Comments on: A Minimalist Approach to a Killer Closet: How to Build a Frugal & Fashionable Wardrobe

By: Iris

Iris — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:57:10 +0000

If you’re traveling a lot minimalism might be for you. It’s definitely helpful to have wardrobe staples that you can build many outfits from when you’re traveling. So it might be worth to give these strategies a try!

By: Iris

Iris — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:54:01 +0000

Maybe you can find good brands online? I don’t know much about shopping in the Philippines, but shopping online is always a good alternative if you can’t find good brands locally.

Hope that’s somewhat helpful!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 21:29:59 +0000

LOVE this Iris!! I honestly identify with the quote regarding loving what I buy…yet hating what’s in my closet. I guess part of traveling (alot) is I have to lug everything with me…

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 14:32:07 +0000

can sooo relate, of course! I used to have a walk in closet, 10+ pairs of pants, and still wouldn’t know what to wear! lol. and yep, it tends to be the same sorts of stuff instead of the actual variety I did have.

it’s hard to find quality brands in the philippines. since clothes are, in general, cheaper here, it also means its less quality. 10 washes later and they already have holes, etc! It’s frustrating when the styles are cute but the quality is just poor. Never thought about exclusively shopping with three brands only. I should try that.. I would LOVE to shop at Anthropologie but there are none in the Philippines!!

By: Iris

Iris — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 06:54:18 +0000

Thanks so much for your warm words, Carol. Yes, 80/20 seems to apply to everything, I heard it again just yesterday in a seminar in college. Really cool.

Great point about the jewelry! I used to buy a crazy amount of chep jewelry until I figured out that “real” pieces look 100x better. Now I’m using 80/20 here as well.

By: Carol S

Carol S — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:04:36 +0000

Iris, great post! Like so many other things in life and business, the 80/20 rule applies to our closets as well! It’s taken me years to figure out this very same approach, especially finding pieces with a twist. I I would add that this approach also applies to our jewelry. Investing in good quality, classic, timeless pieces, layered or worn by themselves, helps to extend our wardrobes and complement any look. I will definitely be sharing this post with the women in my life. Thanks for sharing!

By: Iris

Iris — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:19:49 +0000

That’s a really good strategy and I’m thinking about doing that as well. As you can imagine my return rates are really high. My favorite brand (Esprit, don’t think you can get it in the US) doesn’t like people who have high return rates.
So I plan to pick out what I want from the current collection either online or in store and then go try these clothes on and take quick notes on the sizes I need. That way I only have to order once when the sale starts and Esprit won’t stop sending me stuff.

So thanks for sharing your strategy.

PS: Really liked the article you had about banning the s-word. True, true, true!

By: Paul T

Paul T — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:34:55 +0000

I think the most important thing is to buy clothes that fit you amazingly. I think this more applies to men than women – women are generally good at picking clothes that fit them well, while guys seem to be terrible at it, so a guy in clothes that fit great stands out

Therefore I always try on the 3 or so brands I like in shops first, so I know what size I am in that particular brand, and I then buy them online for hella-cheap

With that said, I loved the article!

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:56:02 +0000

That’s a really good list, Jennifer. I’d add a white and a black simple t-shirt that can be combined with anything and a good quality belt in black or brown.

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:53:21 +0000

It shouldn’t be all that different for men, I just have a feeling that clothes for men don’t go into sale as much. Correct me if I’m wrong though!

Other than that the advice should be pretty much universal. I wrote the post with both men and women in mind.

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:50:25 +0000

I return about 90% of the stuff I order. If you want to lower your return rates, you should make sure that you’re not just ordering an item because it takes nothing but a click. I’m definitely guilty of this and have ordered way to much stuff so that I had to return most of it (yeah, what a minimalist approach..). You should really like the style of the pieces you order, otherwise you’re gonna end up sending them back and it was a complete waste of time.

But don’t be shy about returning stuff either, don’t keep something just because you already have it at home!

As far as the fit of your clothes you might enjoy this post: http://www.guystyleguide.com/2011/09/the-ultimate-mens-clothing-fit-guide/

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:45:04 +0000

I’m glad I could help.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:07:21 +0000

Can you do a similar advice post for men? There are some common principles that can be transferred (focus on sales & online shopping) but I would be curious to see if there is men specific advice.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:56:18 +0000

Perhaps you could ask some styling advice in either a smaller boutique or a bigger warehouse (with personal shoppers)? Alternatively, you can think about a few things when try to figure out what suits you:
- What style are you looking for? Sporty, smart/business,
casual? Buy staple items that fit your personality.
- Buy the right size: not too wide, not too tight!
- Look what colours go well with your skin tone.

I think that for men, a dark wash jeans (straight or boyfriend), one pair of smart trousers (grey or black), a business type shirt, a colourful tshirt and a woolen cardigan (V-neck, round or boatneck) make great staple items!

Hope this helps and good luck shopping!

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:05:45 +0000

This is great advice. I’ve been buying a few new pieces here and there, but have probably been a bit too frugal about it. Not to mention, I’m not shopping online. Maybe I need to rethink my approach.

The main difficulty I would have with his advice is style. I never know what is going to look good on me and have no one to ask. I think I would be returning a majority of my new clothes…

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:00:23 +0000

OH MY GOD! Just one thing: THANK YOU!