Closet purge milestone :-) - YouLookFab Forum

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Closet purge milestone :-)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

A lot of you know that I have been systematically going through a closet purge, carried out over the course of weeks. I have attacked pretty much every category of my wardrobe and have started on accessories (8 belts just went in the Goodwill bag), but I had to share this milestone:

My wardrobe -- both summer and winter items and everything in between, except for a few formal/event dresses, now actually fits in my half of the walk-in closet in our bedroom.

I don't think my whole wardrobe has fit on one closet in almost 20 years! It almost makes me worried I'm getting rid of too much!

I've just gotten ruthless! It's a good thing too, because I did some more damage yesterday at Anthro and Banana Republic, but the BR buys are basics I really needed as replacements -- a simple white shirt, and a new pair of casual gray pants. I may have to post the Anthro pieces for feedback though -- one in particular is out of my usual comfort zone.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Allison

That is awesome! My closet is getting painfully full and it just has fall items in there (granted I do have a very small closet)! Grrr. But I like everything! Congrats on simplifying.

catgirl

Veteran

So jealous! I am still plugging away... Can we see a photo of your closet?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I admire you Janet! Please inspire me to do the same. My excuse is, I am too tired. How did you get yourself in the right mindset? Was it fun? My fear is, I'll over-purge.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Denise, it actually has been kind of fun, although not always easy. I'm glad I've tackled it a little bit at a time -- one day I spent a couple of hours going through skirts and pants, for example.

I could actually still trim more things out, I'm sure. I've kept some items I'm just not certain about, post-weight loss. I also have a bunch of things at the tailor now, being altered. The weight loss was a huge factor in deciding to so this, as was the style self-examination I've been doing since I've been visiting YLF.

I just realized as I tried things on that I've been keeping a lot of items that don't inspire me. They're not bad, they're just ok. In fact, they'll probably be totally fab for someone else! But that someone isn't me, so they're doing no good in my closet, regardless of what I paid for them or how much I've worn them.

Truth is, I'm a little bit OCD when it comes to this stuff, so once I got started, I was anxious to get another couple of hours of free time here and there when I could tackle another part of the wardrobe!

One of the benefits of this is that I'm now finding it much easier to identify holes in my wardrobe -- I feel as though I've been getting reacquainted with my wardrobe, and I have a better sense of what I actually have, and what I need to go with it!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Go, Janet! I keep purging and purging, and my closet is still packed. I think part of it is that I hate dressing for work, so I'm constantly bored and buying new things. But back to YOU... I'm so proud and happy for your new closet milestone! You are inspiring for sure. Can't wait to see your new purchases.

taylor

Veteran

Good job! Purging is so cathartic isn't it !! Carry on:)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Taylor, you're so right! Feels like letting go of the past.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yay for a good purge! I should join you, but I'm holding on to a few just okay items, out of fear of an upcoming shopping ban I think. I, too, would love to see a picture of your newly pruned closet!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Way to go, Janet!
I purged about 80% of my pre-YLF wardrobe over the last year and that was quite liberating. Now I need to go through my post-YLF purchases with a critical eye and see if anything else has to go to keep it tight - and to free room for new stuff! However I like my current wardrobe like I never liked the old one. My biggest problem with dressing now - that I need to select one outfit only at a time!

lynn

Veteran

I'm impressed! I'm trying to do the same but I still can't fit it all in one closet. That must feel great.

Elly

Veteran

Janet, I think you should repopulate my closet (Just teasing). No purging yet and I am still on team "using my closet to store other people's stuff." To put it in perspective, the closet is in a small 1960s house.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

My problem is I have a few realllly goreous items that I love that are at least one size too small. *sigh*

Lisa

Veteran

What a wonderful accomplishment! Congrats! One of my goals since finding YLF was to get my 4 season wardrobe into one closet. I finally did recently, but right now it is one packed closet! But it's all in there. I am slow and hope within another year I can purge some more and get the closet to more manageable levels. Right now it's hard to get items in and out. It is not easy to say something that is in fine condition has to go. I have a lot of emotional attachment to my clothes. Hearing about your closet purging success is really inspiring!

Debora

Veteran

Way to go, Janet! I'm really, really impressed!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Way to go Janet! I'm also starting a closet purge prompted by moving house so this is inspiring! Do you have before and after pics? Did you pre-decide how many of each item you were going to keep, or did you just purge the ones that you didn't love. I really like the advice to only keep things that inspire you - I'm going to try and keep that in mind as I go through my closet - thanks!!!

DressLover

Veteran

Way to go, Janet! It feels so good to get rid of that dead weight in your closet.

MNsara

Veteran

Yay, Janet! I'm envious of your accomplishments in your closet! I hope it will be inspiring too

Denise - I really have to be in the correct mood. . .and that's hard to pin down. I'm much more decisive at night, but only have time to work on that sort of thing in the a.m. Some days I'm just unable to make ANY decisions or give up any options (aka clothing). I think we have to learn when and how to outsmart ourselves - at least those of us who don't naturally weed/edit/purge ruthlessly

Kari

Veteran

That is awesome! Mine probably would not, at this point - I take up a closet (regular, not a walk in, but still) and a tall chest of drawers. My SO, on the other hand, takes up a closet including his foldable items (he uses those hanging shelves in lieu of a dresser) and also his workout gear. On the other hand, he has to do laundry a lot often than I do, too. But I keep wavering between wanting a smaller, more portable wardrobe - and loving the variety and options that I have in my wardrobe already!

Lynne

Veteran

Woohoo! Well done, and do we get to see pics?

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Well done! I want to see pics, too ...

If I purged, I'd have nothing to wear I'm working on building mine up a bit!

kimlee

Veteran

Well done. I am in the midst of my own SYC and purging process. I agree there is something almost addictive about the process once it begins.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Janet, you live my dream life: you're a photographer, you train for marathon AND you have the perfect small wardrobe. I'll be there too, in not so distant future, at least wardrobe-wise

Sveta, you too made me smile: My biggest problem with dressing now - that I need to select one outfit only at a time! I know *exactly* what you mean.

YLF rocks!

Anonymous

Huge congrats! You're an inspiration!

Vildy

Veteran

I'm bowled over by the photographs on your website. What a lucky woman you are to be so talented. I kept thinking how different the world must be for you, walking through it with your photographer's eye.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations, Janet! That's a lot of work, and I am sure it will pay off in ever-more-wonderful outfits!