Opportunity for Project 333

Starting April 1, 2013, you can take the Project 333 microcourse for only $15.

Here is the link.

Clean out your closet, define your personal style, make your life easier and more pleasant, save money, make money (by selling/donating your castoffs). Gain space and breathing room.

The count today, so far...

Into the giveaway bin:

• 3 silk scarves
• 2 wrap scarves
• 6 t-shirts
• 3 lightweight turtlenecks
• 1 raincoat+hat
• 5 sweaters
• miscellaneous dresses, skirts and blouses I'll never fit into again!
• 1 red denim jacket
• 3 baseball caps + rainhat
• 1 pr. wooly gloves
• 2 prs, boots
• 1 glass vase
• a handful of very nice plastic hangers (don't need them any longer!)

Most of these things are very nice quality, and quite a few of them were rarely ever worn. I probably bought them to "fill a gap" in my wardrobe (or life) that didn't really need a plug. Like "green scarves" or "high-heeled boots."

I've put aside a small bin of things that are a size or two too small, but it has a time stamp on it: literally a label that gives today's date: if I can't wear them in a year, out they go. I've also got a pile of sweaters I need to try on and look at before I decide anything definitive.

Great start: I already feel ten pounds lighter!

Style and a touch of drag

This week, I had two drag queens and a drag king come to my class to talk to my seminar students. It was a great class and discussion. Wonderful interaction... with cake!

Made me happy about my own 20-Item Style.

Week 2 is going well. I must admit that I had a slight rebellion Monday and decided to dress down. Jeans and a sweater instead of the carefully planned trousers/wrap cardigan/turtleneck/jewelry outfit I had scripted. The good news is that since the closet is so straightforward and everything is visible, i had no trouble finding clean, comfy clothes to substitute. Clean jeans, the same turtleneck and a different sweater over it all. And since the weather's been gray here in the Big D (!) black and gray as an overall choice are a little dark right now.

This week I'm wearing:

• Jeans and a gray turtleneck, lighter gray cardi and brown boots
• Black ponte dress, black sweater coat, black knee-hi boots and a long red/yellow/blue/black silk scarf
• Black trousers, cream silk shirt, and black ankle boots
• Black pencil skirt, black jersey top, gray cardigan, gray/white/gold scarf, black boots
• Jeans, black cable turtleneck, black ankle boots, red/blue scarf

I'm really trying to work the bright accessories and white shirts! Next week I plan to try to use more gray than black, just to lighten it all up a bit.

I've realized that every week I need to add one scarf or pair of shoes to the mix. Not only to see if I should be giving them away (no wear, no have) but to mix up a limited number of pieces. I am unlimited in terms of accessories, after all.

Over at a couple of my favorite blogs, things are following my general scheme, but these authors have some good twists:

Miss Minimalist talks about the evolution of her capsule wardrobe: http://bit.ly/Wr3eKU
The Vivenne Files is working the 33 wardrobe, week by week: http://bit.ly/12lehdu
Already Pretty offers an interview with a woman committed to the capsule style: http://bit.ly/Z0oCa7
Wardrobe Oxygen answers a reader's question about "basics": http://bit.ly/UjwV1G

The point is, ladies, more is not more when it comes to clothes and dressing ourselves. The excess celebrated by the "Real Housewives," rockstars and actresses in magazines like Vogue and In Style are pretty to look at but, just like a pantry full of cans, boxes, bags and bins that you never empty or need to re-stock, it is money wasted.

Well, money, energy and time wasted in truth.

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Closet Challenge, Week 1

Overall report: last week was fine.

Of course, that was partly the weather and partly simply being the first week.How could I be bored yet?

This week I cleared out the clothes not on my list of 20 items (all shoved into my second closet, more about that later). Now my primary closet looks lean and mean.

And dark.

Wow! The closet is all about black and gray right now, with a minimum of blue, red and white. I've switched out last-year's brown, purple and turquoise for gray and more black. It's, um, dark in there. we'll see how that plays out toward week three & four.

This week's clothing plan:

• Monday: Black jersey skirt, tights and knee-high boots with a cobalt cable sweater and gold jewelry.
• Tuesday: Black pencil skirt, tights and patent leather heeled oxfords with a black cable turtleneck.
• Wednesday: Black pinstriped trousers with black boots & belt, black jersey V-neck and black long cardigan.
• Thursday: Black ponte dress with black sweater-coat, tights, knee-high books and silver jewelry.
• Friday: Jeans, blue jersey V-neck, blue cashmere cardigan, brown boots & belt.

Thursday is pretty dressy, but I have an after-work meet'n'greet that I need to step up to. Friday this week has no meetings, but will be all about errands all over town.

Okay, the second closet... is jammed. Really hard to get everything in there, which is a Great Big Signal that I need to de-clutter that closet immediately and donate to Goodwill, sell on eBay, sell at consignment stores, something. Another task for February: get clothing donations/consignments set for March.

Express Closet Experiment: What Lies Beneath...

