Are you ready to take the plunge? The closet purging plunge that is! Maybe just reducing or editing would be better words for you but for me it was more of a purge. And yes, you can do this!
Welcome to Closet Purging 101!
Now, I admit it right off the bat, I do not know all there is to a complete closet purging {or reducing or editing}. I think there are quite a few variables involved. Just as we are all individuals, I think that creates the license to be okay with your own individual way to go about it.
For me, it did not come about as January 1st rolled around and I felt pressure to start the new year with everything perfectly in order. Instead it happened more organically. It was a process that took shape over time. It really started when I began to feel uncomfortable in some outfits I was wearing. I was feeling “not me”, which was the BIG red flag. Somewhere from that point I just stood in my closet and stared at my clothes. I decided there were lots of things I just didn’t really like but I had purchased them on a whim or by the suggestion of someone else.
Next, I realized I just had too much and that was creating problems for me to actually put on the things I loved. I felt I should wear all of those pieces but I didn’t even like many of them. I remembered my summer of just a few pairs shoes. That worked so well that I began to apply that principle to my clothes. Less is more and actually better.
I started sorting out what I really didn’t like and what just wasn’t me and magically that led to learning what is me. I quickly realized I totally love casual wear with a hint of menswear, which explains why certain colors and styles didn’t gel with me. Those “non-me” pieces were quickly removed from hangers and placed in bags to resell or giveaway. I followed this method with blouses, tees, sweaters, pants, shoes and even accessories. I started this in the fall and committed to focus on my fall/winter wardrobe so it would be fresh and I would thus enjoy those seasons. It’s totally working, friends!
If you’re interested in reducing the side of your closet you could try these ideas {I bet you already this stuff}:
- Let go of what’s out of date or doesn’t fit any longer.
- Get rid of anything stained or with holes.
- Reduce seasonal - either before or after the season.
- Reduce by category - tops, sweaters, pants, etc.
- Limit pieces in each color and/or style - Who needs multiples, right? My hand is raised in “I do” need multiples of styles and colors and that has been my biggest clothing problems for years! I do not want to admit how many black cardigans I owned last January. Now I have only one!
- Take everything out and sort through piece by piece deciding what to keep and let go.
- Need some inspiration? I created a board on Pinterest with ideas as well.
Follow A Lovely Little Wardrobe’s board clean your closet on Pinterest.
Regardless of what you keep, take a few extra moments to organize as you go. One example is to organize blouses by color and sleeve length. Through my purging process I decided to remove my spring and summer tops so I could have less in my closet. I also wanted something new to look forward to wearing rather than feeling pressured to wear everything hanging in that little lovely favorite room I call my closet.
At the end of the day, I have just come to realize that less is better and less is more. Too much clothing in my closet just becomes clutter. I want to enjoy wearing what I own and love what I wear. Reducing has helped me on that journey.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Why or why not?
