Digging Deeper: The Great Wardrobe Clear Out Begins

I'm over a month in!  35 days to be exact.  In fact, tomorrow I will hit 5 weeks! Only 47 more to go...

So how is it going? Not too badly, I think.  

I've been very busy with work so that has been a great distraction from the odd shopping pang.  I've also been better about digging deep into the recesses of my wardrobe. This week I wore a few pieces that hadn't seen the light of day in a long while, and certainly not since The Challenge began:

First up was this pretty little floral tunic top that I inherited  a few years back, from a friend who was cleaning out her closet. I think she said she picked it up at a  flea market in San Francisco.  

Outfit No 41 Sunday Pottering
Floral Print Kaftan Tunic Top - Vintage
Denim Shorts - Topshop
Leggings - Primark
Fringed Boots - Miss Selfridge

Isn't the fabric just lovely? I really like the little bits of gold running through it: 

and the lovely trim on the sleeves and collar: 

This is such a little winner of a top.  I must start wearing it more.

Then on Monday I gave some Breton stripes a whirl and unearthed a little blue chiffon skater skirt.  I wore it with red converse because I was feeling quite casual on that day but I think the statement necklace dressed it up enough for work.  

Outfit  #42 - A Spring Monday
Necklace - Primark
Striped Top - H&M
Skirt -eBay
Leggings - Primark
Red Converse

Later on I popped on a blazer and changed into pumps to teach:

Blazer - New Look
Pashmina - My Friend Emily...
Pumps - Office

Tuesday brought with it an outing for this cheery little number, which I picked up in TK Maax last year (love that place): 

Outfit #43 A Rosie Tunic for #therosewithnonewclothes
Tunic - Tk Maax
Over Sized Black Racer Back Top -Primark (tied to alter neckline)
Leggings-Primark
Pumps - Office (not seen)
(So sorry about the dirt of that mirror!)

It's a lovely one this and has pockets, which are always a bonus in my opinion. I wore it with those ski-foot leggings and my nude Office pumps.  It's very sheer so I wore one of those baggy racer back tops underneath but knotted the racer back to make the neckline more interesting.  I often do this. I think it adds interest and suits me better.

Then on Thursday, as the sun was shining, I merrily whipped out my first maxi skirt of 2013 and paired it with that fabulous white fringed top (you're probably sick of looking at those bad boys but they are just super versatile), tucking in the fringe to show off the lovely crochet collar. I love this skirt because it has pockets so feels really casual and easy.  I think this was my outfit of the week.  I felt really comfortable but dressy enough for work. I love maxis!

Outfit #44 'Return of the Mack...zi...'
Maxi Skirt - Primark
Top - Primark
Pumps - Office 

Saturday and another maxi skirt was salvaged from the dressy depths of  despair. It's actually the same as the one above, just in a different colour. More pockets!  Whoop!

Outfit #45 Sunny Saturday
Chiffon Top - eBay
Necklace - Topshop (back to front)
Maxi - Primark
Sandals - Topshop

Today I'm channelling the tribal look, thanks to this wrap around midi gem of a skirt:
   

Outfit #46 Going Tribal on a Sunday
Skirt - Vintage
Sheer chiffon t-shirt - eBay
Sandals - Topshop

This wonderful skirt has been with me for many many years.  It actually used to belong in the dressing up box that lived in the attic of a childhood friend. I'm pretty sure her mum used to wear it in the 70s. 

Somehow, after many a wear (it was the perfect dressing up item because the wrap around style meant it actually fit), I ended up taking it home.  I don't THINK I stole it... I hope not! 

Anyway, I remember rediscovering it about 10 years ago and it's been a bit of a summer staple ever since.  It always comes on sun holidays with me, because it is great to throw on over my bikini and can also be worn as a dress.  

Got to love this hard working, hard wearing multi-tasker! I really enjoy the history behind it too.  I've so many memories tied up in this skirt, including one which involves it untying itself... and falling down around my ankles.... in Tesco!  Unfortunately, this particular memory will probably never untie itself from my mind. 

This 'shopping your closet' malarkey is fun! I'm so pleased that The Challenge has forced me start WEARING my clothes again.  I really think that part of the reason I kept buying stuff was because it was easier than trying to find stuff in THAT wardrobe...

So in a bid to make it easier to see what I've got, last night I FINALLY started The Great Wardrobe Clear Out. I'd thought I could do it all in one go but that, of course, was far too ambitious. It's going to have to happen in stages. 

So, Stage One, I set about tackling that dreaded walk in cupboard in our hall... The one that was pretty much crammed full, from floor to (pretty high) ceiling, with bin liners of clothes.  My aim was to clear it out so it could serve as a proper workable extension of my wardrobe...

This was NOT an easy task.  That thing that always happens when I try to clear out my closet happened. I found myself sitting in the middle of what looked like the aftermath of a fabric bomb, just about ready to weep (OVERWHELMED doesn't cover it), give up and shove it all back in. 

