YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe.

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:30:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Staysfit on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1534951 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 21:47:26 +0000 Staysfit 1534951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hooray Rachy! LBD, yes, jeans are my preferred bottom, but even if that is the case, I do not need over thirty pairs! Definite Overkill! I cleared out all but two of each style of Jean from my closet and put the rest in a box on the top shelf. It clears a lot of easy access space in the closet. I am now better able to fit some of the items that were stored elsewhere into the closet. I am also finding that each time I look, I see yet another item that seems like an outlier. It is getting easier and easier to spot the low hanging fruit now that there is less of it! Getting dressed is going faster in the morning, and I am feeling more satisfaction with my wardrobe. Next on my agenda is a shoe overhaul, but I want to wait for my hair to grow out so I can see what color it will be. Maybe I will want to keep my brown shoes, or the black, depending what my natural hair color turns out to be?? rachylou on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1534875 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 19:34:40 +0000 rachylou 1534875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ All right. You've convinced me to purge some cotton sweaters... Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1534792 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:16:57 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1534792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am really enjoying your responses! So many GREAT ideas that I can't wait to work with and try out when we get back from vacation (make NO mistake- I am NOT ready for vacation to end yet!) Among other things, I want to put together an updated list of silhouettes/uniforms. I did this several years ago, and I want to re-visit this. Staysfit, something occurred to me: are jeans your main staple that you prefer over other bottoms? I am not enabling (necessarily), but maybe your jeans are close to a perfect number for your life and needs, and you should look at the other bottoms in your wardrobe, instead? As far as consignment, right now, if an item is in great condition, or works as a great costume piece, I will sell on eBay or give it to my niece (if she thinks it is cool enough!), but I am planning to take some fall stuff in to my favorite store to hopefully earn a little cash or store credit and get stuff out of my house. Or donate. Staysfit on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1533717 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 09:54:07 +0000 Staysfit 1533717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here's my jeans reduction plan FWIW: I took one or two pairs if I have repeats for favorite styles, and left them in my closet. The remainder went into a box, still in the closet but high up out of reach. This drastically reduced the number of jeans hanging on my rack. I had 8 pairs of JCrew Matchstick Jeans, now I'm down to 2. I had 3 pairs of J Crew toothpick jeans in a similar wash, now I'm down to 1, I had duplicate Paige denim relaxed skinny jeans, so I removed one pair, and so on. I'm going to see how I get along without the missing jeans. If I need a pair, I can retrieve them. If not, then I will know I have the correct number already in the closet. I also plan to turn any duplicated pairs inside out after I wear them so I can be sure the duplicates are being used. If not, then I can remove the duplicate as well. Jeans reduction is now in operation! Thanks LBD! You are a great motivator whether you realize it or not! frannieb on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1533545 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 02:26:26 +0000 frannieb 1533545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am super fascinated by this.  I to did the Kon Marie thing. Trying on items really does help cull things further. Staysfit on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1533460 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 00:33:01 +0000 Staysfit 1533460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok, how is it that I went back into my closet after reading this post and so easily pulled out 6 items? None of them jeans? (1 skirt, 4 tops, 1 pair of black shoes). I tried on my jeans and they all fit. I will be honest and say that I saw a pair of Rag and Bone Dre skinny ombré jeans that I was very tempted to purchase until I realized how foolish it would be to add more to the crazy Jean swamp in my closet!! I am really going to come up with a plan for reducing them. kerry on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1533003 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:34:59 +0000 kerry 1533003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots in this thread resonates with me - thank you LBD! I like your questions for helping you purge your closet further. I think closet (or home) purging can be kind of like giving up a bad habit - it takes practice. The first time you're not successful but it's a start getting into the mindset. Then it may take 3 or 4 or more tries to finally get there. I like Marlene's question: Does this work with my uniform? This works especially well for me when I'm thinking about my work wardrobe. Thanks! I especially like Unfrumped's parameters: silhouette check and fussy feet check. Thanks! I've been konmari'ing around my house a bit this last week. This has included my closet and my DD's toys/art supplies. Love the 10-hour test or the all-day-test. This is key! I need to think more about what doesn't work so I can minimize shopping mistakes