Pix-Elated

I love burgundy but usually don't think of it as a statement, exactly. I'm not even sure it qualifies as such here. Even though my sweater is a bit brighter than burgundy, more of a cranberry colour. Anyway, this is my indoor version of Outfit #4 from today's post. I didn't have pants or a skirt with a dark red stripe, believe it or not, or even a top that could take that role, so I went with monochrome navy. 

This Pure Amici sweater is one of the oldest items in my wardrobe and it is still going strong after more wears than I can count. A fabulous NAS purchase, one I worried a bit about at the time (even on sale, it was not cheap) but wow, has it proved its worth. I love it -- it's been worn to fancy dinners and to lounge around in at home or on retreats. 

Since this is my time of year to reflect on many aspects of my life and my wardrobe, I did a more granular (and accurate) count of on the weekend of my wardrobe retirements over a period of years. If the numbers bore you, feel free to ignore or jump to my conclusions at the bottom. Writing this down as information for those who have an interest in this topic. 

Excluding footwear, handbags, gear, basics, PJs, I have retired/ recycled/ donated/ disposed of 120 clothing items between 2019-2024, for an average of 20 a year. The actual number differed quite a lot, year to year. 

47 of those items (or about 40%) were worn out, by which I mean they had irreparable holes/ wear pattern on the fabric, irreparable stains/ marks, or they had lost their shape. These items were mostly denim, tops (especially summer tops), and certain knits -- some of which were simply poorly made to begin with, and some of which had seen such hard wear over a period of years that it was a wonder they were not complete rags. 

Looking at that figure, I'm awed by those who say they never wear out their clothes. I am blessed with quite a large wardrobe. I wash in cold water delicate cycle, air dry almost everything, mend, block knits, etc. In other words, I care for my clothes. But a significant portion do wear out. Not in one year, or two. But over a period ranging from 3-6 years. 

Many of these items were past donation, although I did donate a lot of the denim anyway, because it might be recyclable in some way, or someone might cut off the jeans for shorts. (I do that myself with some but not all of my denim because my need for denim shorts is minimal.) 

17 items left my closet due to fit issues. Most of these were jeans and some trousers that no longer fit after weight changes. But some were items that simply didn't fit as well after laundering or whose fit ended up bothering me in some way. These, I donated. 

I said goodbye to a further 18 moderately to heavily worn items that were not worn out, yet had lost their interest or value for me, personally. The least frequently worn of these would have had around 20 wears over four or five years; the most frequently worn would have had more than 100 wears. But they were still in usable conditions, and I'm pretty sure someone else would enjoy them. This includes mostly coats, blazers, and jackets. 

Finally, there were 20 items that I'd never worn a lot and I knew I wouldn't wear in the future. About a third of these were older occasion wear. The rest were what we'd call "experiments" or "shopping mistakes," depending on our attitude and frame of mind, i.e. they were items I tried, but didn't end up liking, and therefore didn't wear more than a few times. 

I also wore through a lot of footwear during this period. With the walking I do, I actually wear out most of my non-occasion wear footwear and need to replace/ upgrade frequently. This should almost be a healthcare cost for me! 

Conclusions: I feel quite encouraged by this analysis. To begin with, the worn out clothes were mostly older (had been in my closet between 3-10 years and/or were bought second hand to begin with). Fit issues are fit issues -- we can't entirely control for body changes and it's useless to hang on to uncomfortable clothing. The proportion of "fails" is not that high and I am fairly quick to weed those out -- letting them go while they are still current enough to have possible value to another wearer. 

Taking this long view, for me, has been quite informative and has emphasized the value of frequent and thorough closet evaluations and edits. 

I don't care for the word "churn." I think it implies a level of carelessness and thoughtlessness that doesn't apply to people in this community, most of whom try to buy carefully in whatever ways we can and aim to care for our clothes so they last.

So along with my other edits, I'm editing that term out of my fashion vocabulary, at least as far as my own closet management is concerned. I'm also letting go of any guilt about my purchasing or editing habits. I'm doing the best I can, balancing careful husbandry with spontaneity and fun. Which means no fashion resolutions for me this year. I'm joining Helena in the "year of no fashion goals." 

How about you? 

I was so excited about Brooklyn's cotton-linen Grace Kelly tops that I did a search and ordered them (on sale!) to see if they might work for me. 

Alas, 'twas not to be. The green (which is gorgeous, by the way, and I think suits me -- though you can't really tell it is green in my photo, it's a lovely dark forest) is the correct size, but proportioned wrong for my short body. The neck part is much too tall (it might be hard to tell from the photo, but I assure you, it's true) so the back sort of sags, while the bust was snug, and the bottom part of the wrap was also snug because it was coming down too low over my shortish waist. 

