Save Money by Spending Time in Your Closet

About the Author

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Save Money by Spending Time in Your Closet

— by Angie

on January 4, 2011

Most of us are thinking about curbing our spending after an expensive holiday season. That means less shopping, more saving, and more time in your closet. Yes, spending time in your closet saves money. Here’s how.

1 – Edit

Regular closet sweeps eliminate unnecessary items, but they also help you to identify exactly what you already own, thereby preventing unnecessary duplication. I’ve written several posts on closet organization and this one offers a summary of what can be an extremely liberating, simple and painless process. If you’re unsure whether an item is dated, these tips might help. And if you still can’t bear to let go of an item, create a hidden holding zone and revisit these items later.

2 – Organize

How many times have you gone into your closet and thought: ”Oh! I forgot I had that top. That means I can layer underneath dresses”, or, “Oh! There they are. I knew I had a pair of straight leg black trousers. Now I can wear them with short dresses and create a totally different look”. If you can’t see it you can’t wear it. That’s why keeping your closet neat and organized multiplies your outfit possibilities.

3 – Remix

Wearing your clothes, footwear and accessories in new ways can prevent style boredom. I enjoy adding new items to my wardrobe mix, but remixing can be just as exciting.

Unfortunately, just staring at your wardrobe contents won’t do it. You have to get stuck in! Take a little time and experiment with new clothing combinations, actually trying on the remixed outfits. Take photos or make notes of your remixes, and remember to wear them. If you struggle with this creative process, post questions on forums (allow me to recommend the YLF forum) and check out daily outfit blogs for inspiration.

Just Do It

While this process is time consuming (there’s no free lunch I’m afraid), it’s infinitely more cost effective than buying new stuff to stave off feelings of wardrobe boredom. And if done in the right state of mind, it will be a fun, creative process. The more time you put into your wardrobe, the more you will get out of it.

Of course, lacking the inspiration to edit, organize and remix is understandable too. Solicit the support of a friend or family member and plan closet time together. Put on your favourite music, prep your favourite snacks and just do it!

Closet Organization · Frugal Style

36 comments · Add a comment

rute

Veteran

Lovely! The idea of calling a friend is great! A friend can come up with new ideas of new outfits!

January 4, 2011 at 4:03 am

Cynthia

(website)

I went through and reorganized my closet over the holidays. I got rid of a few things and will probably get rid of more as the year goes on. However, I don’t know if hidden holding zones are the best idea if you actually want to get rid of stuff. During my organizing day, I found a whole box of hidden-away stuff that had got shoved behind/under other things during my furnace repair a couple of years ago. I actually lost a box of clothes in my house, and I am not a hoarder with heaps everywhere. On the plus side, now I have new cardigans. On the minus side, they are a little dated.

January 4, 2011 at 4:55 am

Barbara

Veteran

Excellent post, Angie!

I recently completed a major closet(s) purge, with the help of my sisters. We get together and do this twice a year.

I especially agree with the REMIX idea. I have created some fun outfits using mix-it-up techniques.

January 4, 2011 at 5:28 am

teri

Veteran

I do need to spend a weekend in my closet remixing

January 4, 2011 at 6:05 am

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Great ideas!

January 4, 2011 at 6:09 am

ladell

Active Member

timely post for me- now- finding the time to do it…… sigh!!!! Will take baby steps

January 4, 2011 at 6:36 am

Lisa

Veteran

I have been trying to remix more of my pieces by tracking variations in an excel spreadsheet. This exercise has shown me having pieces that mix well together can create a lot of potential outfits without having a lot of individual pieces. Great ideas here to help edit your closet. I’m off to check out the prior posts on this too.

January 4, 2011 at 6:50 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wow, Lisa. I’m impressed with your spreadsheet!

Barbara, how fun that you’ve had a closet party before this post

January 4, 2011 at 7:09 am

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Great reminder! I need to do this again. In fact, I was just thinking this morning that I need to spend some time playing dress up in my closet before I start thinking about spring shopping. There are things I can’t wear because I don’t have the appropriate shoes, or there are things that are nice, but I never reach for them because they aren’t working for me in one way or another.

January 4, 2011 at 7:13 am

morethanbeige

Veteran

Now that I have a few fab mixable wardrobe items, I am just starting to see possibilities and it’s so fun. It’s so creative. I am finding that it also inspires my web design. Who knew?!

January 4, 2011 at 7:15 am

Nichole@40daysof

(website)

Great Post! I really need this. I’m off to re-read everything and set a plan in motion!

http://40daysof.wordpress.com/.....t-tuesday/

January 4, 2011 at 7:20 am

Mimi

I did a daily WIW evaluation for a month in fall and in December cleaned out my closet (which is quite small but I never cease to wonder what stuff’s in there that I never wear …) as a consequence.

