Author: Debbie Roes

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From Spiraling Out of Control to Thoughtful Shopper

The following is an email I received from reader Jessica, who wrote to me to share her journey of overcoming a serious compulsive shopping problem.  I was so inspired by her story (she gave me some great ideas to use in my own recovery) that I asked if I could share her letter as part of my “Stories of Recovery” series.   She graciously agreed and I’m delighted to share her words of wisdom with you today!

Thoughtful Shopper

It is completely possible to shop thoughtfully & love our wardrobes! 

If you would like to be profiled in the “Stories of Recovery” series (you can be anonymous if desired), or if you have an idea for another type of guest post on “Recovering Shopaholic,” please connect with me to share your thoughts. Continue reading →

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Lessons from My Outfit Journal – Part One

Before I delve into the topic of today’s post, I’d like to say a few things about my last article, “Putting Together a Dressy Wardrobe Capsule.”  Judging from some of the comments I received, I realize that I wasn’t clear enough about some aspects of that post.   I had originally intended to put together a true formal wardrobe capsule, but then I realized two things:  I own very few true formal items and I rarely attend those types of events.   So instead, I put together wardrobe options for the occasions when I get more dressed up than usual.

Some of you wrote that most of my outfits in the post would be things you’d wear to work.   If I worked in an office, I would very likely wear such outfits to work, too.   However, I live in a very casual community in Southern California where t-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops reign supreme.  Thus, what’s considered dressy around here may not mesh with that description in your part of the world.   Even if our environments and lifestyles are widely divergent, I still hope that my “dressy” wardrobe example was useful for you.

If what you will need for more dressed-up or formal events is different from what I showed, you should definitely compile your dressy capsule in line with those considerations.   If you are interested in writing a guest post depicting a true formal wardrobe capsule, please contact me, as I would welcome such a post!

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Putting Together a Dressy Wardrobe Capsule

Most of us closet pieces that we don’t wear very often, yet we keep them around “just in case” we may need them one day.   In many instances, these items fall into the formal or dressy wardrobe category.   In truth, it can be a good idea to retain a small capsule of formal items, as we generally do encounter such occasions periodically.  It’s easier to have some go-to pieces on hand than to have to shop on short notice and face the possibility of not finding what we need.

Dressy Wardrobe Capsule

Have you put together a formal/dressy wardrobe capsule?

When I shared my 2014 wardrobe “benchwarmer” update last month, I noted that many of my unworn items were too dressy for my day-to-day life.   My benchwarmer shoes in particular could be classified as such.   I continued to hold on to these pieces because they were still in good condition and I thought it would be good to keep a dressy wardrobe capsule in my closet.  However, I had never actually taken the time to compile such a capsule.  The dressy pieces were in my closet, but I hadn’t given much thought as to how they might work together or even if they would coordinate well.

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Love It, Wear It Challenge: One Month In

I just completed my first month of my “Love It, Wear It” Wardrobe Challenge, so it’s time for an update.  Here’s a quick reminder of how the challenge works (read more here)…  The idea is to create a “working closet” by moving everything I actually wear into a specific area of my closet.   I will only wear what I really want to wear and anything that I find uncomfortable, fussy, or no longer my style will be passed on for donation or consignment.   In addition, I will only buy new things as replacements for worn out favorites or if I find myself continually wishing I had a particular item to include in my outfits.

Love It, Wear It Challenge

The objectives for the challenge are to wear what I love and to have the right types of clothing, shoes, and accessories for my life.   By “my life,” I mean the life that I am actually living in the here and now, not an imagined, wished for, or previous lifestyle.   While there is room for a small formal wear capsule in my closet (I will write more about that soon), I definitely don’t need to hang on to a plethora of fancy or going out wear when the majority of my life is spent at home or engaging in very casual activities.

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January 2015 Accountability Update

It’s time for my first accountability update for 2015.  As long-time readers know, these monthly reports are where I share what came into and left my closet during the previous month and how I did with my shopping budget and rules.   It’s my way of keeping myself honest and on track with my wardrobe and shopping goals.  Yes, I know I’m late in sharing my 2015 goals, but I’ve had a lot of 2014 wrap-up posts to do.  I plan to finalize and publish my goals next week, so stay tuned…

Telling the Truth

What Left My Closet

Not long ago, I shared the results of my mid-January closet culling session, as well as an updated wardrobe inventory.  Here’s a reminder of what left my closet at that time (see this post for more details):

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