in the future! Staysfit on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532982 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:44:22 +0000 Staysfit 1532982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh! The inside of my head must look like yours plus there is something up there with a jackhammer causing this darn migraine headache! So all these tips are very helpful, very very helpful. For example, if I were to look at my dresses by silhouette, I know my best look is a knee length sheath. Anything shorter than knee length feels too skimpy when I sit, even with leggings. The dress over pants look just looks silly on me. Fit and flare only works if it isn't overly flared. For my jeans, I definitely play favorites. I have a few that I rarely wear. The lighter the color the better it goes with my palette, but, I do not like distressed jeans or whiskering, so perhaps this could be a way to go back and edit them further. Of course, I have that thought running through my head that they fade the more I wear them. So.......!!!!???? anne on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532806 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 02:06:04 +0000 anne 1532806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your thought processes are very interesting and all the best with it! I am not a big purger, and tend to cull a few pieces at a time (though in the past I have done some big culls). My wardrobe is around 100, I think. I can't say that everything is a favourite yet. That is partly because some items are passed down to me (both from friends where I live and YLF) and need to be put through a trial to see if they fit in my wardrobe. Also there are just some wardrobe categories where I need something and I haven't found the right one yet - eg - very cool woven summer tops, and summer skirts. Anonymous on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532715 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 23:46:09 +0000 Anonymous 1532715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ we should really get together - the inside of my head looks just like yours Maureen on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532695 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 23:07:16 +0000 Maureen 1532695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the questions you ask yourself. Very inspiring as I start my own road to downsizing. Do you take things to a consignment shop? I wonder if it is worth it...... Susie on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532693 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 22:59:35 +0000 Susie 1532693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh I love these posts! Wow, it's hard to believe that there were still that many pieces to cull, after the recent "Kon-ing" you did. Thank you for the detail on your thought process, and the steps that you took. I always find these things fascinating! And I think your questions are good ones, to really getting down to a wardrobe that consists of items you truly love and WANT to wear. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532600 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:29:15 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1532600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @Lisa    Aha!  YOU'RE Shopping Brake!   I couldn't remember who wrote it, on these forums   I'm a huge fan :) @Lisap  I feel exactly the same way!   The ridiculous-ness of it all, is that I did a big purge six months ago!   But obviously that was not enough.  What pushed me over the edge this time, was I had an evening where we were going out someplace quasi-casual/quasi-"nice", and I tried on easily 20 things and couldn't find anything I was happy with.   I was annoyed that the things I thought I really wanted to wear were at my SO's, and what I was trying on didn't feel 'right'.   It took me probably 45 minutes to realize - it was my hair color.   I needed to touch it up, it was faded, and I had some roots showing.   For whatever reason, the dissatisfaction and discontent were translating itself into my closet. That's when I realized that I am having to dig through way too many things that I thought sparked joy, just to put on a smart casual summer outfit.   So I started re-reading minimalist blogs and my Marie Kondo notes. Also, I re-colored my hair the next morning.  Everything I put on after that, was fine.   LOL. If you opened up my head and looked inside, you would just see caffeine-fueled chaos.   Hamsters on wheels, and dwarves with pickaxes mining for gemstones, and clothes strewn everywhere. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532599 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:21:33 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1532599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The perils of using my iPad to look at this page earlier:  I refreshed the thread, and Staysfit's reply was the only one displaying.   The magic of mobile devices!   Because, duh, obviously this has nothing to do with the competency of the device-user...   :D @Staysfit   My reply is further up in this thread :) @Suz:   Hahaha!   I was thinking about something like my current climate!   Warm-Hot for 5-7 months of the year, Cool to Cold for the rest, and Ridiculously Cold for 5-12 days.   Now I'm trying not to sidetrack myself with dressing for a potential fantasy-life climate (hello, Hawaii!) @Kirstjen:   I always hear how successful the hanger-technique is for others, and I am always a little envious of that success!  My reality is, if I haven't worn it in a year, I can always find at least ten good, creative reasons, why I should just go ahead and keep the item I haven't worn in a year, anyway.  :D :D One in, One out is powerless against my kind of girl-math-based rationale... @Maneera:  You mentioned a great point that I used this time around - and forgot to note!   