Meanwhile, the white one had a defective zip, so I couldn't even try it on. :(   I am sad, because they could have been perfect for me. But such is life. 

I also tried a skirt -- a version of which I had in the 90s. I love the idea of this (cotton-linen, gored) and don't even mind the colour (though I might have dyed it) but the fabric was too thin and didn't feel like good quality. 

Finally, a pair of oyster white PJ style wide wale cords. Like the top, these are technically the right size (though a bit long) but I don't like the fit -- too snug in the thigh, just not comfy. So back they go. 

Onwards! But I do encourage others to try the tops if they are of interest -- on the right person, these would be fab, as we've already seen! I think if I were even an inch or two taller (or longer waisted) this would have worked great. 

I felt really happy with my closet in 2024. I never stressed out about what to wear, shopping was easy and fun (both in person and online), I didn't feel the lack of too many HEWIs,  and most outfits felt true to my moniker of laid-back luminous garçonne. 

While I did not track wears this year, I have a pretty good handle on what I wear (workhorse collection) and what gets worn less frequently (my less frequently worn items here, with analysis in the notes for those who like to dig deep.) 

My wardrobe is currently sitting at 156 items. That number includes coats, footwear, bags, and all clothing but not gear, PJs, hats, gloves, undies, scarves, or jewellery.  (Scarves function more or less like "soft" jewellery for me, except the outdoor kind.) 

I consider that figure on the large side (for me). My sweet spot seems to be between 125 and 150 or so -- fewer and I lack for options in specific roles/ seasons and miss the "play" element of dressing; more and I feel overwhelmed.

I do have the room to store what I own, and, as you can tell from my collections, I do wear everything apart from a few special occasion pieces. And even those get worn a few times per year. 

54 items (or about 1/3) are 5 years old or more. 
72 items are between 1-5 years old.  
30  items (or about 1/5) are new this year (and I retired/ passed along 34). 

Is this, or is this not, too much churn?  Or too large a closet? I know there is no answer that applies to everyone. How many of those purchases are from sustainable sources? How many were second hand? Where are the donated clothes going? What else is one doing to reduce one's carbon footprint? These are some of the questions we might ask ourselves. 

I am mulling about the French 5 piece or even (gasp!) 5 pieces only next year...but I am quite sure I'm not ready for the latter. I am not as happy with my thrift/ consignment options here as I was in Vancouver -- i've been out investigating the stores, and while there are quite a lot of them, I haven't been wowed by the quality or options. At least not so far. I know that you need to make a habit of dropping in. 

Anyway. While the ethical issues remain unresolved in my mind, what is clear is that I had a lot of fun with fashion and I loved being able to dress for whatever presented itself!

Here were some of my favourite outfits this year. Thanks for looking! And for any thoughts you might have. 

Or, what I wore to look like Santa....  :; 

This is my last purchase of the year and I thought I would review it on the off chance that anyone is in the market. Earlier this year Angie mentioned that the Athleta puffers were looking good. When this one went on sale for half price and I also had some rewards $$, I decided to pounce -- and get it at approximately 1/3 original price. 

It's the Downtown puffer. And I really like it! For me, the colour was one of the main draws.  (A white coat is really practical for me because I walk in a dark suburb in the night throughout the winter.)

Features that add to its appeal: 

• Removable hood. 
• DWR coating (which works -- I was out in the rain all afternoon and did not get wet.) 
• Pockets lined in flannel. 
• Deep side slash pockets. 
• Inner pocket for phone. 
• Two way zipper; zipper does not catch. 
• Zippers on the sides to open it further for movement. 
• Cuffs. 
• Knee length (good walking length). 
• Washable.

It is only 550 fill down, so lighter weight than some, but it feels quite warm without being heavy and some reviewers in Minnesota said they thought it would work for their winters. 

It's a bit fitted through the waist, so not entirely in line with the trend for looser, sack like puffers -- but the side slits make for ease of movement. I suppose I could have sized up for a looser fit but it would have been too big in the shoulders and too long in the arms, so I went with my usual size.  

It comes (or came) in white, a lovely dark green, black and a bright tomato red. Might be sold out now, but might also show up in stores via returns. 

Happy holidays, all! 

PS...while I did get a comment or two about looking like Santa while wearing this, what I got most often was compliments on my pants -- thus proving our earlier point about red standing out more against a contrasting colour than it does in an all-red outfit! ;)

So as not to derail Suntiger's thread, I'm starting a new one here. On that thread, JenniNZ  and Star already explained their systems; other tracking systems can be found (or rigged up) via various apps or in spreadsheet format, and different forum members have done that. Here's a thread from Staysfit about her experience tracking.

