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Closet purge coming - can I teleport Angie?

Glory

Veteran

I wish I could teleport Angie to my house - I really need her :). This weekend I am planning to do a major purge of my closet. I have way too many items that are never worn and are very dated. I struggle with what looks good, putting things together and feeling chic. I would like to say this will be easy but I know that it won't. I fall victim to save it for later, save it for my daughters, it still has life in it, I paid good money for it. I am still working on what my style is but hopefully that will begin to become clearer. Any advice is welcome!

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Be brutal

First eliminiate what does not fit, looks dated and above all makes you feel unfab. Don;t even try those on.

Then take notice of which things make you happy when you wear them, the pattern may emerge.

Also, do you have some favorite outfit formulas? You can make sure you have several options of those.

I am a big fan of selected color scheme, so anything that does not fall into "my colors" has no place in my wardrobe.

...

Raisin

Veteran

First just get rid of all that doesn't fit, is ripped or stained. Don't even consider them, those go automatically! Then try on each piece and keep only what is a 10/10. Try to at least halve what is left over. Good luck, have fun , you'll be left with the best pieces!

JennyK (NC)

Oh how I feel you! I sometimes give serious consideration to liquidating my retirement fund in order to fly Angie out to the East coast, putting her up in a hotel for a week and having her purge my closet and take me shopping.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Be brutal!!!

It is better to have a few things that make you feel terrific (and know what they are and where to find them in your closet) than it is to have a full closet of "nothing to wear."

Angie has some posts on closet editing. I would start by reading those.

And good luck! You can do this! Just channel me and or Claire while you do it. We are the biggest purgers ever!

Nicole in OC

Oh I am so with you there! I just did a huge closet purge last night actually. Had to stop myself a couple of times from holding on to pieces for various reasons. Shoes were the hardest for me and there is still an internal debate going on in my head on whether or not I should purge more from that department. I really wish I had some one there (Angie) telling me what goes or stays.. So much easier when someone else is making the decisions.. and you fee comfortable with their decision making.

My tip: if you didn't wear it in the last 6 months or so, doesn't fit (even if it's the only one of that you have) or is damaged it's got to go.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

One of the women in my WW meeting bought a bracelet "WWMD" which stood for What Would Melissa Do? Maybe you could use that philosophy with Angie as you are doing the purge... Accountability is what helps me with weight loss.. I think you could use this forum and sharing your success in that same way.. Best of luck and by all means make a pile for others if you wish but then it has to go immediately to them or be purged if they don't want it..

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You can do it!

I love Ornella's advice. Be brutal. If I was with you right now - I would be gently brutal with the purging excercise

*sitting on your shoulder as you purge*

Thistle

Veteran

Imagine Angie sitting on your shoulder with a cup of tea and what her advice would be on each piece.

I would ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. Does it fit? If no, get it out of your closet. I put all of my donation items into bags and let my mom and sister have first dibs before they go to charity. You can do the same for your daughters, but it is out of your closet.
2. Is it in good repair or can easily be repaired and look afb? If not, see above.
3. Is it dated? If so, see #1.

After that, look at what is left. Then decide if you like it or can style it to like it. I recently discovered a Barbara Bush-esque cashmere sweater looks fab by styling it differently and it is so soft and cozy. But it was in perfect condition, fit, and was a color I loved. I just needed to style it better.

If you can't style it to like it, or if it is just not you anymore, see #1 above.

I know it is hard, I really do, but it is the first step to a well curated wardrobe. It will also help teach you what you like, what you don't, and what you wear. This will help you identify when you are pushing your comfort zone with purchases. I beleive in pushing this zone (see also bright floral skirt I recently bought), but I knew buying it I was pushing.

Peri

Veteran

Very timely...I'm doing the same thing! Taking all the good advice here.

But I can almost guarantee...if you don't want an item, your daughters really will not!

Glory

Veteran

Ladies thanks for your support. Great advice and I will be ruthless. I have outfits and style in mind, I have a colour scheme in place, I have a budget for replacing items. I may need to post a couple of items for consideration mostly in the blazer/outerwear department. And one question - do you hang onto any items because they may come back into style? (other than vintage?).

Neelie

Veteran

You can also take photos of old favourites that you no longer wear...you can even print them up in a collage...so you can still see them without taking up any closet space. I did that with about a dozen old T shirts that I no longer wear but had sentimental attachments.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Be brutal.

I also find it useful to picture the joy someone else will get from that item. By purging your closet, you are releasing happiness back out into the universe.

shedev

Veteran

I'm in the middle of a huge purge too. I'm doing mine by catagories because I'm trying everything on. I let go of 1/3 of my t shirts just for too short or too tight in the shoulders.

