In renovating my wardrobe, I need to keep track of:
- what I already have
- what I need
- what I’m not so happy with keeping, but have to, because I don’t have a replacement yet
- the clothes I have waiting for reconstruction
- what I want to make
It’s a lot to keep in my head. So I figured out a system, where I can see at a glance what I need to work on or look out for. I can take it op-shopping with me, or refer to it when I want to do some sewing, to keep focused.
Thinker Maker’s Wardrobe Tracker System
First, I decluttered my wardrobe. I kept little-loved things in there if I really needed them – we’ll deal with them later.
Down the left edge of a page I listed the garment types I need. Dress pants, tracksuit pants, long-sleeved tops, handbags, shoes – that sort of thing. I had a good think about how I spend my time. (For example, I don’t need dress pants or business shirts at all. I just don’t need them, and wouldn’t wear them if I had ‘em.)
I didn’t do this, but it’s a good idea to write beside each thing, the number of them you need. Work out how many you need based on how much time you spend wearing that type of clothing. For example, if you spend half you time working and half your time in casual dress, you’ll need 50% of your wardrobe to be work attire and 50% casual attire.
Next, I wrote down each item still in my wardrobe beside the corresponding garment type. I kept the descriptions to one or two words, just enough so I’d know what item I’m referring to. I circle each of these things so that I know circled means I own it.
I draw a little filled-in circle on those items I don’t love and would like to replace.
I write in the clothes I have that are ready for reconstruction, but don’t circle them, because I don’t “have” them yet.
If I know I need a particular garment type but don’t know what it’s going to be yet, I write in numbers to signify the number of pieces I need.
Once I get/make the garment, I’ll circle the number.
So, looking at my page here:
- I can see that the uncircled items are “unfinished”. I need to get or make these items.
- For me, the uncircled numbers are really open-ended as to what style I can make or buy. I look at those when I’m feeling creative.
- When I have enough of a garment type to get by, then I can work on replacing the filled-circle items – those unloved ones I kept because I didn’t have anything else to wear.
I think this system needs to be done again every so often. Sometimes what we thought we needed isn’t needed any more, and when things get bought or made they can be entered in more specifically.
I want to revise mine to lessen the number of items needed. (Weirdly enough, since we cut down to only having one laundry basket in the house, I do the washing more often and don’t need so many clothes.)
Redoing it regularly might seem like a pain, but I think it’s good in that writing this down makes us consider what we’re doing with our wardrobes so that we can be more mindful about it.
I am doing something similar. I borrowed a book from the library called “The lucky shopping manual” and have been making a list of everything I am lacking/need – because whenever I shop I seem to buy things I don’t need (for example I have alot of evening/dressy items of clothing & shoes, but rarely go out). I have also finally accepted that not everything suits me and my cupboard (though I haven’t been home in weeks) is sorted into 3 sections “wear & love & suits me”, “Needs to be altered/fixed to be able to wear it happily” and “don’t want/need/can’t wear it”
I also just got an app for the iPhone called “touch closet” which I can photograph each item of clothing, make wishlists, make outfits and make note of how often I wear them and then also while I am out I can make sure that whatever I buy will be able to work with clothes I have at home (I have a bunch of single items I love, but nothing to wear them with). I absolutely love it! Not sure if it is available without iphone though.
Those phone apps make life easier don’t they! I am still low tech so prefer your list ideas. Also, using pen and paper makes one think more clearly and remember more deeply. (Scientific fact.) You said if you work half time/play half time wardrobe should be 50/50. I have to disagree. Work has to take up a larger percentage unless you wear a uniform. No one minds if you “play” in the same outfit, but at work you need to change more frequently. Even when my job was wearing medical scrubs I did not wear the same ones or same colors day after day. Worse when I worked an office. I needed more than 5 alternating outfits. In my casual attire 3 pair jeans will do and a wide variety of thrifted tops.