I am very proud to have now a fabulous transitional wardrobe. What remains to be seen, however, is how the seasonal change of light will make those clothes look later in the year. Not everything still looks fab under a spring sun, I’m afraid.

January 4, 2011 at 7:48 am

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

This has been one of the single most important lessons I’ve taken away since joining YLF. The smallness of a wardrobe is relative, of course, but I am now a firm believer in keeping a wardrobe streamlined with every garment fulfilling some sort of function. A new YLF membership may result in a significant spending spree at first, but once things settle down, the savings will become evident.

January 4, 2011 at 7:53 am

Rachel

Active Member

Great post, Angie! After a recent shopping trip that yielded pretty much nothing, I came home and did some remixing. The resulting outfits made me feel like I had more clothes. I recently got rid of 90% of my clothes and I do think that remixing is a lot easier when there is no dead weight in the closet. The editing is important!

January 4, 2011 at 8:22 am

Kristie@thedecorologist

(website)

Great idea. I share a closet with my husband that is less than large, and I have to keep things edited for them to fit and for me to be able to see what I have. One thing in means one thing out – that helps me keep things managable.

I also host a “Clothing Swap” a couple of times a year with a group of friends where we set up a room with tops, one with pants and skirts, one with dresses, and one with accessories. We draw numbers (1-4) and spend 20 minutes in various rooms trying on “new” clothes. You are allowed 3 items per room, then after everyone has rotated through rooms you can have a second go-around if you want more. We always have a blast. Another pointer: ask new/different people occasionally so that you have different clothing options!

Love your blog – thanks for the great ideas.

January 4, 2011 at 8:33 am

Carole

Veteran

Such a good reminder for starting the new year off right. I have been in the process of organizing and editing for months with still some work to do. The small, organized wardrobe with emphasis on quality and versatility is my goal. Thanks for the inspiration!

January 4, 2011 at 9:29 am

Louise

Veteran

I need to get into a reorganisation I’ve been shoving things in any old how and everything is mixed up and tricky to find x

January 4, 2011 at 9:34 am

kimlee

Veteran

These are great tips on how to shop our closet. Over the weekend, my husband helped me to go thru my closet. With his help, I was able to purge items that I had not worn in years, that did not fit, or that I just didn’t love. Then I started putting together a few outfit combinations, and modeling them for him. Hubby gave me great feeback and made a few suggestions for outfits. I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe, and I haven’t spent a single penny. Plus hubby got a kick out of watching me “model” for him.

January 4, 2011 at 9:36 am

Sihaya

Veteran

Great idea Angie – I do this regularly but it takes me a bit of time to work up the energy to do so. I love the idea of a closet party. Maybe I can have some friends over to help me and then return the favor.

January 4, 2011 at 9:37 am

jen321

Active Member

It is funny you should blog about this today, I actually did some closet editing and organizing this morning! We have a tiny closet in our bedroom, but in another week or so our master bedroom upstairs will be finished and I will be moving to a much bigger closet too! Kind of a strange shape though as the pole will be on a slanted wall of the house. It will be a lone shape with a door at one end. I hope I can come up with some good ideas for the inside to store shoes, purses, and belts. While being able to get to them easily. Looks like I have some work to do! I like the idea of holding clothes you aren’t ready to get ready in a certain area and visiting them. Thanks!

January 4, 2011 at 10:02 am

san

Great ideas. I love it, make a fun day of it by putting on music and prepping snacks. Sounds like fun.

January 4, 2011 at 10:26 am

Bianca

Veteran

I’m all about saving a buck in this day and age! Edit and Organizing I do regular. Remixing will probably be the bigger challenging. It’s all about finding inspiration to mix together new looks….which is why I come this wonderful blog so often!

January 4, 2011 at 10:39 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Very timely ideas – and clever tips for avoiding the winter wardrobe doldrums. Thanks!

January 4, 2011 at 11:01 am

Bubu

I donated six shopping bags on December 31 (of my husband and my castoffs) and it still seems barely to make a dent! I keep a shopping bag for donations next to the closet so I am regularly culling if something doesn’t fit… but harder to do what you’re talking about. I need to try though! I have a huge collection of big wool sweaters that are warm and cozy but i rarely wear because they are so big and boxy and don’t really go with the more fitted style I’ve developed (that works better with my body). One thing I’ve found is that finding a worthwhile charity helps – I donate to “Boomerangs” in Boston which runs fabulous thrift stores, and all profits go to the Aids action committee… makes me feel good to know both that someone else will find good use for my clothes and they will benefit the charity.
Another thought- when I donate, I try to jot down a list with a short description (e.g., black Gap pants) and the estimated value and take a photo of each item (or two-three at a time) of them on my bed before I bring them over for donations. Though I’ve never been audited, I’ve been told by an accountant that this would probably work well to justify my write-off amounts if they were ever questioned. I think this helps me be realistic but also not under-value my clothes. Takes a bit more time, but I think is worth it.

