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Purging

rachylou

Veteran

Always trying has made me think. I have done a lot of purging since being on YLF (one of my goals). I have cleared out half my stash. I still have too much. It's all things I love and still wearable, but it's too much to honestly give a good wear. I could go thru winter and never repeat a sweater.

Any suggestions for criteria for getting rid of loved wearable things that fit?

General

34 replies

Latest reply was from L'Abeille

Ginger

Veteran

I'm not good at purging either, but it's just because I'm merciful. If I were being tough, I would eliminate anything that had:

(1) Stains, holes, snags, or fading
(2) Fit issues, like neck too tight/big, sleeves too short/long
(3) Distortion from hangars or laundering
(4) Laundering requirements too annoying to be worth it
(5) A color or pattern that doesn't make me really HAPPY
(6) Can be worn with only one outfit

Anonymous

No. I have a hard time with "beloved" altogether. I try telling myself that someone else will love them just as much and might benefit greatly from having them (e.g., women's shelters). It doesn't help. The only thing that helped me was weight gain. At some point, there was no going back and I knew I needed to purge those things that no longer fit.

Laurinda

Veteran

To pare down I rank items within a category, then find new homes for the lowest ranking items. I.e. if I have six turtlenecks, but only want three, I put them in order 1-6 and rehome (consign, donate or recycle) the lowest three.

Ginger

Veteran

After that is when I would have to really dig into outfits. What makes the most and best outfits? Which ones fit well by themselves, but are hard to style in a way you like? Color is important to me, so sometimes I hold onto less-than-best items because the color is gorgeous and I know I'll use it anyway.

Assess role as well, by warmth/weight. A lightweight Uniqlo merino sweater is not going to fill the same role for me as the heavy Athleta merino sweater, even if they were the same color.

Isabel

Veteran

I am working on that too Rachy. And not just clothes. My husband and I are just stick of STUFF that we don't use. I remember how my mom knew each piece of clothing each on of us had...I barely remember what I wore yesterday.

I read about someone who chooses ONE word every January that she focuses on the rest of the year. A few years ago, she chose "austerity". I decided to do the same this year. Austerity as in simple, rigid ( sticking to what works and what I love ).

Good Luck !

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Focus on your style and where you want to go with it to figure out what can go.

Anonymous

I also consider - what would I want to take on vacation, will I choose something else over this, would I want to be wearing it if I ran into an ex boyfriend or old co-worker, if I had only x number of sweaters/tops/etc., would I pick this one to keep.

Why am I not choosing it more often right now? Do I need to lose weight to wear it and feel good in it? Ever notice that the things that feel best on us feel best whether our weight is up or down?

I am also someone who likes new things, if I'm being honest. Is what you're keeping better than what you could get going forward?

Do I need this item to keep a memory alive? In past, it has taken me several years to move along things that are very emotional. Some grace and time to those feelings is not unwarranted.

AJ

Veteran

The suggestion of what you would bring on a vacation is a good one to help sort out the favorites. Then next I would pick the colors that look best on me. Put the rest in a holding container and get rid of it if you didn't feel the need to open it.

Anonymous

I was down to only things that fit and that I liked and in great condition when i wanted to reduce my possessions by at least a third when moving. I did what Laurinda suggests pulling out all black jackets, etc. and culling at least a third to a half. This seemed to make the most sense at the time, but I still find that I made mistakes. I got rid of nearly all shorter or boxy tops just when higher waists and tucked tops were coming into style.
I also would use the "would I take this on vacation?" question as one wants the best stuff. It also helps to remind one if you need that piece to complete an outfit. Please keep us up on how you are doing and what helps you. I still need to edit out more.

Anonymous

Well, I wouldn't purge those things if they are loved. I'd just not buy anything new until the existing ones are good and worn out. I am in the same boat - except I don't love most of my sweaters. I am making myself wear them until I can't take it anymore , and then won't feel so wasteful passing them on . I constantly purge, and clearly still buy too much because the purging happens in great qty every season. Yes, I'm a shopping idiot.

AM

Veteran

I think you might have two qualifications Love and That I Wear. If you aren't wearing these pieces, figure out why. If you can't fix the reasons for why these pieces aren't being worn -- say good bye. I'm in a big purge. No mercy!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Do you REALLY love them, Rachy? When did you last wear the items or even fit them on, and style them in an outfit that you loved?

Answer those questions accurately and you'll be editing fast and furiously.

Minimalist Gal

One "trick" that I know many people have used successfully is to put everything on a hanger and hang it backwards in your closet (with the hook pointing towards you) at the beginning of a season. When you wear something, you either put it back in its drawer or hang it with the hanger in the normal position. At the end of the season, anything still hanging on a backwards hanger gets donated, NO MERCY. You have probably heard of this method already, but I mention it because I know it has worked for a lot of people whether wanting to create either minimalist or simply more manageable wardrobes. It does take a bit of dedication to actually do it.

I also find that it helps to set a numerical goal. Every person has a different personality, so having a 10 or 33 item wardrobe isn't realistic for us all, but if you have 40 sweaters and decide that you are only going to keep 10 of them, it will become immediately obvious which ones your favorites are--and it's ok if it turns out be 11 or 12, just get close to the goal.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have much advice other than to say that for the sweaters that you haven't really worn for a while, give them a wear now. You might find after half a day's wear why you haven't been wearing a particular sweater. Maybe it gets scratchy, or it rides up, or it just doesn't make you feel fab. Then you can purge it.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. Good points. And maybe I only think I love them, Angie.

