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How to undertake a closet purge

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So I'm finally ready to start going through my closet and purging what doesn't work for me - some things are obvious, others not so much (those are the ones I'm asking about keep/toss in my WIW posts). The items I was absolutely sure about getting rid of, I've already donated to charity. But the items I'm still on the fence about, I'm moving from my bedroom closet into a downstairs storage closet, like a "holding zone". I was thinking if I don't grab it out of the holding zone in the next three months, then it should go? is this a useful strategy? Or is this just procrastinating? I'd be curious to hear how others tackled their closet purging.

I've also been wondering a lot lately about the desire to have an item be a 10 out of 10. Obviously that's what we're all striving for. But what if that's not always realistic? For example, some blazers I have I would rate an 8 out of 10 - in order for them to become that wonderful 10 out of 10, I would have to spend some serious money on alterations (I always get sleeves shortened, so I don't count that - but things like taking in the shoulders a bit more, adding darts, shortening the hem, etc.) taking the overall cost of the item to a price I can't afford. Are there instances where it's ok to settle for 8 out of 10, or should we always keep working for the perfect item and do without that piece for now? Again, I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

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14 replies

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Lantana

Veteran

Proceed with caution! I have had to purge my closet many times over the years due to a rather nomadic life. Now I'm settled, there are several items I wish I had kept, even if they had to be put in storage somewhere. I'm thinking one 50 's swing coat , sigh, gone forever.
I'm all for chucking out stuff I never wear. On the other hand, I have kept a designer dress for nearly 10 years, hardly worn it, and due to my learning on YLF I now know how I can retrieve it from orphan status. So, after all that, maybe put some things you're not sure of in storage for a year - or more?

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I haven't yet started the process, but annagybe posted something earlier today - it was a blog post on "beauty" from Margaret Cho - here's the link to that post:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rgaret-cho

What jumped out at me? The following:

"...everything I have - its sole purpose is to flatter me, and if it doesn't, it's gone. " ~ Margaret Cho, in her blog post, "Beauty" as linked to by annagybe.

This helps me out a lot. While I may not know what my style is yet, or where I'm going, this makes the now slightly-less daunting process of clearing out my closet so much simpler. It's what prompted my question on the forum earlier today about what to do about colognes that are hanging around on my dresser. Now it's not a question of feeling guilty because I bought something and didn't wear it, and it's not a question of trying harder to make something work. Maybe it could actually be that simple? Even without knowing what my so-called style might be. And if something's too big or too small, it's not going to flatter, is it? There may be some things that are worth finding completer pieces for, or worth having altered, but deciding that "everything I have - it's sole purpose is to flatter me" - well, that really clears a lot of clutter out of the process, wouldn't you say?

Good luck - I don't think I'll take my own closet on until after the holidays, but I'm already looking at the things hanging there with a new perspective, thanks to reading the blog post that annagybe shared earlier.

catgirl

Veteran

My slow version of this has involved wearing for an entire day any items that I'm questioning. By the end of the day I've usually decided that it doesn't work due to fit, style, color or whatever and then I put it straight into a giveaway bag. If I like it I hang it back up with the hanger turned around so I know to move on to other items. This has been less traumatic for me, and it has also resulted in me pulling several items out and realizing I don't really want to wear them again.

The hard part is that there are so many excuses not to part with things (Will I lose weight? Will this be back in style? Will I ever attend a royal wedding? Did I waste all that $? And so on...) but at some point, they feel like a burden when they are just sitting there taking up space.

Lisa

Veteran

I think closet purging moves at different speeds for everyone. I am in the middle of a very long closet purge talked about here and I expect it to continue through next year. I anticipate not fully purging my closet until at least mid-year next year.

For myself, I did put items in a separate closet, and this helped. If I didn't run and grab them within a season, it was easier to put them in the donate pile. But I cannot be quite so ruthless, and a couple items are still hanging around just in case I decide to revive them next season. The items I kept were items that were a little pricier, or that I still like but just didn't get to wearing that season. The catch is, any new items I want to purchase, will have to replace the existing items. It's getting harder to purchase something new when I can recall something at home I already own and like.

