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Sunday 5 November 2017

Last Chance Salon



Happy Guy Fawkes day to all my UK readers, hope you're having a blast!!
And good day to you all, wherever you may be.  Sunday here and chances are it will be Sunday where you are too.  It's been a beautiful autumn day, a tad on the blowy side but crisp and dry.   Good drying weather, as my mum would have described it.


Now, my news!  I have presented myself with a bit of a challenge.  For November initially, but potentially a little longer.

My fun Floridian friend, Kellyann, has just completed a month of the Common Threads Challenge.  The idea is that you identify five pieces of clothing then wear at least one of them each day throughout the month.  And for those who don't like sticking to the rules, rules can be tweaked, eh Kellyann?! 

Well, I thought about doing this in November but I have taken a slightly different approach. 
I'm using it as a platform to try out stuff I haven't worn for a while, or things I've never really got into the swing of.  Each day I have a short rummage and grab an item or three.  Some things I know instantly I will never EVER want to wear again and they are dealt with appropriately.  But if they are a "hmmnn" then my plan is to test-drive them and see how many times I wear them in the month.  If I've grown to like them in 30 days, they're keepers.  If I still don't feel the love, they're ditchers.

There really is no more science to it than that but I see it as an opportunity to truly consider items that are hanging in my stuffed wardrobes and cupboards.  I really don't like the idea of manicly pulling stuff out and sparing it 5 seconds thinking time to decide should it go or should it stay.  And the Marie Kondo approach which gives a piece a little longer than 5 seconds still isn't long enough for this hoarder procrastinator.  I need time.


So over the coming days you may see random items appearing on your screens and potentially they will sneak in again as the month progresses.  It's their last chance to prove they are keepers.
Last Chance Saloon kept swirling around in my fuddled mind as I thought up this plan, so that's the tag it's been given as we hit November.  



Like this Uniqlo soft slouchy jacket.  It's been hanging around in my wardrobe feeling most unloved and it deserved some of my LCS treatment.  It needs some 2nd lovin'.


Why haven't I been keen on it?  I don't really know.  Perhaps it is because I've teamed it with black a lot of the time, which is maybe a bit too stark for this tone of stone.  So I tried it with grey jeans, a black and grey striped top and black boots.  Touches of black are there, admittedly, but I think the grey softens into the jacket rather than fights  as all-black does.
It's too soon to tell, but I'm going to try this out with a few more variations in the coming weeks.


And where did I take this OOTD?  To the hygienist!
I think I've mentioned it before on this blog but my approach is that if you dress nicely, those you meet will appreciate your effort and reciprocate the niceness.  Karma Dressing.  Did it work on this occasion?  Well, let just say that as I left her "chamber" she shouted out "Nice seeing you".  And I found myself responding with "Nice seeing you too".  Yup, she enjoyed the experience and so did I.  Perhaps the dressing-nicely approach had worked,
I know she sometimes reads my blog so - love ya, H !!


So, with nicely polished gnashers, I am heading smilingly into November.  What else did I try during these first few days?


This jumper.  It's quite a few years old now.  Because it's uber long, I feel it makes me look tub-like.  But I saw the lovely Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb wearing a cosy jumper recently and she reminded me that I have something similar and maybe I should give this piece a chance too.
Hmmnn.  Undecided on this one.  I still don't find it too flattering (probably designed for a body more elongated than mine) but it is cosy, so who knows where this will be come December 1.


Maybe in the pile over my left shoulder! 
As you can tell by these selfies, The Photographer had abandoned me again.  But I'm hoping that you are paying scant attention to me in the amateur pics and are instead homing in on that corner.  Yes, wardrobe de-cluttering had already started a few days earlier.  The pile there is made up of perfectly good fleeces, but I have accumulated so many of them over the years and there really is a limit to how many a girl can squeeze into her busy wardrobe calendar. And behind my head is box I am now running, where I ditch items I grab which are just not going to cut any mustard EVER again. 
So, my dears, I hope you are impressed that the process has already been started, as evidenced by the activity in this spare room.


Now, my dearies, is this something you fancy doing too?  Last Chance Salon-ing?
Is this slow-burn approach to wardrobe cleansing for you?
Giving some try out time to items in your wardrobe that you rarely wear these days, or items you never really got into?

I think this approach will suit me better than blindly stuffing no-longer-loveds into bin bags. 
Yes, an Englishman may need time, but so does your Pout when it comes to ditching decisions.



