As I mentioned in last Saturday’s post, this month’s recap is a little wonky-donkey because I didn’t track effectively while I was on vacation in Mexico. I do, however, now what I packed, and because it was so limited, can pretty effectively estimate how many times I wore each item, so I am just going to give a broad overview of my wardrobe wearings, changes, plans, and thoughts for May. The start of June is a little unreliable for the same reason, but it’s my goal to get my worksheet updated this weekend and get back on track with that this week (we’re only almost at the halfway point of the month already, Roo, so good on ya’ or something).

MAY CLOTHING ADDITIONS
Eileen Fisher blush alpaca-blend sweater (secondhand)
Eileen Fisher dotty black-and-white midi-maxi skirt (secondhand)
Eileen Fisher blue linen jumpsuit (secondhand)
Chaco burgundy leather Wayfarer sandal (secondhand)
Shade & Shore black rubber (EVA) Birk-style sandal (new)
Cream Eyelet V-neck Top (new) (Stitch Fix)
Mustard Twill Short (new) (Stitch Fix)

ON HOLD
I returned the Numi undershirts with the intention of repurchasing once I returned from vacation. I’m waiting for a shipping discount code, which is part of the return/repurchase in lieu of exchanges through the company (I currently have a credit with them from returned product).

PURGED IN MAY/REMOVE FROM LIST/CHANGES FOR JUNE
My current list is dated May 7 2022, and incorporates (already removed) the donated items from the all-day declutter, which I discuss in this post. I have about four duplicates I noticed when I imported remaining purgatory to my main wardrobe: (1) Universal Thread pink buffalo-check plaid top; (2) Trovata navy and cream wool cardigan; (3) Pataugas leather sneakers; (4) Salewas hiking boots. I also added to my accessory/special use section a stretch belt that I haven’t worn (I usually wear it with skirts and dresses, so it doesn’t see much use in the cold months) from Target.

So current working wardrobe size should be about 130 or so items. My long-term goal is to get to 100, and I’m down from well over 300 items 18 months ago. I have a few that may be on their way out (from use/wear), but I also have a few in queue for possible overdyeing, bleaching, or donation – TBD. #PROGRESSNOTPERFECTION #SLOWANDSTEADY

I have a handful of items set aside in possible donation pile for staining or wear for June, and will update that early next month when I do June recap.

ESTIMATED WEAR COUNTS
Ten Times
Birkenstock Arizona Tan Sandal
Birkenstock Gray Wool Scuff Slipper
Shade & Shore Black EVA Birk-style Sandal

Eight Times
Target/Stars Above Leopard PJ set or components
Fjallraven Kanken No. 2 Laptop Backpack

Six Times
Gap Denim Jacket

Five Times
Plum Dolly Parton Tee
Sabela Raw-Edge Bespoke Tea (Unabashed Apparel)
Old Navy Plum Cotton Capri Legging
Nisolo Huarache Sandal

Four Times
Kaisely Cream Long Cardigan
LEVI Ripped 26″ Wedgie Straight Jean
For Days Rust Short Dress
Old Navy Rust Cotton Capri Legging
Civil Alchemy Tan Crossbody Purse
Market & Spruce Gold Backbraid Cardigan (snagged? donate/recycle?)
All in Motion Olive Short
All in Motion Gold Short

Three Times
Amazon Cream SS Tee
Amazon Olive SS Tee
NPR STLPR Blue Tee (need to adjust color – dye?)
Old Navy Pink Tank
Old Navy Plum Tank
United by Blue Pocket Tee in Cream (stained – donate or dye?)
Universal Thread Gold V-neck Tee
Merona Plum Chino Shorts
One5One Olive Twill Jogger
Beek Kea Suede Sandal in Cognac
Red Kansas State Fair ’84 Tee
Hanes Brown Sleep Tank
Washburn Law Navy Sweatshirt
Amazon Camo Sweatpant
Native Miles EVA Sneaker
Old Navy Burgundy Swim Cover/Nightshirt
Amazon Orange Sleep Tank
Amazon Rust Sleep Tank
Eileen Fisher Dotty B&W Skirt

Two Times
Red Table Rock Tee
Rust Modest Mouse Tee
J Crew Chambray Button Up
Everlane Blush Terry Sweatshirt
Everlane Modern BF Jean
Everlane Jean Short
Lands End Cream WL Crop
Dansko Professional Clog
Veja V-12 Sneaker
Mia Melon Yellow Rain Parka
Danskin Olive Pocket Legging
Chaco Burgundy Wayfarer Leather Sandal
Eileen Fisher Blush Alpaca Sweater
Andie Black Rib Swimsuit
Andie Pink Rib Swimsuit
Target Rust Rib Swimsuit

One Time
A New Day Plum U-Neck tee (possible donation/worn)
For Days brown SS tee
Stormcloud Olive SS tee
J Jill Gold Dotty Peasant Blouse
American Giant Green Zip Hoodie
Everlane Brick Red Straight Crop Pant
Lands End Tan Chino Shorts
Style & Co Olive Shorts
Pataugas Orange Leather Sneaker
Anna Joyce Tie-Dye Maxi Dress
Lularoe Blue Bird Dress
Overalls
Blue Sunhat
Amazon Cream Sweatpant
Joules Tall Navy Floral Rainboot
On Cloud Green Sneakers
Kate Spade Brown Leather purse
Red BSA Tee
Target Brown Stretch Belt
Faherty Gauze Tee in Rust

Number of Items Worn/Not Worn (not worn = largely seasonal considerations, but wow)
(Primary Wardrobe Only, after purchase/duplication adjustments)
WORN: 50
NOT WORN: 75

Part of what this tells me is that I have a lot of things that just aren’t comfortable once it really warms up in Missouri – most of my coats, sweaters, jeans, boots, long-sleeve tops are out of commission until September or later. I’m surprised that my wardrobe skews quite so heavily toward cold-weather clothing, though, since half the year is cold (mid-October to mid-April) and half is warm (mid-April to mid-September). It will be interesting to see if there are summer items that only get worn once or twice whereas I know I was reaching for more variety on the colder days (the excitement of getting to wear sweaters, boots, and jackets becomes the boredom of only being able to wear sweaters, boots, and jackets by February and March).

A handful of outfit photos:

So, in addition to tracking, my outfit photos really fell off a cliff this past month. June is not off to a much better start so far. I’ll work on that.

VACATION PACKING LIST/MEXICO MAY-JUNE 2022 CAPSULE
Lounge/PJ: two shelf-bra tanks, two stretchy pairs of shorts, one night tee/coverup, one robe (6)
Tops: Faherty Blouse, Eyelet cream blouse, Pink Old Navy tank, Raisin Old Navy Tank (4)
Bottoms: Two pairs of chino shorts, one skirt (3)
Shoes: EVA sneakers (Native), EVA sandals (Shade & Shore), and Huaraches (3)
Swimsuits: Andie black rib, Andie pink rib, Target rust rib (3)
Allover/Dresses: For Days bleached to rust dress and blue linen jumper (2)
Toppers: Denim Jacket and Eileen Fisher Blush Sweater (2)

In retrospect, space permitting, I would have packed two ADDITIONAL items: one pair of pants (it was cool and rainy much of the week due to storms in the area) and one more casual shirt/tee for additional variety, though the cooler weather meant I could pair the tops/sleep items with toppers for more variety and it worked out OK. As it was, with space and weight limitations, this was our limit! Not counted, of course, was underthings, travel towels and miscellany, socks, toiletries, etc., though I kept those minimal, too.

xo/Roo