Deciding on a base color, and a couple accent colors, really works for me. I prefer a limited color palette. This let me purge items that did not meet the colors I choose rather quickly. Also I've become more focused on fit and items that do not meet my fit criteria also have to go. For items that are not 10s, if I purged all my non 10 items, I would have too much guilt over the lost money and rush out to purchase replacements. So items that are not 10s: first I got a mild alteration done if I was willing to invest (a waist taken in, sleeves shortened, etc), second, I keep trying to remix the items. Some items are not 10s but are key pieces in my wardrobe and will not go until I find a suitable replacement. Other items are not 10s and I do not favor them as heavily, they are moving to the donate piles.

The last thing that helped me, was tracking my items. I live in a 4 season climate and was shocked to see how little I could wear in each season. This has helped me streamline as well. I have a better grasp of how many items I need in a season to satisfy my need for variety. And the list helped me to identify wardrobe favorites. I recently started adding cost per wear. Another eye opener for me, it's almost a game now to see how much I can reduce the cost of an item through wearing them a lot.

Good luck with your closet purging!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Each of us needs to decide on a pace at which we purge our closets, a standard by which we'll determine whether or not to keep something, etc. What works for one person, will not work for another.

I wish I could just dump everything that doesn't rate a 10, but two factors slow me down: (1) cost; and (2) availability of replacements.

I need to pace my spending so I can continue to feed my family and pay rent. If I had a lot more disposable income, I could speed up the rate of purging and replacing items. I think this is the case for most of us.

I might be ready to give up on a pair of trousers, for example, but if I can't find better ones in the store, I'm not about to get rid of the old pair. I'm not daring enough to walk around in my undies!

Personally, I settle for 7's and 8s all the time in my wardrobe. 10s are elusive and often costly. It's worth waiting and saving up for them, though!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

For me, it was a matter of degree. The things that were obvious - poor fit, cheap construction, dated style went pretty easily. It's this last few months that I'm s l o w l y purging the 'almosts' that probably are 7's or 8's but with something amiss. It might be a tad too short, or thin, or bright, or dull, wrong color etc etc. It's harder for me to get rid of these, but they invariably are bigger 'taunters' hanging there ha ha. Witness my animal print wrap dress post today. I have asked/debated on it no less than 3 times now here on the forum this year. Yeah . . . sometimes it's hard to let go I'd say whatever pace works for you that you are both comfortable with but feels like you're getting somewhere!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like your holding zone strategy. It has worked for me. On something like a blazer that you need for work, I do think you need to hang on to those pieces that are 7 or 8 until the 10s come into your closet. When you say "taking in shoulders," I wonder if you mean narrowing the shoulders? If so, I'd donate that blazer and move on. That's a difficult alteration to do successfully. I recently did a quick closet purge, after reading Style Evolution by Kendall Farr. I found I could donate three blazers I had been keeping "just in case" (of what? who knows!), because while they fit me very well, on each of them, the hem hit me at just the wrong point across my hips, accentuating the widest point on my body! I was relieved to take those blazers out of my closet with a clear conscience.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Lantana - I totally agree not to rush the process. i definitely don't want to end up regretting tossing out something that I should have kept.

Velvetychocolate - thanks so much for the link to anna's Margaret Cho post. I had missed that one - quite surprising, wasn't it?

Una - I love the backwards hanger idea. Think I might copy that.

Lisa & Amy - I'm in the same boat in terms of not getting rid of something until I have a suitable replacement. I can't afford to replace everything at once so am trying to choose the most important pieces first.

Melina - I did notice you posted again about the print dress! FWIW, if you've debated on it three times chances are it's not something you're ever gonna love.

Firecracker - yes, I was referring to narrowing the shoulders. And you're right - it's a costly alteration and not easily done. Glad to hear the holding zone idea worked for you. I think I'm going to stick with that plan, although I did take a few things out of there today that I realized I was never going to like or wear!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with what others have said; the process seems quite individual. Did you see Claire's hilarious post about her own recent closet purge? (If you didn't, it is really worth a read; but I warn you, you'll be spitting your coffee all over the keyboard again if you try to drink and read it at the same time! http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....loset-cull ) Or check out my 3 bags full: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....wear-again

I find it relatively easy to purge. If it doesn't fit, doesn't flatter, doesn't meet my needs given the life I live, and doesn't have anything particularly special going for it, what's the point of keeping it?