I realize I've dropped this weekly entry recently, but perhaps that's because everything is going so well in my closet. Of course, the rapid change of seasons is forcing me to move toward spring clothes more quickly (which in the Big D means summer clothes). All too soon, it will be above 80degrees every day.

But while I've blogged about, thought about, acted on my closet's holdings, I am also a girl who is all about what lies beneath: lingerie and support wear.

The fact is that no matter how well you dress yourself up on the outside, it is what lies underneath that makes you look good. We all know what I mean.

I have this discussion with friends my age, but some of my acting friends have it with their female students, graduates and undergraduates. Even someone who's twenty and slim can need the right kind of support--in fact, most times they need it as much as someone my age, because firmness isn't an age-related factor entirely.

All women need to think about:

• Pantylines
• Sheer, transparent, and thin fabrics
• Static cling
• Jiggling and bounce
• Breasts, waists, backs, bellies, thighs, and backsides

Of course, there's a difference in thinking about them on the beach or at a weekend party and thinking about them in a professional and situation-appropriate way.

For example: a job interview or audition (for our performance students). For instance: a family party with your grandmother present or your boyfriend's parents. For instance: a funeral or wedding.

In a job interview, you do not want the interviewer more aware of your panty lines or the color or the absence of your lingerie than of your intellectual and skill-centered qualifications.

At a funeral, you do not want the mourners aware of your pink lace tanga, especially if it is two sizes too small and bordered with taut elastic.

Right up front, I'm conservative. So take that as a marker of my point of view. I never think it's okay to see a black panty through white jeans, bare breasts or nipples bouncing or sagging in a T-shirt or thin sweater, a thong T rising above the waistband of a skirt or jeans, or jiggling parts in leggings or jeggings. Ugh.

My question: what are you advertising?

Of course, I was someone who developed a sort-of bosom by the time I was in fifth grade, and a serious bustline by the time I was in high school. For a long time, then, I've had a reason to be intimately interested in how well lingerie fit, and I've always liked lingerie. (My eyes are up here, fellas!)

Now that I'm older, fuller, less firm... I appreciate the benefits of lingerie that does its job as support as well as a pretty, feminine layer between your skin and your clothes.

For the next few weeks, I'll examine the issues of various types of necessary lingerie and it's pleasures as well. Manufacturers are working hard to convince us that they make pretty, sexy, working underwear for everyone--no matter what size or shape or age. Really? Let's see.

William Morris Experiment and Cleaning

 

I am truly amazed. Right now my home is cleaner and more organized than it has been since, well, October 2010. That was when I really started the process of applying Morris's statement to my home in practice rather than theory.

1. I started separating out those items I no longer used or needed.
2. I started donating loads of clothing, kitchen items, and household goods to Goodwill once a month.
3. I started selling electronics on Amazon, alongside the books I already had listed.
4. I started turning my better clothing rejects into cash locally and on eBay.
5. I culled my huge collection of books, DVDs, CDs, and cassette tapes for donations and resale locally and on Amazon.
6. I shredded piles of papers, tossed piles of old magazines, and bought a hand scanner to scan receipts and bills.
7. I gave away and sold furniture on Craigslist.
8. I gave furniture and appliances to friends.
9. I eliminated duplicates in the kitchen, closet, and bookshelf.
10. I bought a better vacuum, a better coffeemaker, a better bedside lamp/alarm, a better printer... and then got rid of the old, unsatisfying ones by selling, gifting, or donating.
11. I improved my personal style by applying the Express Checkout Experiment.
12. I improved my home with the William Morris Experiment.
13. I improved my budget and my diet with the monthly Pantry Challenge. 

All this in eighteen months, even without any kind of master plan.

My home is cleaner in large part because I reduced clutter, meaning less "stuff" to keep clean or to clean around. The open space make me feel better, calmer and more relaxed at home. My bedroom is now a quiet, cool place to sleep or read. My bathroom is bright and cheerful with organized cabinets. My closets and cupboards are well organized and easy to use, where stored items are necessary and available. My dining room has space to have a few friends for dinner or a small group for a party. My kitchen is easy to work in and to keep clean, despite daily use. My living room is cool and clear, good for reading, listening to music, or watching TV.

What still needs work? The back patio. The car. The files on my laptop. The study. But somehow all those problem areas feel more manageable because everything else is so simplified and beautiful.

By October 2012, I hope to have these last pieces of the puzzle settled.

A Clutter-Free Closet and Emotional Baggage

Yesterday I had a conversation with my lunch friend about decluttering and our closets. This is a woman who once complimented me by saying I always looked perfect, so formal and dressed up, with everything matching--which struck me at the time as a kind of back-handed compliment.

Since that time, both our styles have evolved, and we've actually moved closer towards each other. I am less formal, giving up linen sheath dresses, pantyhose and pumps, while she has added higher-end soft tailored separates to her jeans-and-Tshirt look. This actually reflects our improved personal relationship as well.