A la perchoine.





28 comments:

  1. I think 'Last Chance Salon' has a more wardrobe connotation.

    I may try this idea IF it ever gets cold here.

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    1. So right, Jean, thanks fo this. 'Spect Saloon has other connotations!
      I can't remember where you live but my old bones could do with a bit of that constant heat right now. You can try this approach at any time, it just seems to be easier for me to handle as the seasons change.
      Hoping you have a great week out in your sunny garden, hugs x.

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  2. I think it's a good idea to give things a second chance by making yourself wear them to help you decide whether they're keepers. Today I put my summer clothes away into storage and moved my winter clothes into their place. I love doing it because, like you, I like to look at things with fresh eyes. I found a winter coat in a I'd forgotten about and am looking forward to wearing it afresh.

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    1. Oh Jacqui, I love that moment - finding things you'd forgotten about. Things see almost like new all over again. And it's free shopping!
      Wishing you a happy week ahead, hugs x.

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  3. I commend your initiative and will watch with interest. The jumper BTW doesn't make you look tub like IMHO. I'd like to join in but I'm very ruthless with clothes and nothing ever gets a second chance. It's straight in the charity sack. (And then, a few months later, I find myself looking for it for a particular challenge). My mum is a great believer in dressing up wherever she goes. She;s in her 80s and says wearing bright colours and looking smart saves her from being patronised by shop assistants and doctors' receptionists 75% of the time.

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    1. Oh heck, I'm being watched ... the heat is on!
      Thanks for your sweet words. I will make sure TP doesn't read your comment. he will be expecting me to take your lead with the ruthlessness.
      I am so loving your mum! Not being patronised is a beautiful side effect to dressing nicely to please oneself. Well done, Gail's mum!!
      Have a nice week, dearie, hugs x.

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  4. Glad you gave this fab jacket a chance - you look fantastic. Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Oh thank you Patti, you are sweetness itself! Thanks for hosting, hugs x.

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  5. Hello,

    I like your idea to spend a little time with your garments and think I should probably do the same but BEFORE I actually purchase them!! I am usually pretty ruthless about purging the "not good in any way ever" items-especially if they feel at all complicated to wear. It has taken me years to get to this point however. One recent change (due to shape changing at "midlife") is that I no longer wear t-shirts outside of the house, gym, or garden. I really like a fitted cotton blouse with sleeves where I can control the length depending on how hot or cold I am. I never buy 3/4 length sleeves on a blouse.

    When it comes to my husband's wardrobe clean out, well....I can toss his things in a matter of seconds and most of the time he never knows the items have gone...that tells you how large his wardrobe currently is!!!

    Enjoyed your post as always and much appreciated your editing out reptile references in post last week!! See, I can type it-just can't see it or wear it. Did you see that Mary Crown Princess of Denmark wears reptile pumps frequently ?! Don't know how she does it!!! Have a great day Pout:)

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    1. Such joy to hear from you, Jules.
      So with you on the fiddly stuff. I am "in last chance training" with a ruffle blouse today and just the word "ruffle" is doing my head in! But not with you on the sleeves, I find stuff around my wrists quite annoying, so am always rolling up sleeves. I always seem to look like I'm about to unbung the drains or knead bread!
      Thanks for the tip on the male wardrobe cleansing. TP currently "occupies" a top shelf in a wardrobe that I have designs on ...
      Glad you appreciated my snake-sensitivity. Will check out our princess.
      Tak for besoeget, min veninde, vi snakke igen snart. Knus, Pout x.

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    2. Min veninde...after I ran to Google to translate and listen to this spoken in Danish!!! My friend-thank you!! I should have mentioned that I am 5'9" tall and all shirt/ blouse sleeves seem to be too short so rolling them up has been a way of life since about age 14. I can understand how they could get in the way - I say hire some one to clean out the drain!!! Have a great day and tak for the Danish-which I am sure is completely incorrect. How did you learn the language? Are you originally from Denmark? Is Danish taught in UK schools? Curious today- and thanks again!

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    3. So pleased you're getting into your research, I hope you carry on. I spent some years working there and I love languages so I've kept it up, but heads up, I sometimes make mistakes when writing ...
      Oh we are such different builds, I usually have to roll because the sleeves are about 4 inches too long!! Din aermer er alt faa langte og min er alt faa korte.

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  6. A very good idea, Mary. Seeing your outfits as a photo are, I think, the best way to make a decision about an item or so I've learned since starting blogging 2 years ago.

