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Massive closet purge...

catgirl

Veteran

I just purged a huge amount of stuff from my closet! It's mostly summer skirts and tops that I never touched, plus a bunch of scarves and other accessories I don't use. It's all going to consignment.

It's a little scary because there's a part of me that worries "What if I need a long flowy cotton print skirt?" or "What if I decide to wear indoor scarves?". I want a more tightly edited wardrobe and my Pinterest page shows how narrow my taste really is in terms of what *I* want to wear. Yet it's hard to let go!

I feel like it's the same way we are preparing for a windstorm - we need to have food, water, candles, etc. for any contingency. Do I need a wardrobe for every contingency? Does every capsule need to be consistent, or can I have a "boho" capsule for summer, a "minimalist" capsule for work, etc.? Would you suggest putting anything in purge-atory, or should I just get rid of it all?

I guess what it comes down to: is purging hard for you?

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Really?! Was my first response I remember all the unearthed treasures from the recesses, like the mod trench coat.
I used to have trouble purging. Now, especially having moved from FL to CA *and back* within 6 months, I am purging more frequently and it's getting easier.
Consign those goodies! I would only keep maybe 2 or 3 items that really pull at you, even if they went unworn. Beyond that, just think ahead to next summer (or HI) and think if you would reach for these things or go with faves instead, or even want to buy new by then.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bwaa ha ha!!! Purging is my mission and my joy!! I am a veritable Bluebeard! TOSS it overboard, Matey! That's my motto.

But then...I am one of those aiming at a consistent and coherent wardrobe.

Having said that:

My workout capsule is necessary and NOT confined to taupe!!

I think we need to keep clothing that gets us through our normal daily tasks, whether that be walking the dog, presenting a brief in court, or washing the dishes...and different kinds of clothes are necessary for different jobs.

My silhouettes are not all the same (so I have BF jeans, skinnies, Long and Leans, legging jeans, straight legs; and I have slim pencils, midis, knee length, and a couple of fuller bottoms.)

Also, I think some people really LOVE switching out their style personas (personae?) They like to be boho one day and ladylike the next and UWP the next. It's their style to mix things up like that, and they do need the pieces to make that work. It's just not me, is all.

It seems to me that you've really honed in on your style and want to keep things within a general family of UWP looks. So the only things I'd say you should leave in purgatory are those clothes that you don't yet have a style appropriate replacement for. So, for example, let's say you need to go to weddings now and then, but the only wedding guest dress you have is sort of ladylike for your style. Fits, looks good, but doesn't feel like you. Well, maybe hang onto it until you can fill the hole with a proper UWP dress.

Other than that, if you are also protected from all elements with the clothes you are keeping, let it go! Toss it over!!

Astrid

Veteran

For me purging is too easy! I already purged a lot and on some days feel like I have nothing left to wear and I just want to continue with the purging. The urge won't go away, especially now that I'm finally at a point where I'm fairly sure what I want to have in my wardrobe. Problem is, I can't very well toss all the items left that aren't perfect, my wardrobe would be almost empty! I'd say get rid of it all in your case, I wouldn't keep it around if you still have enough left. I still have all the things from my last purge around, mostly because I didn't have time to take them away (they are out of the way and don't bother me). But I haven't felt the need to look at them once.

Kari

Veteran

Yes. It's hard when there is a particular emotional investment in a certain item. "Fast" fashion, something cheap, is easier for me to let go of; but if it's something that I loved that no longer fits, or just doesn't fit my STYLE anymore, I have to wait until I'm ready to see it leave.

I was lugging around a pair of chocolate brown low-heeled Clarks boots that I loved, but my calves are just too full to wear them comfortably right now. But I didn't want to just toss them! So when one of my friends gushed over how pretty they were while helping me move, I passed them on to her right then and there, and am now going to get a kick out of seeing them actually be WORN instead of sadly sitting in the closet.

I purged a LOT when I moved because there was no point in lugging boxes of clothes over that I wouldn't wear again.

Scarlet

Veteran

Good work, Una! If you do change your mind about any of those things at some undetermined point in the future, you can buy something new. For now you should have what works for now.

ETA: this is to say, do as I say, not as I do. I find purging really difficult because I am always afraid at some point in the future I will miss something. I think the key for me is to realize I am not a starving student any more, and I can actually buy something if I really need it.

