Closet Overhaul Challenge

I've done several "closet purges" in my time, yet I still find that I only wear about 20% of the contents of my closet. Typically this is my newest 20% of my wardrobe. "New" things always make me feel confident, while older things make me feel worn and perhaps insecure. I wouldn't be surprised if many of you feel the same way, or find yourself wearing the same 10-15 outfits again and again. With this in mind, I decided to put my wardrobe to the test with my Closet Overhaul Challenge. This is how it will work:

I will wear a different item every day (weekends excluded), and wear through everything in my closet with no repeats, chronicling the process here (naturally!). I am going to make serious assessments about each piece, and when I find things that I truly will not wear (or confirm after giving it another shot whether or not I want to wear it), I will get rid of them.  When I get all the way through my wardrobe, I'll post an update of what I didn't wear and why. Obviously, I will skip over things that are special occasion, out of season or not work appropriate.

My first goal is to see how long I can go without repeats; this will really prove how many clothes I have, which I can keep in mind every time I think "I have nothing to wear!" My second goal is to do a more accurate purge. Every time I purge my closet, I inevitably keep things that I swear I will wear again, but when I stand in front of my closet every morning, I pass by these items over and over. Some things I don't think look good or fit right, but may keep them for sentimental reasons.

The only exceptions to my "no repeats" rule is if I need to re-wear something as a layering piece. For example, I have several camis that I wear layered under other shirts. I also have a lot of tops that are meant to go underneath a jacket/cardigan that would be inappropriate to wear by themselves. In order to wear these pieces, I may need to repeat a jacket or cardigan (seeing as I only have 1 black cardigan). I will also keep a list of things I "need" as completer pieces.

So with no further ado, I bring you my outfits from week 1 of the challenge.

Tuesday, September 7
(forgive the picture, I took this and Wednesday's pictures today, so I have no make-up on, ha!)
I got this dress almost 2 years ago from Banana Republic. These patterned tights are one of my favorite pair; I've included a side shot so you can see the "stripe" detail on the outside leg. I've had the booties a couple years as well. In retrospect (interesting how differently we see things when we take pictures of them!), I think the booties are a little heavy for the silk dress, so next time I'll wear pumps.

Wednesday, Sept 8th
I went for the military look this day, with a new gray turtleneck top and long necklace I had just bought on Monday. The necklace is Decree (JCP), the top is MNG by Mango (JCP's newest brand, straight out of Europe). The jacket I've had for 7 years; it's a Liz Claiborne jacket I got while I was an intern there in 2003. The pants I got forever ago; they fit well in the waist, but they're really baggy in the legs. It's great if you're going for the wide-leg look, but honestly mine could use some hemming.











Thursday, Sept 9th

This day I wore a cute brown lace top with flutter sleeves that I got sometime pre-pregnancy at a mall boutique. The khakis have been around forever and I think fit fairly well. The necklace is new (Decree from JCP) and the headband (probably hard to see the detail, but it's ivory with a small bow) is from New York & Company. (By the way, I most likely won't remember where and when I got everything, but I'll try my best!). I was pretty happy with my outfit today. :)











Friday, Sept. 10th.

Happy Jeans Friday! On this day, I wore a new MNG by Mango shirt-dress in military green with a pair of a.n.a jeggings (jean leggings, as if that weren't obvious, ha ha). I just have a simple gray layering tank underneath. My shoes are Nicole by Nicole Miller, which makes everything except my tank top from JCP. Are you sensing a theme here? Ha! The only thing I would've added to this outfit is a skinny belt. I believe this "shirt" is actually a dress, but I wore it more as a tunic. It's long enough that I could get away with it as a dress, but would wear it with tights if I did.