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2014 Wardrobe Resolutions

Last year, I put together my 2013 wardrobe resolutions, and it was a very helpful exercise for me. I had three resolutions – to further trim down my closet, to continue to track my purchases, and to only add 30 items to my wardrobe in 2013.

This year, my resolutions are more or less the same, with a few updates. Below are my 2013/2014 resolutions – both in review and for the next year!

Screen shot 2013-12-25 at 3.27.49 PM

1. Closet trim down. Twice a year (summer and winter) I do a huge closet clean out. I did this in 2013 and I will definitely be doing so in 2014! It’s such a great feeling to get rid of unwanted items and open up more space. I do always “discover” new items in the process – clothes that I’ve forgotten about that get a second life in my wardrobe. The majority however, go straight to Goodwill. Doing these clean outs always reminds me of how fortunate I am already to have more clothes than I need, and to not just continue to consume, consume, consume endlessly.

It is always my goal at the end of a year to have given away more items then I have added.

2. Tracking. I tracked all my closet purchases in 2013 (see details here), and I fully intend to continue the process in 2014. It has definitely been an annoying process at times, but nothing else has worked better for me in having one place for me to see everything I’ve purchased over a year. In the past, the results were scary – especially seeing items that you thought were ages old and that you had already stopped wearing…and realizing that you had just added them several months ago. What a waste!

In 2013 I didn’t have nearly as many “mistakes” as I did in past years, so to me that shows that the process is working. I’ll be doing the same in 2014 and hopefully will be aware of what I am consuming from a macro perspective.

3. 25 pieces for 2014. My goal in 2013 was to purchase 30 wardrobe items or less, and I am happy to say that I just met that goal, at yes – a flat 30 pieces! I was actually doing very well and feeling smug up until the last few months, when all of a sudden there were a few accessories, outerwear, and cashmere additions…bringing the total to 30.

I still very much enjoy shopping, and fashion, and the 30 pieces rule didn’t limit me at all in 2013. It simply made me more conscious and deliberate about my spending. I’m looking forward to trying to hit 25 items in 2014.

And that’s it – my wardrobe resolutions review for 2013, and updates for 2014! What are your wardrobe resolutions for the coming year?.

41 Comments

  • Reply
    Code Overdressed
    January 8, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Oh this sounds like something I have to try! I’m having so many space problems, storage is not enough for me and my ever expanding closet, think I need to borrow your wardrobe resolutions!

    Cee. ♥
    Code Overdressed

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 9:03 am

      Hi Cee, it has helped me a lot – good luck!

  • Reply
    Tabitha
    January 8, 2014 at 9:20 am

    I loved your tracking idea and copied it but the burglars stole my list ( on my computer) back in August, I was so annoyed, I loved looking at it, I’ll start again this year.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 10:00 am

      I remembered when that happened 🙁 Best of luck T with the new list and also wishing the best 2014! You deserve it!

  • Reply
    simiyalala
    January 8, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Great post. My goal is 2 clothing items per month for a year. So far, so good, lol.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 10:00 am

      Good luck to both of us!

  • Reply
    alice
    January 8, 2014 at 10:52 am

    Oof, without even having made a spreadsheet, I know that I was very VERY bad last year. Luckily my closet is tiny so I purge regularly as well. I’m definitely inspired to start a spreadsheet this year.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 11:03 am

      Do it! You won’t regret it (but it is scary looking at everything).

      • Reply
        Marlene
        January 8, 2014 at 11:31 am

        I can only echo Alice’s sentiments. I was feeling pretty smug about my restraint until I get a bit nuts when the Isabel Marant for H&M collection came out. I didn’t buy all that much but it was like opening the floodgates. I’ve done more purging only because my closet is so small. I’ve also noticed that my style has become more tomboyish over the years. Guess I’m going back to my roots.

        • Reply
          Katherine
          January 8, 2014 at 1:37 pm

          That was a lovely collection! Yes one bad month can ruin it all – Dec was bad for me!

          • alice
            January 8, 2014 at 2:52 pm

            Ok so I actually went and made a list of 2013 purchases. My eyes bugged all the way across the room. Wow I needed that reality check. Also, I have NO idea how you stick to 30 total pieces. That’s pretty much how many pairs of shoes I acquired last year. Yikes!

          • Katherine
            January 8, 2014 at 3:50 pm

            The list is scary!! But it feels so good to be organized once you’ve done. 30 is hard but actually once you get used to it, not that bad – do you do online or in person shopping? I felt like for online it was harder because its so easy just to order a bunch of items over the internet..

  • Reply
    Irene
    January 8, 2014 at 11:41 am

    I love your resolutions although I’m not sure if I could do only 25 or even 30 items! I may get there eventually. I shop online 90% of the time so that means I’m often doing returns and need to find an effective way to track everything (I tried Slice but it still has a lot of hiccups). I recently cleaned out my very old closet at my parent’s house. I’m scared but looking forward to doing the same to my current closet. It’s already had effects on my purchasing decisions.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      Good luck Irene! I shop a lot online and you are right, tracking returns can be a pain!

  • Reply
    erica
    January 8, 2014 at 11:47 am

    I love these ideas. I wonder if I could keep up the tracking and the 25 item rule. I know my husband would love that! LOL.

  • Reply
    TC
    January 8, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    I actually just sent a bunch of clothes out for consignment. It’s not a resolution, but I eventually want all my clothes and accessories (not including shoes) to fit comfortably in one regular closet. I’m almost there.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 4:29 pm

      Ha! I was going to ask about your flats 🙂 I think your closet is probably a nice healthy size though!

