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Closet Edit

bridgie

Veteran

I hope everyone here had a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday or just plain good day. I had a very nice day. Had brunch at my grandaughters in the am so was back at home by early afternoon. I have spent the afternoon leisurely doing not much of anything.

The most time I spent on any one thing has been sifting, sorting and moving clothes from one spot to another. I assure you I did not pull anything for donation or discard.

So, this got me to thinking, I wonder if Angie or any of you will be starting a closet edit anytime soon.

I haven't finished closet edit for the last several years, so I am anxious to start fresh.

Mind you, I am not suggesting anybody start a challenge here on Christmas night but count me in when you are ready.

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from bridgie

Gigi

Veteran

I really need to do one...it's been on my to-do list for a few months. Haven't gotten around to it yet. But my emotional state of mind is good for a closet edit: I've managed to put a few pieces aside to donate, and I'm mentally checking off items in my head that I am ready to consign.

Knowing how I am the world's worst procrastinator, I really should come up with a doable plan. Maybe one drawer a week, or even half a drawer for drawers that I know will be difficult. And then stuff hanging in the closet. Oh boy! I don't have a lot of stuff, but I am indecisive, so that is what kills me.

bridgie

Veteran

Gigi, Oh my gosh. Your post could have been written by me. Everything describes me to a tee except last sentence in first paragraph. And the first part of last sentence in 2nd paragraph. I do not have anything in mind to consign or donate and because of that I have a LOT of stuff. But like you I am a procrastinator and Very indecisive. I have tried the one drawer thing. Maybe if I go to the half drawer plan it will work.

Seriously, thank you for posting. I love your comments!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

January does seem a good month for an edit!

bridgie

Veteran

Thanks Shevia. Yes, I agree. January is like a new beginning.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I realised tonight that I need to as I was changing out of my OppoSuit. The blouse I wore... it has a faux leather collar. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn it and I don’t know that it’s even reached ten wears... but the collar is frayed. How disappointing! I might need to look for a close replacement; it’s the sort of completer piece that’s just the ticket when needed. In any case, I’m wondering how many other items I have like this, that have been decaying in the closet now... I know there’s at least one more such item, my glitter boots. So sad!

Also: the red sweater I wore... I discovered has a spot. Hope that comes out. And my cheapie bow tie off Amazon... yeah, dead in one wear, although it lasted the evening. Gonna try and repair it for the company party, lol.

April

Veteran

I have been trying to face some closet facts. I have many more shoes than are actually wearable/comfortable for me, and I seem to be hanging onto a number of clothing items that don't make me feel fabulous.

Definitely time for an edit -- thanks for the encouragement, bridgie!

Helena

Veteran

Bridgie, I have the opposite problem; I'm a perennial editor BUT I will enthusiastically cheer you on as you tackle your closet!

I think breaking it into manageable chunks is a great strategy - less overwhelming. Decision fatigue is real!

nemosmom

Veteran

Another perennial editor here, but more than happy to support you from the sideline!

Anonymous

I want to join the perennial editor team.

Joy

Veteran

January is a good time to do a closet edit. I still have not found many replacements for pants, jeans and skirts, and now see I need to refresh my holiday capsule and basic winter tops as well. I need to be a better editor. I need to think where I want to go with my style so as. It to make a bunch of mistakes.
Downsizing my clothes to move, I found it helpful to set goals. Example: If I have 6 black jackets across seasons, I must get rid of 2, 3 would be better. This has helped me become more aware of pieces that will work in more than one season.

The Cat

Veteran

I do it four times a year, at the end/beginning of each season. When you do it often, it's usually quickly done!

I help my parents, who are in their late 80s, to do it twice a year. Then we get rid of items they no longer want to keep, and make notes of items they need or want to purchase.

Bridgie, just a thought: Would it be more enjoyable if one or two of your granddaughters assisted you?

bridgie

Veteran

rachy, well, at least you have some good ideas where to start.

And doggone the bow tie that lasted one wearing. That is maddening!

April, bless you for saying I encouraged you. That encourages me. I have been randomly (that is how I do most everything concerning my personal life. I am quite the perfectionist otherwise.) looking at things in my closet and added to discard pile 4 pairs of shoes that I have had in holding for years, also a crazy ugly Christmas skirt that I should have thrown out years ago.

Toronto girl, nemosmom, and Sterling, you three are the official leaders of the Perennial Editor Team. Welcome and Thank you.

Joy, I decided a long time ago that you are one of the most organized people on this forum. And you put time, thought and effort into having a perfect closet. Thanks for posting.