I have two categories of sweaters: office and casual. The office ones aren't getting any wear right now. I used them as tops, which is one reason I have so many. I don't know that I'll go back to wearing them anytime soon, so maybe I should start there.

I should probably pick a number and try to get down to that.

I also have sweaters for different weather/activity situations in the casual category. I wear different ones during the day. I suppose that's a bit silly... esp if some I don't wear that often.

jill58

Veteran

This is so hard for me too. For example, I have a black turtleneck sweater that I've always loved due to the fit. It's now faded and has a bleach spot. I keep thinking I could somehow dye it -- even though I haven't dyed anything since high school and the likelihood of my doing so is virtually nil. So the sweater sits on a chair. I should mention that I have a new black turtleneck but somehow it's still hard for me to ditch the old one, even though it hasn't been worn in two years. Just writing this makes me realize how ridiculous it is.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I'll echo Angie's point about asking yourself whether you really love the items. This can be especially difficult to answer if we don't own any items that we truly love, leaving us feeling sufficiently satisfied but not enthusiastic about our garments. I'm lucky to have found something recently that I really love, which has helped me calibrate my attitudes toward other garments. One more item means one less opportunity to wear what makes you happiest.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. I do have a category of sweaters that I don't love, but I love the outfits they make...if that makes sense. They are less loved 'completers.'

I guess I could get rid of bakery trashed sweaters...

Anonymous

Jill, what about a black sharpie?
Rachy--you're lucky that you like so many of your things. (I don't like very many of my sweaters; I'm like Lisap that way.)

Is it that you don't have enough room to store them?

I would try to purge until you reach your closet/storage limit.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ask yourself Angie's questions and if you still have too much ask yourself why you think it is too much.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Heheh, I like Shevia's logic!

Actually, I'm not a good one to ask because I edit so often, there is no time for me to become nostalgic. If I'm not wearing it and can't imagine it in an outfit that I'd enjoy wearing -- out it goes. I'm especially harsh on tops and sweaters because they are front and centre so to speak and I get bored of them from seeing them too often. Also, they pill, fade, and get pulled out of shape more often than sturdier garments.

I do sometimes ask myself before I donate whether I'm forgetting certain weather conditions. I can be guilty of getting rid of things that I can't imagine wearing simply because they're not the right weight/ texture on the day I'm editing.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, my problem is I can't store them. Well, I could... but then I'd have to get rid of my 'vanity table' setup in my closet, and I really like having that.

With so many sweaters, I have to confess most are in good shape. I rotate thru...

unfrumped

Veteran

I can relate exactly because I love sweaters( pullovers and have bought more while I already had too many to wear.
I culled just 3 or 4 this weekend.
It was logic plus desperation.
One was a hot pink thick pullover from Talbots. Here's the analysis: the pink looks luscious but a true hot pink is a touch too warm and bright for me now( in a whole sweater); it has a straight, low hip hem, mostly good for pants yet which does not do as much for flattery as curved shirttail or cocoon; it is thick enough that I don't wear except deep winter; and I would not buy the same color/ style again. I was keeping it because it was such a GOOD sweater.
Another was a cashmere cardigan in a beautiful orchid/ purple/black color combo argyle- I wear buttoned like a top - but it tends to ride up to higher hip, and I hate that. I'll put it on, then take it off. Perfect colors but not good for " confident" wear. Have kept it because " I may never find these colors again". Tossed it out.
I kept one I thought I might toss- a light gray heavy knit with long cocoon hem.
Turns out it's a great matchcouple of skirts where this gray works better than any other shade I own, plus covers well for pants. So it's a real outfit creator.

Penny

Veteran

Along the lines of others' suggestions, it's helpful for me to think of the season / lifestyle category and to pick a number based on how often I engage in that activity - for example, my office dresses are currently more than twice the number of my weekend dresses or occasion dresses because I spend more time at the office - although I have to fight the impulse to buy / keep more "fun" dresses! And I've donated a lot of items in colors that aren't as cohesive with the rest of my wardrobe or that can only be worn once or twice a season.

Anonymous

A reason I have a lot of warm sweaters....the year of the Polar Vortex and never-ending winter. I got so bored with the very small collection that I had that I over bought and still have many of those. They are very welcome for weeks on end of artic air. The ones with any hint of scratchiness are long gone.

Staysfit

Veteran

If your home was on fire and you could only carry 15 sweaters in your arms (or whatever number you want to keep) which ones would you grab. Don't think too hard. Just grab your favorites quickly. Seriously, which ones would you take out of the house and save from the flames? You on the have time to rescue all of them.

rachylou

Veteran

Ack! Should I run and grab them now?

Style Fan

Veteran

I am doing a big purge now. I ask myself would I buy this again? This question was posted by another fabber. Even if I love the shoes if the answer is no (because they hurt my feet) out they go.
I am setting very high standards for my wardrobe. That way I know I will wear what I buy. I make notes about my observations. (e.g. I don't wear anything that is tight around the neck, I like scoop necks, I only wear earth tones). I think researchers call these notes Field Notes.

Gail

Veteran

Useful for me to read this as I am planning a big purge next week. I have so many boots and booties that my closet is a mess. Also my hanging space is way too full and I'm starting to be unable to find things again. Going to NYC today , have to be strong and stay away from purchasing more !!

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