Interestingly, at lunch yesterday I explained about my express closet experiment of the last eighteen months, moving from a fifteen-piece closet to a twenty-piece closet, where I rotate through the group on a regular basis, plus accessories, outerwear, and Tshirts. I've got a solid fall/winter closet and a solid spring/summer closet.

This co-worker gawked.

Good news: I guess my limited closet isn't obvious, because it was clear she hadn't noticed it.

I outlined how the experiment worked. Since we had gotten to the discussion by talking about decluttering our closets, that was my point: how easy it was to get rid of things once I knew which things I was going to rely on regularly and which things I was never going to wear. One thing I had not realized was how simple it all sounded when said out loud.

The conversation went on to other things, but my mind lingered here. I looked at my "not wear" closet again when I came home and realized I still had more clothing to shed, lots of it. The things that are linger do so because I cannot readily get rid of them because of their emotional baggage for me--some form of emotional baggage embedded in each piece. Thus next on my list is facing the emotional baggage and dealing with these things, one piece at a time.

I also rescued myself yesterday: I nearly spent over $200 in sale pieces at J. Crew. Tremendous savings off the original prices, but the three pieces wouldn't really suit me or expand my closet significantly. It is certainly that time of year when new spring styles tempt me, but more the need both to buy something (anything?) and to "improve" my closet is seductive. Fortunately, I took a look at the $$$ and details and then thought about the things I need more (a netbook, rent money in Paris, a new car). I left the site without buying. 

Good on me.

Express Checkout Experiment, Lately

In the last few weeks the E.C.E. has been working great, which takes one more thing off my "to do" list everyday. And you know that makes me happy.

How did we get here? Let's review.

• I spent several months cleaning out items in my closet I would never wear again or, in some cases, ever.
• I reviewed the remainder to select first 15, then an additional 5 pieces for the daily round
• I spent time weekly making lists of outfits per day, working the 20 pieces
• I deleted the few things that weren't working and replaced them with better
• I focused on accessories like shoes, scarves, and jewelry to add interest

The result is that I feel as if I look better, daily, and in less time.

And I mean, I really feel better--without exercising or likker or spending money. Just time and thought.

Why bother? What do clothes and shoes really mean in the scheme of things? So many people, men and women, think clothing, fashion, and style are foolish, superficial, time-wasting, and petty. That clothes are just something to cover our skin against weather, embarrassment, and, well, nakedness. Of spirit, not flesh.

Choosing what to wear is a skill and an art. Like all human skills and arts, you can ignore it. Dressing yourself is self-expression--even if your self-expression signals your complete conformity to the pages of Vogue. It is advertising: what and who you think you are, what and who you really are, what you want from other people. That might be respect, love, authority, invisibility, recognition.

Like everything, you can be unconscious about what you do, or conscious of your message, self, and the world.

Here's where I am. I don't want to look matronly, middle-aged, boring, like everyone else. I don't want to look like a teenager, ridiculously young, sloppy, or like I don't care about how I look. I don't want to spend what I consider to be ridiculous amounts of money on trendy clothes, or clothes in general: been there, done that, threw out the $59 t-shirt.

I do want to look attractive, elegant, grown-up, classic, clean, original. Like I give a damn about my job, my life, and my bank account. Like knowing me would be interesting, working with me would be exciting, talking to me would be stimulating, and we would laugh a lot at new and old jokes. Kind of a tall order, but that's what aspiration is for, right?

Let's be honest: people judge us by our appearance all the time. Often, they find out we're not all that we appear, or maybe more, but rarely "just" what they see. We judge ourselves and then advertise it: I'm a casual person, I'm rich, I'm sexy, I'm powerful, I can't be bothered with surface details, I'm a rocker dude. We say it out loud: "Diva" "Juicy" "I'm with Stupid" "The Ramones." If we have no better ideas, we imitate: Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston, Mad Men, Ashton Kutcher.

Society says we can't go naked, so we've got to wear something. Like every other part of our lives, I think it is better to be conscious and free, than uninvolved and blissful.

But then I'm an Aquarius.

Closet Basics: Outfit #1

After complaining about my lack of "closet magic," I decided to get down to it, inspired by this post of Une femme d'un certain age.

The reality is, I do have basics, my "go to" pieces, that create three kinds of outfits.
Most popular: Pants/Jeans + Blouse + Sweater

I wear this at least twice weekly, sometimes three times. Comfortable, easy, and professional -- in my world. The basic part is the jeans or trousers.

Jeans. I prefer a slightly casual cut, with straight legs. I also prefer a dark wash/blue or a black jean, but the combination is hard to find. I am so petite and round that I usually have to take whatever to the tailor for adjustment. Right now, I am wearing Lee Jeans: they work for my female figure without having an overabundance of stretch (which annoys me) and wear well. They also don't come all tricked out with fancy pocket sequins or fading.

Trousers. I found a particular style a few years ago at Chadwick's that suits me; it is a slightly flared leg, sits slightly below the waist, with no front pleats, and an easy fabric. I currently have two pairs in black and just bought a third--I am terrified they will discontinue them! I also have a black pair chalk-striped with red and white, faint but stylish.






