A couple of months ago I decided to renovate my wardrobe.
I discovered my colours, I explored my personal style (rather than the style of this ideal girl that was supposed to be me), and I resolved to banish unloved things from my wardrobe, stat. Make everything I needed from thrifted materials or buy them second-hand.
Well, it didn’t exactly work out like that.
Even though I did a mass purge, I still have things in my closet I don’t love. I’m not entirely enamoured with a few of the things I made for myself since then, or bought handmade. I’m still missing items that I planned to make for myself – and am tempted to just go out and buy them because I have enough on my plate.
Motivation
I forget that working out my style and making things for myself is actually immensely satisfying.
Every time I walk over to my closet, I’m excited for just this tiny moment about the possibilities, and then one of my internal monsters jumps in and says it’s too hard, I’ve got more important things to do, or I just want to “relax” (which often just means zoning out from my problems in front of the computer or TV. Whether that’s actually relaxing is another story).
What if I just let myself be motivated? What if the voice I listened to was the inspiring one, the one that makes me think that I could create something great – that’s mine – and be proud of it?
Patience
I think in general, rushing isn’t great. It causes stress, it makes us settle, it makes it difficult for us to be mindful.
It took me a lifetime of mixing and matching and chopping and changing to get the not-awesome wardrobe that I had. Getting closer to the awesome one is going to take a while, too.
Tracking progress
Like any other project, improving a wardrobe goes better if you figure out what the hell you’re trying to do and look at how to achieve it.
I created a little system for tracking the items I’ve got in my wardrobe, the items I need, the items I’m going to make, and the items I have waiting for reconstruction. I’ll share how it works in a post tomorrow.
Is your wardrobe heavily “under construction”, or just evolving every now and again? Do you manage it like a project or just do things as they come up?
Thanks for posting your thoughts on this issue. Your blog has really helped me clarify my thoughts about sewing one’s own clothing. When I bought all my clothes, my wardrobe was haphazard and thoughtless. Because so much effort goes into the construction of well made clothing, I became much more focused on what should be in my wardrobe. I want to be rewarded for my work-by feeling good while wearing my own homemade clothes. I’m currently working on a travel SWAP which will take me through fall and winter. Managing my wardrobe and sewing for it are things very particular to my personality (detail oriented) but I find I want to break free sometimes and just sew something fun. When I get in that space, I sew hats.
Last blog by Mary: travel and camping SWAP
..it’s all happening wardrobe-wise over at my place – as detailed on my blog.
I am going for a capsule wardrobe – based on the idea that it’s best to have a few fantastic pieces that get worn to death rather than a wardrobe stuffed with things that just sit there (and living in a teeny Tokyo apartment!). It’s a work in progress (hampered by a growing bump!) and it may take me a while to find/make the perfect summer skirt or trousers or skinny cords or whatever…but…I am getting there. Although I haven’t finished…I must say that I am having an easier time finding something to wear every day AND feeling good in what I wear. I’ve sold some stuff/given some away. Things with cute fabrics have gone to my upcycling bag – for PJ pants or clothes for the coming bebe etc.. And..it feels GOOD.
Last blog by Elyse: Sketchbook Project
My wardrobe is still under review and construction. I am weeding out things I don’t wear anymore or that I don’t feel comfortable in, don’t suit me, don’t fit with how I live now etc. And I am making clothes but trying to plan my sewing so things will fit together more rather than having a load of separate pieces but nothing that combines.
Last blog by Minnado: give the kid a camera
Goodness – I used to manage to do stuff like that before children – all I can managed these days is 10 or 15 minutes to myself evening organising an outfit for the next day – always trying to bring new ones together out of old favs -