear for that shape..it was just perfect for me..for instance..being short but a little large on top, i look better in a single color, top and bottom, and with a v-neck rather than round neckline..and actually better with a shawl than a scarf... and i look better in pants than a dress..which cuts me in half. oh to be skinny again! but not happening..:-)

Freda

6/10/2017 02:48:51 am

To Julia (format doesn't allow a reply underneath, sorry!)
This is good advice and similar can be found in Colour Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson - an old book but this kind of advice doesn't date.

Simply..stylish....

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