I've done the simple Notes feature on my computer (analogous to paper and pencil), and I've also tracked via the FINDS feature on this site. Most of my wardrobe is in Finds, and the last time I tracked I just put a little mark in tne notes area of Finds each time I wore an item. It took a little longer but it was really interesting to see the visuals along with the check marks! I kept it up for a winter season. I've done longer tracking periods -- one year, half a year -- in the past. It's always instructive somehow or other! And it usually prompts me to create new outfits from my own closet. 

Like Bonnie, I quickly learned that I can spend more on footwear and trousers because I wear them a lot. However, unlike her, I find they wear out faster for me than tops do, on the whole. Keep in mind, I do not live in a very hot climate, which I'm sure would affect this. Also, I have relatively more tops than bottoms so rotate through them more slowly. 

I was really surprised last time I tracked with how many wears a pair of indoor shoes got! It was shocking! I had hesitated over buying them because I thought, oh well, what does it matter, really -- but I found I preferred wearing the indoor shoe to my clogs (which function for me like slippers) and I quickly got up to 90 wears in one season! 

Over a year ago, Angie posted this maximal look and my preppy gene lit right up and hasn't stopped glowing. Kind of like Rudolph's nose . ;) 

 I vowed I'd try my own version one day and today might be the day (I'm waiting on the weather for a final decision.) 

Alas, I don't have the model's dramatic dark looks, and JAileen will be sad to know that I don't have a Scottie sweater, but I do have some of the elements of her outfit and I've tried my own versions below. 

1. Inspiration photo. 
2-4. -- -- First version. In lieu of the Scottie sweater, I have a sentimental Siamese print silk shirt in honour of my kitty. :) In lieu of dark sequins, I have rhinestones and a pearlescent jacket. (I did not get involved in hosiery for my try on session, so heaven only knows what I'll do about that). 
5-6 -- Second version Going with the cream sweater (as in the inspo) and a red coat. 
7-9 -- Third and fourth versions. Dark sweater to take the place of her dark jacket. But with different jackets. 
10-11 -- Fifth version. Subtracting the kitties, adding another plaid (the shirt). 
12-14 -- Sixth version. Dark with plaid. And light jacket. 

So. There you have it! I am not sure which version I like best, but I could wear any of them and it was such fun to try this out after waiting so long!  

Thanks for looking and you can vote if you like! 

The minute I saw outfit #1 in this series that Angie posted,  I wanted to try it myself. (Unlike Laura, I don't have the actual skirt, but I do have a similar plaid skirt.)  It took me until today to try the outfit. Alas, the lighting is so poor, you can't see the colours, but the hoodie is navy, and the skirt is Black Watch plaid -- green and navy and cobalt. I don't have stompy lace up black boots but I do have stompy chelsea boots, so I went with those. Such a simple formula, but really fun and a 90s look I can really get behind. 

On another note, I visited the atelier of the person who made the skirt on Granville Island the other day. It was really nice to meet her and see what she's up to this year. She had some fun red plaid items. if one of those goes on sale I might just have to spring for it! 

PS, I have continued the tonal experiments and have more outfits to show, but will save them up for a summing up post, I think. :) 

ETA: added a photo of what I wore to go out -- tall boots! I remembered them! Plus coat hat scarf mitts. And you can see the colours better outdoors...the navies are brighter than they appear in my indoor shots. 

I've worn this outfit before for at-home festive events (and will likely wear it again, too!) But today I wore it to a daytime drag performance with brunch. I was more dressed up than anyone except the performers. ;)  No, I take that back. There was one woman who was celebrating her birthday in style, including a kind of feathered jacket and sparkles. I kept her company in my rhinestones. It was a fun event! 

I have to make a quick 3 day trip to Vancouver which will include multiple kinds of activities in --- ugh -- not only. dreadful, but mixed-up weather (winter cold plus pouring rain and then warmer with rain.) And I am on foot/ ferry, and have to bring a few gifts to friends. And also need to go for a walk with one friend in the rain and then meet another immediately afterwards for dinner, hopefully not looking like a drowned rat. 

I have no idea whether this is going to work, but here's my travel capsule. 

I'll be layering like a pro -- wool cami under mesh top, with puffer and raincoat (and possibly a sweater as well, depending)...wearing waterproof boots for everything. Holiday reds planned for tomorrow but in the blues today....plus red for the trip out -- gloves, scarf, puffer under the raincoat...would far prefer a different coat option but this is the best I can do in the mixed conditions. I have an umbrella, too.