Lessons from a Happy Closet ala Audrey

The closet purge is history, and my closet and I are both very happy.  It looks so orderly. I can see everything. The clothes have room to breathe, and the shoes are organized. I think I was about four years old that last time my wardrobe was so lean and easy to manage.  Maybe it will hit me later that I have really limited myself in terms of options, but for now it just seems good. Wondering what this has to do with Audrey Hepburn? Well, gentle reader, read on.

Now that the wardrobe is clean and lean, the question is how to be a good steward of this streamlined closet. There are plenty of organizational gurus and websites in cyberspace offering any number of ideas and plans, but I’ll keep it simple. Whenever something comes in, something goes out. An heir to that depression-era mentality of “don’t throw it out because you never know just when you might need it,” this will be a good challenge for me. Next time I’m in Plato’s Closet or another resale or consignment shop and find a great pair of slacks or jeans, I’ll have to decide if the purchase is really necessary. Do I need them enough to cull one of the two pair of jeans I currently own? Is the little patched tear in the back pocket of my favorite khakis annoying and noticeable enough to justify spending $15 on a new-to-me pair? That $15 could go into savings, could be applied to my student loans, or could be given to support a ministry of choice.

Another way I hope to keep a lid on the clutter is to keep a running list of items that would be helpful to augment my wardrobe. For example, one thing I hope to find this year is a really great white, tailored dress shirt.

The only one I have right now is a seven-year-old oxford cloth basic from Eddie Bauer. It works, but it isn’t great. I also want to keep an eye out for a lovely cardigan or two in bright colors that work with black. If I find one or more, I’ll say a fond farewell to the oversize wool sweater from Scotland that has more pills than my medicine cabinet. I’m finding that I really don’t need that much.

One of my fellow Compactors once posted a list that I think she called the basic “Audrey Hepburn” wardrobe. Here’s the list:

2 pair classic Capri pants

2 white shirts

6 pairs of shoes

2 basic black dresses

Trench Coat

4 classic sweaters

2 simple skits

I like the concept a lot, although it would have to be modified for North Dakota conditions. Capris don’t work so well when the snow is over your knees, and boots are a must have for at least four months out of the year.  Just try tripping across snowy terrain of the Fargo Airport parking lot on a January afternoon in a cute little pair of ballet flats with no socks—not smart. At any rate, I believe it is possible to have a functional, stylish wardrobe built around a few really good pieces instead of a closet full of things that seemed at the time to be a really great idea. After all, how we shop and clothe ourselves is ultimately an issue of justice and stewardship.

                I’ll keep you posted on my progress, and if you see any great white shirts let me know.

How basic is your wardrobe? How much can you streamline your closet? I’d love to hear from you.