All my blouses, cotton or silk, are simple button-front collared blouses. Not a lot of variety in style, but in collor I range from white and pale blue, to wine and navy with white polka dots. I try to stay away from the jeans/cotton blouse combination for teaching, because it is too casual.

In terms of sweaters, I think of them mostly as an accessory/finishing touch. For the past couple of years I've been adding cashmere to my pile, which I see as an investment. Most often, Big D doesn't get cold enough for full-out winter clothing, but cashmere adds a nice layer. My go-tos here include:

The soft boyfriend cardigan. Cadet blue. This comes over the hips and functions as a jacket-sweater.

The V-neck sweater. Worn over a nice, peeping t-shirt, not a blouse. Black, soft brown, charcoal, light gray.

The turtleneck. Black (of course!) and looking for a nice cream soon. I have a very good multi-colored one, mostly green that I wear occasionally; it's about a 1,000 years old, but still looks good.

The coat sweater, more than a cardigan. Currently, gray and black in my closet. These are abit heavier than the boyfriend cardigan, a bit more structured and formal in appearance.

All, easy to layer, depending on the temperatures outside. Because these pieces offer neutral color and line, sometimes texture, I leave the prints and bright colors to my scarves and jewelry. I can get a good, solid line of color neck to toe, thereby offering a slimmer, longer line, while still adding variety.

Mostly, I wear heeled ankle boots with the pants. Something like this, in either brown or black.

With a scarf, earrings, pin, and bracelet, I'm good to go. Comfortable, professional, and not too conservative for my casual workplace.

Working my closet

I am continuing to work my closet in the spring version of the Express Checkout Experiment: 20 pieces of clothing, excluding coats, accessories, and things like white t-shirts (such a basic, how can you have only one?).

Now that I am teaching five days weekly, I look on this as a real challenge to be professional in appearance for classes and being in and around the building 5 days weekly. I am working skirts and dresses as well as trousers: not a jean day in sight, which is good. Weekends, I can rock out with jeans. part of my challenge for this semester is in fact to dress comfortably, professionally, and stylishly without wearing jeans to classes.

I am also planning two weeks of daily wardrobe, instead of one: this means I am already ahead, since the list is posted in my closet and covers even details like shoes and jewelry. No impulse dressing, no grabbing jeans because it's easier. I hang the next day's clothes on the closet door before going to bed each night, and voila! there they are, ready to go whenever. That also means I don't discover 1 hour before class that the blouse I thought I would wear has mustard all over it... I can make that work the night before.

Like last night, when I discovered the dress I had planned to wear was still at the dry cleaners... oops!

Next week, I plan to rock my scarves: the deal is to wear a different scarf, one that usually gets no play, with every outfit. I have squares, oblongs, shawls, throws, and so forth. I'll make them the center of my outfits next week.

After that, I may focus on necklaces, especially the ones I've made myself. I've got great amethyst, garnet, carnelian, and moonstone necklaces that I don't wear enough that I made specifically to go with things in my closet.

Outside right now it is sunny and 42 degrees: that means a cashmere sweater over the blouse and skirt I had picked out.

Spring 2012

Spring 2012 by pearl2164 featuring a paisley skirt

Having paid more attention to my clothing during the last week and a half (in part, because the semester started and I have to be "public" five days a week), I have made a pretty good start.

I decided to focus on working my many, many accessories more consciously, and not wearing jeans weekly. So far, so good.
Last week I made a couple of happy discoveries. First, that a wine-colored silk blouse I had not worn for a couple of years now fits again. Second, that pushing jeans out of the way made room for more skirts and pants (all of them black, of course) in my rotation.
The above Polyvore represents what's in my closet this spring (barring the beautiful Hermes scarves--I wish!). I do have scarves that essentially match the color combinations here, oh, and more shoes and jewelry. The colors overall are more subdued, shades of wine and navy rather than bold cobalt and red... not certain how I feel about that, but it's looking good thus far.
There's more blue in there than I thought, frankly, and that's good.
In my opinion, the only thing I'm really missing are good knee-high boots and a killer dress in a print, perhaps in a Diane Von Furstenburg-style faux wrap.

The Express Checkout Experiment and Checking In

2011 was a great year for my personal style. During the past several years, I felt discouraged about buying new clothes and my overall style, simply because I didn't fit into what I saw as the neatly defined style categories for women in department stores, chain stores, and big box stores.

You know: like Trendy Junior, Scary Boho, Mutton-Pretending-to-be-Lamb, and Dumpy Matron.

I define my style as classic/feminine/original: I love the classic lines and styles of 1940s and 50s designs, I wear dresses and skirts as often as jeans or trousers, and I work well with accessories. I avoid too much flowery/fussy/ruffle- or bow-sprigged stuff, sleeveless or tight-fitting clothing, cheap fabrics, and absolutely hate to see myself coming and going. I had more or less resorted to my "go to" favorites: trousers, jeans, and pencil skirts with man-styled blouses. This had gotten pretty routine, and thus boring, while I had a closet full of jackets, sweaters, and dresses I was avoiding. I had even given up working my many, many accessories.

