Minimising my wardrobe

When is having too much clothes a problem? And when is it time to do something about it?

These questions have gone through my head for the past month, well really for more time than that, but I have only become productive about it recently. Yesterday I actually started sorting through my wardrobe and had a big purge of items I didn’t need or want anymore.

I knew I had a lot of clothes, but it’s amazing to see it there in a pile. It really brings it to reality. And the sad thing is not the amount, but the amount of clothes I didn’t wear. I seemed to be collecting and collecting piece after piece. The majority of the items were bought from op shops. I love op shopping, but the great low prices and bargains are a hoarders collectors dream. And I have collected a lot of stuff over the years, that are just hanging there never worn. Those supposed bargains are just wasted money just sitting there. As I see it that money could of been saved up to actually buy something I would use regularly, or spent on a nice relaxing holiday.

I decided to minimise my wardrobe as I realised I don’t wear most of my clothes, and I keep going back to a few essentials I wear most days. These unworn items are just dead space in my closet. Seeing many of my items not being worn makes me sad, as well as frustrated. Going to my wardrobe was not a good experience, fuelled by the fact that I’m not the most organised person, you can imagine how messy the wardrobe can get.

Coming back from a three week European holiday in June, I have realised how my hard earned money and energy can and should be used. This has spurred me to actually do something and clear out my closet, and eventually spend less money on clothes and materialistic things, and spend more time and energy on creating art and saving up to go travel and experience things.

Fifty years ago many people didn’t have the extensive wardrobes we have today. How many dresses does a girl need anyway? And I’m more at peace with the thought of not having a heap load of clothes to choose from when I get ready at the start of my day.

Getting rid of those unworn items is a great feeling. I feel more free and light. I can now enjoy what I do have, and I can actually see and find what I need, which is a plus.

I definitely wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, I’m probably the exact opposite,  but I think a bit of minimalist thinking is beneficial in our lives. While doing research on this topic I found an abundance of articles and blog posts that have helped me out.

Here are some links I found useful and thought provoking:

♥ Very informative 10 step process to get your wardrobe where you want it.

http://www.everydayminimalist.com/?p=7763

♥ Some simple questions to ask yourself while creating your minimal closet.

http://grechenscloset.com/minimal-closet-questions/

♥ Xandra’s blog is joyful to go through (and I’m loving her podcasts on youtube, the name is FabulosiTEA). I love her minimalist wardrobe approach, and her blog mantra of ‘less stuff, more sparkle’. Go have a look at her blog and her podcasts.

http://fashionablylight.com/daily-outfits/

♥ This article is great, I think question 7 (Do I feel confident when I wear this?) is perfect, and I definitely used it while I was deciding what to keep and what to throw away.

7 Questions to Ask When Cleaning Out Your Closet

Hopefully these links help you too. You might not do a complete wardrobe overhaul, but maybe it will start your thought process and get you on your way to organise or even minimise your wardrobe.

Happy minimising!

Silver plastic $1 jewellery box

Hello. I haven’t been posting as much, as I said I will. I haven’t been in the blogging mood, not that I don’t want to, I’m just soaking up my holidays and enjoying them as long as possible.

I have been sick aswell this past week with Saturday being the worst, I think I might have gotten food poisoning so that left me quite weak. And I’m also battling a cold at the moment too, hopefully it goes away soon!

This isn’t helped by the extreme weather we have been having here in Melbourne, hot days up to 39 degrees, and some cloudy days.

But anyway back to the good stuff. I bought this little beauty a while ago from my local Vinnies. It was only $1 and silver! I love silver jewellery boxes, and especially ones that have an antique look to them.

I thought the box was made of metal but when I picked it up I discovered it was plastic. It also has a bit of the silver paint rubbed off the lid, but other than that it’s a sturdy box, its hinges work, and I can repaint the top with a bit of spray paint.

I have washed it, I took these photos when I got it home, as you can see it needed a good clean. The inner red compartment comes out and is covered in red flocking, which is pretty, but was dirty. When I cleaned it it all came off, which was a bit sad, but the compartment is red anyway so it doesn’t ruin the look of the box.

