One of the first things I did when I started getting my shit together was edit my belongings.
And the easiest place to start was with my clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Why did this particular change help me get it together? Because an edited closet gave me more time to do other things. Having only essential pieces in my wardrobe means:
- I have less laundry to wash, dry, and put away
- I spend less time deciding what to wear because only I only have things I love in my closet
- I spend less energy on getting dressed, which gives me more energy to spend on something more important
- I spend less time shopping, but I still get to enjoy buying something new (to me) when I need to replace something.
- I give myself permission to spend more on certain items, because I want them to last longer.
Even if you’ve already done a closet purge, or you’ve been thinking about doing one, keep reading for some unusual tips.
How do you decide what you really need? Think about what you do every day.
Also, think about how many times you’re willing to wear a particular item between washes. I wear the same pair of work pants or blouse probably 3-4 times before I do laundry. Sorry if that grosses you out (I do air out my clothes after I wear them, and I wear undershirts/tank tops under my shirts).
My lifestyle is pretty simple: I need a few nice business-casual things that I can mix and match for work or for the rare evening out or social gathering. I have a couple of pairs of jeans for after work/the weekend that I rotate. T-shirts, casual button downs, and sweaters round out my wardrobe.
I have a TINY closet (in a TINY house), so I think about items that do double-duty. I have one pair of yoga pants for lounging or stretching, but I’m totally fine hiking/walking in jeans.
But that’s just me. Your exercise routine might be totally different.
Linda Pryzbzszewski lists the kinds of clothes older children and adults needed historically in her book The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish.
Up until the 1950s, most people didn’t have a lot of clothes, yet they still managed to have enough items for these activities:
- school
- street, travel, or work
- housework
- spectator sports and active sports
- afternoon affairs or tea
- after-five or formal evenings
The Lost Art is a really cool book, by the way, if you’re interested in fashion history, thriftiness, and social issues like race and women’s rights. It’ll make you feel waaay smart about minimizing your closet.
So you’ve thought about what you need—time to cut out some underperformers.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating:
- toss out gross, hole-y clothing items. Start wearing your nicer stuff!
- only keep what you really like to wear
- Give away/sell the stuff you thought you’d wear but never did.
Marie Kondo recommends thanking the things you bought but never wore for the learning opportunity before you pitch ’em.
It’s quite a nice idea—you can forgive yourself for spending money on something that didn’t work out, and promise yourself you’ll never do THAT again.
You’ve edited your closet—now be ruthless about letting new stuff in.
Here’s how to be ruthless: Make sure you have just enough to keep clean and to avoid monotony. Each piece in your closet should work with at least three other pieces in your closet.
Only shop to replace truly outworn things. If something can be mended easily—like replacing the heels on the shoes you really love, or a buckle on a belt—do it!
And, if you feel the need to spice up your look, try adding these things instead of more clothes to your closet:
- a new color of lipstick
- a new haircut
- a belt or a different belt buckle
- different jewelry
- a scarf
- a hat
- different buttons to a jacket, coat, or cardigan
Did you know women up until the 1950s owned only a few dresses, yet managed to make new outfits every day?
By switching out collars and cuffs, adding scarves, different necklaces, brooches, and jackets, they could make six outfits out of just one dress. That’s ingenuity!
Time to make some edits!
- If you’re a planner, make a plan for your closet and dresser drawers
- Don’t let anything new into your closet unless you really need it
- If you’re considering buying something you want (not need), give yourself a couple of weeks to think about it; the urge usually passes
- Approach this as a fashion challenge, instead of a restriction.
Happy editing!
Erica