But I'm pleased to say that after a quick tea break, and only thanks to the company of Netflix, I persevered and managed to sort all of the stuff into following categories:

1. Winter stuff to put into storage
Being able to put my winter coats away and out of the way was a major space saver... I was shocked (well, not really...but you might be) to discover that I have TEN!  Who needs TEN winter coats? But I do love (and wear) all of them. I'll wait and show them to you when winter comes round again... 

It's just SO refreshing to walk past the coat stand and not fear for your life. 

2. Stuff that needs mended 
This pile has just kept growing and growing over the last few years.  I NEVER do ANYTHING about it.  That is going to change. Shoes are going to cobblers, watches to jewellers and my sewing machine will be put to good use.

3. Stuff to sell on eBay
Another pile that keeps being added to... I really need to start trying to sell this stuff. It is just taking up space.  Some of it I could maybe make a bit of money from and it would be much nicer to know someone is actually wearing and enjoying it.  Maybe some of it will be Clothes Swap appropriate? Looks like that will be happening soon :)

4. Stuff to give to charity shops
Another thing that never gets done... mostly, I think, because of my hoarderish tendencies...I'm scared to let it go! I keep filling bags but they always end up living in cupboards or under beds instead of actually making it to the shops.  I've certainly been guilty of rescuing things from charity shop bags in the past too.  I need to get a grip and it needs to go.

5. Stuff I love but won't be wearing any time soon but LOVE and refuse to get rid of
There some things that are too big/small or just have too much sentimental value to part with.  This stuff can go into storage with my winter stuff.  

The cupboard is now clear and I have put a rail up so it will be able to function as a second wardrobe, so to speak.  Now I can't wait to get on to organising the rest of my stuff so I can figure out what I want to hang there.  I'll be able to SEE stuff!

The first stage of The Great Wardrobe Clear Out unearthed some wonderful forgotten treasures, like the leather jacket below. This will be a summer favourite, no doubt. I also found my favourite glasses in the pocket.  I  had thought they were lost! Happy Days.

Reunited with my old leather friend!

However, it also served to flag up to me, rather explicitly, just how much of a shopping problem I have (or had?  Hopefully had.)  

I discovered TWO HUGE bags FILLED with EXTRA tights, in every colour and pattern imaginable (some which are just hilarious).  I have a drawer full of them in my room so these are JUST my SPARES!  In fact I'd completely forgotten they existed! It's absolutely ridiculous. I mean what was I doing?  How many pairs of tights does one girl need?  

I showed them to my house mate, Emma, and, after a good laugh at some of the more 'out-there' patterns, she said, "It's like you've been in a coma for the last ten years and have suddenly woken up and thought, 'What the **** have I been doing?!'"

She hit the nail on the head.

Over and out

M x

The (very stressful) Preparatory Shop Part II (with a side of fur)

I've nearly completed Day Five!  

There have, of course, been a few hairy moments (I'll tell you about those next time).  However, I am very proud to say that I have not purchased any clothes or accessories since The Challenge began on Monday.

Now, I know many of you are thinking, "Bloody Hell, Woman,  it is only Thursday?!" 

But I have been on holiday this week and there is little I love to do more whilst on holiday than shop. And being in the company of my mother does NOT help! Shopping time is bonding time for mother and me (there is a REASON I am the way I am).

Anyway, I have been really good and  haven't bought an item since the weekend when I finished up The Preparatory Shop by ticking my way through the rest of the list:

An evening on eBay (I am going to miss it so much...) had enabled me to tick off numbers 13 (white shirt...I got one with a twist...), 14 (black winter coat) and 15 (plain cardigans) and I had earmarked Saturday for a trip to the High Street to find the rest, as I would be in Belfast having gone to the Biffy Clyro gig at the Odyssey the night before: 

The Gorgeous Simon Neil at said gig (which was pretty amazing).

Jacket - Zara
Fringed Top - Primark
(I have it in white too! :o/
They are just glorious, even tucked in without the fringe, and look super expensive.
I'll get you a better pic soon, I promise)
Bag - TKMaxx
Leggings - Primark

So last Saturday morning I still had the following items to tick off The List:

1. Underwear

3. Tights

4. Black Leggings

6. Slips

9. Some flat pumps

12. Tube tops 

16. Heeled Black Boots 

17. Denim skater skirt 

19. Leather trousers  

20. A couple of Statement Necklaces 

My plan was to head straight to Primark and get the REALLY boring basic things ticked off but, much to the consternation of many of my friends, family and pretty much every ex boyfriend, I have never been one to stick to a plan.  The gorgeous window display of the Cancer Research charity shop on Botanic Ave distracted me and resulted in the (very much non List) purchase of this amazing vintage faux fur coat: 

I know it was naughty but I have been looking for a nice one for so long and at only £20(!) I just couldn't resist.  I've hardly had it off my back since - at least it has given me one reason to be thankful for the ridiculously cold temperatures we have been getting! So pleased that I discovered it before Monday or it would have been a literal furry moment for The Challenge.