Changes? Investment in better support lingerie, a couple of simple purses, good quality coordinates, and time.

So what did I do in 2010-11 to update and improve my style?

First, I revitalised my closet with the Express Checkout Experiment. Choosing 15 items and only 15 items to wear for 2 months forced me to realize how many extras were hanging around but not being worn--literally. I eliminated multiples and almost-but-not-quite impulse buys. Things that still had tags on them. Things that had worn patches I was hiding. I eliminated anything I didn't feel comfortable in, didn't look good in, or didn't like (yes, there were surprising numbers of all three). I like and need color in my closet, but worked around a limited palette: black, mid-gray, chocolate, white, red, turquoise, and shades of blue and purple.

Eliminated beige, cream, khaki, yellows, and almost all green. Okay, yes, there's a lot of black. Work with me!

Remember this from my original E.C.E. post, from 10.22.10? All of these pieces are still rotating through my regular closet wear, except the argyle dress and the purple piece. I've replaced the argyle dress (too short, too "junior") with two different black dresses. One I bought in Paris that has a more youthful feel, and one from TravelSmith that is a great conference dress (always makes me feel feminine and slim). Both can be dressed up/down more easily than the argyle one, and both are more realistically me. I haven't yet replaced the purple top.

But the lesson in both cases was appropriateness: the dress was too young for me and the top was too bulky and shapeless. Neither did me any favors. Lessons heeded and learned!

The good news:

• I donated/tossed about one-third of my overall wardrobe (my emotional clothing baggage, if you will!), including shoes, bags, scarves, and overall accessories;
• I bought five great new pieces in fall 2011, pieces I see as the center of my closet now, while spending only 60% of the in-store retail price;
• I actually re-discovered my specific likes and dislikes, and thus moved toward a more organized/comprehensive personal style;
• I updated/invested in my hair and jewelry to fit my new style choices, and I lurv both.

The bad news:

• I still have multiple pieces of clothing baggage from a decade ago, unable to detach myself from them (why?);
• I realized yet again that I will be happier and my entire wardrobe will be more available to me if I lose even ten pounds (which is not a ridiculous notion and definitely a healthy one);
• I have a few $$$ of untapped resources in my closet, for no good reason--seems so very wasteful.

The best thing was that with focus, I found that I didn't have to spend a lot to gain much, much more. Letting go of all those useless/wrong clothes made me feel better in every way, buying several new pieces of jewelry for myself (some found on Etsy) was a sound investment, and changing my hair was a bigger physcological charge than I imagined! Even adding on professional coloring every 3 months (my hair holds color forever), this is a great investment in myself.

Don't you love self checkout?

Thursday -- Express Checkout Experiment

Autumn version, 11.3.

I have not been particularly successful at organizing my closet this fall. I am unsure why -- because autumn is my favorite season, after all, all sweaters and suede jackets and scarves -- but apparently something is standing in the way of my choosing 15 favorite pieces to mix and match throughout the weeks.

Here are the basics:

1. white man-style shirt (actually, shirts, as I have a loose fit and a close fitting version)
2. blue man-style shirt
3. blue striped man-style shirt
4. black turtleneck (lightweight; the cashmere has to wait!)
5. black v-neck sweater
6. blue cashmere boyfriend cardigan
7. jeans
8. black trousers
9. black ankle-length trousers
10. black pencil skirt
11. black a-line flip skirt
12. brown a-line flip skirt 
13. black-and-white polka dot dress
14. gray sheath dress and coat
15. black sweater coat

That's a lot of black and white, and a little blue... All of it goes beautifully together and gives me the chance to work accessories like no body's business, to be casual one day and formal the next...

But I think I need a little inspiration, and a little red, purple, and aqua (my other favorite jewel colors) to give me a much needed boost.

(I am also not counting the black/gray/white t-shirts and tanks I wear as layers under the sweaters, or the jackets, like my favorite caramel suede jacket that comes out fo the closet now to be worn all winter long, in the Big D.)

Another week in my closet

For the first time since classes started--requiring four days (or more) weekly when I dress for teaching and meetings out of my house--I feel as if everything has fallen into place gracefully.

This week, for instance, I made a two-week list of possible outfits, including accessories and shoes, and posted it inside my closet. Every morning, I am ready to go... although there have been tweaks.

What a relief! Outside of ironing something every day since almost every piece is linen or cotton, this has made my life so much easier.

To be honest, I have managed to make it easier by:

• consistently wearing one of three pairs of shoes: black ballerines, black sandals, brown sandals
• almost consistently wearing one of two pairs of earrings: my amber-silver drops or gold hoops
• carrying the same orange-pink tote/purse daily
• going with simple blouse/tunic/t-shirt + skirt combinations and dressing them up

But this week I didn't feel as if I was simply grabbing something from my closet. The time put in to make a list (for two weeks!) and post it has definitely been worth it. Not only am I sure what I plan to wear is clean and pressed, but I have accessories selected.

