How much time do you think about getting dressed?

[FemmeFemme]

This is really a question to those who do enjoy the process of thinking up outfits, styling, maintaining your wardrobe, choosing accessories, footwear etc.

It seems like in all free time my head wonders to future occasions I need to dress for, wardrobe gaps, even my grown up DD, what she might look good / like, send her links. It’s a bit obsessive but does not hard anyone and I am not over spender.

I like buying clothes op and still work full-time and we do a lot of opera/theatre/formal dinners, etc

However, just before bed I check the weather forecast and it takes me about two minutes to put out dress or trousers and top, jacket, tights, scarf if I'm wearing one.

For evening stuff, it depends on the weather - I still like to be a bit smart for the opera, just tidy for the theatre.

What brought it into focus for me was DS's wedding. Took a couple of shop visits and I made sure that what I bought wouldn't only be worn once.

It probably helps that I don't have gazillions of clothes. Also I wear my clothes rather than vice versa and while I want people to think I look nice I don't want to be noticed for my clothes - I'd rather blend.

I used to spend no time at all! I had a sort of uniform of button down fitted tops, merino jumpers, skinny cords and loafers. Then, several years back, I got into clothes again. I feel some of the enthusiasm I had as a teenager! I struggle a bit to plan my clothes in advance, but I do get a sense of what I'll want to wear. Then I just have to make sure I get dressed about an hr before departure so that I have time to change my mind if need be! This is new and I would really love to learn how to not need that time. Do you never decide on the day that an outfit feels wrong somehow?

I do. I love clothes, always have, and it's one of the ways I express myself and my creativity. I get great delight in searching for something to fill a wardrobe gap but same as you I don't spend loads, it's about finding "that 1 thing" rather than acquiring loads of "stuff".

I also love putting things together for my DD, but also know that she doesn't feel quite the same as me about clothes so I limit myself to putting together an outfit at Christmas for her (she loves this tradition) and she chooses her own clothes generally, plus she mostly wears school uniform so doesn't need loads!

@dudsville - I think your “uniform” sounds great.

I have got back into enjoying clothes at 44 after a few years of being tired and overweight. I really enjoy the process of getting stuff out of my wardrobe, trying on outfits, online shopping to plan for wardrobe gaps.

I recently went on a work trip and was super organised ahead of it planning minimal packing for three days of great outfits.

I think spending time on planning clothing is great for being groomed and doesn’t have to be expensive - finding stuff you already have, ironing scarves nicely, cleaning jewellery.

I do sometimes decide on the day that an outfit feels wrong then I fall back on my uniform - black or navy colours and wide trousers / blouse combo.

I spend absolutely ages as I have no ability to imagine what clothes will look like on me (think I might have aphantasia), or in combination, so even if I plan something, when I put it on I often change it. I also find if I’m going to work or out socially my threshold increases so that the same outfit, even though perfectly decent (as I don’t really do slob around the house clothes), doesn’t feel as nice. Packing is a complete nightmare but I cracked it on two trips this summer, even if it did take hours.

I’m always happy with my final outfit so to me it’s worth it. I hate feeling like I’m dressed wrongly or uncomfortably.

OMG I think about it all the time, especially when I can't sleep.
I never plan outfits for other people though, it's all me, me, me.

Yesterday I spent hours trying on different combinations of Cashmere i'd dug out of Winter Storage with straight leg jeans. Today I will try the Cashmere with Barrel leg & wide jeans to see what looks right with my Winter Boots. I've lost about 15 kg over the last few months & some clothes are too big/ or are wearable again.

I also love organising my Wardrobe on the Whering App. It's a bit like playing with Those books of Paper Dolls + outfits with tabs on we used to get as kids in the 70's.

I'm also trying to become more sustainable. So reusing what I've got, repairing & more considered purchases are easier when you realise that you don't need another grey fluffy jumper. Because you have 3 already stacked away. That's why the Whering App is so useful because all my Winter Clothes are archived & listed on the App & I just have to bring them back into circulation.

Possibly think more about clothes than any other topic.