      • Reply
        TC
        January 10, 2014 at 8:46 pm

        Actually, my closet is not a walk-in so would likely be considered small by anyone outside New York City!

        I’m ashamed to say that my shoes occupy a closet all by themselves. Part of it is sheer number, but the other is that I just don’t like shoes stored in the same space as my clothes.

  • Reply
    candace | yogabycandace
    January 8, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    I’m so inspired by this! I move twice a year for my husband’s job so I weed through my closet pretty regularly. My rule is if I haven’t worn it since the last move, it HAS to go. I used to hang on to stuff forever, but weeding out my stuff regularly feels so good!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 8, 2014 at 4:29 pm

      I admire you for moving twice a year. IT does feel good to weed through everything!

  • Reply
    Pret a Porter P
    January 8, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    tracking can be eye-opening. i’ve been doing it since 2009.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 9, 2014 at 9:46 am

      You’re an old hand at this then 🙂 Any other tips or lessons you can share?

      • Reply
        Pret a Porter P
        January 9, 2014 at 8:43 pm

        I have excel sheets that can strike fear into the hearts…lol! but really all you need to know is basic addition. If you want to be psychotic like me you can put in averages, percents… but really the core of it is a monthly sum and then the annual sum. But on a daily level, I use excel sheets to match my bank account with my credit card expenses and then additional formulas to “divert” the money for any special thing (short term goal) I’m saving up for. That way I don’t have to withdrawal cash or create a new bank account for whatever the thing is.

        • Reply
          Katherine
          January 10, 2014 at 9:15 am

          OMG! You are a pro! Especially with the “diverting” via Excel sheets. That’s kind of in my head right now but I think on Excel would be much cleaner (not to mention more accurate!).

  • Reply
    Yumi
    January 8, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    This list is inspirational! I’ve always been afraid to track my purchases… I think it’s a means of denying how many pairs of shoes I buy in a year. But I may just have to try it this year – I think after buying four pairs of black pumps in two months (to add to the six plus pairs of black pumps that I already own and have barely worn) I’ve realized I’m a bit out of control. So I guess my resolutions are:

    1. Stop buying black pumps – actually wear the ones I own.
    2. Be more cognizant of what I do buy by tracking my purchases instead of going from one purchase to the next.
    3. Limit my shopping, especially online (because as pointed above, it’s so easy to add things to your cart online), to maybe 20 items. I’m also hoping to give up buying clothes and sew more this year but I’ll see how that goes!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 9, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Best of luck! I always think I still need just one more pair of black pumps 🙂

  • Reply
    Ammu
    January 8, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Good for you! I definitely shopped more than usual in 2013 – accessories were my downfall, costume jewelry in particular. This year, I am going to be more considered in my purchases. I usually assess my purchases after six months, but this year I am going to try a rolling assessment, so I can sense sooner rather than later if something was a worthwhile purchase, and learn as I go.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 9, 2014 at 9:44 am

      A rolling one has helped me a lot and is also frequently quite scary 🙂 Best of luck Ammu!

  • Reply
    ahhhsoneo
    January 8, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    I’ve been so busy with beauty and skincare purchases that I found that I hardly purchased any clothes last year. I think I purchased and kept, only 4 pairs of shoes last year. I find myself on a mission to purchase clothes this year, but I want to keep it reasonable. I’m concerned as I’m moving to a home with a bigger closet and will probably want to over do it and fill it up. Thanks for the suggestions, I will definitely start tracking all my clothing purchases this year.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 9, 2014 at 9:40 am

      Oh good for you – 4 pairs of shoes is excellent 🙂

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    January 9, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I went a little crazy last year and I have to curb my spending for this year. I am so motivated after reading this, I just started doing my list! Thanks!

  • Reply
    Shirling Vanessatime
    January 9, 2014 at 9:27 am

    It has been 5 years I track my purchases. It make you wiser to buy what you really need and wear 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 9, 2014 at 9:39 am

      5 years! You’re an expert!

      • Reply
        Shirling Vanessatime
        January 10, 2014 at 7:43 am

        Hi Kat, actually I just want to spend my money wisely 🙂 must have items or just trends that come and go…

  • Reply
    bluepolkadotpjs
    January 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    I started making a spreadsheet early last year, and it has helped me too. This post has helped me to set a goal this year(last year I didn’t have a goal, I just documented everything). Thank you!

  • Reply
    Friday Favorites - Oysters & Pearls
    January 17, 2014 at 6:30 am

    […] one of my resolutions is to be much more careful about what I purchase.  One of my favorite blogs, Feather Factor, recently did yet another post on her Wardrobe Resolutions.   She limits herself to 30 purchases […]

  • Reply
    MerZ
    January 25, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    i’ve been trying to do a full closet clean out for ages but it’s been so difficult for me to decide on which items need to go!/ i’m worried i’ll regret it after i donate/sell it. how do you make the decision of which items to donate and which to keep?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      January 26, 2014 at 11:04 am

      If I haven’t worn it in at least a year or so – usually it goes, unless it’s very special to me!

  • Reply
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    […] reader (hi S!) recently wrote me about my 25 item wardrobe resolution for 2014, and how that might extend to […]

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    June 30, 2014 at 9:21 am

    […] I do the same thing – I give myself a target! Some of you may remember that I gave myself a resolution of only 25 new items added to my wardrobe for 2014. That’s the best way I’ve found to […]

  • Reply
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    […] the beginning of January, I wrote about my 2014 wardrobe resolutions – mentioning my goal of only adding 25 new items to my wardrobe over the year. I was so […]

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