AAAARGH!!! I just spent like 45 minutes typing out individual responses, then when I hit submit I got the spinning beach ball of death and my computer unexpectedly crashed. I GIVE UP.

But thank you for all your comments! Glad to know I have lots of company

I don't do this so much because I'm not attracted to super glam clothes so most of my stuff is everyday wear.
I have made an effort to make my lounging clothes more attractive so instead of wearing all my nice pants to work and hanging out in gear I have some nice joggers for wearing everyday and ive just hemmed my casual jeans so they are nice for wearing around.
I have a smaller wardrobe after losing weight and having so few clothes that fit. I'm happy with my winter and mid season stuff. Summer will be tackled later.
I put my delicate laundry in a bag or handwash. I have a line but don't use it much. I try to in summer when I have more time as I much prefer it and my mother would be horrified how much I use a dryer!

Ooh, it sounds like you need get busy inventing some occasions to wear those cocktail dresses to!

Great post!

I have too many things in somd categories and can tell I have trouble Weeding out second- stringers. I should have enough with just my best items and outfits in somd of those capsules.
I need to follow my supposed mantra:
"Identifying what it is about an item that makes it hard to let go
Finding that characteristic in an item that is more you. "
And more one in/ one out for cerain categories!

Yes, yes, yes.
I'm also trying to give up the save for later mentality and wear those special occasion pieces regularly. And they weren't that special to begin with. I got a perfect red v neck t shirt and refused to use it in daily wear coz I loved the colour too much and well you know the rest.
And yes, I also have cocktail dresses for occasions not more than three times a year. But they are lovely, expensive and Angie said to keep clothes ready for special occasions, so there.
Thanks for saying that out loud, what we definitely need to kick our butts into.

I did a closet edit recently, and like you, I still have too many clothes. But you know, I like having the variety, and now that I've gained a little weight, I like having different fits around, too.

Your laundry strategy is a good one! I throw almost everything that goes into the washing machine into the dryer.

How nice to have a wardrobe full of items that you like and suit and fit you! Go for it in wearing them!

I'm not really like you, having a much smaller wardrobe. I still find myself having the thought to save things, which while quite legitimate I think, in a "take this off when I get home from work" scenario, is quite silly in a "this is a $10 dress I bought for lounging, but oh, it's quite nice so I better not actually wear it for lounging because I could harm it" scenario. Although I have actually ruined 2 cheap dresses in the last year or so, so there's some logic to that!

I enjoy this type of post so much that I forgot to respond!
I have more than I AM wearing in my closet.
The items I keep for 'special occassions' are not expensive or delicate but FUSSY- I would never lounge in a Winter dress because it requires tights and just doesn't 'feel right' for lounging etc.
And lots of layers and most zip-up pants don't feel comfortable enough for TV watching either.
Also although I have too much, it has all been carefully chosen and fits well so culling would be wasteful in my mind.
I feel like a spoilt brat right now!

Lol, Anne -- to be clear, I don't have a spectacular wardrobe! Not by everybody else's standards, at least. It's mostly casual tops and jeans. I do like everything, though.

Nishaa, I have a kelly green v-neck that's perfect and yeah, same thing. It's not even that special -- just cotton fabric, nobody else would think it's all that amazing -- but I really like it and I can't replace it, so it has been sitting in my closet getting one or two wears per year -- for like eight years! Silly.

I think the problem with all this is that two or three days a week I'm working from home and no one's going to see me besides the kids and the other mom I carpool with. Even my husband barely sees me dressed -- he rarely gets home before I'm in my jammies. (It's why I wear nice jammies!). So often I'm tempted to wear scrubby tee shirts and stretched-out judo pants because, frankly, that's what I'd wear if I lived alone on a desert island. Unlike practically everybody else, I don't "dress for myself". I mean, I do like clothes, and I do wear what pleases me aesthetically, but only for an audience. Putting on a nice outfit and sitting by myself in the house is a bit like eating delicious steak and spitting it out. What's the point? Clothes are advertising.

I apologize again for not responding to all the comments -- I typed out individual responses earlier and the computer ate them and I don't have the stamina to do it again. But I relate to a lot of things everybody said!

Laughing at your comment about the green v neck you are saving. I do the same thing! I also have a category of special tees that I love a lot but no one else will get my love of that top, i.e. I'm almost ashamed to wear it in public.

I even started putting my underwear in the dryer. If it can't go in the washer and dryer it goes to the dry cleaners. Only exception is bras.

Good plan Az. Enjoy those clothes. Otherwise they are closet decorations.

I get you, and your Kelly green v neck top.
You are not alone, a lot of us... Okay some of us... Actually many...we will feel very ridiculous wearing a very nice outfit at home and no one to see. Clothes are an expression of ourselves and expression by default involves audience. Whether of one or many. That's probably why occasion wear are different and more expensive. If it was strictly by the time, your jammies would be most expensive. And that's why now I stick to the logic of putting more money in lounge wear/work wear.
But i guess I'm going on a tangent there so...

Good post and I am definitely working on trying to do this. I tend to save a lot of things and then end up not wearing them . I also have some items that are slightly uncomfortable so I can only wear those for certain occasions.I have decided that some of those must go to a new home as they are clogging up my wardrobe .

What a great post. I like the idea and will also give it a try!

Cocolion -- your post has made me confess -- I also put underwear in the dryer! But only the "bad" ones -- the big soft 100% cotton ones that Jockey makes, that prevent any kind of "feminine" trouble, but that create such obvious pantyline issues that you can't wear them under day clothes. (I wear them indoors, under my jammies, on nights when it's unlikely I'll require prettier ones).

And you know what? They last YEARS. They are as sturdy as good quality, thick cotton tee shirts.

You mean you don't dress for the UPS guy delivering the Nordie packages?

I'm so glad I held onto the almost purged skirt that used to hang on me. I've gained about five pounds in the last couple of months. So now that skirt is rather snug. Ugh!

Az: I've been working on Angie's advice to wear the heck out of my clothes, and I think your plan is fab!

I also think it's fine to rotate items in your closet periodically, particularly if you feel overwhelmed by the choices. That's why I like dressing in large capsule -- it lets me feature certain items for 4-8 weeks, then give them a rest.