https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:38:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-995601 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 20:41:59 +0000 BridgetteRaes 995601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Isis! This is good to know. I know every forum has different rules and I didn't want to post a link if it wasn't allowed. I will mindfully continue to share when it fits into the conversation! Thanks!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-995431 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:41:36 +0000 Isis 995431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bridgette---welcome to the board; hope you stick around! &nbsp;It's ok to post links, yours or others. &nbsp;(as long as it's not to sell to make a profit or merely to drive numbers to your site).</p> <p>Off to check your blog. &nbsp;<i></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-995396 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:06:23 +0000 BridgetteRaes 995396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, not sure if you saw my comment above but my post today is exactly on this. &nbsp;You really don't need a lot to get a lot of wear from your wardrobe. &nbsp;Here is the link&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bridgetteraes.com/2013/07/31/the-ultimate-mix-and-match-fashion-guide/">http://www.bridgetteraes.com/2.....ion-guide/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>And, nice knowing you all if I get banished from these boards for posting this link. &nbsp;;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-995392 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:02:09 +0000 rae 995392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read the other comments, but I have been in the same place mentally. Just getting sick of the volume and wanting to pare down.&nbsp;</p> <p>IMO it helps to first determine where there are redundancies. If you have 5 black jackets, for example, or three brown boots, or 20 dressy tops. Then, say, take those 5 black jackets and try them on with outfits... there are probably one or two that are more versatile than the rest... maybe they go with skirts and jeans or can dress up and down, while others can only be worn one way. Keep the versatile ones and let the others go!</p> <p>Next it helps me to think of the other size of the spectrum - where is there infinite variety? I used to have every color of jacket under the sun, but they didn't all go with my tops and jeans etc. So limiting the colors to just the most favorite and flattering helped a lot. This can help cut volume fast once you start purging all the red for example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-995352 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 16:22:17 +0000 BridgetteRaes 995352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't want to post the link because I am sure it goes against posting rules, but of you check out my blog today I wrote a very extensive post about creating a mix-and-match, capsule wardrobe, if you want to check it out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-988457 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:18:42 +0000 Laurinda 988457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Bridgette for resurrecting this thread. I forgot where I saw that T-shirt folding video, and after a year that method is still serving me well. Using the neckline - even if shirts vary a bit -&nbsp; is close enough for getting a reasonable fit in my dresser drawer.</p> <p>I wonder how Auburn did with her move and purge??? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-988332 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:51:22 +0000 BridgetteRaes 988332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, my apologies for hijacking the thread as well!!!</p> <p>@Marley- People send me a lot of them. &nbsp;@FlorenceFearne- LOL, sorry! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-988122 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 04:24:12 +0000 Marley 988122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hahaha Bridgette - OMG - the cuchini, the clitter, the tee of life?&nbsp; Where do you find these things?<br />(Sorry Aubern for hijacking your thread! - I'll stop now!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-988106 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 04:03:22 +0000 FlorenceFearne 988106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aaaagh! WHY would you let an innocent person google "cuchini"? Ack, ick, ouch.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question/page/2#post-988057 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 03:20:10 +0000 BridgetteRaes 988057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ironkurtin...LOL, yea the Tee of Life. That can't be unseen, unfortunately! Did you see the c-string? What about the Cuchini? Yea, a lot of weirdness out there!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-988055 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 03:18:16 +0000 BridgetteRaes 988055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Ball of thong" Heehee, priceless! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-988000 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 02:11:36 +0000 Helena 988000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't add much to these great suggestions, except to say, rather than start with the question "What can I get rid of?" start with "What do I either really love or really need?". Anything after that is expendable. Good luck - and congrats on the move! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987998 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 02:07:56 +0000 Marley 987998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hahahaha Bridgette - I watched that video last night too and I had the same thought!&nbsp; My shirts have all different sizes of necklines - so that is just <i>not </i>going to work, unless you own a bunch of shirts that are all the same style.&nbsp; Also - folding a thong - really?&nbsp; Mine are tossed in my "thong" drawer and I have no trouble finding the one&nbsp;I want - nor does the "ball of thong" look bother me in the least! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987885 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 23:11:20 +0000 BridgetteRaes 987885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just watched that lady fold clothes. Aside from the fact that she sort of creeped me out handling the thong...I have a few issues with her tips. First, how can folding to the width of the neckline guarantee that all the shirts will be the same width? All t-shirts have different necklines and widths, so I don't get how they will be uniform in size. Next back to the thong folding...does anyone fold a thong that is the equivalent to a pirate's eye patch in size? I mean, come on! I will say that I do like the drawer dividers because no matter how many times I fold, once I go rummaging around for something my drawers get messy. </p> <p>Anyway, enlightening...and a little funny. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987884 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 23:11:19 +0000 ironkurtin 987884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@BridgetRaes - Love your blog (even though that childbirth tee still gives me nightmares)!&nbsp; Thanks for the fashionproject suggestion, that's a great idea. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987880 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 23:02:04 +0000 BridgetteRaes 987880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Speaking of purging, have of guys heard of FashionProject? I blogged about it a few months ago but don't want to break any rules by posting a link here, However, if you want to check out their site it is <a href="http://www.fashionproject.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.fashionproject.com</a>. Basically, you donate your clothes to them and any sales on your clothes go to your charity of choice. it's a great way for the clothing in yoyr closet to go towards a cause that is meaningful to you. In addition, as a shopper, you can purchase designer clothes at an amazing discount, while knowing that a percentage of what you are spending goes to the donor's charity of choice.</p> <p>Anyway, thought it would be a resource to consider given the nature of this thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987794 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:38:40 +0000 rachylou 987794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So a few years ago I downsized in a major way. I picked out a "capsule" and put the rest in storage. Then, well, I waited to see what I went and got out of storage. Now I'm working on just getting rid of the rest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987279 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 03:32:07 +0000 DonnaF 987279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use the kind of hangers that can be hooked on to each other in a stack (far left ones): <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=101693" rel="nofollow">http://www.bedbathandbeyond.co.....SKU=101693</a><br />This means that skirts, pants/jeans, and shorts take up far less room. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-987206 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 02:17:43 +0000 BridgetteRaes 987206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, thanks so much for linking to my blog post!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-419183 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:49:29 +0000 goldenpig 419183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I posted this in another thread but I'll repost here:</p> <p>I just donated a bunch of clothes and shoes yesterday to Goodwill. Goodbye mom jeans! And I'm being a lot stricter...there's stuff that still fits me and looks OK, but I don't wear it very often...that all goes. If you don't love it, get rid of it! I got rid of several crew-neck cardigan twinsets that I bought to match my skirts years ago...I hope I don't regret it, because they were perfect color matches (baby blue, purple, brown, etc). But whenever I saw them I was reminded of my old style and felt kind of frumpy, even though I did use the pieces separately. It was a huge step for me, I have had those for over 10 years and they were a major part of my old wardrobe (I had at least five or six in all different colors). It was more of an emotional thing...freeing myself to go in a new style direction. Making room for the new me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-419181 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:47:17 +0000 Laurinda 419181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Kate: That video has good info, but I see what you mean... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418632 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:36:18 +0000 Suz 418632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Gaylene, what helpful advice! I love the idea of starting with what you absolutely love and weeding things out from there. As I switch from my spring/summer wardrobe to the fall/winter, I am going to do this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418542 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:59:07 +0000 Scarlet 418542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I moved to Germany I could only take my luggage on the plane. I basically did what Gaylene said and picked out my treasures first and then saw what else still fit. Maybe you can pretend you are moving to a land far, far away. It really clears your mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418321 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:48:34 +0000 Kate 418321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, and if you need more drawer space, start folding clothes the way that this (kinda crazy) lady does: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJAYRXjZoMY" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJAYRXjZoMY</a> It's amazing how much more you can fit in, plus you can see everything! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418271 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:38:24 +0000 Laurinda 418271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To eke out a little bit more space, I'm a convert to those slimline 'velvet' hangers. They really do take 1/2 the space of plastic tubular hangers. If you have a CostCo nearby they are often available for $15 for 50. I've also seen them at TJMaxx. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418172 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:37:58 +0000 rosee 418172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>really good advice above.</p> <p>I would also add that if you have secondary storage space, maybe keep a few of the items that are really good pieces (classic, quality, special memories, etc) in that second space if not directly in your closet. I have at times purged out things but later could have used them (makes replacing a good item easier than shopping again).</p> <p>Here's a great link about simplifying your wardrobe (and storing some stuff too):</p> <p><a href="http://smallnotebook.org/2011/04/05/how-to-manage-your-wardrobe-with-common-sense/" rel="nofollow">http://smallnotebook.org/2011/.....mon-sense/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418165 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:17:56 +0000 Kate 418165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to second trying EVERYTHING on. There's already a ton of great advice here, so I'm just adding a few more.</p> <p>- Don't push yourself to clean out too much too fast. You don't want to be left with a lot of regrets. You need to continually assess and reassess until you're in a good place. This could take weeks or months.</p> <p>- Each morning, find an item that you haven't worn in a while and is appropriate to wear that day, and wear it. Make an outfit with it. When I did my wear everything challenge (final post here, with links to earlier posts: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/in-the-past-five-months-i-wore-everything-i-own-at-least-twice" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....east-twice</a>) I had some items that I just couldn't get myself to wear. I would grab a skirt I hadn't worn and start to make an outfit, and then discover I had other skirts that would work so much better. I realized that if I couldn't create a fab outfit, and then actually wear it, the item was not a keeper no matter how new, expensive, or cute on the hanger it was.</p> <p>- Think long and hard about any items that don't "play well with others," especially if they are in colors that don't fit with the bulk of your items.</p> <p>- Try on duplicates and see which is best. For example, if you have five black skirts, wear all of them on a different day during one week. They may have different strengths and all be worth keeping. But more likely than not you'll find that you have favorites and least favorites, and wearing them close together will allow you to better remember what makes them different from each other. Plus, consider how often you want to wear similar items. </p> <p>- A somewhat risky option is to ask your boyfriend what he doesn't like. But I would recommend only giving him the option to choose items you aren't completely in love with. For better or worse, I show all of my purchases to my guy before I cut the tags because I know that if he doesn't like something he'll tell me about it and then I won't wear it as often as I would otherwise, no matter how fab it is. (It goes both ways, I have been given the authority to toss his underwear and socks when they are no longer up to my standards!)</p> <p>- Finally, allow yourself to be absurdly picky. If there's something small that bothers you about an item, donate it. If you find you're wasting any energy at all worrying about an item - a skirt that rides up or spins around when you walk, a blouse with fussy details that have to be readjusted throughout the day, a knit that has to be de-pilled after each wear, an item with any bad memories attached, etc - you have my permission to let it go.</p> <p>ETA: Jenava brings up a great point about getting into ruts. If there's an item that you don't love, but wear all the time, let it go! Don't let yourself stay in the rut. You probably have a lot of other, better items that can take its place. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418159 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:06:39 +0000 Jenava 418159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know what you mean. I keep looking longingly at some summer stuff that I just didn't have a chance to wear this summer...and I hardly repeated an outfit, I think. If you like MOST of it I'd start with editing out the stuff you don't feel really compelled by (unless it's a work horse item you wear all the time). I hesitate to say start with frequency of wear because if you're like me sometimes I get in bad ruts, so frequency of wear doen't necessarily reflect what I want to wear... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418146 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:42:51 +0000 Angie 418146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I share a very small walk-in wardrobe with Greg and we live in a tiny city house. ALL our clothes/ footwear are in it (apart from the coats which are downstairs in the coat closet). </p> <p>Auburn, effective closet organization is a *must* first of all. You will be surprised how much more you can fit into a closet with the right fixtures in place. </p> <p>Second, it's the one in one out wardrobe rule from now on. </p> <p>You can swap out your seasons if you like. Vacuum pack. Although in SF you never really pack away your Autumn stuff, right? Same as Seattle. </p> <p>Get a pretty armoire for some of your things. </p> <p>Display your jackets and coats on a rolling rack. It can look very attractive! </p> <p>As far as the advanced purging goes, get rid of stuff that you haven't worn in a while and don't absolutely LOVE. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/advanced-closet-purging-question#post-418142 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:38:30 +0000 Joha 418142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>if you are thinking about a capsule wardrobe - this site has a lot of inspiration:<br /> <a href="http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/</a> </p>