Which in turn means that I am making it a point to include all my summer scarves, necklaces, and bracelets as I move toward--you guessed it!--weeding them out. I have already added several necklaces, several pairs of summer shoes, and another summer scarf to the donation bin building for the next big end-of-month donation run. I also made a point to turn my hangers backwards and am keeping track of which pieces of clothing don't get into regular rotation: again, end purpose is donation of those same items.

It is not as if I didn't take these actions before: weeding out closets, donating or discarding items, finding new ways to include less-used items. I always did, but without really connecting these actions or putting them in a bigger picture, especially economically. Now, by doing all this consciously, I have a closet full of clothes and accessories I love and wear, I don't feel guilty about the unused items (they're gone or going!), and I don't impulse shop. Sigh of pleasure....

I really cannot wait to do this soon with my autumn clothes, but the other part of this is the big, open closet in which I keep my in-season clothes, compared with the smaller, cramped out-of-season closet. When I can see my clothes hanging in an organized, not cramped manner, it is so much easier to realize what has to go, what I love, and what I love that needs to be worn--or donated.

And pick out those 20 items that will form the basis of that checkout experiment challenge.

My closet and the experiment

Last year I waded in to the Express Checkout Experiment, and found that I could certainly dress myself well with only a portion of what was in my closet... and have no regrets about not wearing the rest. I ended with 20 pieces (adding 5 onto the original 15) and was very happy and surprised at the result.

It also kickstarted my 2010 donation spree, wherein I gave away a good portion of my clothing because I wasn't wearing it.

What did I learn from this? Plan ahead.

Having faced the fall-winter future of my wardrobe, I did in fact do the bold thing and bought four very significant pieces in one week's swoop:

• the gray merino long cardigan
• the gray merino sheath dress
• the dark red ponte dress
• the black merino long cardigan (second pass)

This is unusual and quite a big leap for me, but it wouldn't have happened without my previous stalking of fall styles I could afford, followed by a surprisingly fun couple hours of trying things on. Everything I bought I consider investment clothing, that I will wear for ten years at least on the job and to slightly dressy events. I imagine the two cardigans will also be worked in combination with jeans, trousers, casual sweaters, and tees, making them even more useful.

Bonus: these clothes and colors are right up my style alley, which will make me feel good as well. Good about the price, good about the quality, good about the overall look. Yay, me!

This weekend, given the extra day off from teaching (thank you, Gods of Labor!), I plan two things. First, a swoop through my fall-winter clothes to find the four things I must now give to Goodwill. "Item in, item out" is the new rule in my house. Second, an overall scope of same wardrobe with an eye to what beyond that needs to be discarded, mended, given away, or thrown out; out of that will come a list of what else I need (not just want) to buy.

I already know one of those need-to-buy will be a classic pair of charcoal or chocolate flannel trousers.

Beyond that, however, the list is empty. And before I can buy anything more--in any case--I have several items to take to my tailor for alteration. Another switch: using the tailor for more than turning up hems. For instance, I have a lovely maxi-length straight skirt in a paisley pattern of light and bold turquoise, light and bold cocoa, and lavender; it is too long and straight for me to wear as it is, but I love the overall fit and the colors. The tailor is going to turn it into a nice knee-length pencil skirt, and Voila! I have 5 or 6 sweaters and blouses that will match. Never wore it, going to wear it. Happiness.

And just for fun, here is what I am considering next: a new scent: Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell.

Yes, the picture is not what does it for me--kind of scary, actually--but the scent. It is very fresh and clean, without being sweet. I think it might be an interesting alternative to the Vintage Gardenia I already use, also from Jo Malone.

It is hard for me to discover a new scent I want to wear regularly. How about you?

Express Closet Experiment, Week 1 & Talbots

This first week of classes, meetings, orientation it has been a blessing to have a clean, edited, organized closet.

I was able to make a list last Sunday of what I wanted to wear each day, and follow it.

• all clothes were washed and ironed, hung by item and color
• only the clothes I wear are in the closet and visible
• accessories were right there: scarves in a basket, folded neatly, and necklaces hanging on hooks inside closet
• shoes are neatly lined up by the front door, where they come off when I enter the house
• sunglasses are tucked in purse, also by door, with reading glasses inside carrying case in purse

I also pared down my makeup. I like a "no makeup" look, so I got rid of excess eyeshadows, lipstick colors, blushers, liners, etc., that I had lying around. Now I have less choice but things I love to use. After applying serums, eye and throat cream:

• concealer under eyes
• either cream moisturizer and liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer (lighter feeling)
• pale champagne eye shadow (brightens tired eyes) with brown or blue liner
• bronzer on cheeks, nose, chin
• translucent poweder swept over all
• matte lipstick (color) or gloss (neutral)
• black mascara

This takes between 5-7 minutes. Since my goal is to look polished and simply brighter and better than naked face, this much is perfect. Pop the lipstick and bronzer in a bag for the purse with a small kabuki brush, and go. I always carry gloss, which is a Sally Hansen product to add just a touch of shine and color, without glop. Best gloss I've ever found: no stickiness and no glop.

