Keeping it real

[Helen_Highwater]

I keep a spread sheet(Nerdy I know), of all the clothing items I have so that, on the rare occasions I get to be away from home and can dress for extended periods, I can make a pick list of what to take with me.

Doing this has made me realise that there’s both clothing and shoes that I haven’t worn for ages and, as I’m limited in what I can take away, it’s highly unlikely I will wear them in the future. Coupled to this to wear some of these items in public would be a fashion faux pas means they have to go.

It also go me to thinking that in the past during my early days, most of what I obtained was cast offs, stuff my SO had put in the jumble sale bag but was “liberated” to have a second life. This meant co-ordination was not something high on the agenda. Now some years on with the advent of online shopping etc. and big steps forward in my dressing confidence, a big part of my thinking (and this takes me back to the spread sheet) is “What will this go with?”

No item is an island. Everything I now buy has to be capable of being paired with more than one other item, be it skirts and dresses with several pairs of shoes or boots. Tops with skirts, jeans or trousers, even down to what jewellery matches. Everything now has to earn it’s place on the team. As an in the closet dresser my closet is small so space is a driving force.

So I now have a set of rules applied before I buy anything new.
1 Age appropriate, must suit someone of my maturing years.
2 Something I’d wear in public; night attire excluded.
3 My size; no more tight fits, sleeves too short etc.
4 Works with other items in the wardrobe.
5 Not too similar to something I already have. (No buying the same top in 4 different colours).
6 I can justify the cost; tricky one that.
7 Machine/hand washable; no dry cleaning.
8 Not going to be difficult to pack or store; Fur coats are out especially real ones.

A side effect of focusing in this way is that I’m developing a style which I think is further testament to a more mature attitude to my dressing and a creation of an identity which has formed over the years.

OK so you know what’s coming; how do you blow away the pink fog and keep it real. What wins in the shopping stakes, head or heart?

[MysticLady]

So I now have a set of rules applied before I buy anything new.
1 Age appropriate, must suit someone of my maturing years.
2 Something I’d wear in public; night attire excluded.
3 My size; no more tight fits, sleeves too short etc.
4 Works with other items in the wardrobe.
5 Not too similar to something I already have. (No buying the same top in 4 different colours).
6 I can justify the cost; tricky one that.
7 Machine/hand washable; no dry cleaning.
8 Not going to be difficult to pack or store; Fur coats are out especially real ones.



Helen, I agree. Lately, since I've tossed out the window, why I do this, I'm concentrating on just that now. I've started making wish lists and shopping lists of things that I have to have but don't know why:straightface:Oh, must be the girl inside:heehee: My wardrobe is minimal and since my budget is sustaining a situation Im currently in, it helps me keep control of my purchases. If not, I suspect that I would have closets full of stuff that I would eventually toss out because they were one hit wonders.

BTW.............thanks for the list:D

[NicoleScott]

Something I’d wear in public; night attire excluded.

I'm confused. Does this exculsion mean that you might wear your night attire in public? haha

To the topic: I, too, organized my items on a spreadsheet as I was preparing to go on a week-long vacation - alone - with nothing other than dressing up on my schedule. I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed, not just clothes, shoes, and wigs, but every item that ad anything to do with transforming (including transforming back to male mode). And then listed what I needed to buy. All this, even though there was a nearby Walmart, mall, and other shops. It was overkill, but I enjoyed the project.

I have the same kind of thoughts about acquiring new items, but don't formalize them as rules as you did. Maybe I should.

[docrobbysherry]

I'm no where near as organized as u r, Helen. And, because I shop mostly at thrifts, I buy a lot of collateral crap I'll never wear. Much goes back to the thrifts. But, my dressing tastes r all over the board, too. I never know when some odd bit or piece will fit into some fem fantasy outfit I dream up in the future!

However, long ago I discovered the only way for me to dress and pack for CD conventions was to try on every outfit at home before I go. Including every accessory I plan to wear with it. Then, write down every complete outfit, from foundation garments to wig and jewelry. Otherwise, in my rush to dress at the event, I'll screw the outfit up! Or, worse, leave something crucial at home!

[Karren H]

Too funny.... I also keep spreadsheets.... one of my health statistics and lab tests for doing treading over time.... and another with the make and model and patent of the vintage nail pullers I own... was thinking of making one for my breast size measurements over time but never even thought of doing clothes.... lol. Nerdist.....

[Aylineira]

I am sooo guilty of #5!! LOL

[Debra Russell]

Love the thought of pink fog and just wearing anything but I learned a long time ago not to act on impulse buying and it's way more fun to shop realistically keeping your rules in mind ........................Debra

[Chickhe]

You are a nerd! But, so what?! If it works for you do it. I understand the issue because we don't have unlimited budgets, storage space and often have a fashion deficiency... figuring out what works together and remembering what you have is pretty difficult (I tried doing it with photographs once). Given how overcrowded my wife's closet is, I wonder if a spreadsheet could help her?

