Save. Spend. Splurge.

Minimalist Wardrobe Pruning: Look at it by season

Ever so often (okay.. every time I move), I go through my wardrobe and basically cut out what I don’t think should be in there any more.

This includes:

  • Anything that doesn’t fit — too big, too small
  • Anything that doesn’t feel good — sometimes the shape is awkward
  • Things that I haven’t reached for in a while — “What? I own this!?”
  • Anything that just isn’t flattering any more
  • Anything that isn’t my style
  • Orphan items — Looked great when I bought it, not sure how to wear it

In addition to all of the above, I thought an interesting way to look at my wardrobe would be to sort what I own into seasons.

See, I tend to wear seasonal uniforms — Dresses in the Spring and Summer, Pants and Skinny Pants tucked into Boots for the Autumn and Winter.

Work always stays the same — long pants, blouses and heels. Sometimes I wear a dress in Summer, but it only depends on the work environment, and if it’s acceptable to do so.

I now photograph (or find photographs of) things I own in my wardrobe, so that I don’t buy two of the same thing (although I like multiples of perfect, classic items).

The following is a representation of my wardrobe:

WORK WARDROBE

wardrobe-clothes-pruning-polyvore-season

  • 5 Sleeveless Silk Shell Tops
  • 5 Light Cardigans
  • 7 Trousers
  • 2 pairs of heels

SPRING/SUMMER

wardrobe-clothes-pruning-polyvore-season-spring-summer
  • 5 Casual Tops
  • 4 T-Shirts
  • 12 Casual Dresses
wardrobe-clothes-pruning-polyvore-season-spring-summer-skirts-bottoms
  • 6 Skirts
  • 7 Tank Tops
  • 1 Pair of White Straight-Legged Trousers
  • 2 Pairs of Cropped Pants
  • 1 Pair of Bootcut Jeans

AUTUMN / WINTER / GENERAL

wardrobe-clothes-pruning-polyvore-season-autumn-winter
  • 5 Collared Casual Tops
  • 4 Collared Silk Tops
  • 5 Jersey Wrap Dresses
wardrobe-clothes-pruning-polyvore-season-autumn-winter-2
  • 3 Pairs of Skinny Pants/Jeans
  • 1 Leather Jacket
  • 7 Jersey Blazers
  • 1 Trench Coat
  • 1 Winter Coat
wardrobe-clothes-prune-by-season-pruning-scarves-sweaters-gloves
  • 5 Cashmere/Cosy Sweaters
  • 3 pairs of gloves
  • 5 summer/spring scarves
  • 1 winter cashmere scarf
  • 1 winter travel wrap

FORMALWEAR

wardrobe-clothes-prune-by-season-pruning-formal-wear
  • 5 Formal Dresses
  • 5 Formal Clutches

SLEEPWEAR & GYMWEAR & OTHER

wardrobe-clothes-prune-by-season-pruning-sweaters-sweatpants-bum-around

 

  • 4 Long-Sleeved Tops
  • 4 Leggings
  • 1 Yoga Top
  • 1 Yoga Capri Pants
  • 1 Yoga Dance Pants (loose and not fitted)
  • 2 Hoodies
  • 1 bathing suit

SHOES

wardrobe-clothes-prune-by-season-pruning-shoes-boots
  • 2 pairs of leather ballet flats
  • 2 pairs of fabric ballet flats
  • 1 pair of knee-high leather boots
  • 1 pair of leather winter boots
  • 1 pair of hiking boots
  • 2 pairs of dressy sandals
  • 1 pair of summer Birkenstock sandals

WATCHES

wardrobe-clothes-prune-by-season-pruning-watches-purses-bags
 
  • 2 watches

PURSES

  • 3 fabric purses
  • 4 leather purses
  • 3 crossbody purses
  • 5 gym/super large bags

The only places I’d add to are with adding more utility shirts,and perhaps a pencil skirt or two, tweed blazer, and a leather jacket.

10 Comments

  • anya

    Where can I get the work outfits that you have?

  • Heather H

    Hi, I also purposefully do not buy from China. I am curious if you have any other countries you purposefully avoid or is it just China?

    • saverspender @ save. spend. splurge.

      China I avoid 100% as much as possible unless I have no other alternative (e.g. suitcases unless I want to spend thousands of dollars). Other countries, I am more lenient because they are not as unscrupulous and unethical as Chinese folks can be due to being blinded by money.

      I TRY not to buy from other countries for ethical reasons like Bangladesh, Vietnam and so on but sometimes that is the only place where something I actually need is made.

  • Tania

    I’m wearing those exact Frye engineer boots in black as I read this post 🙂 I have to say the brown is quite appealing. I’m so bad about the multiples buying. I tend to buy the same thing over and over. I have to have inner dialogue with myself, something like, “now that’s a great black (or striped) jersey T but you have ten of those at home – step away from the T”.

    I like that you have a variety of colors but still manage to keep a somewhat minimal approach. I don’t as much, I stick to neutrals for the most part. My color comes from scarves and other accessories.

    • saverspender @ save. spend. splurge.

      There’s something about black for me that makes me shy away. I think I feel like it’s too dark…. even though that’s a silly thing to think, as I really like dark grey. Odd right? 🙂 I used to love black as a teen, now it’s fallen off my radar as a colour.

  • Tracy

    Are you still trying to not buy made-in-china clothing items?

  • alana

    I love your clothes, particularly those work pants and tops. Somehow, you manage to do multiple posts on your wardrobe and bring something different every time. I feel like it should be repetitive and boring when I see a clothes related post but I always come away with something fresh from your various clothes/wardrobe posts. Where did you get those tops?

    P.S. I thought you were downsizing, 11 coats/jackets.blazers! They sure are nice though.

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