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The Clothing Experiment - Page 7

post #121 of 157
9/29/06 at 9:53pm
I've learned in the past few months that I need to really be more selective at the thrift store. Just because it's 1.99 and such-and-such brand doesn't mean I need to take it home with me.

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post #122 of 157
9/30/06 at 5:12am
I've just spotted this thread for the first time. Part way through reading I had an urge to go and declutter my wardrobe. I already have collected together a massive pile to either donate or sell online. I'm amazed where it all comes from, I only decluttered about a month ago, guess my thoughts have changed about some of the things I thought were ok back then.
post #123 of 157
9/30/06 at 9:48pm
The page linked below and the page following show how you can get 14 outfits out of 9 pieces of clothing. I'm always clueless about this stuff, so this was helpful to me!

http://www.travelite.org/clothing/womenswardrobe.html
post #124 of 157
9/30/06 at 9:58pm
I haven't finished reading this thread, but I'm so excited that I wanted to say "thanks, all, for sharing this info!".

This is one of my final frontiers in improving my material life.
post #125 of 157
10/1/06 at 11:53am
Subbing! I have a huge walk in closet filled with clothes as well as a dresser. How many things do I wear from it? Probably 15-20. Now that it is a season change, I want to make some changes and get rid of at least half! I am also hopefully on the road to losing my last 10 lbs from 2 pregnancies so I am really hoping I can get rid of a LOT and maybe buy a few new things that fit.
post #126 of 157
10/3/06 at 1:47am
I have total relooked at my wardobe. I have a few sweaters and shirt that go with tan pants and a few that go with jeans. I have two blazers with a few skirts with each and 5 out fit that are very comfortable that I wear around the house. if I only where my "good " clothes when I run erronds or anything out of the house I can wait almost a week before I have to wash my jeans/ shirts. I may only wear them a hour or 2 a day. It has really cut down on hte laundry and i always seam to have at least one outfit I feel I can wear out in public.
post #127 of 157
10/3/06 at 3:08am
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone...I haven't updated for awhile, so I thought I would jump in. We've now moved to our small apartment, and I'm really really glad we downsized our wardrobes when we did! Here is a pic of our closet now. All of our clothes are in there...with the exception of a few extra storage places for undies and socks. I've found that because we only do laundry a few times a week, it's really nice to have 2-3 pairs of jeans. I don't need that many more shirts...but I must be really hard on pants. I also hate when they get stretched out...I like that straight out of the dryer feeling.

I also try to look at our clothes every couple of weeks and see if I can thin it some more. I've been to a few thrift stores lately, and have picked up several great pieces...but that means I need to trade it for something else! It's a continuous journey...but it's fun!
post #128 of 157
10/3/06 at 3:23am
subbing!
post #129 of 157
10/3/06 at 3:59am
Delight, I loved looking at the pics of your apartment. Very lovely style you have there (and the cute splashes of red everywhere I particularly like!).
post #130 of 157
10/8/06 at 3:12pm
Has anyone heard of clothes exchange parties? I know they have another name that's catchy and creative...just can't think of it now.

Anyway, a bunch of gals get together (spose it could be guys too) and each brings a clothing item they no longer want. Then you exchange it for something some else has brought.

This keeps your wardrobe new and interesting without spending any money!
post #131 of 157
10/8/06 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delight View Post
I KNOW! Obsessed! I have really started to deconstruct my assumptions about clothes and all the emotions that go along with it. I'm trying to find the balance between wanting to look and feel pretty and just not caring what others think.

We are in a hotel for a few days right now and I purposely didn't bring many clothes just to "test" myself. I love traveling lighter...that has been a big problem for me in the past, and we travel A LOT. I'm ready for a change in that area. It's nice if there are laundry facilities available...or even a sink/soap. I washed a few of DD's clothes in the sink last night and they were dry this morning.

Also, finding out what truly looks nice on you is important. For years, I've picked out scoop neck tank tops, etc. I have realized that v-neck looks more flattering, and a shirred bust, even better. If you don't feel AMAZING in it, you probably don't look that great it it! I think that no matter your shape or size, there is clothing out there that will flatter you.

