Wardrobe Overhaul Part 2: The Bin of Smaller Clothes
After the Wardrobe Overhaul Part 1: Closet Declutter, I opened the bin of smaller clothes and sorted through it. I decided to keep or store all but 4 items, so even after the clearout I am left with 54 items in my current wardrobe, up from 29 in my last Capsule Wardrobe Update. Here are the new additions:
First, of course, are T-shirts. I got rid of a lot of T-shirts, but luckily there were a lot in storage to replenish my supplies. The first six are from LOFT; the blue and white ones are a ballet-neck style, while the grey and green have a banded hem and sleeve. The black tees are Old Navy, and the last two white ones are Cynthia Rowley Woman. All of the white T-shirts are fairly see-through, so I’m not sure how I’ll manage that. I guess they’re fine with a nude bra underneath, and for much of the year I layer sweaters over them anyway. I might have to double them up to wear this summer, though.
Then there are a few casual tops that are not T-shirts. The camisole on the left is an Ebay auction win (it’s hard to believe anyone else was coveting this scrap of a thing). I used a sniper trick to bet my highest bid just before time ran out and snagged it for $13 and change. I used to have this exact top in brown that I’d bought at Old Navy when I lived in New York. It was somehow perfectly flattering and indispensable in the summer months, but I got rid of it when it got too small. I was thrilled to come across it years later on Ebay in my size.
This dress is something I refer to as “the Paris dress” because I got it on our first trip to Paris. It’s beautifully made in a lovely cotton fabric. Returning to the small boutique years later, I was disappointed to find it had changed hands and internet searches for the label, Bella Blue, didn’t come up with anything quite like it.
These two ponte-knit swing-style tops were on sale at GAP and they are quite possibly The Most Flattering Thing Ever on my body. I only bought one at first, but then searched online to find a second color in my size. Not available for online order, I had to settle for one at a store within a radius of 25 miles. Mission accomplished.
Next are the dressy things. The navy blouse on the left has a cool tulip cross-over back hem and I of course love the swing shape. This long, white, sheer tunic is something that I keep going to get rid of but then I put it on and it just looks great, at a variety of sizes.
These two identical long-sleeve blouses are a gorgeous silky material and are by Vince Camuto, who does a great criss-cross hem type thing. I got them at a Nordstrom Rack in Portland, Oregon while Matt was working at the opera company there. They’re my go-to for any opening night when it’s not sweltering.
Finally, we have my wedding kimono, an ASOS Curve find that I wore over my white top and skirt at our formal wedding party (we were already married a year and a half earlier at City Hall).
On to sweaters and jackets. The cashmere sweater on the left is by Vince, a super pricey brand that does amazing sweaters (my grey long sleeve cashmere sweater is also Vince). This short-sleeve asymmetrical blouson top is wonderfully oversized and was found with its heather-grey twin for $5.99 at Salvation Army. I snagged them both and had at them with the cashmere comb. I sold the grey one on Ebay but had to keep the black for myself.
The white sweater is just a great, lightweight summer cardigan. The cashmere sweater in camel in the center is by J. Crew Collection and I got it on Thredup with a 40% discount code to boot. They go for almost $300 on the J. Crew website but I got mine for around $24, in perfect condition. The wide blush cotton sweater is another great throw-on piece for spring and summer. The cropped swing rain jacket is by Norma Kamali (probably via her Walmart line) and I got it at a Savers a few years ago.
Pants and skirts: The black skinny jeans are super stretchy, more like jeggings, and for some reason when skinny jeans are black I don’t hate them. The blue and white wide-leg pants are J. Crew, bought on sale. I love how truly wide they are, and they are my favorites. The two identical pairs of black joggers are T.J. Maxx finds, the first pair before a trip to Germany, and the second pair 2 months later when we got back (on one of those magical Marshalls/T.J. Maxx quests I go on with my mom).
The black pencil skirt is a heavy stretch knit and I love that it doesn’t have a back slit (that back vent always makes me feel like I’m flashing someone). The green linen-y skirt is J. Crew, but found at Salvation Army on dollar day. I miss dollar day. Maybe they’ll bring it back now that we’re in a major recession.
Belts. (These aren’t included in my number of items since they’re accessories.). The skinny braided belt is from Old Navy, the medium-width GAP black leather one was a Savers find, and the studded, embellished “cowboy” belt was a Savers find back in my high school days. I still love it.
The following items are staying in storage for now. They don’t fit at the moment; they’re either too small or just fit differently than they used to. I’m going to wait and see if that changes. The first two tops are my beloved silky camisoles from LOFT. The feather-print tank in the middle is Joie and 100% silk (another Ebay find). The shorts are Old Navy, yet are somehow different from the almost identical shorts they make now and are therefore irreplaceable.
These are the items from the bin I got rid of. Skinny jeans, my nemesis. And yoga pants, which just look outdated next to leggings.
Now these are the remaining items from my previous wardrobe that I’m hanging onto. Outerwear is staying for now because I don’t know what exact size I’ll be come Fall/Winter and I don’t really mind my coats being too big. That green shirt is way too big, but I still feel inclined to keep it. I like the color.
My oversized hoodie, of course I’m keeping, especially since succesfully repairing the hole in the cuff. Some of these sweaters fit quite well and the ones that are big look just fine anyway. My big square-shaped blouse may not be my first choice now that I have other options, but it could be good for dressing up in the heat.
The white skirt is still skating by for now, as are the way-too-big linen-blend pants. The jeans actually fit me better now more than ever, and those size 38 grey pants are still hanging on even without a suitable belt. I guess the cowboy belt could step in if need be.
There it is. All 54 items. Not really minimalist anymore, is it? I imagine I’ll refine my wardrobe over time, and might have to get rid of things if they get way too big. But at this point it feels like a lot. I don’t know when I’d have the time or occasion to wear so many things. But I love each item- they were carefully chosen- and I think I’ll just take my time with it.