Looking to sort through clothing and looking for some motivation..

Momo

Hi
I am in need some motivation from the wonderful Fabbers!
I have a couple of weeks off and I really want to go through all my clothing,. Get rid of things that I don't love, that take too much energy to wear, etc...
I can't seem to get started ( well I have been doing it slowly but I want to jump in!)
One issue is I am losing weight and I am sort of scared to get rid of something that may fit well later on... That sounds silly as I write it but I need to be mindful of money right now,
Ideas? Motivation? Your own stories?
Thank you :-)))

7 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Momo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Two words: HOLDING ZONE.

First step -- you need to try everything on. It is tedious, especially in the heat. But. Try it on and take a photo.

If:
It fits and feels good
You like it
It's in good condition
You can make outfits with it

Put it in the "keep" pile.

If:

It might fit in a month or so
You like it
it's in good condition

Put it in a "holding zone" away from the main closet and revisit a little later on.

Anything that:

Is markedly too small or big
Doesn't help you make outfits
Doesn't make you happy
Feels dated
Isn't in good shape --

Let it go.

If you need to do this by season, or type of item, or capsule to break it into bits, try it like that. (E.g. you might take one day to examine the shoes. One day to look at summer or F/W tops. Or maybe do "dressy" capsule, "work" capsule -- whatever makes sense). If you need a friend for help, ask. If you need the forum's help, take photos and ask.

If you hate it all, then keep only the smallest capsule to get you through the next season with judicious additions within budget, and let the rest go.

7 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'd start by just sorting out what you currently wear and what you don't.

Then, from the things you don't wear, you can start looking at the why. If you have something that you love that's too small, why not make a small "size down" capsule and pack it away in a holding zone? In a few months, you can revisit that capsule and have a fun time shopping your own wardrobe.

You may find that you don't really love those smaller-sized things anymore, and that's okay too. Get rid of those. If they're in good condition, you can resell for a bit of extra cash. I sell a lot of clothing on eBay, even from mid-range brands.

Actually, I'm about to do that now. I have a stash of too-small items that I loved at the time I wore them, but my style has moved on, so even if I lost weight now, I probably wouldn't be wearing them again. I plan to Kondo-thank them and send them on their way. It's harder than it sounds, but any $$ in my Paypal account can go straight to wonderful things I'm able to wear and love now.

7 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I agree with everything Suz said. I would add for myself that I am no longer willing to make compromises for the keep or holding zone. If it doesn't make me happy or makes me say I guess it will do, I am donating. But, that is a new thing for me. I plan to do a complete closet purge in August and Ruthless will be my name.

7 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Thank you !
Suz:
Great tips! Yes a holding zone sounds like a good idea and
I don't have the energy to try everything on at once but maybe what you said doing one type at a time, I get easily overwhelmed.

Jenn: good ideas . Thank you! I probably should do the eBay thing. I haven't in years.

Glory: I kind of am feeling ruthless too. I have steadily gotten rid of things over the past year but I just have too much in certain areas.

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think if you try one section of your wardrobe at a time you'll be so happy. It is a real high to get something done-- anything -- and that motivates you to keep going.

I'd pick the easiest, least fraught capsules first. Either ones that you feel pretty well set for (but you just have to get rid of a few things) or ones that are super easy to buy for (undies are on sale in many places now).

You can set yourself a goal to have done a complete edit within one year. That gives you time to work on it seasonly as well. You don't have to tackle it all at once. Of course if you start getting carried away and want to do more, that is okay too.

7 years ago

Dee

Active Member

I also recommend not tackling your whole closet at one time. I have experienced large weight variations in the last few years and am currently in a losing weight mode. I originally found YLF when I had lost some weight and was shopping my closet and needed to figure out how to update it. Then I gained some again and now am once again losing. Although there is a lot of advice out there about getting rid of clothes that you have not worn in a year or some other period of time, I personally prefer to keep items longer because I do not want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe if my weight trends upward again. I think the seasonal division sounds like a good idea as well as the holding zone. It is hard for me to figure out how I feel about cold weather clothing items when I am sweating while trying them on, for example.

7 years ago

jenanded

Veteran

Love Ruthless being our name

I would add, the things that might stay in holding zone with the above caveats, should include 'base' pieces that can be added to with budget friendly additions like jeans, black pants/skirt, jacket, your central colour tees/skirts/pants etc. It feels a whole lot better afterwards and I always wonder why it took me so long to do the cull.

7 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Love it or leave it or maybe Congratulations on the weight loss?

Keep a 7 day supply of transional items. Go from there

7 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Congrats on getting started. I think it helps to know that this is an ongoing process, because not only will your size change, but your style preferences will also. I find that I wore more of my clothes once the items that didn't fit were out of my closet. It's much easier to see the possibilities when everything in there works.
And I agree about doing it by category. I was shocked at how many pairs of underwear I had. But I suggest being open to keeping items that may seem uninteresting because they are often great support items in an outfit. Especially if your weight is changing.
I keep the smaller sizes but get rid of clothing that is too big. But I only keep the smaller items I would want to wear.
Congrats on the weight loss.

7 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

Amazing tips...

Getting pen and paper and taking notes, specially Suz.

I suggest you do the same, kind of an inventory on paper... Might help with duplicate or too many items of one kind. And somethings that you can do while sitting on a couch sipping wine... Sort of virtual cleaning...and then attack in person.

7 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Thank you!
I am inspired!

Off to start with shirts :-))))

7 years ago

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