The few things that I have kept over the years have had some special value. They were amazing fabrics, or really unusual styles. I even had a few of these golden oldies altered this summer to fit me. But you know what? After all that I decided that they weren't really that fab and I will be passing them along when their season comes up again.

Do I sometimes miss clothes that I used to own? Of course! But I'm not missing the actual item so much as I am missing the feeling that item gave me. I can get the feeling another way, and probably should. If I want to look fresh and if I want to continue to have fun, I can't keep wearing the same clothes for twenty years.

Having said that, I haven't really owned very many high quality pieces in the past, and if we were talking about couture or even higher end ready-to-wear and vintage—stuff that is beautifully cut, with wonderful fabrication—well, in that case I am sure I WOULD have a tougher time letting go. And perhaps in that case, I would hang onto things much longer and bring them in and out of rotation.

Also, I don't purge the clothes that I am actively wearing and a). like a great deal, even though they might be getting a bit worn; or b). NEED, because there is no replacement on the horizon and no money for replacement, even if the item isn't a 10. If an item falls into either category, i put it on a list for replacement as soon as I am able.

I wonder if our purge style relates to the kind of wardrobe we favour in the first place. I like a smaller wardrobe and I will happily wear the same items multiple times in a week (even items like jackets that others notice). Frankly, before joining YLF it never occurred to me that this might be a problem.

But that means I may tire of my items sooner than someone who wears hers only twice a season, and so getting rid of them might not be seem as fearsome a task. I feel I've had my "cost per wear" and won't have a lot of guilt over letting go. Also given the amount I wear my individual pieces, it stands to reason they might be worn out sooner than those of someone who doesn't wear hers as much, which again would make it easier to let go.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the holding zone idea but wouldn't give it such a strict timeline as "is has to be worn in 3 months". Some items might not have an occasion in those 3 months. For example - fancy dresses aren't needed as often as jeans. However, if several occasions have come up where an item is appropriate yet I keep passing it up in favor of others, it's probably time to purge that item.

rosee

Veteran

...not much to add...
I really like the "holding zone" idea and practice that one myself, but I don't give it a specific time frame because as others have said the opportunity to wear something in that time may not come up until later (seasonal items and special occasions). Sara L.'s advice is great :
"However, if several occasions have come up where an item is appropriate yet I keep passing it up in favor of others, it's probably time to purge that item."
If you got space you can use other than your regular closet, do use it, and carefully purge items after much consideration (and often time -- usually 1 year for me).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great advice and suggestions from the forum ladies.

Shannon, if you feel like it, browse through the closet organization category on the blog. There are lots of tips there too.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Great advice! I did a closet purge a few months ago and it is so great to be able to see everything and feel excitement instead of dread when I walk into the closet. I asked myself about each item:
1) Does this make me feel fab?
2) Does it fit right?
3) Do I need this in my wardrobe?
4) Have I worn this recently?
And if all of the answers were No, then it goes, even if it's in good condition and I paid good money for it.

Most of the things I got rid of I don't miss at all. The only things I kinda miss are a favorite camel coat that I donated because the lining was torn and it was old and too big, and a couple cardigans that I haven't replaced yet. There are a few orphans that I hadn't worn in a while but I saved and have been able to revive with my new clothes so you have to evaluate piece by piece.
The purge will be so worth it, and if a holding closet helps you then go for it!

ETA: Here was my purge:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-my-closet

Anonymous

I am all for a good closet cleanout, but I think hidden storage is an excellent idea. I would keep a casual and work capsule in my regular closet with enough clothes to rotate for the season, even if there are a few 7s or 8s in there. The rest can be moved somewhere else to see if anything is missed.

My ruthless purge resulted in not being able to find replacements for a few of my worn out items which I am still looking for, while going without. So I'd advise to hang onto the "good enough" until you find a "great" replacement---but do look for that replacement. My problem was that I wasn't motivated to shop for it unless my need was dire (finding basics shopping a bit boring).

Even if you just cart a bunch of your clothes to another location in your house, your closet will have some "breathing room" and you might find that you are more creative with the fewer items that you have left. Something funny happens when you remove the *loud talkers* and you can finally think straight and watch your style emerge.