Warning: this post is tedious and vain. Proceed with awareness.
I’ve been thinking about a capsule wardrobe: mostly-basic pieces that fit well and are in flattering colors, that also mix and match easily. From there, the idea is to switch out cheap-o accessories if you want to change things up.
Pretty much every spring our routine is to go through everything and purge: clothes, shoes, toys, stuff. So this year my goal is to get out of my closet things I never or hardly ever wear. Even t-shirts. Even hoodies. This is big for me.
For some of the iffy ones, I’m going to put them in the back of the boys’ closet to see if I even miss them. If I don’t, gone.
From there, my goal has been to get ideas from Pinterest for arranging items I already have. Then maybe, maybe shop for one or two new basic pieces or a few new accessories. But really, I have lots of clothes and shoes and jewelry. I just wear the same things over and over instead of branching out.
Here is what I’ve come up with for my Spring-ish wardrobe (what to wear when it’s below 90 degrees and above 50…some I tried on and rocked the mirror selfie. Because that’s what you do. But I’m only brave enough to post one of those on here. For most of the outfits I was too lazy for that):
Old Navy tank I’ve had for at least 6 years and never wear. Cardigan sis gave me she doesn’t wear anymore. Jeans a friend gave me. $7 flip flops.
Shrug from sis. Zipper-designed tank from a clothing swap. Jeans from a teen resale shop in town ($9). Wedges from a garage sale.
Top from Kohl’s (got free with Kohl’s cash – score!). Same jeans from above. Same flip flops. Necklace from garage sale.
Same cardigan, tank from sis. Premier Designs necklace I got free with party credit. Wide belt from Kohl’s. Shorts from Kohl’s. Same wedges.
Tank from sis (she apparently had a tank top giveaway one time). Jean jacket from Kohl’s. (Something I spent a pretty penny on. But it’s so versatile and will last a long time.) Cropped pants from sis.
Long tee from garage sale. Sandals from TJMaxx ($10).
There are eight more tops in the rotation – all of which I believe are striped. But I’m too embarrassed to publicly share my stripe obsession. Plus I think we’ve all had enough. There is also a pair of jeans from The Buckle that were worth every penny three years ago, and a pair of cut-offs from the same resale shop. And two more jackets. What I like about these outfits are the basic, clean lines. Those shouldn’t go out of style anytime soon.
The saddest part about this is it doesn’t even picture the fun, summery dresses I have in my possession. Or yoga pants and workout shirts. Or all the t-shirts.
A typical outfit for me. Impulse-buy t-shirt, jeans, tangerine Cons from clothing swap.
So basically? If you ever hear me say I have nothing to wear, you have my permission to flick me. And if you see me buying anything, tackle me before it’s too late. (Unless it’s a statement necklace. Apparently one needs a statement necklace.)
But, seriously. We set aside around $100 per month for clothes for our family. Dan’s work stuff is more expensive, I need quality workout pants and shoes, and the boys outgrow stuff all the time. But if I commit to wear only these basics for a couple years, we could easily knock that amount down to $70 a month. That extra $30? That could sponsor a Compassion child. Someone our boys could write letters to and send pictures on his or her birthday.
And that is worth taking the time to arrange pieces so I am aware of what I already have.
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Do you have any wardrobe money-saving advice?