Organizing your wardrobe - help!

[MissFish]

I'm coming out of Christmas straight in to organization and simplifying mode. In fact Simplify is my word for 2018. The first place I need to start is with my wardrobe. What do you think are essentials that every woman should have in her wardrobe?
I went on a shopping craze last year with LuLaRoe and I own way to many crazy printed Carly dresses. I've been wearing these to work but I think it's time to class it up a bit. I also need weekend and going out to dinner clothes plus shoes. The downsize is that I'm a big person (aka fat) so I wear plus sizes. I will also be working on simplifying my diet, but right now I need a clothing system that doesn't leave me in almost in tears each morning b/c I don't know what to wear.

I live in Florida so outer wear is no problem. So help a girl out. What are some basics I should make sure I have? Do any of you use a capsule wardrobe system?

 

[catgoddess]

Well, you know me. I'm pretty simple and also chunky . I don't follow the capsule wardrobe system because it sounds so fancy, but I definitely follow its principles (before it was even a thing).

I have enough business outfits for about 6-8 days without doing laundry (which, you know I could never go 8 days without doing laundry, but, just in case). I only wear dresses and solid color, classic slacks to work. The dresses also double as going out to dinner clothes - multi-use clothing is the key to a simplified closet. I stick with fabrics that are natural and easy to wash at home as it saves time (and money). I keep one solid black blazer that I can put on with a dress or slacks and have it dry cleaned as necessary. For me, that's about 5 dresses and 2 pairs of slacks with about 4 blouses I can mix and match with both pairs of slacks.

In addition to work clothes, I have 1 pair of jeans (I'm not a huge fan of denim) that can be dressed up with my work blouses or dressed down with about 5 casual tops. I also keep two pairs of yoga pants and 3 pairs of shorts - all of which can be mixed and matched with everything else. I also have 4 easy, casual dresses that are great for weekends or casual dinners out.

Since moving back up North, I've added 3 pairs of leggings that I can wear with all 4 casual dresses which transitions them into Fall/Winter. I have one chunky sweater and one thermal jacket for extra cold days.

I have never really loved shoes, so I only keep what I consider the essentials: 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of hiking/winter boots, 3 pairs of casual/work shoes/sandals, 1 pair of work shoes.

I don't wear accessories like fancy scarves, but I have a winter scarf, mittens, and a pair of earmuffs. I have a few minimal pieces of jewelry and only 2 handbags (one casual, one professional).

So my all-season business+casual wardrobe consists of about 38 pieces of clothing including shoes.

I only REPLACE clothes as necessary (that means, 1 thing in, 1 thing out). I don't add clothes unless there's a climate change (like when we moved from Florida to NY), but even then, I add only the minimum amount to extend my current wardrobe.

If I haven't worn an item in 6 months or during a season, I donate it and don't replace it until I shop to replace something else - if at all.

I think simplifying is easiest when you adopt it as a lifestyle and adjust it to your specific individual and family needs. Simplifying your closet wont reduce your overall stress, but it's a great first step, and you don't need to go from 100 pieces of clothing to 40. You can do it in stages by starting with the most obvious removals first (like things you've not worn in years) and see if that works for you. I'm happy with 38 pieces, but you may find your joy is 60 pieces. That's OK. Simplicity isn't a hard and fast quantitative thing. It's wherever you find peace.

 

[Colleen]

I love clothes, so I don't know that I'm the best help in simplifying...

I do keep to a solid and neutral color palette for my shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts for the most part. I'm also not that big in to patterns, so I rarely buy those. I sometimes add color with a cardigan or fun scarf. I really like layering things as well.

 

[CristyK]

Wish I could help but I am a jeans and t-shirt girl. Even when I worked I wore a uniform (think ****ies work clothes here) since I worked at the airport in an engine shop.
I think I own maybe 3 dresses since I've actually had to dress up a few times on a cruise. I've recycled those dresses with the only pair of leggins I own (black) or shorts under them.
As for shoes, I own tennis shoes (for the tennis court), everyday shoes (running shoes but I don't run) combat boots (two pairs), hiking books and snow books as well as a pair of dressy sandals.
I'm about as far from girly girl as they come. 90% of my shirts are NASCAR related or have turtles on them.

 

[msbrad]

Well, you know me. I'm casual and retired.
When it is not gym clothes or shorts or jeans...[and flip flops],...

I keep a couple solid color pants and skirts. Or a print skirt with a solid top.
Mix and match with a variety of tops that will work with slacks or jeans. I like sweater tops [when I get the chance to wear them or tank with a 3/4 sweater over.

I stick to flat shoes.
m

 

[xboxmom]

I love Clothes!!!But I am finding myself wearing my Lularoe Leggins and longer Tunic tops almost daily now because they are comfy and I am not really going anywhere fancy since I am a stay at home Mom I just mostly stick around my house, no need for business outfits or anything other than work out clothes and the occasional dress for a nice dinner out. I do have seasonal clothing like shorts and Tanks but I put them away in the drawer til needed. Oh I also really enjoy wearing Long Jersey material skirts also because they are comfy! I guess I should just invest in PJ's and where those all day. LOL

 

[hclappy]

I'm so bad with clothes, LOL. Also Fluffy in Florida (that sounds like a good band name) I'm working on slowly adding adding things into my wardrobe thanks to this lady. https://www.puttingmetogether.com She has a TON of stuff on her blog about capsule wardrobes, packing lists, how to wear one item lots of ways, etc. I'm taking her Winter Style Challenge starting next week, which is pretty exciting.

 

[emscraps]

I used to love clothes, but now that I've gained too many pounds I really only live in black leggings and simple tops. None of my dressy up clothes fit and I vowed now to buy any new clothes in a bigger size. Sorry, not much help right now, lol..

 

[Sams Scraps]

I am not help with clothes as I live in t-shirt & shorts. Only just recently bought a new dress but have vowed to not buy anymore until I reach my goal weight. I should add that I'm not unhappy in my clothes, I have set myself a goal to lose x amount due to health issues & I plan to be happy fit. Also being a mum of 5 I cannot really afford to buy new or second hand so my reward for reaching my goal will be something new as I am also saving towards something new as I get closer to my goal

 

[hclappy]

I just have to jump in here and say... and I'm sorry if this offends anyone. But it makes me really sad to hear people say they're not buying clothes until they lose weight. I understand that motivates some people and they actually follow through. But you deserve to look and feel good in your clothes NOW. You deserve to have clothes that fit you, no matter what size you are. I understand that if you're actively on a weight loss plan and actually progressing, then you don't want to spend a lot of money on "temporary" clothes. But you can shop sales, go to Goodwill or clothes swaps, lots of things. You deserve to look and feel best, no matter what size you are.

 

[Colleen]

This is perfect and so true. Thank you for posting this.

I just have to jump in here and say... and I'm sorry if this offends anyone. But it makes me really sad to hear people say they're not buying clothes until they lose weight. I understand that motivates some people and they actually follow through. But you deserve to look and feel good in your clothes NOW. You deserve to have clothes that fit you, no matter what size you are. I understand that if you're actively on a weight loss plan and actually progressing, then you don't want to spend a lot of money on "temporary" clothes. But you can shop sales, go to Goodwill or clothes swaps, lots of things. You deserve to look and feel best, no matter what size you are.