https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:39:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711288 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 01:12:12 +0000 shiny 711288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IronKurtin, normally I would agree, but this space with the shelves is so hard to see, I really would NOT want any of my clothes there. It works fantastic for bathroom/toiletry supply storage -- and not much else. </p> <p>GearGirl -- you are brilliant! Love your suggestion. This may work at least until Thanksgiving, when my daughter is back and will want her room back... </p> <p>Jeneva- I have been dreaming about outfits. Does that count as planning? .-)</p> <p>Thistle-- I am aware of the 10 year rule but ... I dunno. It is hard to say. There's nothing in these boxes that is 10 years old, but there is items that are close, and there are things currently in rotation that are close, and still get raves on YLF! Most of my tall boots are close to the 10 year mark, in fact! I would say maybe 80-90% of items will fall into the 10 year rule, but there may be 10-20% that do not. It's determining which, that is the challenge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711272 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:31:33 +0000 ironkurtin 711272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first step would be to get the bathroom stuff and anything else that isn't "my" stuff out of my closet. Sounds like there's room someplace else for those now! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711245 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:42:11 +0000 Mo 711245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Geargirl, that is simple but brilliant! It's like when changing your diet, coming from a mindset of all the great things you can have instead of what you can't have. I realize that I sort of did a version of this packing for my half year (or so) move to FL. I brought first what was seasonally appropriate of course, but then only my faves. If you can only bring half your closet, or less, you pick more selectively, I'm here to tell ya! And even more distilled, packing for a trip highlights this in the extreme. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711219 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:03:05 +0000 geargirl 711219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have an idea that might help...instead of looking at things that need to be "taken out" of your closet, how about looking at what "earns a space" in your closet. You can take everything out and put it in your daughter's bedroom. Then put your favorites back until it is at a point that you are comfortable, your closet is not jammed or add them as you wear them. Anything that doesn't make the cut can be bagged or boxed in the bedroom. See how it feels. Is that enough? Can you live with the clothes in the space of your closet? Anything that is a "maybe" can be bagged in your daughter's room and you can see if you miss it. I have a feeling you won't. I do agree it is very hard to get rid of favorites from previous years. I think that it really helps in your style evolution to let those things go. Especially when one is a bit older (I'm in my mid 40's) I am conscious to update what I wear so I don't look dated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711212 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:30:05 +0000 April 711212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, I'm a solid size 7. There was a time when I would have jammed my foot into a 6 if the shoe looked good enough, but now my fussy feet have forced me to be more realistic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711149 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:23:11 +0000 Jenava 711149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, and, remember also Angie's post about shopping for your imaginary life? </p> <p>This is a greatly motivating post! I have a large reach-in closet that I do not share with my husband. I have gained about 10 pounds in the last 3 months and that means that several items that were on the verge of not fitting now are very uncomfortable, which is just aggravating! And meanwhile I struggle to get dressed because some of these were go-to workhorses. I need to get my closet in shape for Fall. I may work on purging and outfit planning today - you have motivated me!</p> <p>I would recommend doing some outfit planning. That will help you see if an item is truly versatile in the context of your style and other items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711087 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:24:55 +0000 Thistle 711087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not only that, but should you ever move to your beach house,i think it would be fun to shop for them.</p> <p>While it is a lifestyle you want, and may one day have, dress for who you are right now.</p> <p>If you do make the move, say if 5 years, most of what you are saving would be dated anyway.