Embracing who I am [Archive] - Simple Living Forums

TxZen

1-24-16, 1:10pm

Kestra

1-24-16, 1:44pm

With a great big old hug!!!

I have been staring at my closet and I edited down to very few items. I am just a jeans and t shirt girl. Add some plaid flannel, flip flops and boots and a little artistic funk and I am set. :)

I was able to let go of several items in my closet for good, including heels, some dresses, purses, bags, jewelry, "fancy" clothes, etc. and it has been so freeing!!!

I just counted and total, minus workout clothes, socks, undergarments, and 8 pieces of jewelry, I have 68 pieces TOTAL..everything...and I can see everything and it's been so lovely. :)

That's great! As soon as I'm not working I'll do something similar. I'm so envious of boyfriend who doesn't have any work dress code. He has 2 pairs of jeans (I think - it used to be one), maybe 7 or 8 shirts, 1 hoodie, and two winter coats I believe, 1 suit. That's about it. I have a range of super-comfy house clothes, to wear in public casual, to business casual for work, and a few dresses that are way too fancy for what I usually do, but I was in a mood for more dresses.

TxZen

1-24-16, 1:51pm

I am teacher. We pretty much wear jeans and t shirts or simple pants and a nice shirt if the big wigs are coming by :) I have a pair of black pants and a nice silk like shirt for those days and I keep it casual with some rope like short wedges. I do admit I have 3 pairs of sneakers but they save my feet and I bought some really cute and comfy ones.

I have also been realistic about winter clothes. It gets cold here in Texas but not so cold or for so long that I can't layer what I have, so I donated a small bag of those items- hats, gloves, a vest, a coat and a few scarves and some extremely heavy boots.

Teacher Terry

1-24-16, 4:40pm

When I retired I got rid of half of my clothes. I kept some dress pants, dresses, etc but not many. My main wardrobe is jeans, shirts, sweater and for summer capris. I love having all the empty space. I also sold much of my gold jewelry and donated much of my costume jewelry. I tend to wear the same few pieces and never missed any of it.

early morning

1-24-16, 5:03pm

I do not understand the jeans thing - for my size and build, nothing is more uncomfortable. I am short-waisted and hate having buttons or zipper tops poking me when I sit down. I wear elastic waist pants and capris (I know, such an uncool old fat-lady style :~)) but not sweats. I never tuck in a shirt if I can avoid it - it looks totally stupid on me. I do like t-shirts and layer them with turtlenecks for warmth, or wear a blouse or long sleeve shirt over them, not buttoned, for work, winter and summer. Sounds strange but works for me. I really don't have that many clothes but I do have a tiny closet, so it is crammed. I have clothes for around the house/yard, a shirt or two for painting in, summer/winter stuff, clothes for work, one pair of dress slacks and two shirts (one long, one short sleeved) that can go to weddings and funerals. 1 pair of nicer flats, two pair of work shoes each for winter and summer, mud shoes for the barn, muck boots, winter boots, house shoes, about 6 pairs of flipflops. My gazzingus pin is socks, but I'm working on it! I haven't bought new socks in several years, but the ones I have wear like iron, I don't wear them all summer, and I like to darn them when they have holes, so they are not in decline yet, lol.

You guys are an inspiration - I think I'll see what I've not worn lately, and either make sure it hits the rotation or pass it on, thus clearing out some space in the dresser and closet!

TxZen

1-24-16, 6:55pm

I love my jeans. I tend to wear the boyfriend cut..kinda loose, rolled up and probably has some holes in it. I also LIVE in my workout gear now because I am taking a class to learn to teach it.

I love me so good, fun socks too. :)

Gardenarian

1-24-16, 9:23pm

How inspiring! 68 items - fantastic!

While I have simplified the clothes I actually wear, I have yet to downsize my wardrobe to reflect that. I'm still under the "I might need that someday!" spell.

Early morning - I'm with you re: jeans. Too stiff!

Ultralight

1-24-16, 9:34pm

Excellent progress!

TxZen

1-24-16, 10:39pm

I look for jeans that are worn in. Yes, I do buy from thrift. I soak them in HOT HOT HOT water when I get home and run them through 2 cycles. I cannot do "dress" jeans or anything stiff.

Reyes

1-24-16, 10:57pm

Curious of your total piece count (including the items you deducted)?

kib

1-25-16, 10:34am

Ultralight

1-25-16, 10:38am

I'm always amused by the capsule wardrobe concepts. Don't get me wrong, I like the concept, but I don't work outside the home and we're not big on parties or clubbing. So ... "don't include underwear or base layer or socks or pajamas or casual housewear or gardening/painting gear or workout clothes or swimwear or coats." If I didn't include any of that, I think I could have a wardrobe of 3 items. :~)

I do the capsule wardrobe thing. But...

This is one minimalist concept that really grapples with reality. I have a set of six "work outfits" (khakis, button up shirts, etc.) I also have a set of clothes for fishing (this is basically jeans and a shirt I spray with tick repellent, some long johns for early spring, boots, and whatnot). Then I also have my casual wear -- T-shirts, jeans, a couple polo shirts, etc.).