[Tracii G]

Kinda nerdy I agree LOL

[linda allen]

Keeping a spreadsheet of the clothing you buy does seem a bit over the top. Well, way over the top. Do you keep track of the date of purchase, vendor, cost, and the date disposed of? Color? Length? I have thousands of dollars worth of tools but I never even considered a spreadsheet. I just open the door to the shop and there they are. Same with my clothes, I look in the closets and there they are.

On the other hand, your "rules" seem reasonable and logical.

So I now have a set of rules applied before I buy anything new.
1 Age appropriate, must suit someone of my maturing years.
2 Something I’d wear in public; night attire excluded.
3 My size; no more tight fits, sleeves too short etc.
4 Works with other items in the wardrobe.
5 Not too similar to something I already have. (No buying the same top in 4 different colours).
6 I can justify the cost; tricky one that.
7 Machine/hand washable; no dry cleaning.
8 Not going to be difficult to pack or store; Fur coats are out especially real ones.

I almost always buy stuff that's on sale or on the clearance rack. My wife helps me pick out what I buy.

[Bree Wagner]

5 Not too similar to something I already have. (No buying the same top in 4 different colours).


I thought about building a spreadsheet for this reason alone! Do I really need 6 knee length black skirts? Then I thought it'd be way too much effort, I'd never keep it up, and I'd rarely check it. I've decided to just apply your rule #6.



6 I can justify the cost


Later on during my occasional closet cleanings I'll pare down to those items who just don't make the cut anymore.

-Bree

[Lynn Marie]

Don't have that good of a memory, but I'm pretty much aware of everything in my en femme closet. 30 tops, 24 skirts, 12 dresses, 5 skirt suits, 2 pairs of jeans and 16 pairs of heels. That's pretty much all the closet space I'm willing to give up. I'm also pretty much fully aware of my boy closet's contents.

I shop for outer wear almost exclusively at Value Village and Goodwill. Fabric feel, texture, and color in that order is how I make my selections. I also think about coordinating, but most any top will go fine with a black skirt, so everything really doesn't need a match. It's also great fun to mix stuff up so the whole outfit looks different and unique without needing to be my latest purchase.

[Beverley Sims]

It is not as silly as it seems, recently I went away and forgot some essential items of apparel and had to make unnecessary purchases just to be dressed appropriately.
I use spreadsheets for a number of events I attend, round the world, skiing, and other specialist activities.
Camping requirements is a must... Pepper and salt, butter and cooking utensils. Always forget the tin opener.
Maybe I need a minimalist one to remind me what to take when I wish to go out at night.

[Jolene Robertson]

Good grief I feel like a slob. I have no idea of how many of this or that I have and probably don't want to. I have a couple of skirts that are too small (trying to lose another 15 lbs). But I do understand.. while getting ready for vacation recently I had a heck of a time trying on different outfits in-order to decide which ones to take and still took a pair of heals that never got out of the bag.
Maybe I need to try this, if nothing else it might be fun as long as I don't have to put a price tag on how much I've spent.

[Helen_Highwater]

Keeping a spreadsheet of the clothing you buy does seem a bit over the top. Well, way over the top. Do you keep track of the date of purchase, vendor, cost, ........ Same with my clothes, I look in the closets and there they are.
.

Firstly Linda, have you been peeking over my shoulder because for some items, such as wigs I do make a note of where I bought it from. Bought one online which became my fave and then couldn't remember which store to get another one from (age thing).

And as for just looking in the closet; all my stuff is in boxes hidden away and while I can keep an orderly spread sheet, keeping some logic to what's in each box, no chance. Not even sure just how many boxes there are.

[Seana Summer]

I don't have a spread sheet but I have a good idea of what I have, like you I am limited as to space and that is just now getting to be somewhat of an issue. Right now I have a dozen or so skirts, a nice skirt suit, a cocktail dress, 3 sweater dresses.................. About once a year I get everything out and try it on. If it don't fit it goes. If I just don't like it anymore....it goes. If I like it and it fits I will find the space for it, whether it is in style or not. As I have gotten more comfortable with shopping without fear and little embarrassment, my wardrobe has gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. Its tough to keep it down but how many black pencil skirts do I really need? a couple will get donated soon, as well as a pair of slacks that are just a little too short with heels. For me the choices are logic based.

The one thing that I have made it a point to do is donate clothing that is in good shape to the Goodwill store. I figure that if someone like me is starting out they might really appreciate those size 14 sandals that didn't really didn't fit me, but I stuffed my feet in them and wore them for a while, but I will never wear them again because now I can afford shoes that fit.