Wednesday 1 March 2017

Wardrobe Inventory | 6 Months Without Shopping Update 2

Another month over, another month of my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge completed!

Just like last month, I managed to avoid the sales and stores most of the time. The continuing heatwaves meant playdates at home in the aircon and so there was no shopping temptations from meeting up in Westfield. Unsubscribing from emails from online stores has helped keep temptation at bay as well.

The biggest help in avoiding shopping has been the boys though! Their naps have gone from sometimes lining up to never lining up so it's extremely difficult to waste time online 'just browsing' shopping sites. That has been the major factor to make this month another easy month for avoiding shopping. I feel it's made me a bad blogger too as it's so hard to read other blogs but baby routines change so much, it's only temporary.


Two years ago I did a wardrobe inventory. I wanted to do one last year but never seemed to find the time. I'd like to make it an annual thing. In 2015, I had 101 accessories and 266 items of clothing.

Since then I have had many more declutter sessions, a wardrobe detox with a personal stylist and another pregnancy. I was interested to see how the count would have changed this year. The totals below doesn't include things like pieces I only wear for layering, pyjamas and loungewear.


Wardrobe Inventory Closet Count for 2017 | Away From Blue Style Blogger

2017 Closet Totals


Accessories:


30 scarves

29 bags










24 pairs of shoes

  • 8 pairs flats
  • 1 pair of wedges
  • 3 pairs of heels
  • 2 pairs of Converse
  • 3 sandals 
  • 2 pairs of thongs (flip flops)
  • 5 pairs of boots


Clothes:


97 tops, including

  • 15 fitted tanks
  • 21 other tanks
  • 24 nongrey tees
  • 7 grey tees
  • 9 long sleeve tops
  • 6 shirts
  • 5 camis

6 jumpers

8 cardigans

20 jackets, including

  • 3 blazers
  • 7 kimonos
  • 3 leather jackets
  • 2 trench coats

16 pairs of jeans

  • 1 set of flares
  • 2 printed jeans
  • 13 skinny jeans

4 pairs of shorts

19 skirts

  • 8 maxi skirts
  • 1 a line skirt
  • 10 pencil skirts

41 dresses, including

  • 3 wrap dresses
  • 11 maxi dresses
  • 17 office dresses



Final totals:


83 accessories
211 items of clothing
294 pieces


My wardrobe had 367 items in 2015 so 294 is a step in the right direction! I do try to share my wardrobe edits on the blog when I've given something its last wear and it is leaving my wardrobe. Sometimes I never give pieces a final wear and I don't like them when I try them on or I remember I didn't like them last time I wore them and so I donate or sell them.

It's wonderful that I've managed to reduce the number of bags and scarves but I'm surprised I've increased the number of shoes I own! I'm disappointed I have so many dresses, after I got rid of a few at the end of the Frocktober challenge. It's good to see I've halved the number of grey tees though.


How Many Outfits?


Since I'm attempting the #30Wears challenge this year I thought it would be interesting to calculate how many outfits I'd have in my wardrobe if I tried to get 30 wears from everything. Keeping it simple as maths isn't my strong point, just looking at tops and dresses and not outfit combinations:

30 wears from 41 dresses is 1,230 outfits. Almost 3 and a half years of outfits. 
30 wears from 97 tops is 2,910 outfits. Almost 8 years of outfits.


And I frequently think I have nothing to wear, wow...😮

If I was to just focus on getting 30 wears out of everything I currently own, I wouldn't need to buy any new clothes for around 11 years. Somehow 6 months without shopping seems like a very short time. You can be sure I'll be looking back at these numbers when I'm tempted to buy something, to help me stick to my no-shopping challenge for the next 4 months.



I really liked looking at how my wardrobe has changed in 2 years and if you enjoyed seeing it too I'll attempt another inventory next year. If you've done a similar count please leave a link to your post in the comments, I'd love to read it.


Linking up with Fashion Files, Budgeting Bloggers, Fun Fashion, Fabulous Friday.


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Monday 27 February 2017

Metallic Tanks, Maxi Skirts and Red Rebecca Minkoff Unlined Saddle Bag

Doing #6MonthsWithoutShopping means I've been enjoying wearing more of my wardrobe and rediscovering older pieces. I recently found this black foil metallic tank and since I liked wearing it so much, I wore the same outfit the formula the next day with my silver metallic tank.

What I wore:

monochrome black and grey metallic tank maxi skirt outfit with red pop of colour saddle bag | Away From Blue

silver and pearl Tiffany and Roie Designs bracelet stack studded red saddle bag | Away From The Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
TankFrench Connection feather foil singlet
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesWittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus two Roie Designs pearl on leather adjustable bracelets
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I wore this tank when I created my first ever post on the blog, where you can see the metallic shimmer better as I used the flash on the camera. In six years it's only been worn four times. Last time was two years ago! I uncovered it in my wardrobe and was surprised (but glad) that I still had it.

I wore this for a casual day, taking the boys to playgroup. Previously I'd seen this tank as one of those 'special' pieces where you want to 'save' it for a perfect occasion. With no new clothes coming into my wardrobe for 6 months as I do my no shopping challenge, it's given me a good reason to enjoy more of what I own instead of waiting for a perfect time that never seems to come up. I've already worn this tank again recently!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, black foil tank, grey maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag.