</p> <p>As Angie has noted, even true classics have to be updated every 5 to 10 years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711082 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:12:41 +0000 shiny 711082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aw, thanks GearGirl!! Made my day. </p> <p>I don't have any other drawers or closets to press into service. Our house is small. Also I want to try this for the sheer discipline of it, to see if I can operate with less, but more versatile pieces. </p> <p>I am leaning towards culling all the skirts and skirt tops simply because they do not classify as "versatile." </p> <p>What's more, I wore a lot of these when my style was first evolving from a uniform of "Gap scoop neck cotton tee" with khakis. I replaced khakis with cotton skirts, and the scoop neck tee with similar skirt top, in better fabric. It worked well but I think my style has moved beyond that now. </p> <p>There's also a pang of "saving for a future lifestyle" going on with my indecision. Perhaps this sounds silly, but what if I decided, once kids are permanently out of the house, to retire to a beach house in warm clime? (My dream would be to live on a beach for awhile.... some day...). In that event, easy flowy cotton skirts with cotton tees would be perfect. </p> <p>But, they are inexpensive and easy to replace. So I should let them go and trust that should I ever move to a beach house, I will find new ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711078 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:03:09 +0000 Thistle 711078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My recommendation is if you haven't worn it in two years, donate it. If the item were truly a classic or a staple of your wardrobe, you would have reached for it by now.</p> <p>Next, separate out what you think you like but haven't worn this year. We still have a few weeks of warm weather (maybe less) for you try them. Post pictures of them on YLF if you are unsure. Anything you don't want to or "get around" to wearing, donate. If summer is your off season, you really want to keep only your best items as there simply won't be time for anything else.</p> <p>As others have said, donate anything that does not fit.</p> <p>If there are items causing you to doubt your decision, tuck them away in your garage or basement - somewhere you really have to dig to get them. If you really do miss them, you will dig them out. If not, they are already packed to donate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711074 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:54:23 +0000 geargirl 711074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also, I have to add:<br /> I think you are the same "Shiny" who was featured in the Mom on the Go formula #5-blazer plus jeans plus converse...So let me have a fangirl moment and say...I LOVED that post!! That formula helped me rescue some closet orphans and really influenced my style. It is still one of my favorite posts and "formulas". So "Thank You"!!!! Sorry for the gushing...I'll stop now... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711070 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:49:34 +0000 Ingunn 711070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You seem to have a firm grip on the process already. I agree with the others on that clothes from your previous weight loss are ready to go now. IF you ever need that size again, you'll probably want to shop for new clothes again anyway. </p> <p>I believe my closet is about the same size as yours. I have three smallish boxes on the top shelf: One for Summer/Winter items, one for special gear, and one "holding zone". The rest is on hangers or in drawers except for the outerwear and boots/some shoes. It is very convent to have everything in one place, but I have to be very disciplined to keep everything in order, not too crammed or anything. It constrains the shopping urge, too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711069 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:47:43 +0000 geargirl 711069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a great post! Your reflections help me think about what is in my closet! I too have a very short summer season. I have segregated my small summer capsule into a corner of my closet where I hang my skirt-length tops and summer skirts together. Could you store these items in a hall closet? In the back corner? A drawer?<br /> Also, if I am unsure of an item, I try to wear it and evaluate at the end of the day. For example, I had a pair of jeans that looked great but I never seemed to wear them. After a few hours of wear they had stretched out and hung badly. Off to Goodwill! Sometimes you forget why an item doesn't work. Try to wear the items you are unsure about. If you don't feel fab wearing them, or can't bring yourself to wear them out of the house, it's time to let them go.<br /> The fact that you have time to wear items and really figure out what works and what doesn't will help you cull to a wardrobe that works for your current lifestyle! Congrats on getting your girls off to college. Enjoy this new phase of your life! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711066 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:46:30 +0000 shiny 711066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April, what size shoe do you wear? I finally peaked at my forgotten stash... I have some decent size 6 shoes.... barely worn.... shoes that are just too uncomfortable but I guess I hesitated to part with them, thinking somehow they would become comfortable if I kept them in the dark long enough! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711065 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:43:35 +0000 shiny 711065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my defense, about the weight stuff, since losing weight 18 years ago, I had successfully maintained my weight. Until 2006. I mysteriously gained 20 lbs. This was documented because I had seen my GP and he'd recorded my weight; I returned 6 weeks later for a follow up and he and I were both stunned. </p> <p>At only 5', a 20 lb weight gain is significant. It translates into 3-4 dress sizes larger. </p> <p>Anyway, I was sent through a whole battery of tests... we never could figure out what happened and why. The best guess is that I had picked up a bug while on vacation in Mexico that changed the way my stomach metabolized calories. Or, it was my thyroid flipping to the hypo side, however my thyroid panels, as ever, were normal. It took me two whole years to shed that weight. Since 2008, I haven't had to fret about my weight. It does fluctuate within a 5 lb range (107-112), which it always did... but nothing anywhere near 2006.</p> <p>So... it's not about being accountable. It's more mistrust that something like that might happen again. Especially as I get older. </p> <p>But yeah... I think I will let go all but one pair of these pants... I will keep the ones I called them my "magic slacks" .... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711061 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:37:52 +0000 April 711061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, I was just teasing about the skirts -- you should donate to your favorite place to donate to. Or come to our next swap! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711054 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:28:39 +0000 Suz 711054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with Gaylene on this one. </p> <p>I didn't save a thing after I lost weight. </p> <p>I figured it would keep me accountable to myself. </p> <p>And so far, it has. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711052 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:25:04 +0000 Mo 711052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you're well on your way. I have a 4' closet at home in Tahoe, and then the coats and jackets go into the spare room closet along with purses and belts. I fit all seasons and all shoes (30+ pair) in that 4' closet. I have about 150 items give or take a dozen. And they are not squished. It can be done!<br /> As for the skirt tops, I found tucking and belting longer tops works like a charm with skirts. It gave me so much more mileage out of my tops and I don't have to keep 2 distinct separate lengths for pants or skirts around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711050 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:24:32 +0000 Gaylene 711050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My philosophy, which I know may not be shared by others, was to get rid of all my larger clothing. Once I had lost the weight, I was not going to gain it back. Period! If my skirts and pants start feeling snug, I monitor my diet. To me, keeping larger sizes around just takes up space and gives me "permission" to gain back the weight. If it's been 4 years, I'd definitely toss them!</p> <p>If it didn't come out of storage and into your closet this year, toss it. Put all your skirts on the bed and pick the 2 or 3 you like best. Give the rest a long, hard, cold look. Pick the tops that go best with the skirts you've chosen to keep. Give the rest that long, hard, cold look. Anything that is pilled, faded, stained, or the ilk, toss; it's not going to do anything for your style.</p> <p>As you see, I get quite ruthless when I go through my closet. If you really feel unsure, you can put things in a holding area for a month or two, but a holding area and a storage area ought to be two different things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711048 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:22:53 +0000 Kristin L 711048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you haven't worn it in a couple of years and you haven't missed it, it's time to toss/donate it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711045 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:11:44 +0000 shiny 711045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually some of these skirts are +10-lb skirts, now that I think about it. And some are -5 lb skirts. Skirts can be unforgiving on me and my 0.8 ratio, which is why I have gravitated away from them. I still hesitate about the darn skirt tops though, since when you are in a skirt jag, you know how hard it can be to find the perfect top to go with the skirt?? </p> <p>What kind of skirts do you like? Speak now before I donate! </p> <p>A lot of these are from ON and ATL. There's one silk floral BR pencil skirt that is a keeper for sure. It's more of a statement skirt. And a white and black floral (ATL) that I'm going to keep. And maybe a grey &amp; white cotton skirt from H&amp;M, simply because it could have another summer's use (kicking self for not putting it into rotation this summer). </p> <p>Otherwise... I have a couple of eyelet skirts but those really aren't my look; too casual. The others... I don't know... I think it's the pattern that looks dated to my eyes. But probably because I shop too much, so I basically have all the patterns memorized by year... ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711029 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:01:18 +0000 April 711029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, hearing about this project is making me think you must plan to attend a swap this fall! </p> <p>I vote pass along most of the unstained summer knits, keep one pair of "ten pounds" pants, and send the skirts to me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-clean-out-1#post-711026 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:56:04 +0000 shiny 711026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Starting this thread for help while I clean out my wardrobe and decide what to let go. Now that both kids have moved out to college, I've taken over one daughter's bedroom to spread out and make space for this project. This will be an ongoing process over the next few weeks... well, I have until Thanksgiving. </p> <p>I posted before about how my ultimate goal is to get most of my wardrobe to fit into my one closet, which is approx 5 feet long and not very tall (just enough space on a shelf to store tall boots -- they fit perfectly). About 2 feet of this closet space is tucked behind a wall. On one side, there's a foot recess that has shelving that we use for bathroom and other supplies. On the other side, I use the one foot hard-to-reach/hard-to-see space to store formal wear (cocktail dresses) because I can't bear to stuff them into a box; they need and deserve to hang. In other words, there is only about 3-4 feet max of usable, visible hanging space. </p> <p>It seems like it'd be a lot of space, but having come from a walk in closet before I downsized my entire life, it's tiny as can be. I have long rotated my wardrobe each and every season, relying on office moving crates for storage. I have 6 of these:<br /> <a href="http://www.dnvanlines.com/template_assets/images/tote.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.dnvanlines.com/temp.....s/tote.jpg</a></p> <p>They fit into an under-the-stair closet. This works fine except that I often find myself dragging the boxes out to locate an item I want. And of course the item is always in the last box. Grrr. And also I am getting really tired of the 4x a year seasonal rotation, which this past year, after a ruthless rotation, I cut down to only 2x a year. However, I think I can do even better and that is my goal!!</p> <p>My goals are: </p> <p>1) Get storage down to just two crates: one for seasonal "gear" (exercise stuff, and also Pj's). And the other for winter items in the summer, and summer items in the winter. </p> <p>2) Make enough space that all the remaining items in my closet have room to breath. I am notorious for cramming as much as I can into the closet, and things get rumpled and the hangers get tangled. I recently did a pass on the closet and at this moment it's so nice to have some space in there. I think I can do even better. </p> <p>3) Fit all my shoes (all four seasons) in my closet, where they can be seen. (I discovered I have a box of shoes under my bed. Not even sure what is in there, which tells me I should probably just toss them all without even looking at them....)</p> <p>I have already moved all my purses to the back of the hall closet (which is quite close to my bedroom full length mirror, so way more convenient. I used to have the whole family's scarves, mittens, and gloves in a shoe hanger on the back of that door. Now that it is just the two of us, I am going to find some boxes to sort these out and put them all where my purses used to be, near the front door, in a cabinet. </p> <p>I am not allowed to "cheat" and store anything in my girls' bedroom closets, as empty as they are right now. Both girls specifically asked me to not do this, so I will honor that -- until they move out permanently. :-)</p> <p>STATUS so far: </p> <p>With first pass, two garbage bags ready to be donated! </p> <p>QUESTIONS so far: </p> <p>1) I have a ton of skirts, mostly summer/spring weight. At one point I preferred them over dresses for warm weather. I have already done one ruthless pass and got rid of a lot, but I think I may want to get rid of nearly all of these, save maybe one or two. </p> <p>I also have a ton of "skirt-length" tops. I have already culled all the skirt length tops that have sleeves. I am debating what to do with the rest. </p> <p>It seems to me that these skirt-length tops really only go with a specific skirt. So I have a lot of space being taken up by items that aren't very versatile, they make only one outfit, together. </p> <p>We have such a short summer season here. Why do I have so much summer clothes? Cotton and knits do not last as long. So I keep buying so I can have something that looks fresh and not tired. The tops are synthetic but even then, they get arm pit stains. Many of these did not have stains when they went into the box. But they do now. So they are gone. What's more, none of these came out and into my closet this past year... some going on two years... so why am I holding on to them?? TOSS? Talk me into it... </p> <p>2) I have a box filled solely with "things to wear if my weight goes up 10 lbs again." This includes some highly flattering dress slacks in classic cuts -- nothing that looks dated. Items that I found were the most difficult things to shop for when my weight was higher. But, it's been 4 or 5 years now since I lost the weight. Safe to assume that I can let go of these items? </p> <p>NOTES TO SELF: </p> <p>1) Purchase new smart wool leggings and top. This falls into gear category. The ones I have are all covered in lint. Even if I just wear them around the house on cold days, or under gear to exercise, might as well look good, right? </p> <p>2) I have a midi-length black wool skirt!! I haven't worn it in eons. Not sure if it still fits, or what. Try on later and post for YLF critique. </p> <p>OBSERVATION: </p> <p>Wow, my tastes have totally changed over the years. I'm finding it VERY interesting the items that have not come out of the box this past year or two. </p>