January 4, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Debbie

Veteran

I need to remix. I think I probably have enough clothes for the winter and spring. I will just need to fine better ways to pair them. I am turning hangers around to make sure I wear items that I acquire.

January 4, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Just what I need! I’ve been having that annoying ‘what shall I wear’ feeling when you can’t remember what on earth you used to wear besides the combination that you’ve been wearing for the last week or so.

I remember AJ(?) saying she filed her most successful WIW (what I wore) posts in a folder to refer back to and I think I need to do this too.

But, Angie, you have hit on all of the things I need to do. I have my homework!

January 4, 2011 at 1:13 pm

mamark

It’s funny, all prior years I have been excited to hit the January sales, but this year, I’m so sick of all the styles in stores already that I’m sitting it out. So your advice is really timely for me.

I think I have finally accepted that if I buy a lot of color, I will never wear it. So I have to come up with interesting ways to combine the neutrals I already have. I am already well edited and organized. Remixing is not all that exciting when deciding which neutral jacket or cardigan (mostly black) to wear with which neutral skirt (mostly black.) For me, it has to be all about the accessories, which in my case is shoes/boots, necklaces and scarves.

January 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Barbara

Veteran

Angie, with me, closet swaps are an event! Throughout my fashion life, I’ve had a blast doing this with cousins, sisters, friends. Everyone leaves happy! It’s recycling at it’s best. And time spent with special people is always fun.

January 4, 2011 at 3:22 pm

mamaKate

Veteran

Lisa, I have to admit that I, too, have a spreadsheet. (sheepish grin) Just last week when I was shopping while on vacation (i.e. no access to my closet), I put an item on hold so I could check the spreadsheet to make sure it was 1) adequately versatile with my other clothes and 2) not duplicated in the rest of my closet. I ended up buying it (which is actually quite contrary to the point of this thread), but the point is that it’s faster – though perhaps less fun – to “remix” virtually!

January 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm

Beth

Veteran

Excellent post! In an effort to organize, I’ve done at least 4 closet clean-outs since the summer, and I’m starting to take photos and keep a running list of outfit ideas. I love the idea of Lisa’s spreadsheet!

I’m just now starting to remix more, and what fun it can be to discover an entirely new look that’s just been hiding in the closet all this time:) Remixing also helps me see holes in my wardrobe that can extend my outfit options.

January 4, 2011 at 3:48 pm

dottie

Active Member

Angie, thank you so very much for this timely post! A few weeks ago I was surfing for ideas on closet/wardrobe organization and that’s how I stumbled upon your site – and I haven’t looked back! I thoroughly enjoy the tips and information you, and others, provide. When it comes to my closet, I’m the definition of insanity… doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well, it’s time to try something new. I have been inspired to edit, organize and remix, and am shopping only my closet until the end of March, maybe longer. I’m excited to see where it leads.

January 4, 2011 at 5:34 pm

Refugee

Veteran

I’m also spending my evenings replacing lost buttons and doing small mending jobs. Continually reaching for something only to find it needs help is very frustrating.

January 4, 2011 at 5:39 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m impressed with the closet editing and organization which has already taken place!

Barbara, sounds like you are closet swap party pro

January 4, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Maya

Veteran

I can never get up the motivation to do this

January 4, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Lori

(website)

Active Member

Given that I am an accountant (boring, I know…) I am curious as to how the spreadsheets are organized. I often buy items when I already have something that serves the same purpose and then end up giving it away – the spreadsheet could certainly help!

January 5, 2011 at 6:47 am

Tanya

Veteran

What an excellent post Angie! And perfect timing too!

I am in the middle of yet another closet edit. SYC really motivates me to tinker around more with items I already own. I have a huge donation pile, and smaller one for consignment, this weekend I hope to play with some remixing and then were those outfits next week.

January 5, 2011 at 8:15 pm

About the Author

Save Money by Spending Time in Your Closet

1 – Edit

2 – Organize

3 – Remix

Just Do It

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends

About the Author

1 – Edit

2 – Organize

3 – Remix

Just Do It

Share this Post

Recent Ensembles

Recent Trends