My family called, they want their closets back...

Still in the middle of my quarterly wardrobe clean-up, I realized how much my spillover wardrobe is in various closets in the house! When my kids were little they didn't need hanging space, so I grew accustomed to hanging my off-season or party clothes in their wardrobe space. Now that they are older and have growing wardrobes, I need to move OUT.

The only spillover closet I have left is in our home office. I plan to keep summer dresses, party clothes and coats that are not in circulation in the office.

As I go through the kids' closets to free up space for their own things, I realize how little of this stuff I missed! I am a huge clothes waster (tale between legs). Off to consignment we go on Monday.

As The Purge continues, I have learned so much from you all! I thank you for that! Why do I need a cloche hat? Why do I need so many coats and boots when I live in a temperate clime? Why do I need anything else besides jeans, chinos and metallic accessories? Why do I need a whole case full of sunglasses when two would do at a time? Do I really want to manage a large wardrobe? Naaah. Been there, done that. Shame on me! I'm a fool for style, can't help it! But things are gonna change. Pics to come...

12 years ago

cuffcat

Active Member

Excellent! I'm kind of in the same place. I still keep looking at wool coats even though I now live in a temperate climate, too. Not sure why I'm still drawn to the cold weather gear.

Trishalee

I've been dealing with this as well. A closet full of clothes yet nothing to wear. I was challenged last year by a post by Angie where she mentions buying clothes for the life you live. That hit me over the head. I had a closet full of things that were great for someone else's life. My goal is to concentrate on fewer items of high quality. Things that fit well and make me happy. I'm working towards that end this year. Good luck on your quest!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I love these kind of posts. It's so "cleansing" to make these realizations. I've been doing a lot of purging myself the last two months and as my wardrobe has gotten smaller I've felt better about it. Looking at stuff I don't wear just makes me feel guilty and wasteful. Good for you

Karie

(website)

I used to be the same way! Now I have one large closet in the basement for my (and DH's) out of season wear, and the closet from my other post is my only closet in the house for my in season clothing (DH has his own closet too). It's small but racks and shelving units go all the way up to the ceiling. I'm trying to follow the "one in, one out" rule, but, well OK, maybe "two in, one out!" Baby steps, my dear, baby steps.

Suz

Good for you. A closet clean up is an excellent way to start the new year.

By the way, I haven't forgotten the photos of the other jackets. I'm having trouble getting them transferred from my phone to my computer for some reason (the photo stream isn't working right). In any case, although the other two jackets were more indoor style, I don't think either one was as nice as the Bianca. For what it is worth!

I'll post those other photos as soon as I figure out the problem.

Springfiry

I am quite the same too! So I bought a larger closet.... Hope everything fits in the closet now. Will maybe do a purge too.

Finding the right size wardrobe, and what items you actually wear and need are great steps. Funny how it can take decades to finally get there, though!
I had to laugh about the wool coats. Even in Tahoe I only wore 2 wool coats regularly, and a third languished. I didn't even bring my Spiegel leather here to FL, knowing the climate, although it was brand new and I really wanted to wear it asap.

carter

Ummm...isn't there a pink coat on the way? Keep the pink one if it works. It will make it so much easier to get rid of some of the others!

I have two guest rooms...neither one has room in the closet for guests. Both are filled with items for lives I no longer live. One is all black tie stuff from years of fundraisers my current husband has no interest in attending. The other is full of suits and blazers from my corporate days. Feeling guilty about this now...

Sveta

it pains me when I cannot wear everything in my closet on regular basis because I have too much so I am cheering you on here!
Getting you wardrobe in order gives such a liberating feeling, doesn't it?

CocoLion

I'm impressed. I hope to be doing a brave closet purge soon too!

karymk

Sveta, you're right! I just got in the habit of wanting "variety" but that comes at a price! Variety takes money, closet real estate, maintenance. I think I would get such pleasure from a small, liberating wardrobe.

Carter, oh why hasn't that pink coat shown up yet? We shall see. If I keep it, I will sell my JCrew Majesty pea coat. One in, one out.

Karie I'm going to go back and look at your closet for motivation to make my closet navigable.

Glory

Haha too funny! But I totally understand. I was booted out of a few closets last year. Now I have 3 large rubbermaid bins in my closet with my seasonal items. However, since joining YLF I have improved and done quite a few purges. I am going to purge again at the end of this season.

rachylou

A total inspiration

lyn67

Hear you on borrowing others's closets like it was for ever:-)), hah...I need to purge myself, too-but not yet prepaired for it...:-(

Thistle

Look forward to hearing your progress!

Nicole D

I say keep your stuff in your kids' closets. It will teach them to keep their wardrobes manageable. I kid!

Deborah

Loved reading this. I have returned all wardrobes in my house to their original purpose. Our bedroom is quite large so we bought a stand alone wardrobe for DH and I was given 'ownership' of the walk in robe. So now, ALL (with the exception of coats) I own is in the walk in ... and it's not longer crammed full. I love it. Am wearing all my clothes, can see everything and feeling very satisfied

annagybe

Good luck in purge. I actually have incentive to purge. My local fancy-pants consignment store wants more of my stuff.

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