https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:55:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079355 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 20:40:59 +0000 rachylou 1079355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol. It's gonna be a full-on opera! Or you've heard of musical chairs...</p> <p>Maybe that's what I should do. Just work on grinding my clothes down to nubs, wearing them out... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079262 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:19:42 +0000 Lisa 1079262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The good, you have a neat closet.&nbsp; The bad, it's not the size closet you want.&nbsp; I've been working on purging my closet for 3 years and it is still on going.&nbsp; I've purged items unworn at the end of a season, duplicates and the usual doesn't fit, don't like, worn out strategies.&nbsp; My latest challenge, is just to select a small capsule and wear the pieces until they wear out or I am hopelessly bored.&nbsp; By not seeing everything in one place I hope to have my own "boutique" to shop when I am bored with my clothes vs shopping for something new from a store. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079246 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:04:05 +0000 Thistle 1079246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I read your post, the lyrics from Phantom were going through my head "Down once more through the darkness of my black despair."</p> <p>Not terribly helpful :)</p> <p>You do have some great advice already. My $0.02:<br />1. Plan to spend a whole Saturday on this project<br />2. Sort through anything that is not in great condition. Missing buttons, snaps, etc. Move into another area.<br />3. Go through and get rid of anything not worn in the last 2 years.<br />4. Start looking at buying handgers, shelving, etc. to better make use of your storage. You have a lot of storage space. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079242 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:01:55 +0000 Beth Ann 1079242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Otello and Desdemona (humming her aria from the opera now).&nbsp; Well, that might classify as artistic inspiration --- they can stay.&nbsp; Until he kills her, of course.&nbsp; </p> <p>You could try "Favorite Things," it has fewer high notes, and it's about keeping the good stuff and forgetting the bad!&nbsp; (And she sings it in a nightgown, which beats a full habit any day). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079238 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 19:00:01 +0000 unfrumped 1079238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, amount is relative--the amount is not wrong, but sounds like may be wrong for your space, so I'm hearing you need less, but not some minimalistic less.</p> <p>Sounds like you need to pick one or 2 gimmicks that can work, such as trying on one stack per week, or toss one item from each stack, or focus on youre suburbia category as where you think you need less, or something. Otherwise it will be like the Cat in the Hat--you cannot pick it up, there is no way at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079226 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:56:08 +0000 Marley 1079226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou - we are kindred spirits.&nbsp; I actually think your closet looks pretty organized - there's just a lot of clothes in there!&nbsp; Do you wear all of them?&nbsp; Have you ever kept track of what you wear so that you get an idea of the ones that you wear the most?&nbsp; That sometimes helps me to weed out the excess - but I'm no expert.&nbsp; Remember this thread?&nbsp; <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/confessions-of-an-out-of-control-closet-pic-heavy" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-pic-heavy</a><br />It only looks a little bit better now.&nbsp; The clothes in the hallway and the clothes on the floor are gone.&nbsp; Everything else is about the same - and I hate it!&nbsp; Do you like the way your closet looks/feels?&nbsp; Or does it bring you down - like mine does me?&nbsp; Anway - I feel for you - but am the last person to give you any advice! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079224 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:53:59 +0000 rachylou 1079224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG, Angie - I wish!</p> <p>Caro! - I love you for finding that link! My heroine (you and Babe :&gt;)</p> <p>Shevia - neat? Surely you jest!</p> <p>Natalie and Lantana and all my YLF lovely ladies: Would you believe that...</p> <p>a) I can find everything. I'm very organised (no really) and everything is sorted by type. What I'm not is visually neat, and I would like to be. After a stack reaches a certain height, physics takes over and things don't lie flat, etc. etc.</p> <p>AND</p> <p>b) This is after three years of purging by various means - purge what you haven't worn, capsule-ize, etc. etc.</p> <p>c) I can't put the Othello and Desdemona anywhere else (and hey! they are clothed... even if the clothing is askew... hehe). That shelf also houses my router/modem, due to some awkward household wiring that nothing can be done a. It can't be used for clothes.</p> <p>d) I had a book collection that put the clothes to shame... but I've gotten through the books.</p> <p>It's not the amount that really troubles me - thanks Suz and Amiable and Elizabeth P and Beth Ann and plus, for saying it's not a total sickness to have so much. I suspect, tho, it's still mental, hehe. What bothers me most is the aesthetics and that I'm still beyond my storage capacity.</p> <p>I <i>am </i>overwhelmed, as La Belle says, when I consider the volume. So much effort and it's still all so much. Maybe I should start again with the "10" thingy.