Wardrobe Changeover

Towards the end of last week and over the weekend, I got busy and dug out my winter wardrobe, trying everything on to make sure it still fitted. (Luckily, almost all of it does!). When I first got the suitcase and bags out, I took one look at the motley selection of things and wished I could just bag it all up for the charity shop and start afresh.  However, once I'd tried everything on, I was reminded why I liked most of the items, and I decided to hang on to most of them for another season.  (Not to mention the fact I can't afford to go out and buy a new winter wardrobe this year).

I did put quite a few things in the charity shop bag, which is steadily getting fuller.  About 28 or more items last count, including some things that were Little Bird's and which she has now outgrown.  All the summer items got packed into the suitcase.  I was surprised that they all fitted in, save for the shoes, which means I just have one overflow bag of summer items.  This pleased me, as it means a bit less visual clutter.  I guess that summer vests, shorts and sandals take up lots less space than boots, thick jumpers and skirts.

Anyway, on Saturday I decided to wear one of the skirts from my winter wardrobe.  It's one that's been a little on the tight side of late!  I thought I'd give it a whirl and see how comfortable it was, with the view that if it wasn't, that too would go into the charity shop bag.  It got a reprieve, however, and is a keeper for now.  I wore it with a pair of brogue type shoes I bought from a charity shop or jumble sale.  (I haven't started wearing my new brogues from Joules yet, as my birthday isn't until later this month)  They're a little grannyish, but I like them and particularly the contrasting leathers. 

The only trouble with them, is that they're a little large, so I could feel my feet slipping around inside, which wasn't a particularly comfortable feeling.  A pair of inner soles should be enough to do the trick.  I think they will be very comfortable once I've bought some.  As I'm participating in Stoptober, I think I may even take some out of a pair of summer loafers I've just put away and save my self some money too.

Anyway, on proceeding with the winter wardrobe sort out, I was quite surprised at how many thick woolly jumpers and scarves I own. Possibly far too many, but I do like to accessorise with scarves in the colder months and they are very practical for dog walking in the winter.  I must admit that I'm actually quite looking forward to wrapping up in my woollies again.  There's something so cosy about them and they hide a multitude of sins.  At the moment, I don't know what I'm doing, I set out on a dog walk with a thin jumper on because it doesn't look too warm out, only to end up all sweaty and uncomfortable by the end of the walk.  Gets me every time.

Thanks to Thrift Deluxe at Nine to Five, I discovered Courtney Carver's minimalist blog 'Be More With Less' last week,  I've been reading quite a few of Courtney's back catalogue of posts about living more simply and really enjoying them.  I was even contemplating joining in with her 333 challenge, to live with a wardrobe of 33 items in each 3 month period.  As I spend half my week in work out gear, and this isn't included in the 33 items (neither are underwear and nightwear), I thought it might be doable.  Until that is, I counted up the items in my newly arranged and edited autumn/winter wardrobe -  60+ items in total not including sweaters and t-shirts in the drawers.  Crazy.  I thought about widening out the challenge to 666 or 777, (i.e. 66 or 77 items - I know my limitations!) but I think I'd still be pushed.   I have, however, culled quite a few things from my wardrobe this sort out, some of which I'd been hanging onto for a good few years, but still not wearing, so I feel pleased that I've at least done this much.  It's all progress.

I've yet to go through my drawers of t-shirts and sweaters though.  I suspect another cull might be necessary, but I'll save that for another day.  How much stuff does a girl really need?  Definitely far too much in my case!  I wonder if there's a career in being a maximalist?  I'll leave you with a photo of my newly organised autumn/winter wardrobe.  (One of the white wire shoe racks I found in the street a few months ago, collapsed under the weight of my shoes this week, so I'm down to just the one now.)
 

 

 

Have you got your wardrobe sorted for the new seasons ahead?