Now that many people are working from home.. there is an opportunity to downsize your wardrobe. I did this when I retired but it has some relevance for the quarantine wardrobe. It is tempting to hold on to work clothes, but it is at the expense of freeing up room in your closet.  A lot of my work clothes were kind of dated anyway. Joe Fresh has almost everything you need for retirement. Yes I know their hiring practices in Bangladesh have been controversial but you can’t beat the prices and styling and there are no snooty ageist sales people. Ok no sales people.  I have converted many of my friends to Joe Fresh who already shop at the Salvation Army.   What is about baby boomers that draws them to the Salvation Army? The Tyee has written on the role of clothing in global warming. Most of my peers have had minimalist wardrobes most of their life.

Yes you need a two season wardrobe in Vancouver.. Winter/Spring/Fall and Summer. Don’t forget Junuary. Are you working part time? Ok let’s say you need business casual two days a week. Save something from your work wardrobe. Do laundry once every 2 weeks. If you do laundry once a week you can do with a smaller wardrobe.

2 days a week work wardrobe all year round.

• • 1 pair black pants or tights
  • 1 long black/grey/burgundy warm sweater
  • 4 long sleeve t-shirts any colour.  I suggest Patagonia if you want a good quality t-shirt that fits loosely. Or Joe Fresh but their stock varies from month to month.
  • 4 short sleeve t shirts any colour
  • 4 pairs black socks
  • 1 pair shoes/runners depending on dress code
  • 2 scarves – warm, fancy etc to dress up wardrobe and keep neck warm.

This takes care of 4/14 days all year round.

Winter/Spring/Fall in Vancouver

• Tights – 2 pairs black, 1 multicolor for fun
• 10 long sleeve t-shirts -various colours

Outerwear 

• Rain coat with lining: Hely Hansen  is my favourite because it has a zip up collar at the neck, a two way zipper and flannel lined pockets as well as a light weight lining
• Windproof shell you can wear over down or fleece jacket.
• I seldom wear wool sweaters in the winter in Vancouver.
• 1 Fleece Jacket
• Down coat, knee length. It can be very windy in Vancouver and the dampness goes right through you.   Here is my favourite from Eddie Bauer.    I am on my second one.. buy a dark colour!
• Short lighter weight down jacket with shell – Eddie Bauer and North Face have lots to choose from.
• And of course you need socks.  I love socks that have padding! These are winter socks with lots of padding

Summer in Vancouver/Travelling south in the winter

• Knee length tights – 2 pairs, black and multicolour.  Joe Fresh has a great selection.  Very cute patterns.
• 2 pairs LLBean Comfort trail shorts because the waist is adjustable, quick dry, will last forever and good for travelling south.  Black and khaki. $ 50.00 US.
• The  Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama Capri cropped pants, they are stretchy and have pockets big enough for an iphone.  The Mountain Hardwear Dynamo line come in shorts and long pants as well.   I have replaced both shorts and knee length tights with the MH cropped pants.

Short Sleeve Split Neck Butterfly Print Blouse

• 10 short sleeve t-shirts various colours and styles.
• Two dresses with short sleeves. Can wear to work.

In Vancouver you will seldom need: Sundresses, tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps or bathing suits. Vancouver is pretty casual so the work wardrobe can work for upscale events. Layers are the best way to go as the weather changes hourly and from area to area in the city.

Underwear

Now that we are in quarantine mode..you can shift to a more comfortable bra.  I have been shopping around for the best sport bra/no wire and found it online at La Vie en Rose.   Once you switch it will be hard to go back to a regular bra.  I have found this style also reduces rashes under your breasts.  I have recently discovered a similar model as Walmart.  

 Finally I have added the Quarentine Hoodie for those cool evening quarentine walks and hikes.

Places to shop for masks. 

Fine Art America