General

Cold-Weather Wrap-Up

“Spring, spring, spring!” sang the robin…

When I started wardrobe tracking on September 21st for all of Fall and Winter, I couldn’t even really comprehend getting to March 20, 2019. And yet, here we are. Spring is finally here! And I am so, so ready for it. I thought about breaking this post up into pieces. I’m a little afraid of how long it could get. But I’m ready to shift gears and start posting about warmer weather and different clothing, so let’s just dig in.

Last Outfits of March (7-19):

Wardrobe Tracking.
Miracle of miracles, I’ve also finalized my wardrobe tracking, as best as possible. Here are my most– and least-worn items of the fall & winter:

Most Worn:
Tops
Eileen Fisher Cashmere Pullover, Blush (11)
Eileen Fisher Silk Tank, Black (11)
Everlane U Neck Tee, White (I have two) (15)
Stitch Fix/Knyt&Lynk Cashmere Sweater, Burgundy (11)
Stitch Fix/RD Style Rowca Sweater, Ecru (12)
Target/Universal Thread Duster Cardi, Gray (12)
Shoes
Allbirds, Charcoal (11)
Dolce Vita Suede Booties, Tan (21)
Everlane Day Flat, Black (11)
Bean Boots, Brown (15)
Minnetonka Mocs, 11
Nisolo Dari Boot, 25
Coats
Sinuous Long Sweater Jacket, Camel/Gray (20)
Gap Rain Jacket (from 1999!), Black (12)
J Crew Funnel-Neck Coat, Camel (10)
Lands End Down Parka, Olive (41)
LL Bean Down Jacket, Navy (19)
Bottoms
Banana Republic Suiting Pants, Black (11)
Everlane Modern Boyfriend Jean, Light Blue (11)
Everlane Stretch Cigarette Jean, Mid Blue (14)
Gap Straight Jean, Mid Blue (12)
Gap Wide-Leg Trouser, Black (13)
Dear John Straight Stretch Jean, Mid Blue (13)
Stitch Fix/Level 99 Francis Trouser, Olive (10)
Stitch Fix/Level 99 Gloria Stretch Jean, Dark Blue (10)
Target/Merona Trouser, Black (12)
Target/Prologue Ankle Trouser, Black (12)

Never Worn
ZERO WEARS:
Banana Republic Heavy Cable Zip Cardi, Black (c. 2004)
Champion Washburn Sweatshirt, Navy (Dad’s, c. 1980s)
Everlane Cashmere V-neck sweater, Burgundy (moth-eaten)
Forever 21 “Grandpa” Cardigan, Navy/Gray
Latched Mama Nursing Tee/Tunic, Black
Latched Mama Hooded Nursing Hoodie, Gray/White
Lularoe Baseball Tees (2) (Black and pink, Gray and Maroon)
Lululemon Reversible Cardigan, Lilac
Target/Merona Cable Crew Sweater, Gray
Uniqlo Cape/Shawl, Green
Feelgoodz Suede Flip-Flop, Pink (why were these on the list?)
Frye Carson Ballet Flat, Black
J Crew Ribbon Flip Flops, Navy (why were these on the list?)
On Cloud Sneakers, Green/Pink (worn to work out, but not with outfits)
Target Beaded Moc/Slip (c. 2004)
Columbia Jacket, Gray (c. 2002)
J Crew Ribbon Jacket, Red (too small)
Lularoe Cassie Pencil Skirt, Black/Tan
Lularoe Cassie Pencil Skirt, Navy

Rest in Pieces
Everlane Cashmere V-neck (moth holes)
Everlane Merino T-neck (moth holes)
AG Skinny Cord (literally see-through)

Other problems
Dankso professional clogs (too small/uncomfortable)

There are a lot of other items that were worn frequently, and a few I reached for only a few times. Of the “zero” wears list, I’m ready to pass along all but the:
Champion sweatshirt (it was Dad’s)
Forever 21 Grandpa cardi (it’s cute with shorts/cool summer nights)
Flip Flops (Not sure why I have flip-flops on my winter list; not their fault!)
On Cloud Sneakers (suitable for working out)
Lularoe Cassie in black/tan (we’ll try it for summer)

I might also hold the ribbon coat for one more year, as it fit well enough before babies and I’m still carrying nursing weight that should be gone next winter. If it’s still too small then, I’ll sell. I still love it, fiercely.

