Closet Purge
As women we often find ourselves frustrated with the ever present problem of "I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear!"
The real problem however; is that you have too much that doesn't make sense in the wardrobe. Pieces that we have held onto for "sentimental value", and things that we hope will come back in style so we can say, “I told you so! I knew if I held onto it long enough it would come back around again!” Come to find out though, your body and lifestyle may look a lot different the second time around. The things that we attach ourselves to don't always translate to the everyday. Hence the issue of "nothing to wear."
I find that every client I have ever cleaned out a wardrobe with tends to just need direction and confirmation that it is in fact time to move on from that Ann Taylor sweater from 15 years ago. Don't get me wrong, time can be kind to some things in the wardrobe. I appreciate vintage as much as the next person; however, there is a difference between dated and vintage.
So how do we know where to start and begin ‘The Great Purge’ that will forever change the stress level we feel when we walk into our closet? I'm going to give you 5 simple steps that will help you to never again feel like you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.
I want you to use the guidelines I'm going to present as I do with all of my clients. If followed you will enjoy walking into your closet instead of running away from your closet in despair.
1. Separate all the things that currently fit from the things that do not and see what you are left with. This may take trying some things on, but just turn up the music and have a Carrie Bradshaw moment. You will be amazed at pieces that you forgot about or assumed that fit and really don't.
2. Ask yourself the questions:
- Have I worn this in the last year?
- If not why?
- Do I feel frumpy in it?
- Did I see myself in a picture wearing it that I didn't like?
- Is it dated, worn, and tired looking?
Really processing will help you let go and move on. Say, “Hey this was a great sweater in college or high school, but now I can let it go and focus on dressing the me now.” Quickly discard and don't over analyze the item to death. You already know the answer!!!
3. Make a current list now that you see what you are left with of what you truly need and are lacking in the wardrobe department. We women are visual!! That's why we normally only wear what is in the front half of the closet, because we can SEE it and we know it works!! So the list needs to include some of the classic staples that should be in every wardrobe. Click here for my “5 must haves”. Now you will be shopping with a purpose! Knowing what you need and not just piece buying and going home with things that you have no idea how to work into your wardrobe. I tell all of my clients, “If you don't love it you don't buy it.” You need to feel good in your clothes, literally and figuratively.
4. Rearrange your closet so it makes sense to you! You are the one that will spend every morning in there analyzing what to put on your body. Separate by season if you have enough room so that you can really get a better picture of what you have that applies to wearing now.
5. Donate the items to a local shelter and remember if you are not wearing it someone else can. Remove the items quickly. Don't leave 7 garbage bags in your closet staring at you that you later decide to go back through. A true wardrobe should be more minimalistic than most of us realize. Loving each piece and knowing exactly what to do with it! The saying, “Less is more” couldn’t be more true!
Now take all that energy you have from reading this blog and make it happen!!!!!
It will never get out of control again if you purge every season and remove things based on our instructions above. Don't pressure yourself afterwards to a massive shopping spree, you don’t want buyers remorse. Simply take your list of needs and cross things off as you find things you love.
You can do it!
Keeping loving what you wear!
Xo
Riane