So for $1 I’m happy with the cute box.

Have you found a nice jewellery box lately?  

Small vase + pretty plate

Last month I bought a cute little glass vase, a pretty rose motif plate and some white and red stripy pants from my local Vinnies. The vase was only 50cents and the plate was $1. I have a similar plate to this one, but is much larger and from a different Italian company, and I got it for free!

And I could’t say no to the small vase. The shape is perfect, and it kind of reminds me of a heart.

I love the flower motifs on the plates, and the simple white glaze, they are decorative without being overly done. But I have to say I do love the ‘More is More’ saying.

Here you can see how well the rose plate matches my bigger plate. Could this be a future collection? Who knows.

Op-shopping: Black bag, books + white top

Hello! Sorry for a late post, I’m back on track, so hopefully I’ll blog more. Last week I went op shopping and found a great aluminium mesh bag, a white cotton top and some awesome books.

The bag is in great condition and bought it for $5! I know aluminium mesh bags can be more pricey, so I knew it was a bargain. I love the black enamel on the handle, and the way the bag shimmers.

I bought the white shirt because I needed one for a costume I created, for my friends costume party, which I’ll post about soon! It is cotton with frills on the neck and down the front, it cost about $6. Not bad fo a cotton shirt.

 

And now to the books! I’m not a big book reader, as you can tell all these books have pictures in them! I’m just a big kid! Anyway, I did buy them for a reason. I think for me personally I don’t find many books in op shops so this was a treat.

I found this absolutely cute book ‘The Baby’ published in 1950! I had to have it, it was to cute and precious to leave behind! Two books about graphic design, see these have a real purpose to me! hehe. A book about healing foods, which is very informative; and I love anything to do with the natural healing of our bodies. And three books related to art. One about the artist Toulouse Lautrec, who created posters for the Moulin Rouge in Paris in the late 1880s and early 1900s. A book with Art Nouveau patterns; one of my favorite art periods. And a book with female nudes, for artists and sculptors to refer to.

In all I spent $35 for all 7 books. Not bad at all. Most of the books where $3, the Toulouse Lautrec book was $5, and the female nudes book was $10. I wouldn’t normally pay that much for an op shop book, but it is a great reference for drawing nude people, as there aren’t many willing free models to strike a pose!

Wooo long post sorry about that, think I just got too excited!

What are some golden ticket items you can’t pass up on, when op shopping?

Tessuti coat + hat

I went to the recent Savers 50% off sale and this is what I bought. I got a wool coat made in italy, its label reads Tessuti. It has a gold and brown zig zag wool weave, brown satin lining and earth brown buttons. I particularly like the sheep logo on the tag. I got it for half price at $5. I think the coat looks very 1960s. But i’m not sure when it was made, I’m guessing in the 70s or 80s. I love the warm golden hues of coat, it’s perfect for winter, well next winter, or a cold spring day.

I also purchased a pretty 1930s style hat. I really love this hat as the brim is larger at the front and smaller at the back. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it! It’s perfect for a sunny spring/summer day! And I also bought beige coloured polk dot stockings. How can you resist polka dots, especially on stockings.

I didn’t find any other clothing I liked. It seems that I never find anything on the 50% off sales anymore. But I’m not complaining as I have found some great items in the past!

 

 

Flower Corsage + 80s style

Last week I made some corsages for my friends and me. They were created for a fake prom night that we went to. I thought it would be nice to make the corsages for them, so it could feel like a real prom. I’m happy they liked them, and I like how they turned out too. The blue one is mine, and I wore it with a blue lace dress that I thrifed 3 weeks ago.

     And here is my interpretation of a 1980s prom style. With blue eye shadow, red lips and of course big hair!  I was trying to give my best Dynasty pose! You can also see my corsage working its magic too.

Hope you had a fun week filled with 80s colour and magic! 🙂

Adriana xo