Ahhh!

I have always make weekly lists of daily wearing choices, but now that I have cleaned everything up, I can find what I want, rotate beyond "regular" choices, and get out, dressed well, more quickly. This week, I am adding the possiblity of changing my purse during the week (thanks to purse organizer!) and adding a couple new pairs of shoes to my rotation as well.

And I stayed cool during the week, outdoors, inside the car, and inside the classroom! More important I felt good as a leader in my division, a teacher with new students, and someone with precious little time this week to fuss about my look.

I have also finally started looking at fall/winter weight clothes (hard to do when it is 107 outside!) and foresee a trip to Talbots in my future. Their merino wool separates look like they would fit my short, curvy shape--not looking like ultra skinny models, of course. But I am looking for a coat-dress ensemble for this year's conferences.

I like this long, shaped cardigan-coat

Tho sleeveless, this dress appeals

I like this better, but only possible in black

I like this skirt shape for me



Again sleeveless, but with above skirt and long cardigan?

I'll have to go in, try on a bunch of things, including pencil skirts, some in petite... there's a Saturday. And the possibility is of course, I'll have all new conference gear in black. I'd rather some color, like the dress color, but might not happen. In any case, these actually answer my needs for polished and comfy conference gear. Add a couple of blouses or soft sweaters, and I am good to go. Shoes, accesories, purses--all stocked up already.

Of course, I can only buy this if they fit, look great, and I'll wear them for another ten years with everything (or nearly) in my closet. Again, the classic style of these and the possiblity of black, dark red (my preference), or gray makes that seem not so difficult.

Tagged by Tish

Tish at A Femme d'Un Certain Age today included my 6.15 post on packing as well as my comment in her lovely blog.

I must admit: packing and thinking about packing has gotten easier since I purged my closet. It took moving and eight months of hemming and hawing, but in May when I came to pack for a 10-day trip that included a conference in Boston, a very casual visit to my family in New York, and a visit to old friends in D.C. with a day of museum-hopping, I had a well-pruned summer wardrobe that could be fitted down for each event. I'll be reliving this process for an upcoming weekend conference in Savannah this September, a four-day trip that will combine giving a paper and mingling with other academics with touring Savannah's historic and gastronomic sites.

I look forward to holding the same kind of purge for my winter-fall wardrobe, but since "fall" begins somewhere around October 20 here in the Big D, there's no rush.

It has made a huge difference not to have excess or--better word!--superfluous clothing in my closet. It also makes a difference to have everything in there ready to go in terms of fit, repairs, and cleanliness. Small, consistent progress and, in some cases, simple attention to detail make it so easy without stealing time and energy from me.

Should I say now that I am returning two pairs of sandals I ordered on-line because once I got them I realized they were both impulsive buys and superfluous? Why not? Pretty but unnecessary additions to my working wardrobe.

What did I add to my summer wardrobe in 2011?

• a vintage scarf bought on Etsy that depicts Greek tourist spots (turquoise, orange, and white)
• a brown skirt with white trim from Coldwater Creek, on sale
• a green skirt, same source, same sale
• a white Tignanello purse, bought on Ebay
• an orange canvas/brown leather tote bag, found & free 

That's it. Surprises me to say that, as usually I feel some huge gap that needs to be plugged. Not so this summer, apparently.

Express Checkout Experiment: My Summer Closet

Well, the weekend came and went and I had too much holiday fun with friends. Not "too much" as in I'm sorry about it, but "too much" as in, yeah, plans went out the window.

But I am now catching up with something I planned to do last week: post pictures of my closets.

This is the closet I am using for my summer clothes. More than 20 pieces, yes, but bear with me. From left to right, we have:

1. Linen blouses in peach, pink, avocado, lime, and turquoise (all the same exact style)
2. Blue cotton blouses (two striped and one solid light blue)
3. White cotton blouses and tunics (two blouses and about six tunics)
4. Cotton jackets (in white and beige)
5. Cardigans (in red and black)
6. Linen jacket, black
7. Dresses, one black and one black/white dots
8. Linen pants (black, tobbaco, and black crop)
9. Jeans (about 4 pair)
10. Skirts (solid blue and rust, patterned lime, red, brown, lime/turquoise, and black/white)

Multiples. With one white purse, one orange tote, and one straw tote as summer bags; one pair brown sandals, one pair black sandals (exactly the same), one pair high-heeled black sandals, one pair red peep toe heels, and one pair black ballerines.

This is my summer wardrobe from the beginning of May through the middle of September--which includes two full months of teaching. In the summer, usually I am also teaching one month and researching in Paris for another... so these carry me through. The versatility comes from the mixing of colors between blouses and skirts (and pants), putting the patterns on the bottom. It is a packable, wearable set of clothes, which solves for me one of the huge style issues I have struggled with for years: what to wear when the temperatures stay above 90 every day and look fresh, cool, and stylish.

