Is it time to simplify your wardrobe? Think about it, what is it that dictates how big your wardrobe is or how many clothes you have? Is it fashion and changing trends? Is it utility? Is it the weather or the climate? Is it an expectation of society or your social circle? Is it the activities that you do that necessitate what you wear? Or is it simply the size of your container...be it an overnight bag or walk-in closet? The answer to all of these is probably YES! That’s the thing about clothes, we all wear different things for different reasons.


But, sometimes it’s like cable TV...500 channels and nothing on, right? You go into your huge walk-in closet and you can’t find a thing to wear! So what’s the real problem? Is it analysis paralysis...just too many decisions? Well, let’s dive into that. Read more...


Main Topic:
We all have different reasons for what we wear and how big our wardrobe is. It’s a pretty personal thing and each of us is unique, but maybe it is time to simplify your wardrobe a bit? Our ancestors certainly lived with a whole lot less than we do...and there are those who choose to minimize what they keep in their clothes closets. We decided to ask ourselves some very pointed questions about what we wear and why, and some others questions to see if there was an opportunity to edit our closets and drawers to a point that feels more like "enough" and less like "too much."
Question: So what things shape your current wardrobe?


Vanessa:

Work: professional business attire and hands-on organizing work attire.
Climate: mostly warm weather clothes needed here in San Antonio, TX.
Culture: cowboy, Western, relaxed.
Lifestyle: fitness and travel dictate need for lightweight and versatile clothing...nothing to iron!
Personality and Image: pretty tomboy look...fun yet put together...balance of attractive yet conservative clothing.




Dan: 

The look: going for that “guy in shorts” with a little bit of “guy in tee shirt” look (ha-ha!).
Mostly comfort: work from home so commute is only 19 steps...like to stay pretty comfortable.
Uniformity: think of clothes as a uniform with everything capable of mixing and matching.
Weather: the San Antonio  heat really does dictate my wardrobe.



Question: So what does your wardrobe look like now?


Vanessa:

A lot of fitness clothing.
Closet: 40% work and professional attire, 40% casual and 20% travel/merino wool and coats.
Few accessories: 8 purses, 6 belts, 6 scarves...but only wear or use half of each!
Shoes are my weakness! I hate to admit this… but I have 40 pairs, half of which are for professional attire which I wear maybe 10% of the time if that!




Dan:

8 of the same identical black short sleeve shirts, 4 identical long sleeve shirts, identical calf wool socks and SmartWool ankle sock...a lot of the same!
Very few “accessories”...a few baseball caps, 3 cowboy hats and only my wedding ring for jewelry.
On the “dressed up spectrum” most of what I wear is on the lounge around at home or very casual end.
Only have 1 or 2 options for business attire.
“Business casual” however is a little slim.



Question: What would your ideal wardrobe look like?


Vanessa:

Nothing to iron.
Everything is comfortable.
Everything fits or is tailored to my shape.
All clothing is attractive and flattering.
Can coordinate pieces into different outfits.
A variety of colors other than black and brown (can be a limitation though).
No dry-cleaning.
Be able to pack everything I own in 1 piece of luggage or large duffle bag!




Dan: 

Very casual wardrobe that doesn’t show sweat.
Drapes well and doesn’t bind or make me feel self conscious.
Mostly black or brown .
Favorite clothes are ones I can wear and feel comfortable in 70 degree weather.
I wish I could pull off keeping my shemagh around my neck like in the desert...they’re very functional.