And look what I found in the pocket: 

A receipt for Boots Chemists dated 23rd March 1976! How wonderful! - I just love clothes with history.  I wonder who owned it before me, where it has been and what it has seen.  Just think of the stories it could tell! 

Now, this is a faux fur but I think I may well still have bought it had it been real. I know a lot of ladies who have inherited wonderful old genuine furs but never let them see the light of day for fear of being judged. I actually have a gorgeous genuine vintage mink coat that I never wear, but that is because it is far too big for me - I really must see about selling it or getting it altered. Although I would never dream of buying a new fur (those awful videos circulating the internet are more than enough to put me off and I am real animal lover), I really do think it is a sin to let those gorgeous old furs hiding in our attics go to waste. If some poor animal had to die for it once upon a time, we may as well put it to use! What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Anyway, after my slight detour back in time to 1976, I headed to Office to try to get number 9 (ballet pumps) ticked off. My big feet usually make finding flats that don't look like boats rather tricky, so I was expecting this to be a tough tick. However, I got lucky and found the perfect little Leather Phoenix Ballerinas, so picked them up in both nude and black.  These will be a spring/summer staple and I know I will wear them until they fall apart. 

Phoenix Ballerinas

Next up I hit Aldo to see if I could get a nice pair of black heeled boots.  I'm still very attached to my New Look Babies*, but, as I mentioned in my last post, they are nearing the end of their life, so really wanted to find a pair that weren't too dissimilar (with big feet it can be tricky to find a boot that isn't too clumpy but, at the same time, isn't too high or has too skinny a heel). I was really starting to feel the pressure by this point too because I only had about 30 hours to go, had found nothing suitable during my Oxford Street adventure and an extensive Internet search had also turned up nada.  

Aldo Fastrost

Anyway, I spied these beauties and fell for them instantly but they only had them in a size too big (I would have got them only my feet looked ridiculously massive).  I was pretty gutted to discover that I couldn't even order them as they were all sold out in my size. Panic started to set in- would I have to go without?! I really couldn't imagine my wardrobe working without a pair of nice black heeled boots but was determined not to purchase ANYTHING come midnight on the 31st March.... 

It was with that stressed, frustrated and deflated frame of mind that I entered Primark Royal Ave Belfast.

And what a mistake that was.

I hate Primark at the best of times. Now, don't get me wrong, I have plenty of stuff from there, but it can be total and utter mayhem and the low prices always get the better of me - I get carried away and end up standing in the mile long queue for the till, feeling guilty, clammy and laden...

I don't have a clue what made me think that going there on a Saturday afternoon would be anything other than torture. Everything was picked over and they had hardly any of The List items that I was searching for in my size.

I was still legging-less (no. 4), their selection of slips was pretty dire (no. 6) and there wasn't a tube top in sight (no. 12).  

Shopping with a list was nearly enough to put me off shopping for life... but not quite!

I did manage, however, to stock up on bras and knickers (no. 1), tights (no. 3) and got a few gorgeous statement necklaces:

The best discovery of all was this little denim skater skirt (no. 17) for just £10:

I had actually already bought this one in Miss Selfridge for treble the price, but wasn't that happy with the fit on me, as I was between sizes and really would have appreciated an elasticated waist (I do love the pockets though, maybe I'll try to add my own to the Primark number?) I will look forward to returning it. Go Primarni!

Anyway, because my Saturday shopping trip wasn't quite as fruitful as I'd hoped it might have been, I still needed to get my hands on some leggings, in both black and lighter colours (4), the elusive perfect pair of black heeled boots (16), tube tops (12) and, if I was lucky enough, the perfect pair of leather trousers (19) before Monday...and it was already Saturday evening! 

I also was going to need to find a replacement for my broken Zara tote, having finally decided, after much debate, that I had best return the faulty item in exchange for a refund rather than a replacement. 

Therefore, Saturday night was Internet Shopping Night. I clicked to buy some leggings and a gorgeous little faux leather sandy coloured Woven Lady Tote Bag  (at a fraction of the price of the Zara one) from Topshop, more leggings as well as a pair of leather look trousers from H&M (I hope they are The Ones because I'm all out of time if they're not...) and a couple of my staple black tube tops from New Look. 

Woven Lady Tote

Leather Look Trousers

Finally, after A LOT of scouring (and stressing), I managed to find a pair (the last one!) of those Aldo Boots in my size on the House of Fraser website! They are wonderful :)

So I made it! - managed to get pretty much everything off the list (didn't quite get the slip options that I wanted but no biggie). 

Here goes!


M x

* A few of you have professed your love for my New Look Boots. Although they are sold out online, I have seen a few pairs still floating about in the odd store (not in my size unfortunately) but I also came across this when I was doing links for you guys! Win!