DeniseP

Well, it's much easier to purge than it was prior to YLF!

A year ago, my walk-in closet was smack dab full, along with five under the bed clothing storage containers, and a dresser crammed full in another bedroom... Yet I had nothing to wear!

I've purged four times this year and it gets easier. There are few items left that have never been worn, and I know by now they never will, but it's hard to pull the trigger, knowing that it was wasted money.

As I reflect over all the clothes I had, it seemed to give me a false sense of security that I had a nice wardrobe, but in reality I had mostly orphans!

For now and the future, I want a minimal wardrobe, for the sake of simplicity, and hope to tweak my style somewhat, due to retirement, a more casual lifestyle and age.

But I really cannot afford any more purges in the near future until I get some replacements -- or find a nudist camp, ha!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

As someone who procrastinates and has trouble letting go of things (they seem to go together), I am telling you this: be ruthless, if there is any doubt, get rid of it! (Trying to help, at least that is what I would want to hear.)

Yes there are things I purge and then a month later, look for. I think, why did I get rid of that piece, it's perfect for what I need *now*. (These regrets are what build up like plaque on my teeth, making it harder to let go of things.)

But I am telling you, so what? If you need *that thing*, you can usually find a substitute. Or, identify a new wardrobe hole that enables a new purchase!! (Yay for that!)

JR

Veteran

Purging is normally hard for me. In the last couple of years, no. I purge my clothes when they get too big for me because I do NOT want to leave the door open to wearing them, or needing to wear them, again. There were a few things that were hard to let go, for sure.

But if you're finding it hard, why not just box them all up and store them somewhere for a while? That way, if you actually need them, you can reach for them. If you don't, after a few months or so, you should feel much more confident about letting them go.

FWIW, I don't purge accessories if they're in good shape. They don't take up much room, and sooner or later they come back into style or my good graces. And if not, they'll be available for Halloween costumes... LOL!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The hardest for me is stuff that I know no one else wants but has some sort of value to me in terms workmanship, label (designer or vintage), or something like that. Things that I can sell or give away are much easier to part with for me.

Carole

Veteran

This is why I haven't been successful purging! "I may regret getting rid of this", "but I may need that", "there is nothing wrong with this", "I paid good money for that", blah blah blah..... It sounds like you have a much better idea of the direction you are headed to; you have done your homework. I like the idea of saving in a box until you forget it's there and then let it go.

Good luck!

CK

Purging is mostly difficult for me because of weight fluctuations. I keep thinking...but when I lose those last (5, 10, whatever) pounds, this will look fabulous! And I do go up and down, so. What to do?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I say let it go while you still have it in you. I need to do a giant purge like yours... I keep hanging onto stuff even though I do small purges all. the. time.

If there's one thing I learned from the YLF sisterhood, though, it's that you will never go without. When I went to Italy and didn't have a cold weather capsule, MaryK made a puffer and several pairs of long-johns magically appear for the borrowing! I think a while back someone on the forum even lost a bunch of things in a fire, and YLFers sent stuff right over. I would not worry about contingency plans too much.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I find purging fairly easy and quite freeing!
B.T.W. can someone remind me what U.W.P. is please?

KathyL

Veteran

I had issues purging too until started taking pictures of my outfits! It can be really eye opening when you look at pictures of the fit of clothes or see how colors look together. I tend to keep things for what if moments too.

KathyL

Veteran

Uwp = urban warrior princess

Echo

Veteran

I say let it go. If you really loved the items or felt great wearing them, they wouldn't be in the consign pile to begin with. I tend to be ruthless when it comes to purging, and I do sometimes look back and think, "Why did I get rid of that? I could use it right now!" But then I give myself a reality check and realize that if it had fit well, made me feel good and had been worn often, I never would have purged it in the first place. Then something similar to it - but a perfect version that I won't want to purge - goes on the list to keep a watch for. Fewer, but perfect-for-me pieces are my goal.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Having just done exactly this same thing (getting rid of summer stuff I never wore or hardly wore), I say go for it. Your style is becoming more and more honed in Una and you know if your heart what you're going to wear. I say trust your instincts and get rid of what doesn't work for you anymore. It is truly cleansing and refreshing!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Today, I did a massive purge of not my closet. Of my basement.

