If you are looking to reduce the size of your closet and don’t know where to start…I’ve got it! Maybe you aren’t quite on your way to a capsule/simple wardrobe concept but DO want to get your closet size down? Start with these simple steps…
- Unmatched socks.
Really, no reason is needed, is there? - Clothing that doesn’t fit.
Not the “it might not fit, I need to try it on”. I mean the you KNOW it doesn’t fit but hang-on-to-it-for-whatever-reason-that-you-don’t-know. - Bridesmaid’s dress.
You will never wear it again. If you need the memory, put the pictures of you in it into a special frame and place it where you will see the pic. The memory can be made and honored without keeping the memento. Problem solved. - Similarly, that one-time piece.
You know, the skirt or jeans you got because you loved them but have. never. worn. Gone! Loving it in the store is very different from the reality of your daily closet, isn’t it. Next time take a picture :). - Worn and threadbare undergarments.
Unless you truly can’t afford new ones…toss them. And then buy yourself new ones but ONLY what you need. In fact, buy GOOD stuff but less of it. - Duplicates.
Many of us have multiple versions of the same things. Several white shirts, floral blouses, or dark wash skinny jeans, perhaps? Most of us will only need one, at the most two, of these versions. Go ahead and keep your favorite and donate the rest to charity. - Accessories that haven’t been worn in three months.
You have earrings or necklaces, most likely, that you haven’t worn in a very long time. Now is the time to simply donate them and not look back. I’m not saying you donate your family jewels (really, does anyone have that anymore?), but everything else you don’t wear…give it to someone who will! - Anything stained, with holes, needing stitching, or otherwise in need of TLC.
Like me, you most likely lack the skills, time, and special products to properly take care of stains or clothing in need of repair. Let it go. - Out of style.
Sure, every style comes around again. But you don’t need to be the person that waits for the trends. You want to keep it simple and uncomplicated and having a closet full of every piece of clothing you’ve ever owned is NOT the way to bring peace to your closet. Let it go. - Not relatable to your age.
I don’t believe there is such a thing as age appropriate. But I DO believe YOU know what is too young, or old for you. You know when it’s time to move on to a new and better style. For me, I’ve let go of most of my pastels, small florals, and little sandals. Because of my small frame and tendency to look young, they aren’t appropriate for my life right now. I’ve let them go in favor of more classic patterns and colors.
After you’ve done these steps you will be feeling supremely better about the size and quality of your quality. You might find that your closet is STILL larger than you would like and I would recommend looking into the Capsule Wardrobe concept. Maybe you aren’t ready to adapt the entire concept full on but you WILL most likely be able to draw some great ideas for reducing your wardrobe and still looking your best!
Simple advice, but difficult to follow for some of us! However, towards that effort: I used to sew all my own clothes (prior life I was a seamstress for others, too!) so found my closet inundated with cotton dresses from my “living in Singapore” days… many years and lots of added pounds earlier! I recently purged my closet of all items that didn’t fit… some went to Goodwill, some to the garment re-cylcer, some to the trash… but those cotton dresses and blouses? Those I have been re-cycling into quilts!