These days I've been feeling as if I need to shop for clothes. Really. No joke.
For those who think they know me... this sounds like a ludicrous statement. I'm always shopping, aren't I? But my friends who notice these things know that just because I'm always talking about fashion, and always looking at clothes, either on-line or in real life, doesn't mean I'm always buying.
In fact, I've purchased relatively few fall and winter clothes since I retired. When I quit teaching, I had many more clothes than I needed for my new, more casual life. I tried really hard to change up the way I wore some of my fall and winter work suits and jackets. Others, which were just too work-y, I gave away to younger friends who still needed a business wardrobe. Ever since, I've been buying a sweater here and there. A couple of pairs of jeans each year. And a coat or two. Some new skiing/hiking/work-out wear. But that's pretty much it. I did a wardrobe cull earlier this fall, and bagged a few things to take to my friend Fiona's consignment store. Finally, finally calling myself out about that black Michael Kors dress, those two lovely silk shirts, and a couple of pairs of trousers which I'd hung onto, telling myself I might wear them one day. And I never, ever have. So off they go in a few days. Finally. And now I'm left feeling, well, a bit thin... closet-wise. A bit over-curated. A victim of my own successful culling.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Black and white and black. Again. But I like it. I've written a number of times on the blog about culling and curating my wardrobe. About the concept of slow fashion and how it appeals to me. I've always edited my wardrobe, twice a year, before I make my seasonal "I need/ want" list. And except for venturing off in a new direction this past spring, for the past couple of years, I've found myself shopping mostly to fill a specific wardrobe niche. Especially when it comes to fall and winter wear. And what with the fuchsia tweed Max Mara coat I bought in New York last year, the burgundy Akris sweater I posted about recently, and this black wool La Fayette 148 jacket, it seems that I don't have any niches left that need to be filled. Pretty much everything works with everything else, and if something doesn't exactly work with everything else, it still goes with lots of other pieces. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I like the stand up collar of this jacket, the quilted front, and the fact it covers my butt. |
The other night I was meeting the gang from my old school for dinner. I wore my black jacket with this loose, super casual, Vince tee shirt, my leather trousers, and my black Stuart Weitzman boots. And my vintage Léa Stein bracelet which I bought at the Merrickville Antique show a couple of years ago. I like how the bracelet works with the white tee to lighten up all the black. You might already know this, but I don't go in for much accessorizing. A bracelet, earrings, a watch. Sometimes a vintage brooch. Occasionally a necklace. I've tried to pile on the bangles. To do a statement necklace. But anything more than minimal jewellry just doesn't work for me.
So while I'm kind of a minimalist. I am beginning to feel that I've minimalized my wardrobe too much. Everything goes with everything else. Pretty much. Which is good. I love everything I have. Pretty much. Which is good. But like last spring when I felt as if I needed to go in a new direction, I'm now hankering after something completely different. As Monty Python used to say.
Something to change up my standard look of narrow trousers, loose tee or sweater, and a jacket or, once winter gets here in earnest, a coat. Maybe a pair of wide legged pants? I know, I know I tried that last spring without any success. But who knows, there just might be a pair of wider trousers out there that will fit me. Or maybe a long skirt? Lately, I've become somewhat preoccupied with the idea of a sweater, a long skirt, and boots. Like I used to wear in the seventies. I remember in university I owned and loved a dark green, wool midi skirt, with pockets. I wore it with a soft grey turtleneck, and my Fry boots. Gosh, I loved that outfit.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I look as if I'm thinking longingly of that green skirt from the seventies. |
So, actually, I'm in a pretty good position wardrobe wise. I have several sweaters that I love and which go with jeans, and with black pants or leggings. A couple of classic winter coats that look great with jeans. A few shirts that work well with jeans and sweaters. Lots of scope for numerous outfits which I'm happy to wear, every time I wear them. And a few pieces that make me sigh every time I put them on. But while I'm currently enjoying the outfits I have, I think I'll be on the lookout for something new. And completely different.
After all, I now have lots of room in my tiny, over-curated closet... for a new outfit. Or two.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Geese beginning to circle for a landing on the Rideau River. |
I took this shot on a gorgeous, sunny late afternoon earlier this week, just before I left home to run a few errands, and then meet my friends for dinner. I love fall afternoons, just as the sun begins to set. See the geese circling our house to land on the river? Soon, we'll not be able to hear ourselves think with the honking. Hundreds and hundreds of them on the water. It's kind of awe-inspiring. And kind of puts everything in perspective. Don't you think?
I mean, in all seriousness, I'm not really worrying about whether my closet is over-curated. Not exactly. More just musing than anything else.
Because if I wasn't overthinking things, especially my wardrobe, I wouldn't be me. Would I?
How about you my friends? Are you a closet culler? Do you over weed your wardrobe?
Also linking up this week with: Visible Monday, #IwillwearwhatIlike, Style Me Wednesday, Thursday Favourite Things, Passion 4 Fashion, Fun Fashion Friday, Fancy Friday, Saturday Share Link-Up