Notice: no shorts, no bare arms, no strapless or sleeveless items. Easy to dress up with a cardigan or scarf, and jewelry, but works for meeting students, as well. Note too the space, the color sweep... this is a great, functional closet that makes me feel great. I also gave away a lot of things that weren't right in this mix... or that I never wore, or that didn't fit, or that were too worn.

The last two summers thanks to the return of "lady fashions" I have picked up two skirts each season. Last summer I bought the two solid color skirts -- steel blue and rust -- in Oxford on sale. This summer, again on sale, I bought the lime and brown patterned skirts from Coldwater Creek. All of them are cotton and can be thrown in the washing machine and yes, they need ironing but in the New Apartment, that isn't a problem with space... yay!

Rust, not red, and the spot is on my lens

Badly needs ironing, but the trim is so cute!

My favorite skirt this summer

These pictures, however, are where the problem still lies...


Bad closet, left side



Bad closet, right side

This is where my winter wardrobe and the rest of the stuff I haven't decluttered lives. A smaller two-sided closet, one side with a double rod, again organized by color (although black takes up the entire top rod!), and the other with a single rod, wher my dresses and longer clothes hang. Can't get a  good picture, because of the narrowness of the door and inner space. But I've put the shoeboxes with shoes in regular winter rotation above on the right, while you can see the pile of shoe boxes carrying shoes I don't wear any more... but can't get rid of in the center. Ahhhh!

Come cooler months (late October, maybe), I'll switch out the summer wear to this closet and move the regular winter stuff into the big closet. I hope that will have the same results of clarifying and winnowing out the stuff I don't need. I actually keep both doors open so I cannot hide this stuff.

Which is the first step to admitting I need to fix it, right?





Travelling with a small suitcase

For maybe the first time ever, my travel wardrobe was, in the words of Goldilocks, "Just right."

I used/wore everything I took, except one scarf and the red raincoat (but weather reports said rain rain rain for both Boston and the Hudson Valley). I took:

• jeans
• khakis
• a red print wrap skirt
• a rust-colored gored skirt
• t-shirts: black, gray, and lt. gray
• 3/4-sleeve t-shirt, a little dressier and black
• blue button-up shirt
• a black cardigan
• a khaki jacket
• a black dress

plus 3 pairs shoes, purse, tote, underwear, slip, 2 scarves, jewelry, 2 belts, pjs... and I wore everything! It was a 20" suitcase and I brought 5 books and a case of cosmetics/hair care/body care products, too.

Express Checkout Experiment: Summer version

This is becoming the story of My Two Closets, as well as of working at home.

This week, The Daily Connoisseur posted on "Looking Presentable Always," which is a far different thing than "Looking Good Always." As she notes, every day brings its challenges, and some days--days when your water heater bursts and you have to mop a sodden floor and scoop up chunks of ceiling tile--are days when you want to look "presentable" rather than perfect.

Our weather in the Big D has been surprisingly cool. I haven't turned on the a.c. in either apartment, which is a blessing. Nights have been perfectly delicious for sleeping, and moving stuff to and from the Old Apartment/car/New Apartment has been not so terrible.

That said, I am still trying to be "presentable," given that this week I am consistently combining meetings and errands with clean-up/out. So carrying sloppy clothes (sweats, clean t-shirts, comfortable shoes) in a bag and changing in the apartment before I leave or after I get there has been a necessity. Unfortunately, because of the broken water heater, the water has also been turned off, so handwipes and facewipes have also been handy.

At the Old Apartment, I am still seeing neighbors and the people coming by to look at my Craigslist "stuff." I know if I look okay, they are more likely to buy something or to buy it at the price I want than f I look scraggly and dirty.

Next week, I have to go to Boston, my Hometown, and Washington for a week for a conference, family visit, and old friend visit. I'll need clothes to travel in comfortably (Wednesday), two days in Boston--including giving my paper; 3 days at home and 1 day of travel back to Boston/DC, and then 2 days in DC, not only visiting with an old friend and her husband, but seeing former students and dining out, possibly going to the theatre. My goal is to take one suitcase (20", that I can lift and roll)) and one Longchamps pliage (tote). I usually take a backpack, but I want to be more professional in this case.

Conference clothes (2 days)
Black TravelSmith dress plus slip & black heeled sandals
Orange skirt, black cardie, & same shoes in brown

Family visit (3 days)
Jeans plus short-sleeved t-shirts, beige lightweight jacket & same shoes
Khakis plus same
Red/Brown/Black wrap skirt plus same

Washington (2 days)
same

That's it: 2 pairs of shoes, 2 skirts, 1 dress, and 2 pairs of pants, and t-shirts in white, black, and gray; and I'll bring jewelry, belts, scarves, and a folded purse to effect changes. Obviously, underwear, jammies, and sox, as well as cosmetics. Possibly (probably) I'll add a long-sleeved cotton button shirt or tunic, "just in case." I'll travel in the jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and the beige jacket; planes are notoriously cool.

All this in one suitcase and one tote. Pretty good.