I have purged so much from my closet, and yet...

catgirl

I am still going! This weekend I hit a bit of a turning point. Lately I've been wearing an item as best I can style it, and if it doesn't make me feel 100% thrilled I take it off and immediately put it in one of three bags: give to a friend, donate or consign (after washing!). This weekend a friend came to stay and left with a whole bag of stuff of mine.

I feel like an animal shedding its fur! Some attachment issue has mysteriously vanished, and it's feeling really good to shed even more of what it just taking up space.

It helps that I've been getting a nice check from the consignment store each month, because thinking about the wasted money is the hardest part - I feel like I have to learn everything the hard way about what I do and don't like. Sigh.

12 years ago

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12 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

lyn*

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I don't cosign and it does definitely hurt the pocketbook; it makes deals all the more sweet

12 years ago

StacyJo

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Active Member

Don't flog yourself! I admire what you are doing. Not only are you "unclogging" your closet, but I suspect you are unclogging your mind too! That's a good thing I'm sure you have lots to share with others and to help them too. So don't see it as a "hard way", but perhaps a "complete way"?

12 years ago

(website)

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Yay! Breakthrough!!
I'm coming to some conclusions myself as I ready to pack up this month. I will be leaving perfectly fine, some never worn, shoes behind because I realized I just don't do over 3" anymore. Especially since I twisted my ankle so badly this year. Not worth it. It is hard to look at the money loss, but dragging them around for a few years is senseless! (I'm trying to sell on eBay but shoes don't seem to move - maybe the shipping costs is why)
Anyway, congrats on getting over that hurdle and being able to let go of the 'so-so' items that just clog up your closet!!

12 years ago

Marley

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I really like your strategy Una - of, if it doesn't make you feel 100% thrilled you get rid of it. I think I have gradually moved to that point as well, but hadn't conceptualized it in my mind until I read this thread! The other day I wore a top to work that I LOVED on the hangar - but I never feel good in it - the wrap around belt just doesn't hit me in the "sweet spot" that is supposed to be my waist - and so I washed it and put it in my YLF clothes swap bag. I know that someone else is going to love it because its sooooo cute - but just doesn't work for me!

I too really have a hard time with the amount of money that I've spent on something. That makes it much harder to remove from my closet. I've never tried consigning clothes before - I always figured it wasn't worth the effort - but maybe I need to reconsider that as an option. Do you have any tips on consigning?

Shoes and handbags are the most difficult for me to get rid of. Have you been able to let some of them go also Una?

12 years ago

catgirl

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Marley, I don't know what the consignment stores are like where you are - the best thing to do is visit a few and see what they take. We have a couple of high-end ones and a more regular one that takes Gap, BR, and similar brands. I sort according to what I know about them. I get the most $ from the regular place, because they sell a lot more items. The high end places price accordingly (Missoni, Prada, etc, which I don't have anyway) and take longer to sell but make back more $. Be sure to get their policy on when they get rid of stuff and if you need to pick it up or agree to donate.

All the places I use are looking for stuff that someone would want and wear now - usually no dated stuff (unless it's retro/vintage), often no business suits, and nothing worn, stained, torn or stretched out. Basically, since I know you have high standards, ask yourself if YOU would consider buying it again, if you didn't know you wouldn't use it.

I have seen your wardrobe and I think you could definitely consign what you don't want within these guidelines. Since I'd be donating it anyway, I consider any $ I make to be a bonus. I know some find it frustrating but it has helped me to purge knowing I'll get a little something back.

12 years ago

D'Ellen

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Alaskagirl - I need to read your post over and over and over again! I have so many things that are not 100% thrilling NOW, but I just can't seem to let them go because of the attachment issue. I remember the thrill of buying and the thrill of past wearings, and I keep hoping there's going to be some way to make them work again. So to the back of the closet they go, only to be dragged out in 6 months and agonized over yet again. Kudos to you for reaching your turning point! I'm so looking forward to reaching mine!

12 years ago

Suz

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WHOOT! Out with the old. In with the new, 100% Fab stuff!

I am all for this.

I am going to do my purge very soon. I do it when I switch the summer for the fall/winter clothes. I get rid of spring/summer items that just didn't do it for me, and also some fall/winter stuff that doesn't fit any more or that I've lost my attachment to over the 5 months it was stored away. Then I will be hunting for "the new basics."

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love purging! Akmost as much as buying. Is there such a thing as fashion bulemia?

And I agree, consigning items or passing them along to friends softens the blow.

12 years ago

JayS

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Congrats on your breakthrough!

I'm hoping for one someday, also. So far my closet purging consists of moving an item from one spot to another. I just look around and feel lost. How can something so simple be so hard?

Maybe I'll try your three-bag system. Getting stuff off the hanger would be progress.

12 years ago

(website)

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Suzy Cue - off the hanger is the first step lol! No, seriously, if I pull it off the hanger and put it in the maybe pile and/or the loungewear drawer, it usually works it's way 'out the door' eventually.
The hanger turn around trick this year taught me that my unworn items were very specifically 3 collared button down shirts and 2 dresses that are a tad too tight to be comfortable. It's a silly little thing to turn the hangers around but very educational at the end of it all!

EDIT: and yes, I know I've said I loathe button downs - these are silk and satin, not the broadcloth oxford type ones

12 years ago

Heather

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Una, this is brilliant.

Proud of you!!! I love this post.

12 years ago

catgirl

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Marley, I don't have a lot of handbags to ditch, so that's not been an issue. I've consigned three pairs of boots for being either redundant or ill-fitting - in those cases, I don't feel bad because they weren't going to work for me anyway. I counted again and I really am at 25 pairs of shoes and boots (gear excluded), and I'm now at a "one-in, one-out" for tall boots, but still adding booties/shoes where I feel there's a lack of diversity and where I could add more interest to my outfits.

12 years ago

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