I recently bought the style recipes ebook and have been reviewing my wardrobe. I've got quite a lot of things that other people have passed on to me. Many of them are nice things and fit me pretty well but they are a mish-mash of all kinds of things that don't really go with anything else. I have also been hanging on to things for years because my mum made them. It's taken me quite a few years to let go of those things and realise that although I don't have my mum any more I don't NEED those things that are out of fashion and don't fit me any more in order to be able to remember her, so I let them go. I got a bonus from my day job and decided that I would spend some of it on me. I've bought new, properly fitting bras, which made a huge difference without even buying anything else! I've also bought new t-shirts, thin long sleeved tops that I can layer with and some other basic pieces. Then I splashed out and bought a new pair of jeans, decent ones that fit nicely and a very nice basic jacket. The jacket was not cheap but is machine washable and will go with 7 or 8 skirts and dresses that I already have. I know that it's going to last me for a long time and I can add other things that will work with it. I wore the jacket on Saturday. It was the ONLY new thing that I had on, everything else was stuff that I already owned but people thought I had on a completely new outfit. Even my daughters, who normally point out what's NOT looking good, thought that I looked really nice. :-) The thing that made the outfit look really finished though was a scarf. I think that without the scarf it would have just been clothes, with the scarf turned it into an outfit. Who would have thought that such a simple thing would have made such a difference? Thank you Leslie for your help with working all this out.

Leadboots, Doesn't it feel great to make these changes in your wardrobe? I've been going through a similar process. I removed 5 bags of clothes I have not (and should not) wear! Instantly I could see the small amount I do wear. I need to get a blazer like you. It sounds like a great new piece along with your new jeans. I purchased a new necklace and I got lots of compliments on it. An accessory really does complete things that was an eye opener for me too to wear them regularly! A scarf with my new colors would be a great addition as well. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's nice to hear about others doing the same thing!

Hi Leadboots and Julie, you both sound like you are doing a great job and having fun at it, too!! Isn't it cool when the only things in your closet are things that you love, that fit, and that are a joy to wear! Elaine in CO

It sure is Gesneramor! I have so little now compared to what was in my closet before, but it is funny that I am doing so much better putting together outfits and I have only purchased a couple new things. I really want to add some new accessories like a fall scarf. Any ideas for good accessories to add? What do you use to accessorize your outfits?

About a 18 months ago, just before I joined MSP, I bought a dress. It was in the sale but still cost me £75. When I tried it on the sales assistant said "it needs something else, it needs a necklace". She was right of course and she brought out 5 or 6 different necklaces that I then tried on. I paid another £41 for a REALLY nice necklace, even though it was quite a way out of my comfort zone at that time. It's costume jewelry but it's good quality. But it's very true that if you make investments in your wardrobe and choose carefully you can make expensive things become inexpensive. I have worn that necklace SO many times and when I was thinking about the new clothes I've just bought I thought about how many of the new things would go with this necklace.

I thought you might like to see a picture of my new jacket. It's from Debenhams which is a UK department store that sells very good quality clothes. Not cheap but well made and last for ages.

Thanks for posting a picture of your jacket. What a quality piece! You will be able to wear that jacket dressed up or casually with a nice pair of jeans. It really could go with anything! Since joining MSP, I am now investing in better quality stuff and actually taking time to PLAN my wardrobe. This is a new concept and I am finding it actually saves me money because I only buy things I really like and wear them more!

I Have been wanting to have a minimalist wardrobe for the last year or so. I got rid of a TON of clothes but since then have not really had much to wear. I was wary of signing up because I was worried my closet would become bloated with clothing again. But the more I read on this site, it really seems that MSP promotes the idea of having a few pieces that you love and use in multiple ways. This is exactly what a minimalist closet should be. I am so excited to get my Body and Color ID and jump in!