    I love the stone coloured jacket but it is far better left undone...

    xxx

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    1. Yes, so true Vronni, what sometimes looks perfectly reasonable staring in the mirror looks disappointing or worse on the blog. We put the hours in with our blogs but they do pay us these dividends.
      Thanks for you view on the jacket, I've taken a look and agree ... but it did look OK in the mirror, honest!
      Hugs, x.

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  7. Yes I agree with Veronica the jacket does look better undone, also love the cream sweater.

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    1. Great to hear from you, Polly, and yes, I agree with you both. I buttoned up to go to the hygienist but will wear it open in future ... and I really hope it does stick around!
      Hugs, x.

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  8. Oh yes, Eartha Kitt is right, an Englishman needs time! Aren't you the saucy one with your Last Chance Challenge and Eartha's racy little tune? I love it!
    I used the Maria Kondo technique last January and got rid of bags and bags of clothing. It felt so good to be rid of things that just didn't work anymore or really never did. I have a bad habit of being inspired by others who are not at all built like me and I make terrible purchase decisions. I am seriously trying to change that habit but I guess Americans need time too. (wink, wink)
    Yes, your Florida friend says tweak away at those rules. It's almost like Survivor - who will make it to the end on 12/1? We'll stick around and see!
    BTW, you could wear the cream "jumper" with faux leather leggings. Just sayin'!
    Thanks for the shout out my dear friend!!! Hugs to you!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. My dear sweet friend, the Lord and Lady thank you hugely for giving The Pout a new saucy persona!
      Yes, I too learned to avoid shopping with friends as I ended up with THEIR clothes in MY wardrobe! Just recently a friend with super long legs tried to get me to buy faux leather leggings ... and minutes later I found them in my Nordstrom basket with my finger hovering in the holding position :-). His Lordship loved your reply on the leggings post, BTW!!
      Oh, it's happening again - I'm finding myself thinking OH YES, that jumper would look gorgeous with those fakies! Mrs R, you are a temptress!! Naybe I'll just press that button ...
      Hugs from Leoprint Abbey, hope you have a nice week, x.

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  9. Dear PP. Just facing the same 'luxury problem' of facing the fact that some clothes have not seen daylight for a couple of years now and what to do with them. Normally I love sorting through things and clearing them but dealing with those forgotten items in the wardrobe is a different matter. Why? I have no idea! May I should tackle this again but with a cold-hearted approach; they are things and do not have feelings...but I do! Ah well, we shall think about it some more :o) I do love your uber-long jumper/dress and the way you sport it in the photo. I would even add knee-length boots over leggings/jeggings. Not too keen on the uniqlo jacket; feels a bit stiff and officy (my opinion only). Looking forward to seeing what else comes out of hiding!

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    1. Yes, LD, it's a first world problem we find ourselves with and if we feel we want to tackle it, then we have to find what works for us. It's one thing to make a decision based on holding an item 5 seconds in front of you, or trying it on for 20 seconds, but I think the test driving approach is going to work for me. Glad you liked the jumper and I do like your idea about the boots. I'm not blessed with super long legs like some but I'm excited to give it a go!
      Today's try out was a long white shirt but I continue to say naaahh each time I wear it, so maybe it's a ditcher.
      Have a nice week, hugs from Chez Pout, x.

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  10. This is a brilliant idea Mary. BTW didn't you mention trying your coral top with stone. Just an idea for the jacket.

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    1. Isn't is just, Anna?! I'm already on to my second wearing of the jumper as I type, today inspired by La Duchesse's idea.
      Good idea with the jacket pairing, I'd thought stone chinos in summer but now you've got me thinking!

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  11. I like your cozy sweater! I have quite a few similar to that and they aren't flattering, but I do love wearing them because of the cozy factor!

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    1. Well, that's reassuring Laura, I thought it was just my chunky body doing its usual damage! It's quite chilly today (11c) so I'm sporting it again today ... but with cosy boots!
      Thanks for popping in, hugs, x.

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  12. Love the jumper Mary, my friend bought a similar one from M & S it looks very cozy too,I might have to pop by and get mysef one too! Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. Hi Jacqui, mine's from M&S 3-4 years ago. Somehow just the idea of wearing a jumper like this is warming. I'm guessing there are lots around so have fun! Hugs, x.

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  13. I love both these pieces! You look great in both of them!

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