Lee Vosburgh Tells us How To Make the Most out of a Limited Wardrobe
Lee Vosburgh knows a thing or two about dressing well with a small wardrobe. She shares her secrets on how she makes the most of it.
By
Carly Ostroff
Date September 22, 2017
When 30-year-old Lee Vosburgh, who’s based in Guelph, Ont., started her fashion blog, Style Bee, she zeroed in on maximizing her limited wardrobe. Consider trying her “10 x 10 Challenge,” which advises people to select 10 wardrobe pieces, come up with 10 outfits and rotate them accordingly over 10 days. “When you can see what you have to work with, you’re much less likely to feel like you don’t have anything to wear or you need something new,” she says. Here are her tips for building your most sustainable wardrobe yet:
Start where you are right now:
“Don’t add anything, and don’t get rid of anything,” says Vosburgh. Try things on and wear them out somewhere to really figure out what works and what doesn’t, and repeat the process for 30 days. That way you’re less likely to overlook pieces you actually want to keep.
Purge your closet responsibly:
Once you’re ready to part with some clothes, think about selling them so they don’t end up in a landfill. Vosburgh recommends downloading apps like Depop and TheRealReal or taking items to local consignment stores that will pay you 40 per cent of the sale proceeds.
Remember that sharing is caring:
Try turning your monthly book club into a little clothing swap as a fun way to change things up, says Vosburgh. Anything left over can be donated directly to organizations like The Salvation Army or Dress for Success.
Repair to re-wear:
According to Vosburgh, tailoring clothes that aren’t quite working can instantly transform them into custom pieces designed to fit your body. “It’s a great way to give new life to an old piece that might otherwise just sit on a shelf,” she says.
Shop local:
“It often means a higher price point,” says Vosburgh, “but you’re investing in an artist and their work and the time and effort that they put into it.”
Cost per wear:
Vosburgh recommends investing in the best quality pieces you can afford because they will stand the test of time and be easier to repair. “With lots of fast-fashion items, once they fall apart, there’s no way to salvage them,” she says.
Create a short wish list:
“When you’re tempted to impulse shop, you can refer to the list and remember what you’re really interested in and saving up for,” recommends Vosburgh. She also suggests capping your list at 10 items at any given time.
See how Vosburgh challenged herself to live with a limited wardrobe of only 10 items to wear for 10 days:
Day 1 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
When I was planning this weeks looks on Friday I knew I’d want to be comfy after a busy weekend. This striped top and linen short combo was the perfect way to start the week and totally made this grey day more exciting ☺️
This tee is an old fave from Everlane and these shorts are a new addition from Vancouver based Lloyd which I’m loving! There’s also lots of style tips, short details and a pretty awesome treat for Style Bee readers on the blog ?. My co-host Caroline Joy Rector and I are so happy to see so many of you joining us this time around! It’s going to be a great couple of weeks!
Day 2 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
Whenever it’s hot and humid this dress is the one I reach for because it’s as close to no clothes as you can get ? . Love the one my co-host Caroline Joy Rector is rocking today too! Is it hot and humid where you are too? Stay cool friends!
Day 3 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
Loving this easy breezy take on a classic formula of black sandals, jeans and a white tee. My co-host Caroline Joy Rector is rocking another fabulous summer number today (no surprise ☺️), not to mention all the great looks making their way onto the hashtag! You guys are doing amazing so keep ’em coming!
Day 4 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
We’re just cruising along with this summer 10×10 aren’t we? Caroline Joy Rector and I have both been blown away by all the good stuff our 10×10 friends have been sharing. Thanks for putting so much positivity and great style out there everyone! ☺️ Here’s my fourth outfit from the challenge so far. I’ll share how I styled it for a surprisingly cool day in my stories too!
Day 5 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
I hope you’re having a fabulous wknd! I’m currently waiting for ? delivery and realized I forgot to share outfit 5 from the summer 10×10. I tried a fun all white number with some bold accessories and loved how it came together! It’s a great option for a summer party and ideal for living life on the edge with a glass of ??