The "all-day" test.   In my case, there were dresses I was very tempted to keep because I feel pretty in them and they are 'comfortable enough'.   Then I realized, after about two hours, I cannot wait to change into something else.   So I set myself a 'ten hour rule' on some of the 'on the fence' items.   If I cannot imagine wearing it for ten hours, without being desperate to just change into something else, I went ahead and purged it - with the exception of a few fancy dresses and skirts.   Ten hour rule or no, I can't wear exercise clothes to a wedding or the symphony. @Marlene:   and speaking of the symphony... the special occasion/fancy stuff.   I really cut that category down to a handful of absolute favorites.   I realized I would rather have one awesome skirt that everybody sees again and again, then three not-as-awesome pieces because I think people might remember that I wore it last time. Let me tell you, figuring that out, and then making those edits, was probably close to me ever mastering the 'one in, one out' rule that I keep creatively bypassing. @Marlena/Unfrumped: I used to be very good with the uniform/silhouette concept, but I periodically veer away - and that's when I accumulate stuff that goes largely unworn.   I tend to call those 'wild cards' (how is that for rationale?) but a more accurate description would be 'time, money, and space I am wasting'.   I am reminding myself, afresh, that the uniform works for me. I'm pretty good at saying goodbye to footwear that doesn't work for me.   Although I was annoyed/disheartened to buy a pair of cushiony, refined lower-heeled wedge sandals last month, wear them for a week, and THEN realize they were not going to work for me. Some of the other stuff I purged, I bought this year.   I have made myself look at what I spent, accept it, and move on. @Elly:   Where you are at - is kind of my goal!   I would have to look at your actual numbers using my own things, to see how that actually translates.   I know, for sure, I would like to be solidly at around 100, excluding dance/exercise wear, and other specialty stuff like swimwear. I love the various capsules that Janice at The Vivienne Files has come up with, although her style is vastly different from mine.   I've seen some fantastic 'Start from Scratch' representations on Polyvore, by other users. My baby sister started using a capsule system this year, and so far, she is loving it.!  She doesn't do Project 333, but she has taken inspiration from it.   I am going to visit her tomorrow, and she has promised to show me what she is doing. Anonymous on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532597 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:14:49 +0000 Anonymous 1532597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been avoiding reading this post because I sense a big, massive purge coming on for my closet - in fact, my everything.  It's always such a daunting task, but it never disappoints. What gets me going?  Usually a push from a post like you've just written. The thought percolates for awhile, then something written, or something has happened (can't find something i just bought, for example) to push me over the edge. You just did it . Thank you. Lisa on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532592 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:09:16 +0000 Lisa 1532592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congrats on paring down your wardrobe.  I also find Recovering Shopaholic helpful.  Sometimes I talk about paring down my wardrobe on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://shoppingbrake.wordpress.com/">my blog too.  </a> Elly on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532459 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:38:20 +0000 Elly 1532459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This actually sounds like fun. I'm perhaps at the opposite end of the spectrum from you. I think in passing, I've done most if not all of the exercises that blogs like the Recovering Shopaholic (who is a former forum member) suggest or link to because I wanted to understand how many clothes were enough to function comfortably. I tend to be TOO minimalist in my current iteration. I too travel between my home and the SOs on a nearly weekly basis and rather than developing two wardrobes, I have become a human pack mule. To avoid spine damage, I've had to become more selective about what I pack, choose versatile items, and let go when I don't have just the right thing to wear at the right place. Of course, just a couple years ago I was traveling for work and living out of a suitcase for months at a time, which helps as well as having a small budget and serious savings goals. Although I have said in the past that I am not a huge fan, I do agree with the Vivienne files on capsule size. In general, my ideal workweek capsules have 4-5 bottoms, 10-12 tops, and 2 or 3 toppers, plus 3 or 4 pair of shoes. Because my lifestyle is fairly casual, I have a fairly minimal weekend capsule (for example, my summer weekend capsule includes 3 additional tops split between tanks and graphic tees, a pair of shorts, and two pair of sandals). Then I have a gallery capsule for each season with 1 or 2 outfits that I only wear to parties and events. I also have a summer dress and shoes appropriate for weddings, and a small capsule for interviews and funerals. This year I allowed myself to start a transitional capsule, with a few tops that are 3/4 length sleeves and a pair or two of leather sneakers. I also find her total wardrobe estimates based on her calculator accurate --- I hit 72, which is a bit high for my current wardrobe, but reasonable considering the holes I have (I'm usually in the 40s or 50s on actual count). I also have a small gear capsule that includes clothes for hiking and working out, and a small lounging capsule. Currently, my entire summer wardrobe fits comfortably in a carry on (I know because it is in there right now). Winter would be tighter, because of the bulk of boots and coats and winter layers. What I mean to say is that, I could imagine taking my WHOLE wardrobe in a standard suitcase and a carry on. That said, I could probably get by without my "wedding dress and shoes", some of my gear, some of the weekend items, some of my interview capsule, and some of my shoes. That doesn't mean my wardrobe is perfect, there are pieces I would replace if I found better or more versatile or more durable/higher quality items, but simply that it wouldn't function with a significant reduction in pieces.  