I know it’s easy to subscribe to the idea that you need a full and elaborate wardrobe for every season of the year, but I can assure you that it’s totally possible to lighten up if you’re willing to question and redefine what’s truly essential.
Once I got into a heated debate with a family friend who claimed she needed five types of boots (five!) to survive in New York during the winter. While I will admit that some climates require both a rain and a snow boot, I’ve also lived in Chicago and London and was able to function just fine with a single waterproof boot that could stand up to both snow and rain. I know it’s easy to subscribe to the idea that you need a full and elaborate wardrobe for every season of the year, but I can assure you that it’s totally possible to lighten up if you’re willing to question and redefine what’s truly essential. Even when I lived in Chicago, I just added a handful of seasonal items and accessories to my lightweight California wardrobe – a heavy coat and boots for winter, a few light dresses and sandals for summer, and the same basics all year round. Think about your most extreme seasons and jot down the items you require to feel prepared and comfortable – I promise it’s less than you think.