A proper wardrobe sort out and lesson learnt that some clothes can be hard to wear

 

I had believed that I was pretty much on top of my wardrobe.  Stuff comes in on a reasonably regular basis and stuff goes out but everything coming in is pretty much in line with work and home uniforms that I have fallen into post pandemic.  There remains a sizeable amount that dates back to what I wore for the life I had in 2019.  On the surface that life is pretty much the same save for two days a week working from home, however, it only occasionally requires pre pandemic business wear and there seem to be very few dressy events these days.

A friend retired a couple of weeks ago and announced she was getting rid of all her work clothes.  Bold move thought I.   I was certainly not ready to bag it all up and ship it out of the house even if I wasn’t wearing most of it.  Apart from anything else I had found myself a bit bored with the same old ‘smart’ work outfit when needed though having to scrub up in the last week has been something of an irritation when I have had quite so much on.  

  

That said passing a little time with my own giant dressing up box turned out to be rather pleasant.  It also revealed quite how wrong I was as regards being on top of my wardrobe.   Actually trying things on unearthed a few items that have had their day always assuming they should have been allowed their day in the first place.  

The cull includes, most notably:

- An eclectic selection of silk and linen shirts with pockets on the chest - additional bulk really not required.

- one button closure long line jackets - that fastening is hitting nearer my hips than my waist which doesn’t make fastening it easy.

- T-shirts that are not 100% cotton - M&S might call them ‘fitted’, I call them ‘clingy’ even when sized up;

- stretch fabric dresses - even if not particularly tight it is tricky these days to get the underwear right ie not obvious and/or uncomfortable.

- ditsy prints - stylist type people seem to espouse the view that big floral prints are bad after a certain age.  I have a couple, well five, big print skirts I like and am keeping.  Pretty much anything else print wise needs to be polka dot or stripe for it to earn its place in my wardrobe.

 - jeans I feel the urge to pull the hems down on whilst simultaneously pulling the waistband up - enough said.

- jeans with a lower than 10 inch rise - again, constantly pulling them up.  Forever trying to tuck one’s tummy in is a bad look and failing is worse.

- washed out black denim super skinny jeans - loved ‘em once and they still fit, though these days a looser top rather than a skinny rib polo neck would avoid scaring the horses.

- those black skinny rib polo necks or at least the 2 snugger of the 4.  The other two get a reprieve until I can find suitable black sweater replacements probably not ribbed, a bit looser and more likely cashmere, merino or a mix of the two.  Those have their disadvantages (specifically laundry and moths) but they feel nice.

- tops with a puff on the shoulders save for one silk top where I can probably get away with it not least as it will, more often than not, be worn under a jacket.  I wore serious shoulder pads in the late 80s, early 90s.  Admittedly, I was a bit lighter in those days but I dread to think what I must have looked like.

- dresses with pockets that can’t easily be removed.  I know some women love them and no doubt Johnny Boden has a cult following among the ‘pocket in dresses’ loving population.  However, much like I don’t need puffs on my shoulders, or pockets on my chest, feature pockets on my tummy or hips are not doing me any favours either.

Wide leg trousers escaped the cull, a decision I will question next time I catch the toe of my shoe/boot and fall upstairs.  Ankle grazer slim trousers also escaped.  I will question that one also (I am not tall enough for my legs to be visually shortened) but they get a reprieve for now because both pairs fit nicely everywhere else .  The one pair of linen trousers I still have stays if only to remind me not to make the mistake of buying any more linen trousers, yet again!  I look creased after 5 minutes and generally feel dishevelled for the rest of the day. 

There are also a few items to post on eBay, a few to go to charity and a few to landfill.  Some have served me well but their time is up.  

Overall I was quite pleased with the results and had three smart work outfits at the ready to ring the changes with the one I have been wearing on default.

Actually wearing my number one newly unearthed smart outfit was, however, a mixed experience.  Circa 15 hours in proper heels was not fun and I wasn’t that thrilled about wearing sheer tights either.  The skirt was fine, if something of a strange experience.  The last time I remember wearing a pencil skirt was October 2022.  As for that silk top, the puff shoulders were no problem whatsoever (my jacket never came off), reaching over a table for papers in a light fabric with a v neck, however, risks giving anyone opposite a view they had not bargained for.

I honestly do not know how I used to wear these clothes, it is hard work remembering everything you can’t do, like walk, take your jacket off and reach for papers.  I don’t remember it being quite so tricky.

It is clearly pointless waiting for retirement before I conduct a major wardrobe cull.  I do need a few smart work outfits, 2 or three suitable for black tie maybe, perhaps one long and two cocktail?  2 or 3 for weddings, christenings etc.  Something suitable for funerals which will probably be covered within the smart work which is pretty much all black and navy with the odd foray into dark brown.  I do not need anything like the volume I have at the smarter end.  I am not royalty, no one is looking, it is not my style any longer and that version of me is not coming back on anything even approaching a frequent basis - those shoes proved it!

A few hats and fascinators can go as well.  Actually, now I think about it probably all the fascinators can go.  If I need a hat a proper brim and crown that actually fits on my head rather than perches (or starts to slide off the back of your head when receiving communion) is a lot more comfortable.  Just not too large a brim.  Old Chinese proverb - big hat, short woman, looks like mushroom - springs to mind!

Shoes will, I know, be a wrench.  I love them all and I will be keeping the pair that hurt this week.  I just will not be wearing them for a 15 hour stretch including public transport and a recorded 7000 steps.  Generally, however, any smart heels need to be lower and stilettos/pointy toes strictly limited.   Loafers, sneakers, ankle boots, some knee high boots and espadrilles, ballet flats are where it is at going forward.  Possibly ballet flats though they are not a favourite of mine.  The thigh length suede flat boots can go as can the pointy toe, stiletto heeled over the knee suede boots - neither ever worn.  Not sure what I was thinking!

It may take a while for the full purge to be completed but it is time to bite that particular bullet and, who knows, maybe with the new found space we can stop storing stuff under the bed!