There are several things you must know about me:
1) I like cardigans.
2) I like pencil skirts.
3) I like heels (the higher the better).
4) I like ruffles.
5) I like polka dots.
6) I like belts.
7) I like dresses.
I like envelope clutch purses.
It’s inevitable. The majority of my outfits will consist of at least one of these items. It’s so easy for me to get caught in a rut and buy the same items again and again, so I’m trying to train myself to step outside of the proverbial “style box”. I’m sifting through my closet at the moment and packing up all the “one too many” items. I had one too many black shirts and one too many ruffled blouses. So, I got rid of the majority of them and kept the ruffled black blouse with polka dots. I had one too many black skirts so I nixed several, and kept one that has a tulle overlay and embroidered flowers across the front. I had one too many cardigans, and decided to keep two bright colors (coral as shown here) and two neutral colors. I’m still working on the shoes. Shoes are my downfall and I feel so sad when I have to rid my closet of my shoes.
As I get older I’m beginning to realize that overstuffed closets is just not modest; I’m making an effort wear or purge and my upcoming blog posts will discuss this journey.
How often do you purge your closet of unwanted or unnecessary items?
Picture 1: Taken last Sunday for evening service:
Pink Halogen Shirt Nordstrom Rack $4 (Can you believe this super basic shirt was actualy $59? When I got to it it had already been marked down 5 times. I got an extra 75% off.)
Belt: Old
Skirt: Marshall’s two years ago
Button Clutch Purse: eBay circa 2003; I’ve tried to get rid of this purse, but I can’t. This was my first eBay purchase.
Caged Snakeskin shoes: Vince Camuto
Other Pictures: Taken today before morning service:
Coral Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack $12
Black Pencil Skirt: $7 Marshall’s
Skinny Belt: Taken from another dress
Ruffled Blouse: $8 TJ Maxx
Yellow Clutch Purse: Forever 21 $5
Shoes: Guess $17 TJ Maxx
I feel you! First let me tell you I absolutely love both pairs of shoes you are wearing and the outfit is totally cute. Now to the not so good part, the closet, I have a little bitty closet (old house) and everything is so crammed, but the worst part is that I have too many wonderful clothes and many…that I don’t know why I’m still keeping. You see I have work clothes that I don’t like and other clothes that I used to love but don’t love anymore…I just hate taking out the beautiful clothes that don;t fit my current style, because what if one day I want to wear them again and they’ll be long gone? But you are right, it’s not modest to have too many clothes, tomorrow I’m cleaning out my closet.
One thing though, I have special clothes that I love wearing for church but then they feel too special to wear on any other day, do you go through that too? =) Hope you had a wonderful SUnday.
My closets are tiny, too. As you can see I love shopping for bargains, and this can lead to too many items in the closet. It wasn’t as if I was raised to be a penny pincher, but I seriously just like a good bargain. But I’m trying to remind myself that something isn’t a good bargain if it isn’t good quality. I’m trying to get into the habit of buying less but spending more on pieces that I will love.
Very rarely do I get rid of my vintage finds. These are special to me. I’m also trying to make my clothing more versatile. I have so many “church outfits”, “work outfits”, and “date outfits” that it would be beneficial if one outfit could just fit all of these categories!
Most of my special outfits are for church. It’s not like I go out drinking and partying; I like to look nice for church!
I did have a wonderful Sunday! I also got your email about the Modest Q&A! Thanks!
Chandra
First, let me say that you look adorable in both outfits. You can go ahead and mail me that clutch this week! In regards to purging, I don’t have a formal schedule but it tends to happen about twice a year. I have to make room for my new purchases! I tend to purge more clothes than shoes. Shoes are my first love and so much harder to let go.
You are just so beautiful! I love the contrast of joyful vibrant color and black and white in your outfit! Totally eye catching and pretty!
I am looking forward to reading more about the closet purge idea…I am continually fascinated by this and wonder how to go about it, not that I have an excessive amount of things but still, too much I don’t wear really.
I so enjoy your blog!:)
Have a lovely week!
Colleen
P.S.
I LOVE cardigans too. Love them. I have far too many. But my obsession, the thing I can’t stop buying? Scarves…in every pattern and color…I need serious help!:)
I love the pops of color in your outfit, too cute.
As far as purging my closet, I should do it more often. I came to this realization a few weeks ago when I noticed I had 4 black cardigans…and they looked exactly alike. Now I plan to clean out my closet every 2-3 months, take inventory and donate any items I haven’t worn to Goodwill.
First off, LOL, we have similar taste, I think. Yesterday to church, I wore an outfit with some of my favorite pieces: heels, pencil skirt, belt, (and if it had been a tad chillier I would have worn my cardigan) etc.
I kind have the same technique as “Living Fly on a Dime” does, but I would love to have more ideas on how to cut down on excess stuff! I’ve heard of the idea of having swap parties where people can swap clothes and thus get new things without spending a dime *and* get rid of their unwanted things…but I guess you’re left with the same dilemma as before- just as many clothes. 
Well, honestly I don’t have too much of a problem with getting my closet too full, but I think that might be due to the fact that I have the largest closet in the house.
Twelve dollars?!?! I gotta get down to Nordstrom Rack… Thanks for the tip!
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Oh my word! I LOVE your list of fashion “loves”
!! Well, all except the last one. If I carried envelope clutch purses, I’d have to buy a new purse every time I went to the store. I’d surely lose them constantly since they wouldn’t be strapped to by body somehow! :] I love your posts. Keep up the good work!