Over the last 4 years that I have been on YLF, I have gone from size 20 to 10 and back to 20. (Humiliating but true!) I purged all the 20s when I lost the weight, but when I crept back up I stored everything away -- everything down to my workout gear and t-shirts -- in hopes that I would get back down. But by now it's been so long that even though I have the goal to lose the weight again, I knew I wouldn't even WANT to wear most of the stuff I had squirreled away.

So I got rid of it. I went through every single item, putting them into 3 piles: donate, donate to friends, and keep. Goodwill loved me this weekend!

Evaluating what I kept was such an eye-opener: turns out what I couldn't part with were print silky blouses, sheath dresses, and distinctive blazers. Everything else was "disposable": t-shirts, cardigans, knit blouses, etc. The quality wasn't good enough on those to keep, but also I realized by the time I was ready to wear that size again, the colors, cut and shape wouldn't be on trend anyway.

But it was tough to do!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I would add that if it is something you love but aren't sure you'll wear again ask yourself "Could I buy similar or better again if I really need it?" If the answer is no then keep it, if yes toss.

jenanded

Veteran

PURGE! I am surprised since I starting do so that I love my wardrobe more and I rarely miss things... SOME items I keep in a holding zone for a while, but I mainly trust that I have many things, that I do wear what I love and if I have moved on, well it is part of my evolution... watch some old tv shows from the 90s even and realise HOW FAR fashion changes... move on, but make sure you keep those candles up,...

krishnidoux

Veteran

Good for you! It's great to make room for the new. Do make money out of it all. Don't give it away yet! When you will remember these, you won't think about the fact that you didn't wear them as much as you wanted, nor that you don't have them any more; you'll think of the MONEY you made!

Kyle

Veteran

Una--Just went through the same process. It took a long time to be ready to do a complete (full disclosure: I'm still holding on to a few things that I know need to go) and proper purge, but boy am I glad I did. Freeing is the right word. But, also, I am finding it so much easier to get dressed. Everything I pull is something that fits and flatters. No more noise and clutter getting in the way. And I enjoy the feeling of being organized and more in control. I really was not ready for this until I had a pretty clear vision of where I wanted to be style-wise. For a couple of years I was experimenting and floundering, so I made lots of mistakes. Once I was able to hone in on what works for me now, it was ever so much easier. There have been a couple of times that I second guessed myself, but then on further reflection I decided that I had made the right decision. How much you keep is a personal decision. I'd focus on fit and flattery and what works for you now. But if you need a raincoat, for example, and only have one (but you don't love it) hang on to it until the time you find a replacement piece for the long term.

Also, hugs to Kristen re: weight loss and gain. I've been there many times.

Kyle

Veteran

One other thing: If you have trouble getting rid of something because it was an expensive item (as Carole mentioned), try consigning it. I did this recently and ended up with a very nice pay back, while lots of other things were donated to a good cause. Either way, you win, and someone else will feel good about gaining a new wardrobe piece that does not work for you any more.

Sara L.

Veteran

I say purge the items you didn't wear this summer unless you still like the item and the reason you didn't wear it was because you didn't have an occasion to. For example, you didn't have any summer weddings to attend so didn't wear a particular nice dress because you just didn't have anywhere to wear it. If you had oppotunities to wear items and passed them up to wear something else, then those items should be purged.

Lisa

Veteran

I am a slow closet purger (it took me two years and a tracking sheet in excel to get my closet down the the size I wanted). I just did my end of summer closet review and purged any items that are summer specific and didn't get worn. If it wasn't worn in 3 months of hot weather it certainly won't get worn as we roll into fall. I also looked at my fall and winter clothes and put items I was "meh" about in a donate bag in another room. If I don't pull out any of those clothes by end of the year, I'm going to donate that bag before New Years.

For items I've had trouble purging, or even trouble putting in the "hold" bag, I started a little routine. I put my favorite outfit to wear at the moment on the bed, right now it's skinny green trousers, a white LS T and a denim jacket. Then I put the item or outfit in question next to it and ask myself "would you wear "item in question" over favorite outfit?" The answer is often "no" and that makes it easier to put the questionable item aside. And it reminds me that I DO have something that I already own and like to wear.

rachylou

Veteran

Hahahaha... I have to sneak out things a little at a time behind my own back, to take to Goodwill, so's I don't notice.