I started thinking about this "disposable" obsessed culture that we live in. I have switched my house to completely re-usable/cloth everything (even toilet paper!) ... so why do I buy disposable clothing? The items that I've bought from Old Navy, Target and other discount stores are usually a one- season item and then they are trashed. If I would just buy higher quality to begin with, many resources (and headaches) would be saved. I've always liked the higher quality stuff, but have been impatient and decided to fulfill a WANT instead of saving up some money to buy the better piece.

I think that if I would just avoid even going into those cheaper stores to look at clothes, I could save so much money. Yes, the clearance racks are wonderful, but do I really NEED another t-shirt? Another skirt? Another sweater? I don't want to discount some people's true NEED for inexpensive or even free clothing because if you can hardly afford to eat, I'm not saying you should go and buy an expensive piece of clothing. Just saying that I want to TRY to buy better quality.

Also, I've found that when you have less clothing, you tend to take care of what you have. With my "disposable" clothing, I didn't care if something stained it or if it ripped. I am starting to line dry all of my clothes too....to keep them nicer longer. Kind of a "slow clothes" movement hee hee. Just like the slow food movement wants to enjoy the food, slow down, eat more naturally....so I want to enjoy my clothes : Has Sara gone off the deep end? I think I'm rambling. But I've just been thinking about all of this so much lately. Hopefully some of it connects with someone out there.

OliveGirl, this thread was supposed to help us simplify life, not make it more crazy by obsessing about it. hee hee! The end result will be fabulous though. Can't wait to see your pics! I'll post mine later when I get back home.
"Slow clothes" - I love that!
post #132 of 157
10/8/06 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delight View Post
I'm down to:
  • 8 T-shirts
  • 2 tank tops
  • 4 skirts
  • 4 pairs of pants (black, khaki, linen, cords)
  • 4 pairs of capri pants (jeans, cords, cotton gauchos)
  • 2 button downs
  • Workout pants and shirt
  • Hiking/camping outfit
  • Pajama pants
  • 6 pairs of undies, 3 nursing tanks, 4 pairs of socks
I perused this thread with much interest and looked at what the other ladies also posted was in their wardrobes after downsizing.

With a wardrobe like this though, how often are you doing laundry? I think I would need more than this if I didn't want to do laundry all the time. Am I off base maybe?
post #133 of 157
10/8/06 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hipcoolmama View Post
I perused this thread with much interest and looked at what the other ladies also posted was in their wardrobes after downsizing.

With a wardrobe like this though, how often are you doing laundry? I think I would need more than this if I didn't want to do laundry all the time. Am I off base maybe?
I've since added a few more pairs of everyday jeans for winter...and I do laundry a couple times a week. Maybe 2-4 loads per week. Growing up, I was a "wear it once...in the laundry" kind of girl. I've certainly changed since then. But with a toddler, sometimes that's hard. Snot seems to come out of nowhere
post #134 of 157
10/8/06 at 6:13pm
Subbing!
post #135 of 157
10/9/06 at 9:48am
Got rid of 6 more pairs of shoes!

post #136 of 157
10/9/06 at 9:58am
Sorry, OT

Delight, I'm waiting for some blog updates! ::taps foot impatiently::

post #137 of 157
10/9/06 at 10:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunshinestarr View Post
Subbing!
Wait...what does subbing mean again?
post #138 of 157
10/9/06 at 1:04pm
Subscribing to the thread.
post #139 of 157
10/9/06 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunshinestarr View Post
Subscribing to the thread.
Oh. Thanks!
post #140 of 157
10/9/06 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delight View Post
I've since added a few more pairs of everyday jeans for winter...and I do laundry a couple times a week. Maybe 2-4 loads per week. Growing up, I was a "wear it once...in the laundry" kind of girl. I've certainly changed since then. But with a toddler, sometimes that's hard. Snot seems to come out of nowhere
Hi Delight!

Can I ask where you found the jeans that you added and what kind they are? After reading your posts and your blog, it seems like you are an ultra conscious consumer and would make good decisions based on cost, quality, longevity, and the company's social standing.

You may also like:

Sitting or Squatting: What's Really Best in the Bathroom?
There Is Not Always a "Fix" For the Difficult Child
10 Things You Don't Need For a New Baby