My girlfriend says my closet is "the most impressive part" of my minimalism. haha

But I am realistic about it. I have what feels like A LOT of clothes.

TxZen

1-25-16, 1:12pm

The count is now 64, not including the items I mentioned. I purged some more today. When I have time, I will try to do a specific count of each article and list it.

Reyes

1-26-16, 12:48am

I'd be interested in seeing it. I need to recount mine here soon (I include all items) and see where I am. I was quite proud of myself a month or two ago when I pretty much got down to the number of articles I want/need, and then I got rid of more. I'll post my count when I have it as well.

My work clothes take up quite a bit of my numbers. I wear suits/professional attire but even then found I could scale back the number of items. I primarily wear black, grey, and brown so gave up on other colors as even if I have them I never wear them.

ctg492

1-26-16, 5:55am

I am not clothing person, but by the 68 count thing... I must be. I think I have more running shirts, tights, shorts, running shoes and bras then that! Joking of course but a lot. Winter outdoor wear too, I spend so much time outside in all weather that I have several weights and weather resistant pants and coats. I think the winter outdoor wear is a great amount. This stuff lasts me years, I have a columbia coat that I got out the other morning as it fits layers under the best, I got it in 2001 I remembered.

I tend not to buy clothing that is long term and good investment for wear. So I feel good about that.

sylvia

6-2-16, 2:17pm

Yes I am getting there! I have post baby weight gain and I gladly just donated most of my old clothes. Now I wear yoga pants all the time and I love it. I am embracing my J.Jill so I wear lots of linen for the summer. They go with everything and last forever. I havent had to count but really a fraction of what was. Now I feel so abundant since what I own I use!

chrissieq

6-5-16, 7:35pm

Our daughter is getting married in September and her mother-in-law to be said "Let me know as soon as your mom chooses her dress". I told her to show her the photo from our son's wedding 2 years ago and say "same dress, same shoes, same jewelry". They are both outdoor weddings in late summer - super casual - so why start over?! I should go try it on to make sure it fits as I remember. Though I have to say, the wedding and party are here at our house and I may change into shorts and a tee shirt after the ceremony - going to depend on the weather. Should give her mother-in-law a heads up in case she wants to relax later too!

Teacher Terry

6-5-16, 8:29pm

AFter semi-retiring I got rid of many clothes so after seeing this thread again decided to count. I only have 60 items of clothes. I did not count pj's, socks or undies or coats, jackets. Because we have a very mild 4 seasons I don't need boots, or a heavy winter coat or even a raincoat. I know when I lived in the MIdwest you need a greater variety of stuff due to the weather extremes.

TxZen

6-6-16, 9:26am

Update- So after living with my wardrobe and making some more edits, I am holding steady at 57 items.

Some things that are working for me:
1. No more online shopping unless I can try something on in the store and then find it SUPER discounted online. Case in point- I love my Hunter brand boots but they were worn out (after 8 years and a lot of use). I was panicking about the $150 price tag for new one's. I like just the basic black ones. COSTCO had a sale on them a few months back, for $79.99. I bought them online and am so happy!!! I knew what size I needed.

2. I am a basic girl. I am not too into wild, loud prints or colors. I tend to stick to black, white, blues, a little pink, camel and jeans/chambray. I can pretty much mix anything together and come up with an outfit. Example: Lately it's been cooler here in Texas, for this time of the year. I have been pairing my shorts with a longer sleeve top with tank top underneath. Once it gets hotter, it will be just the tank top and shorts. Same thing for work clothing. I have some cute dresses for work and I have been pairing them with my cowgirl boots and on the occasion, a lightweight fleece zip up jacket, for warmth. And even my rain boots, due to the amount of rain we have had. Once school starts again, I will go back to simple sandals with them.

3. While it does get cold in the winter time, I don't need the large amount of cold weather clothing I had. I have a mid season jacket and a heavier jacket, some gloves, 1 scarf and 1 hat. I purged about 6 winter items and I don't miss them.

There are some things that I hesitated on. Example: I had a white puffy vest that I loved but honestly did not wear. It never seemed to look right on me and the weather was never right for it. If I wore it with a long sleeve in the fall, I was too hot and then come the winter, I was a little cold. I donated it to a teenager who loves it.

I also donated some "boyfriend" jeans that I loved except for the fact that the waist gets all stretched out and the rise was too short for me. I was constantly pulling them up. Everything must fit correctly and wear nicely.

I also have been only shopping at a few stores. The Nordstroms here has everything from basics to wedding gowns, for all size, ages, styles and price points. I would say if I can't find something there, I won't be able to find it. I only go when I truly need something and that will probably not happen again until back to school for my son.

Ultralight

6-6-16, 9:31am

Update- So after living with my wardrobe and making some more edits, I am holding steady at 57 items.

Excellent!

Gardenarian

6-7-16, 3:58pm

That's wonderful.
I'm living in a climate that I'm still getting to know; expert layering seems to be the key.