The Cat, thanks for posting. SO nice that you help your parents with editing. Cat, I have One granddaughter and she has one daughter who is five years old. That's it for grandchildren for me. My granddaughter started helping me edit my closet when she was 16. She was and still is very stylish, learned from her mother who was and still very stylish. Her mother also helped me a lot when she was in our family. I have to add that we (the mother) are still friendly but she lives across country from me. Anyway, I very much miss my granddaughter helping me, but she is absolutely too busy, she is a single mom, working full time in a hospital and planning a wedding in the spring. She had us for brunch (she was on call at her job) and she looked very tired.

I still chuckle about this, but when she was 16 to about 22 and helped me she was quick to tell me to get rid of a lot of things and go shopping with me to replace things. Anyway, the chuckle, sometimes after she left I would quickly retrieve things from the discard pile. Not everything but a few items. I have a pretty silky red floral dress she told me to discard about 10 years ago, and I decided a few days ago to put it in my discard pile. I was careful to never wear it around her.

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

Style Fan

Veteran

January seems like a good time to start a closet edit, Bridgie. I just did a major closet edit. I try to stay on top of the closet because I have limited space.

Anonymous

I'm on team perennial editor too, for my closet. The garage however...not so much...but it's cold in there and there are (non poisonous/non aggressive) snakes and 4 inch spiders...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I love that story about the silky red floral dress and how you kept and wore it another 10 years! And that’s why I don’t really want someone to help me. I will take opinions maybe... but one of my daughters is saying she is a minimalist and is inclined to say “get rid of it” about every household item!
I’m also trying to wear them at least 30 times before editing them out. So I have bags in the storage room waiting for consignment or donation to a better shop or a rag bag. I can let you know by the end of January how it is going though!

Gigi

Veteran

Ha ha, too funny that we are so much alike!

I feel like I am drowning in my clothes sometimes. I don't have a lot, but I also don't have much space, so things easily get cluttered. Maybe I can try to do one of the easier drawers this weekend. Marking my calendar...

April

Veteran

Bridgie, in 2012 I decluttered every drawer, cupboard, and closet at my parents' house. (My mother had literally 40 blue tee shirts.) I turned all their clothes hangers around backward and instructed my mom to turn them right-way-round when she wore each item. At the end of the year, she was to donate anything that was still on a backwards hanger.

Now, I haven't been back since then, but I guarantee you that if I showed up today, I would still find quite a few hangers backward.

bridgie

Veteran

Style Fan, Thanks for responding and great that you stay on top and ahead of this editing thing. And you travel a lot so I am sure packing is easier when everything is organized.

suntiger, spiders and snakes, I screamed when I read that. I would not ever edit anything if I knew or even thought those scary critters were lurking.

Jenni, I knew you would understand my thinking on the red dress. Bless you. Yes, please let us know at end of January what you accomplish. I bet it will be more than I accomplish, but I have started and will try. BTW, I am not going to purchase anything in January, and maybe not even February.

Gigi Wishing you all the luck in the world for editing this weekend. Let us know what you accomplish. IF I accomplish anything I will let everybody know.

April, sounds like you Mother may think somewhat the way I do. I don't wear black very often but I have probably 20 or 25 black items that includes about 10 shells. I think even the word shell pertaining to clothes is outdated. But, hey I always think I may wear them sometime. Bet your Mom thinks she may wear those blue tees sometime. I have switched from black to navy and I like black with navy, so another good reason for me to keep all those black items. Thanks for posting.

Sal

Veteran

I think it sounds like you are ready for an edit! Start with a category that will be satisfying. And chunks Is fine.

I edit my clothes as I go - but my office and kitchen in chunks! My office is the worst offender.

I have edited too quickly but not very often. One brown trench coat is my main regret........it was a great vintage item. I can be too slow to pass on pieces that are worn.....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

January is an excellent month for an edit.

Actually, in my books, ANY month is an excellent month for an edit!

But truly...it makes a lot of sense to break it down by category. That sharpens the discriminating senses and makes the whole thing less overpowering.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think if we get someone to help us edit our closet, it’s a really good idea to have them take the bags of donation items with them when they leave so we aren’t tempted to sneak them back into our closets! I used to help my mom edit sometimes by offering to take the item off her hands — she felt much better about giving it away if I took it (she didn’t need to know that I would take it to be donated!). The fact was, she was ready to let go of things but it was hard unless she somehow felt they were not being wasted.

That said, I have never had help while closet editing — I’ve always done it by myself — and could probably use a good eye and a firm opinion from time to time. I’ll sometimes ask my husband about a specific item, and I help him edit, but I wouldn’t want to impose a lengthy edit session on him!