I am struggling to part with the Columbia jacket. It’s a bit small, but see Ribbon Coat comment, and it’s part of a system. What I’d like to do here is hold it, plan to replace it, but recognize it’s pretty low on the priority list.

I’m so sad about the moth-eaten items, as I loved both. I am not packing things away as a result this winter (they fare better hung in the off-use closet), and I’m thinking seriously of asking for a cedar chest for my birthday.

In Summary
I had 193 items in my cold-weather wardrobe. I wore all but nineteen items (about 175), but a LOT of that was trying to force rotation. Several of these items will be part of my warm-weather wardrobe, and I have a huge stack of items I’m leaning toward selling/donating, etc. I had originally planned to ruthlessly cull, but I like that there are about 10 items I’m ready to part with because I didn’t reach for them at all, and probably another 25 I’ll be ready to get rid of this month. If I can hold off on replacing them faster than I get rid of them, I should be on a good track to slowly and reasonably get my closet into good shape for me. It is less sexy than a Kondo-style purge, but it’s better for my sanity and budget in the long run.

Stitch Fix/Spring Box.
I decided to push back Stitch Fix to March to save money. I got a box and it was a bust. The colors were perfect. The styles were okay. The fit was abysmal. It all went back.

Large photo:
Skies Are Blue Asymmetrical Hem Pullover ($58)
I liked this well enough, but it wasn’t flattering and I don’t love the asymmetrical hem. It was my most-liked item in the box, but not for the price.
Driftwood Britt Embroidered-Cuff Scissor-Cut Hem Straight Jean ($98)
No. These aren’t petite and don’t fit me well. They hae terrible pockets and an unflattering and dated wash. I love embroidery, but inside the cuff is weird. And I hate the idea of scissor-hemmed $98 jeans. Hard pass.

Middle-Top Right:
Cosmic Blue Love Ava Button Down Chambray Top ($68)
I had a button-up shirt in this weird, soft, heavy material for less than half this price from Target and I hated it in hot weather. It clings. And it’s just not flattering. Pass.

Middle-Bottom Right:
Liverpool Harpere Denim Jacket ($98)
Boxy, arms too long, nothing special, too expensive. Pass.

Bottom Right:
Gorjana Chloe Small Stud Earrings ($35)
I think I’d love these if they were truly tiny, but they were about the size of my pointer fingernail and nothing special, especially for $35. Pass.

My next box is set up for June. I’m planning to keep these quarterly for now. I am not feeling the value-for-money in most items, but sometimes they really deliver — four of my “over-tens” were from the company (the Gloria jeans were from my very first Fix; the rest from 2018).

Springing Forward: What’s Next

I am transitioning my closet and starting my new worksheet! I will save A/W 2018 for reference as I begin to purge, and will be curious to see what is still around next Fall/Winter. I would like to get that going, and reflect a bit on the fall/winter things I liked and didn’t like (regardless of wear count), and palettes, and things like that, and then I’ll start posting more spring records stuff. I am already loving the change in my wardrobe palette and a few changes to sport bare ankles again! Like last fall, I have a few transitional pieces I’m keeping around: my DV boots and Dari boots, the Grandpa sweater, and most of my pants. My spring wardrobe has some nice heavy-weight tees, and I’ll keep a couple of casual sweatshirts, too, plus I have sneakers and a few spring jackets (the Gap rain jacket, my M&S anorak, my denim jacket, etc). So even if it is chilly for a while yet, I can wear layers and cover my ankles quickly!

Until next time…

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