Other ways to wearblack foil tank and metallic skirt, grey maxi skirt and denim jacket, studded sandals and shorts, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag and floral print.



Metallic Tanks Under $50:







What I wore:

Jeanswest Maji metallic tank, stripe jersey maxi skirt, Rebecca Minkoff poppy red saddle bag | AwayFromBlue

Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red with stripe maxi skirt | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
TankJeanswest Maji metallic tank in soft green and silver (extra 30% off sale price!)
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
ShoesRebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I loved the simplicity of the first outfit with the metallic tank, comfy maxi skirt and bright red cross body bag for a touch of colour. Happily recreated it again the very next day with a different tank and skirt. Went to my local Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) mothers group with the boys.

Baby Boy is getting older now and it's easier to get out and back home between feeds. I'm still sticking to mostly breastfeeding friendly outfits like this though, just in case, and that came in helpful! About halfway through the meeting he wanted a feed and I hadn't brought a bottle with us as I didn't expect him to be hungry. It was good I was wearing something that let me easily breastfeed him. I didn't have anything to use as a breastfeeding cover which I would have preferred, but the great thing about the ABA is the mums are incredibly supportive no matter how you feed your baby. Covered, uncovered, bottle of expressed milk, bottle of formula, SNS, they've seen it all. I'm glad to have connected with them!


Last wornRay-Ban Wayfarer (above), metallic silver tank, striped maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag (above).

Other ways to wearmetallic silver tank worn two ways, striped maxi skirt in winterstudded sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag and shirt dress.


Metallic tanks are just as easy to wear as plain tanks. You can dress them up or you can wear them casually with maxi skirts like I have here.









Linking up with Modest Monday, On Trend, Style Sessions, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, What I Wore.



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Friday 24 February 2017

Heatwave Style: Printed Tanks, Denim Shorts and Cross Body Bags

I usually try space out my posts a little better but I have been wearing a lot of denim lately so you get a week of denim posts! After the denim maxi and denim shorts posts, yet another denim shorts post. With the warmer than average summer temperatures it's been a little difficult getting inspired to try something other than shorts...


While the printed tanks I'm wearing below are polyester which is not usually the first choice on a hot day, they are a relaxed enough fit that they catch any breeze nicely and actually feel quite cool. I like how a printed tank instantly makes an outfit a little more interesting than if I'd worn a plain basic tank.

What I wore:

printed crochet tank Jeanswest Trinity bermuda denim shorts LV Speedy bag | Away From Blue

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere | Away From The Blue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
Tank: Emerson crochet lace bib print top
ShortsJeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (currently on sale!)
Shoesblack slim Havaianas thongs
BagLouis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere

Why I wore it:

I really liked this outfit, simple and perfect for a very hot day outdoors. We'd been planning a trip out to the Ipswich rail museum for a little while so when the perfect day came up we were really excited. The crazy heatwave was not ideal...Ipswich is inland and usually a few degrees hotter than the bayside suburbs of Brisbane. We went anyway, took lots of water and spent a little more time in the air conditioned exhibits.

This crossbody bag was perfect for keeping everyone's water bottle nearby. While I keep the baby bag on the stroller, toddler T was so excited exploring that he rarely stayed near the stroller long enough to get a drink! We're already talking about another visit, probably when summer's over.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarersprinted tank, longer denim shorts, Havaianas, Louis Vuitton speedy Bandouliere.

Other ways to wearprinted red tank and flares, longer denim shorts and kimono, Louis Vuitton speedy Bandouliere and a wrap dress.



Printed Tanks Under $50:







What I wore:

Atmos&Here Aztec print tank, Jeanswest denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag red | AwayFromBlue

ebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red | AwayFromTheBlue
SunglassesRay-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
TankAtmos&Here 'Florida' tank in Aztec print
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoesslim gold Havaianas
BagRebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

Another too-hot summer day, another printed tank and shorts outfit. Both the tank and shorts are things I'd considered letting go out of my wardrobe. I worried I had too many pairs of shorts, and this tank annoyed me last time I wore it.

I liked this outfit so much that all the pieces are staying. Although I was just running a few errands, I felt this was just the perfect outfit. The printed tank and red bag combo is one I've worn before, it's wonderful whenever I try it. As things are starting to settle down post-baby the tank sat a lot better this time than it did with my fourth trimester body. I'm glad I didn't get rid of it when I disliked it so much previously.

Seeing so many people out in similar shorts made me convinced to keep these ones. Sometimes you just need a pair of short shorts as everything else seems like too much in the heat! As I wear more blue, I'm keeping this blue pair and selling my very similar black pair instead.


Last wornRay-Ban Wayfarers (above), Aztec print tank, rolled cuff denim shorts, gold Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag.

Other ways to wearAztec print tank and red skinny jeans, rolled cuff denim shorts and print mixing, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag and shirt dress.


Printed tank and denim shorts is such a simple outfit combination, but so effortless and useful for feeling cool on a hot day.

Linking up with Friday Faves, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday.



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