Closet purging - do you ever get over zealous? - YouLookFab Forum

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Closet purging - do you ever get over zealous?

Raisin

Veteran

I've been purging out my closet for a while, and I'm down to the last bits...the nitty gritty of what should go and what should stay. But over this week it seems like I've take out a lot of clothes...then again I have put new ones in. But sometimes I wonder if I'm over purging? I don't know if I'm the only one but I sort of get on a roll, and once I get into the zone of being ruthless, it seems like a lot of stuff doesn't make the cut. But, I can't say I've missed anything yet....so, it can't be all that bad.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Raisin

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, but not usually. I still mourn a floor length black silk skirt that I bought brand new for less than $10. WTH was I thinking getting rid of it???

EDIT: many will put things in a 'holding zone' first to see if they reach for it again before actually tossing it out of the house.

Lisa

Veteran

No, I am a very slowcloset purger. I've been working on mine for 2 years already! But I really admire those that can purge with ease. I'd probably have a lot more free time if I wasn't so slow.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I drown the sorrow of purging mistakes with getting something else fabulous. I purge regularly and with a very critical eye (I pretend I'm an internist).

Raisin

Veteran

Mo - I usually putit all in a bag to go to the donation box. So it ends up sitting around here for a few days anyway, and I never take anything back out.

Lisa - I've been working on mine a while too! I guess I just had a lot to let go.

Lyn - love it!!

Gaylene

Veteran

Nope, time to move on. Once it's purged, it's out of my life and, hopefully, into someone else's. It's like an old boyfriend; it's nice to be nostalgic but I really wouldn't want him (it) back in my life again.

Carole

Veteran

I have a few things I have regretted parting ways with, so now I leave things in a box in a spare room for awhile, just to make sure. I recently repealed a pair of off white slacks after seeing a pair in a BR catalogue with the top I just bought. But I like Lyns strategy:)

Anonymous

I am not the fastest purger, I don't get rid of things if I still like them. Lack of wear is not a reason for me, since I know I will wear my stuff, eventually. In that sense, my error rate is nil.

Anonymous

I tossed 3 large garbage bags last spring and another 2 this fall and haven't missed a thing. I get ruthless but have only a regret or two.

Didn't Angie say only keep the '10's'? purge away

ElleH

Veteran

I have regretted many things I've purged in the past, hence all my purge questions on the forum now. Sometimes I see my friends in my clothes or they tell me how they love them & I want them back. I've heard that things never come back in the same way but a lot of my purged items have come back. I purged combat boots right before their return & too many other things to mention. I nearly purged a maxi evening skirt then Angie posted about it as a cold weather party outfit. I think it is important to try styling items before you purge. Sometimes they just aren't worn because they are buried in the back of the closet.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I don't regret purging anything, but I wouldn't purge something because it wasn't in fashion. If I really love it & it's good quality it stays - even if I'm not wearing it at the moment. If it's something you can replace, like combat boots, then I would just put it down to experience & buy another pair.

JR

Veteran

No. If anything I am guilty of holding onto things way too long. But circumstances have forced me to purge regularly the last couple of years, and for the first time in my adult life, I have an up-to-date wardrobe. It's a very strange feeling.

Having said that, I normally try to make something work, even if I don't love it, and I often find something I can live with. But I am trying to get much more judicious about what I buy, so that I'm not stuck with something I'd rather not wear. What can I say, I am really cheap.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Yes, my last major purge I got rid of a few items I wish I'd kept.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm a ruthless and frequent purger and I never regret it! I purge to make room for the new fabulous stuff!

rae

(website)

Veteran

OH, yes. I think I've talked about this quite a bit lately... trying to resist the urge to purge for the sake of purging. Tough balance to strike, for sure.

anne

Veteran

Not really. Sometimes I have regret purging a white buttondown prior to joining YLF, but hey it was about 5 years old, and had cost $20 so hardly a great loss!

But my holding zone is for much longer than a few days - more like 6 months - and I have pulled things back from it. Last summer for example I had planned to buy a beach coverup but didn't get around to it. I pulled out a long shirt from the holding zone for the purpose - and got compliments for it. I still don't love it, but it fills a wardrobe hole until I can fill it - and wardrobe holes can be so specific that it is hard to plan for them all!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have had a few regrets, but not many relative to the number of things that have rotated in and out of my closet. I think for years I had a hard time getting rid of anything, then I got a bit too ruthless, and I pulled back. Now I'm trying to find the right balance. I should start the gentle purge idea of taking some things and hanging them in our downstairs (out of season) closet to see if I miss them after six months or so. We have space, so it's not a matter of that -- it's more than sometimes I just feel the need to declutter! When I'm feeling that way, I tend to get a little over zealous.

However, like feeling nostalgia over an old boyfriend (love that analogy!), I try to remember there must have been a reason I let an item go, so I don't miss it.

Anonymous

I'd say I do, and it's because I don't like stuff hanging in my closet that doesn't get worn. If it's something I only wear once a year, that's fine; but the stuff that never sees the light of day gets donated to charity. I just don't see the point of having clothing I don't enjoy wearing.

cheryl

Veteran

Congrats on the purging As for the question, no, I am never over zealous. I have a hard time letting go of items so I purge a piece at a time as I come across things. I could never do a large purge, lol.

Aida

Veteran

I'm a bad purger, so very rarely! I don't really have any purging regrets, and am more likely to regret passing up amazing pieces. Can't think of anything I wish I hadn't purged, but can definitely think of a few pieces I passed on that I wish I hadn't. Unless the piece is vintage or heirloom, there's always new pretties to be had

Raisin

Veteran

Tonight I went back in to see if there was anything else to go... there's a few pieces I'm hesitating on, but then I thought maybe I should stop for a while. A lot has gone out. I'd like to get everything together and see what kind of outfits I can make. Even though I have much less now, I think I have more than enough to last a long time....there's a few holes though.