Glory

Veteran

Great idea on the categories. My plan is to attack all the items out right now - mainly winter. Then to spring summer, shoes etc. I have 2 large garbage style bags already full!! woo hoo

unfrumped

Veteran

I have the same struggle!
Last year I thought I did the best purge and then this Feb I did some more and got more focused and just one month later I can see even more clearly some more problem pieces and stubborn holding on.

I have a blouse I just thought I ought to be able to style, it was reptile print, I loved the blend of neutral colors, I thought the detail was good for me, and kept trying it on it in different outfits--some shown on the forum--and yet everytime I was getting dressed I found I could do it and wore something else. I let go of trying to figure out why or why not. OUT OUT OUT.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree you need to be gently brutal (like Angie).
It helps me if I think about what I actually wear, somehow getting rid of all the things you think you "should" wear but don't is really freeing:) Good luck.

ElleH

Veteran

There's a lot of good advice here that I wont repeat but I'm going to give you some exceptions to some of the advice. The "if it doesn't fit purge it" depends. Are you someone who fluctuates in weight or are you stable or headed in one direction, either up or down? If you fluctuate then I would keep some things that don't fit if they are otherwise fab & passes all the other criteria. The other advice "if you haven't worn it in a while". If it is a special occasion or special weather item you may only have the opportunity to wear it once every couple of years. If it is otherwise fab & passes all the other criteria then keep. I wish I had kept some of my clothes. Ones that were too big & now oversized is in. I was advised to get rid of winter white wide legged loose fitting pants & now I see them all over everyone's pinterest. I also see my friend wearing all the boots & shoes I have given her that I wish I had now. I am a firm believer of getting rid of it if you will not wear it or do not love it. Don't keep it just because it cost a lot or might come in handy. Just be careful not to be overzealous.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ditto Elle. I have some things that are half a size too small right now and also some that are half a size too big. I have about an inch fluctuation in my waist/hip measurements over the years.
Also, I don't think everything needs to be worn within a certain time frame to earn its stay in the wardrobe. I have no trouble keeping an item that was never worn last fall to pull it out again with fresh eyes this fall.
But, yes, for the most part, dated, ill fitting, and worn out are the first things on the purge checklist for me. Oh, and comfort - an item may be perfectly fine but if I just fuss all day in it, out it goes.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have to do this! I have to do this! Bracing myself for mini-Angie on my shoulder sipping tea and gently scolding me.

Glory

Veteran

Hello lovely ladies. I am taking a break and recharging. So thankful for all of the responses and encouragement to this post. I have done purges in the past but not like this one. It has helped me to have a style plan and knowing I have tucked some funds away.
I am several hours in but had a small diversion in that my DD asked me to help her in her closet. Pictures coming once my camera battery is charged. In her purge it was easy since so much did not grow. And, she is starting to have her own style which is so pleasing to see!. So Peri - you are spot on that she certainly wont want my castoffs :). From her closet - 3 bags full!
Elle and Mo - this is great wisdom on keeping loved items even if the fit isnt quite right and I am doing that.
More later! xo

unfrumped

Veteran

What elle said...
--especially for tops, where there are so many different proportions for different bottoms, for roomy vs. fitted, boxy, etc, I will hold on to several tops that fit well in shoulders, nice fabric/color or basically I like it, that might be "short" for what I have now, but would be perfect with a pencil skirt I might one day get, or "long," but if pant waists fall, l then will be back to longer tops. Or is very slightly oversized but doesn't swallow me, then I recognize that may trend in and out. That sort of thing. Usually but not always it's a knit, maybe even cashmere or merino, in a good color and good condition that will make an instant outfit with the right bottoms and is aligned with the types of things I would wear more or less of depending on availability and style trends.

Shoes are similar and a problem if my goal is to keep fewer, well-used items--if shoe has a very good fit and comfort but seems off-trend, I will keep it (I have room, but don't like the idea of the shoe mortuary). That is due to my experience that I can never just run out and find the right shoe when I need it--I am so envious of people who can just buy dresses or pants or whatever and pair up beautiful, stylish shoes immediately. However, I try to review them at least annually--shoes can actually deteriorate and flake, or the fit may have changed, and then tossing is simple.

Ariadne

Veteran

I love IK's advice. That's what often helps me bite the bullet and go for it when I'm purging.

"I also find it useful to picture the joy someone else will get from that item. By purging your closet, you are releasing happiness back out into the universe."

I love to donate work-appropriate items to Dress for Success and other items to a local thrift store that supports teen moms who aged out of foster care. Depending on your area, women's shelters might take clothing donations.