Monday 19 August 2013

Back to Plan A

The 10 item wardrobe. I have wrestled so much lately to streamline my clothes. 'I have bought far too much' can be the sum total of my observations. Added to that, I have bought the wrong things out of boredom. It's always the easy way - go shopping and buy a new look (maybe duplicating what you own in the process) - rather than carefully editing what you already have and adding to discriminately. Ha - my new watchword - let's see how long it lasts!

Anyway, after a careful sort through, I applied what I am dubbing the 'smile test'. This meant that to make the cut, an item had to generate a genuine, spontaneous smile - as it 'I like it'.  Now very importantly - do not apply logic here - just go with your 'gut feeling'.

I was left with a rather odd assortment of items frankly, and for a while was scratching my head wondering if I had totally lost it and thinking how on earth I could work with them and make outfits.

Well it wasn't so hard really. A lot of the items were simple. The ones which were not simple will be an 'accent' item to lift an outfit out of plain-ness (she fondly hopes!)

My other new watchword - 'accessories are my friend'.  I didn't edit my accessories - heck no! - if I am going to survive on 10 key items (give or take a few - and this doesn't include layering t shirts / outerwear / shoes etc)  - then I am going to need to be an awful lot more creative with my accessories.

I suppose it really is that old chestnut - 'shopping your wardrobe'.  It's the start of a learning curve for me - but think today's cobbled together look is OK-ish...


(Excuse half finished demolition work / building sundries in the background!)


  • Fairly recent Zara breton t shirt 
  • Very ancient (poss 10 years?) black vest style Warehouse maxi dress.
  • Red Clarks flat shoes (this summer in sale)
  • Old Joules beige bead necklace - bought on impulse in sale ages ago as was so cheap... and have been wondering what to wear it with ever since! Similar available online for this season
  • Mulberry brown Somerset hobo bag




10 comments:

  1. Always love a Breton top. What building work are you having done? How exciting!

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    1. Thanks! Nothing v exciting alas (just messy!) - internal alterations/ walls etc. x

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  2. I agree - you can't go wrong with a Breton and this looks fab! Well done you for clearing out - I just can't be so brutal apart from a few items I'm bored of every now and then! x

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    1. Thanks! I know the feeling, I have to be in the right mood and it doesn't happen very often :-0

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  3. Oh yes I love a Breton, you must keep that!

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    1. Glad you agree Sharron - you can't go far wrong with them :-) x

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  4. Well done you. And you must absolutely keep the Breton top as it would be sacrilege to get rid of it. It goes without saying that ALL Mulberrys must be kept and cherished!!

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    1. Ahh... the Mulberries - will never have a purge on them! xx

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  5. Oh this is a brilliant idea. I managed to store all my wintery stuff away this summer so I could just work with/make do with the summer things I already have, although I have submitted recently and bought some cute pumps and a Breton stripe dress from Boden in the sale.

    You look great and like everyone else can't get enough of Breton stripes - they are such a classic.

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    1. I really think Breton stuff is timeless... and it seems to 'freshen' other more mundane things - well that's the plan with my new minimal wardrobe anyway!! x

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