The other thing to think about is the wear rate. I wear through clothing at a pretty good clip and it can be difficult to keep on top of shopping for replacements. This has a upside and downside--- I'm not a shopper by nature, so this takes a lot of effort, especially with limited local retail and I often feel my budget going to replace the same items again and again (sneakers/shoes, tops, jeans, knit toppers, lounge wear, gear). On the plus side, I get to refresh every year without guilt, loose a smaller number of items and have less invested if I change sizes or jobs, etc. I don't have any suggestions for Staysfit--- I think that is hard. I'd be tempted to wear all my jeans and pick out the true favorites, but I also know you have a lot of duplicates. Suz, I think that if I was moving for a year to a new climate I'd take the clothing capsules that would be suitable and then add what I need once there (unless, for example it was me living abroad in Asia where I wouldn't fit a darn thing). Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532454 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:35:47 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1532454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The stuff I pulled for discard is divided up: sell, donate, or in a few cases, send to my high school-age niece (if it is something I think a teenage girl might want. There weren't many items in this category though!) I photographed myself in my jeans and pants because I have a lot f those! Then I lined up all the dark wash together and chose the best two. Same with black and blue. One pair no longer fits, because of a recent 5-pound weight gain, but the weight is coming back off. I have tagged them so that if they don't fit by Oct. 1, I will resell them. Same with two skirts that I LOVE. Something that helped me pare down further was to look at all my pants and, on an item by item basis, discern whether it was a favorite, a duplicate of a fave, or a unique item. I am trying to allow only one dupe and it has to be amazing or special, otherwise it gets in the way of wearing a favorite item of clothing. Re: my favorites: I didn't calculate any numbers or seasons. I just grabbed stuff I frequently wear, LOVE, and inevitably pack for trips. I have only pulled the badly worn-out stuff from my exercise clothes so far. There is a cull a-comin' in that category! And some new pants that can be worn for dance and outdoor activity (walking or hiking, because Inam not a runner), is on my shopping list, as well as a couple of new sports bras. Those are my two wardrobe holes: 2 sports bras, 2 fitted exercise pants. With regards to seasons, I live in Atlanta, so on the rare occasion it is super-cold, I just layer tights or leg warmers with pants for exercise. unfrumped on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532450 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:32:35 +0000 unfrumped 1532450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That sounds great! I am planning on finding some time later in the fall to do a more aggressive edit . Not necessarily minimal, but t be more focused. The "strategies" I so far am planning are: Silhouette check--I feel best in about 3-4 main sihouette/proportion looks, and for some of the others I'm "pushing it", maybe got caught up in the moment.  Doesn't mean I'll never try new things, JFE and all that, but I know that I gravitate toward those outfits that I think look "best" and then I wonder why I bother to wear ones that are more meh. Fussy feet footwear check--similarly, I sometimes "push" the limit my feet will allow, trying to be updated or fit an outfit. Probably need to get more realistic and, as above, find the best combinations that still work for my feet and "let it go" for the others. Buyer's remorse check: I still have some items that don't seem to be working but I feel bad about having bought. Duplicates check--"if you could only have 1 (or maybe 2) of this style, which would you keep?" Marlene on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532446 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:28:31 +0000 Marlene 1532446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been doing the same sort of thing except my question is...Does this work with my "uniform"?  I've been able to get rid of a ton of random stuff that doesn't really work with my day-to-day.  I have found that using my "uniform" has helped me to have enough pieces to get dressed all week long.  For example, I know that in Fall/Winter I tend to wear skinny bottoms with tunic-y tops with boots.  Then I like to have a long topper to go over it all on colder days.  So this year at NAS, I focused on those type of items.  It's really helped keep me focused and avoid orphans.  I do keep a much smaller number of items for occasions that I know happen throughout the year and maybe one or two items for variety....a skirt or dress for example. But for the most part, keeping it focused on what I ACTUALLY wear and really helped me decrease my wardrobe and overall make it more focused.  I think asking ourselves a pointed question like this really keeps us on track and able to make good decisions both with purging AND with purchases.   