The Wardrobe Experiment

I cannot lament having too many clothes. I am not a shopaholic or even a very good sport shopper. But I have enough to irritate me when I can't find what I'm looking for as I dig through piles of unworn stuff. I tend to wear favorites to death and then even a bit longer. I also gravitate toward things that are classically chic and then jazz them up with less-expensive trendy pieces. I think it is the formerly of-the-moment items and perhaps those unsuccessful 'maybe I should give this a try' pieces that are the culprits. Those are the ones that pile up and get in the way, remaining largely unworn, yet taking up valuable real estate in the closet.

Speaking of closets, I am currently living without an actual closet at the moment. I know, I know, I can hear you gasping in horror from across the cyber-universe. Let me explain. For some time now we have lived in our children's playroom while the master suite is slowly, almost painfully renovated. Don't get me wrong, the playroom is not such a bad place to be. It's 400 square feet, which is about the same size as many a city girl's apartment. It has a closet, but it is also the familial linen cupboard, as well as storage room to art supplies, games, legos, photo albums and other things you might expect to find in a playroom.

So in the midst of all that other stuff, our clothes are jammed in there too. It's an undignified jumble of paintbrushes, sweaters, boardgames and cameras. Sometimes I lay in bed and fantasize about having the perfect French antique armoire of my very own. Everything would fit and each morning I would throw open its doors and the perfect, effortlessly chic fashion combination would immediately present itself. This is how I came up with my idea for The Wardrobe Experiment. I am going to lug empty Rubbermaid totes upstairs to the playroom and ruthlessly pare down my clothing.  Anything unworn in the last year will be stored, sealed and dated in the totes. If I miss an item I have the freedom to go and dig it out, but if it remains forgotten, all will be donated by the time the New Dressing Room is unveiled.

Source: pinterest.com via Charity on Pinterest

 I have rarely regretted giving away clothing. I am kind of an out with the old and in with the new kind of gal. To a fault, really. I know which pieces are part of my fashion uniform. Jeans are a practical year-round choice for our climate. I do like crisp and white or cute and cropped in the summer though. I wear cardigans and pashminas all year round, flowy boho blouses in summer, cozy chunky sweaters in winter. There's a few sparkly pieces for going out and my work clothes which are, thankfully, classic black suiting. Throw in some yoga gear and that is pretty much me.

After this, all I will have left to do is sit back, relax and wait for our new closet to take shape. While it won't be Carrie and Big's Heaven on Fifth walk-in, it will be my own take on classic and glamorous with just a hint of boho and country girl to keep it authentic.

Carrie and Big's Heaven on Fifth walk-in. 

Source: organizingla.com via Jill on Pinterest