03 Feb 2013 11 Comments

The Minimalist (Late) Winter Wardrobe

This winter I worked on slimming down my wardrobe and after an even more sliming down weekend, here I am,  just a month or two away from spring with a 32 items winter wardrobe (not counting shoes, bags, intimates and workout clothes). I also wrote about this last September, when I was asking if it’s possible for a sewist to own a minimalist wardrobe. This weekend I also found Project 333, a dare to live for 3 months with 33 items of clothing (I didn’t work to a number, but looks like I almost made it – still have to deal with my very numerous bags :)

I am quite pleased of this experiment and plan to move it into spring: it’s easy to dress up in the morning, laundry takes less time, my closet is tidy (tidy-er, but still a snap to tidy up) and you get to give away clothes you don’t actually need.

There’s also a feeling of relief that comes with owning less stuff and seeing less clutter around you. Some sort of clarity, like you can focus on the things you like and remove anything you don’t need anymore.

Last, but not least it’s easier to decide on what I am going to sew next.

Being able to sew almost anything you’d like might make you end up with quite a lot of garments: some you thought were going to look nice, but are not you at all, some that fit badly and some that are just perfect.

I’ll keep on sewing things I want to sew, while only keeping those garments I will actually wear.

Here’s a summary of how I planned my winter wardrobe.

Keeping: button down shirts.

I love classic button down shirts but I’ve never ever successfully made one. This is why I am taking a shirt making class on Craftsy and think non-stop about all the amazing shirts I am going to sew in the future.

I am keeping 6 shirts for now: pink, white, dark blue, black, baby blue, plaid.

I will try to obey the one in, one out rule and the first to go will be the blue one, which is difficult to press and the pink one which is one of those I don’t even like the colour buys. But it’s a good shirt so I am giving it one more chance.

Not keeping: cardigans. 

I love how a cardi looks over a more feminine blouse or a tank top, but It’s still too cold for that so I archiving them until spring.

Keeping: Sweaters

Even since the beginning of winter I decided to reduce the number of sweaters I own and only keep the ones I wear most. Winter worked great with only 4 monochrome sweaters and a pastel mint one. The red sweater was a gift.

Not keeping: layering sweaters.

These are great for colder months unless you work in a warm office, go to work by  bike or metro and have a warm house :) They are too thin to be worn on their own and I don’t even layer that much so out until warmer times (and some for good). 

Keeping: a few good fitting trousers

2 in navy (one is on its way out), a dark green one, and a bright orange one. I will maybe add a black pair.

Not keeping: kilos of denim. 

I don’t know why most of us feel the urge to buy new jeans when we already own more than 10 pairs. I guess it’s the promise of a relaxed fit and a good time and not the garment itself. Keeping only a couple of pairs, the rest out.

Keeping: blazers

I would buy blazers every day if I could, but the truth is I don’t wear them every day. Not even every other day, so for now I decided two is enough. A red one and a navy one.

Not keeping: skirts

I never wear them anyway. I am only keeping a velvet circle skirt I made in December that I am yet to wear, but like.

Keeping: a few dresses

I am keeping only 4 dresses because I want to make more in the future. I have already started on a chocolate Truffle (see my inspiration post here) by Colette Patterns.

Not keeping: funky tshirts

It’s winter, I almost never wear them. Keeping a few basic only.

Keeping: wool shorts

I am keeping two plaid ones (one black and white and another brownish) and a short grey pair. I made the plaid pairs and I’ve worn them again and again.

Not keeping: silky blouses for layering.

It’s still too cold and too dark in the morning to even think of silky blouses. 

Keeping: Minimal outerwear

I am only keeping a lime green coat, a leather jacket and a long dark wool coat. Not counting my rain and mountain jackets :)

Accessories: 2 scarfs, 2 hats, 1 pair of gloves

 

What about you? Are you interested in taking this challenge for Spring? How would you decide what to keep, what would you give away?

(Featured image by Furniply on Fickr)

 

 

by sky in Clothes, Inspiration