Do what works for you! I like the little by little approach — pick one category for a day and tackle it, so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Good luck!

taylor

Veteran

This is always a great idea. Start fresh for the New Year. I constantly edit my closet , almost regretting some things I have purged. However always up for cleaning, refreshing or certainly going through the things I have decided to keep thus far and re -organize

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m not much of an editor. I enjoy pulling out things from past years and mixing them with newer items. Also, my body and my life are in flux. When they are both perfect, then I’ll be able to go through and pluck out whatever isn’t perfectly suited (in other words, never). But I have been getting better at removing things (sock drawer, I’m looking at you!) that have holes in them or are otherwise unwearable. My son is much like the daughter Jenni mentioned. “Throw it all out!”

But I’ll be watching for your posts. Maybe one per drawer/closet section?

The Cat

Veteran

bridgie, I understand that your granddaughter is busy, and I also understand that a closet edit can seem somewhat demanding if you haven't done it for a long time and if you have a large wardrobe. So, like others here, I suggest that you take one category (i.e. pants, blouses, jackets, shoes ...) at a time.

Another suggestion: Give yourself small rewards (not necessarily items, but perhaps something you would like to watch, read, listen to, experience, eat or drink) after completing each part of the job, and finally one bigger reward after finishing all the job. Rewards can be very motivating. However, the editing process in itself will probably feel rewarding anyway, at least when it is over (in part or completely) and you can enjoy the result.

How about setting aside an hour or two one of the nearest days, for closet editing? And do it again, once or twice a week. Make time for yourself and your closet, because you are worth it! I am sure you will feel much better when you just get started.

JAileen

Veteran

Our Christmas holiday lasted four days. We got back home yesterday, and I’m happy that we don’t have to travel anywhere for the rest of the year.

I’d like to do a closet edit, too. I haven’t done that for several years. I think I just remove things as they annoy me. My biggest problem is that I have gained some weight and my clothes don’t fit very well. I will probably hang onto the too tight clothes for at least awhile, with hopes that I’ll lose the weight.

bridgie

Veteran

Sal, Suz, Janet, Thank you. I have picked a category. Minor, but it is a start and I have it completed. I had exactly 5 items that are strictly Christmas items. Would you believe, (sure you can, since its me)I located a skirt I had meant to donate stored with a red fun sweater vest, not ugly, just whimsy, which I wore most and am keeping and mentioned earlier I have skirt in donate pile now. The other three items were scattered about here and there in 3 separate drawers and I didn't even locate until after Christmas. One is a velour jacket with a snowflake (nothing at all special about it, but even so I am going to carry it over until next year.) And a pretty bronze, gold and black top, which in past years I wore under a nice cream cardi so keeping it and a nice Cardinal Brooch that I looked for to buy two years and finally located it two years ago. I still like it a lot but I am going to gift it to my grandaughters's future mother in law. AT our Christmas brunch she had on a red knit top, with a cardinal print on it , she said she only wears at Christmas, so she may not wear brooch until next Christmas but the point is I love it and I do want her to have it. So, call it editing or whatever you want to. I crack-up at me and my ways more than anybody. Ha, Ha.

Next I am going to tackle all the black in my closet.

Taylor, sounds like you have fun with your closet. That is the way it should be. Thanks for your encouragement.

Fashintern, I will keep you posted. Hope you get your closet sorted.

The Cat, Thanks for hanging in there with me. Your wise words of encouragement mean a lot to me.

Jaileen, I am glad someone else here admits they haven't edited their closet for years. But, sounds like you do have a system that works. I move things around when they begin to annoy. I need to go a step further and get rid of them. Hope you enjoyed your 4 day Christmas vacation, and now some down time for you to enjoy.

The Cat

Veteran

Thank you for your kind words to me. And congratulations on having started part of the project. It sounds like you actually had fun.

By the way, a jacket with a snowflake doesn't need to be reserved for Christmas. It can probably be worn all the winter, in particular if there is snow, or if snow is expected or hoped for.

I am excited to hear about the next part of your project: tackling all the black in your closet. As Angie is one of your styling icons, you might find it inspirational and helpful to reread these blog posts:
https://youlookfab.com/2009/09.....ore-black/
https://youlookfab.com/2012/10.....ost-black/
https://youlookfab.com/2018/01.....and-style/

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I will create a closet edit challenge and review on the forum soon, for sure.

bridgie

Veteran

The Cat, thanks for sending those three blog posts. Enjoyed reading them. And now Angie has come forward. I anxiously await that challenge Angie.

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