</p> <p>...and sing <i>Climb Every Mountain</i> very loudly. (Very loudly, Una.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079182 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:16:14 +0000 ironkurtin 1079182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Better closet or bigger house. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair/page/2#post-1079172 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 17:57:48 +0000 Nicole D 1079172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you considered professional help? &nbsp;I'm serious. &nbsp;Like a professional organizer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079171 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 17:54:37 +0000 jazz69 1079171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I was overwhelmed with my closet I took some time to go through it and took everything out that I totally love ( no thinking involved- I know what I relly love to wear) . I put it on my bed ,looked at it( my closet was still full) ans asked myself if one / I could survive with onl that! To make it really clear for myself I wrote a list of everything to see it on paper as well and found out that it was possible! Then I went back to the closet to see all the other clothes,nice things, good quality...So I went thruogh it again and decided which things talk to me in a way like: love the color but sleeves are funny,itches,makes me feel to girlish...and took these things to another room to hide and see if I' ll miss them.. after about a week I had already ddisconnected from some of the items even though they were nice things and gave them away,consigned.. A few things went back to my closet just because it was too scary...but got purged a couple of month later.Now I almost only have clothes that are me and I love it.One question I asked myself: if I saw that in a store today would I buy it? That helped a lot! It can be overwhelming but very rewarding! Enjoy the process, we are by your side;)) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079152 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 17:38:47 +0000 unfrumped 1079152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, you should be ruthless in how you really feel--not how it might work for someone else. If you do feel despair, think what do you want to be different--do you want more room, less clothes, or more useful clothes, or some combination?Go back to occasion-specific dressing for some idea of what percentages of space or resources should go toward each activity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079144 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 17:31:32 +0000 peacechick 1079144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My comment on your wardrobe (which looks fun) is that if you don't want to get rid of anything now, why not do it at the end of the season? Then you have a better sense of what you don't need. For now, I agree that maybe some organizing/capsule-making could be enough? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079117 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:51:31 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1079117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You sound overwhelmed by what you see in this picture.&nbsp; Don't be!&nbsp; You can get this sorted :)</p> <p>Set a timer for 15 minutes, and:</p> <p>Take the lovers off that shelf and display them somewhere where you can admire their beauty.</p> <p>That frees up a shelf.&nbsp; Put your pans there for the time being :)</p> <p>And then I would say take some of the suggestions here, about grouping like with like, and move from there.</p> <p>If you really want to get rid of stuff, but don't know where to start, borrow a page from Thistle and Claire and some of the other ladies:&nbsp; Thistle is always talking about whether an item makes her feel like a '10' on a happiness scale when she wears it. &nbsp; And Claire has an 'only the best in my closet' attitude. &nbsp; So go through your stuff, item by item, 15 minutes at a time. &nbsp; Does it make you feel like a '10' when you wear it? &nbsp; Is the condition of the item a '10'?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I would say only 9's and 10's should be in your closet.</p> <p>When that timer goes off, <i>go do something else</i> for 15 minutes, and come back to the closet later, so you don't get overwhelmed.&nbsp; &nbsp; Take breaks, do other things, let your mind clear a little.</p> <p>You don't have to get everything done today.&nbsp; You could work at this 15 minutes a day, and be astonished at where you are in two weeks.&nbsp; So you can get a head start on when Angie comes to visit :)</p> <p>(And omg, Caro, I LOVE that video!&nbsp; Sipping coffee on a break while I watch some of the others)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079060 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:57:47 +0000 Anonymous 1079060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm realizing that I have virtually no clothes at all. &nbsp;I must purge too often! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079057 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:53:46 +0000 Beth Ann 1079057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Um.&nbsp; I see naked people on your shelf!&nbsp; Well, I jest, a bit, but putting the lovers on a side table out in your bedroom might give you room for another group of tops!</p> <p>Seriously, I agree that the size of the wardrobe is an individual thing.&nbsp; You are creative, and I think variety stimulates your creative side.&nbsp; I'm that way myself.&nbsp; You have at least two distinct dressing personas, too.&nbsp; </p> <p>I'd start by purging what is past its prime. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079055 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:47:40 +0000 Marlene 1079055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a little giggle about your "going to the suburbs" capsule.&nbsp; I have a "going to the city" capsule.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079045 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:39:47 +0000 deb 1079045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This pic plays havoc with my OCD. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079019 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:15:58 +0000 Anonymous 1079019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just a thought what worked for me: group like items together (eg long sleeve grey shirts) and see if there are one or two that you would reach for first. You may be able to let the others go, but know that you have that area of your wardrobe (long sleeve grey shirts) covered. I had a ton of black button-downs for instance but realized I really only would wear two, so I got rid of the others (I think there were 4-5 that went away). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079008 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:11:16 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1079008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love Angie's response! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1079007 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:10:56 +0000 Adelfa 1079007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You wouldn't have folded your coats anyway, right?</p> <p>How much room do you need for your bakery pants? You could start by getting rid of just enough that you have room for them.</p> <p>As I wrote in a post last night, one of the first places I purge is where I have items that duplicate in function unnecessarily. So you noted that you have a lot of going to the suburbs outfits, but maybe you don't go to the suburbs much. Perfect place to start.</p> <p>Anyway I feel your pain because I am doing a major downsizing for my move, and it's hard! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078983 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:57:46 +0000 Angie 1078983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*flying over to help you edit* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078971 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:43:43 +0000 Sona 1078971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe starting with a week's worth of outfits ( sort of a capsule for next week) and then "attacking" one shelf at a time might be a way to go. Taking big breaks in between ( i.e no more than a shelf at a time) to avoid anxiety. This is also a great time of year to think about donating what you no longer wear/like&nbsp;(especially cold weather items) to those needing these items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078947 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:24:14 +0000 Jaime 1078947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks like an incredibly fun closet - a bit like a thrift store really. How do you keep it so neat? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078934 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 14:01:31 +0000 Elizabeth P 1078934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another one who's suddenly feeling better about my own closet :)<br />I agree with Suz... what is your motivation?&nbsp; You said you wore everything... and it's tidy and accessible.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078930 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:53:34 +0000 amiable 1078930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah - what Suz said - it's not too much if it isn't too much for you. &nbsp;You need the variety, and if you use it too, and can keep it all organized like that - more power to you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078922 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:45:43 +0000 Suz 1078922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is folded. It is neat!&nbsp;</p> <p>Do you really want to reduce, or do you just feel as if you "should." If it's a "should" maybe you shouldn't.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078918 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:42:29 +0000 lyn67 1078918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, that's a lota clothes:-)) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078847 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:29:01 +0000 kkards 1078847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>no ideas for you, but thanks for sharing. you have made me feel so much better about my closet!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078842 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:21:25 +0000 Lantana 1078842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I recall you are keen on pine green so maybe you could hone in on that. Keep all the greens you love and the items that go with them and chuck the rest.<br /> (If reducing your wardrobe is what you really want.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/plunging-once-again-into-the-depths-of-closet-despair#post-1078838 Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:09:46 +0000 goldenpig 1078838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At least everything is folded!<br />Do you have trouble finding things? Or is it fairly organized? Maybe that would be a start--organize things by type.<br />As for paring down/purging...I too am guilty of having an excessively huge wardrobe, but I find that I tend to purge when I run out of room in my closet. So this is a good time for you to take stock and thin the ranks, if you feel that you have run out of storage space. You don't have to be a minimalist, just have enough room for the clothes you keep. </p>