Day 6 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
I hope your week is off to a great start! After taking the weekend off (sort-of) my summer 10×10 co-host Caroline Joy Rector and I are starting the week on Look 6! I opted for something super simple and comfy for a day in the office. Looking forward to shaking things up later this week though!
Day 7 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
It’s funny because I’m usually running out of outfit ideas at this point but I’ve still got so many I want to try! Also loving how my co-host Caroline Joy Rector wore here tunic for the second time today! Thanks for all the positivity and inspiration you’ve shared so far 10×10 friends!
Day 8 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
The countdown has started! Here’s the first of just three more outfits left in the summer 10×10! Went for the opposite of yesterday’s look with lots of light tones and some darker accents. Love how this linen tee layers over my dress and when in doubt, put a scarf on it!
Day 9 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
? 10×10 friends Can you believe this summer 10×10 is almost done (or already done for many of you)? This has honestly been our favourite challenge yet! Thanks for joining in and making it the most fun ever ☺️My girl Caroline Joy Rector and I have just two looks left and here’s one of them!
Day 10 of Lee Vosburgh’s Summer 10×10 Challenge
YEEEAAAHH! We made it to day 10 of the summer 10×10 and I can’t even express how much fun Caroline Joy Rector and I had this time around! You guys are incredible and have helped turn this quirky idea into a full blown community! THANK YOU so much for joining us and spreading the word. Even if you didn’t go for all ten days or you lost steam early on that’s ok! Just being open to the concept is a great start ? . Look 10 is a personal favourite and I’m sharing my thoughts on these Poppy Barley mules in the post.
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/style/stylish-limited-wardrobe/&title=Lee Vosburgh Tells us How To Make the Most out of a Limited Wardrobe&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/download-14.jpg&description=When 30-year-old Lee Vosburgh, who’s based in Guelph, Ont., started her fashion blog, Style Bee, she zeroed in on maximizing her limited wardrobe. Consider trying her “10 x 10 Challenge,” which advises people to select 10 wardrobe pieces, come up with 10 outfits and rotate them accordingly over 10 days. “When you can see what you have to work with, you’re much less likely to feel like you don’t have anything to wear or you need something new,” she says. Here are her tips for building your most sustainable wardrobe yet:
Start where you are right now:
“Don’t add anything, and don’t get rid of anything,” says Vosburgh. Try things on and wear them out somewhere to really figure out what works and what doesn’t, and repeat the process for 30 days. That way you’re less likely to overlook pieces you actually want to keep.
Purge your closet responsibly:
Once you’re ready to part with some clothes, think about selling them so they don’t end up in a landfill. Vosburgh recommends downloading apps like Depop and TheRealReal or taking items to local consignment stores that will pay you 40 per cent of the sale proceeds.
Remember that sharing is caring:
Try turning your monthly book club into a little clothing swap as a fun way to change things up, says Vosburgh. Anything left over can be donated directly to organizations like The Salvation Army or Dress for Success.
Repair to re-wear:
According to Vosburgh, tailoring clothes that aren’t quite working can instantly transform them into custom pieces designed to fit your body. “It’s a great way to give new life to an old piece that might otherwise just sit on a shelf,” she says.
Shop local:
“It often means a higher price point,” says Vosburgh, “but you’re investing in an artist and their work and the time and effort that they put into it.”
Cost per wear:
Vosburgh recommends investing in the best quality pieces you can afford because they will stand the test of time and be easier to repair. “With lots of fast-fashion items, once they fall apart, there’s no way to salvage them,” she says.
Create a short wish list:
“When you’re tempted to impulse shop, you can refer to the list and remember what you’re really interested in and saving up for,” recommends Vosburgh. She also suggests capping your list at 10 items at any given time.
See how Vosburgh challenged herself to live with a limited wardrobe of only 10 items to wear for 10 days:
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