Maneera on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532438 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:17:58 +0000 Maneera 1532438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ After a large closet edit, I still have a LOT of clothes. But like Suz, all of these are my favourites! I may not wear some favourites very often, but I still love them very much! I follow Recovering Shopaholic too, so I'm aware of how Debbie works. Her blog is what triggered the last closet purge for me too, but it's an on-going process. I still manage to purge 2-4 items from my wardrobe every week, even now. Sometimes clothes make it through a large wardrobe edit simply because they look and feel good in those few minutes while you're trying out everything you plan to cull, but they fail the 'all day wear' test. Once I've worn an outfit all day, I now ask myself 'Did I love wearing that? Was there anything I didn't like, or didn't enjoy?' If I don't like something (it's usually a fit or comfort issue), out it goes. I also don't stash these clothes in a holding zone. I give them away as soon as possible so that I can't have second thoughts. Kirstjen on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532434 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:09:47 +0000 Kirstjen 1532434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I constantly purge my wardrobe.  If I ever wear something & it doesn't feel perfect, it goes into the donation bag.   I have also done the thing where you flip your hangers backwards & then purge everything that doesn't get worn in a year.  It works for everything that is on a hanger.   I also try to do the 1 in, 1 out thing, where if I buy something I have to get rid of something, but this doesn't always work. Suz on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532429 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:03:12 +0000 Suz 1532429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congratulations on this successful editing job!!  What a great question to ask yourself, also.  Right away, though, I saw I'd be in trouble. Like Staysfit, I'd be asking also -- what about the climate of the new place???  And I'd also be saying that everything was my favourite. Oops!! Even if I don't tend to wear it all that often. Maybe especially so. Some of my favourite wardrobe items are the ones that only work for my lifestyle for limited periods either due to weather or the need for a slightly dressier setting than is my norm.  Staysfit on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532404 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 15:16:35 +0000 Staysfit 1532404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maybe I should try this technique for culling my closet once again.  What are you doing with the items you pull out?  Are you storing them or giving them away? I am getting so close to being able to fit everything inside - which is my goal.  The two big areas that need sorting are dresses and jeans.  I did a fairly large purge the other day and removed a fair number of dresses.  I really don't know how to purge my jeans?  I pulled out all the boot legs which I never wear, and I pulled out any that were worn out or slightly tight.  That still left me with a larger number of jeans than I need.  I'm not sure what to do about that?   When you did your exercise, did you consider four seasons?  Did you do some calculations about how many items you would need to wear or did you just pull out your favorites? Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "A Massive Paring-Down of my Wardrobe." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-massive-paring-down-of-my-wardrobe#post-1532352 Mon, 03 Aug 2015 14:19:25 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1532352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maybe it's that 'back-to-school' mentality, but it seems like there is a lot of buzz across style blogs about streamlining and culling your wardrobe - but in very specific terms.   Mostly via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://recoveringshopaholic.com/">Recovering Shopaholic</a>, which is one of my very favorite blogs. So this last week of July, I tried an exercise and wound up doing a massive closet purge.   <a rel="nofollow" href="http://labelledemimondaine.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-massive-paring-down-my-wardrobe.html">I have written more about this on my blog,</a> but the short version is this:   I have culled at least 50 items out of my closet... pulled everything together, one category at a time, (similar to what I did for Marie Kondo), and asked myself two questions: 1.  I started with my inventory spreadsheet (I use Excel) and I asked myself, What would I take from this list, if I had to relocate someplace for a year and store the rest? <div> </div><div>I created a new spreadsheet based on this question.  I didn't set limits or anything, I simply asked myself, What are my favorites that I would hate to lose for a year? 2.   I pulled everything together, physically, by category, so I could eyeball what I had, and I tried on everything that didn't make the original cut, and took photos.     I also took photos of some things that did make the original cut, but that were similar duplicates of other things (I have a lot of black sweaters and tops, for example).    I am still very surprised at how effective this was, for trimming out a lot of excess 'white noise'.   I tend to be very emotional and reluctant to purge items, past a certain point.  I am loving the extra space I have gained in my closet(s) and packing and getting dressed in the morning has become a LOT easier. I'm always looking for new insights.   What is working for you, when it comes to getting rid of excess, unnecessary clothing? </div>