Wardrobe Cull Progress! - YouLookFab Forum

I've started!

I decided to pack most things away into storage rather than be too ruthless to begin with. I've spent the past 10 years pregnant, breastfeeding, and my weight has fluctuated about 4 sizes in that time so needs have been constantly changing. I think things are fairly stable now, so I aim to get rid of the surplus over the next 12 months or so, in seasonal stages. I've also held onto some things that might be suitable should I return to work (likely) in the near future. (My potential employment would be "smart casual" and potentially messy, so I don't need "good" clothes, just neat clothes).

Pic #1 is the "before" photo. That's not counting any of the folded trousers, the large washing basket waiting to be put away, or any "smalls". It really just gives you an idea of the state of my wardrobe!! Are you scared yet?!

Pic #2 is the "after" photo. This is what I've got to work with for Spring/Summer/Autumn. I'll make adjustments along the way, and work towards simplifying these things into capsules of some sort so that I make better use of some wardrobe items such as skirts, which I love, but don't wear as much as I could.

I've identified a few "needs" so far:

1. White summer tanks need replacing! Lots of wear last season, and storage over winter has left them looking less than their best. Easily done, and under $50

2. I love to sew, and one of my favourite items is my semi-sheer silk bird-print tshirt blouse. I "need" to make a couple of others in different prints. These can easily be dressed up or down, are comfortable to wear, even in 40 degree heat, or can be layered for cooler weather.

3. A combination of grey, navy and denim works well for my neutral "core" wardrobe. I'll resist the urge to splurge too far from that colour spectrum for my investment pieces from here on. (You can't see a couple of blazers, trousers or denim gear in these photos)

4. I seem to prefer pops of soft emerald green and that deep watermelony type colour - I'm not sure how much of that is "instinct" and how much of that is due to the availability of "fashion" colours in stores.

5. I seem to lack purple - there's a little bit in there, but there doesn't seem to be very much! Irrelevant, but interesting to me

Any tips on culling further?!! I somehow have to get my head around the idea of what will not be missed, rather than just considering what I like and what suits me. If it's still in there, I like it and it's at least "passable" (but probably pretty good)

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12 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

Annaj I'm not clear on why you are culling but maybe I missed an earlier thread. Is it that you don't have enough room, or something else?
ETA: Ah ha, I've gone back to your original cull post and have my answer.
It seems to me you are torn between whittling your wardrobe to a more manageable size on the one hand and, on the other, buying new bits and pieces to fill possible gaps. I think if you jump in and start building capsules with what you already have it will become crystal clear where the wardrobe holes really are.

shedev

I used the standard of, would I buy this now? to help cull from 480 to 300. It included every thing except underthings. I think I will do a seasonal sort of questioning like this for spring again. It was really helpful. Doing a large cull isn't easy but you will feel great when you are done.

Lisa

I purge any unworn items at the end of a season. If I didn't sport it once during the season I figured I would not miss the item. This worked well for me since I live in a 4 season climate and helped me cull enough items the past few years to shrink my wardrobe from over 300 items to about 150 now and they all fit into one closet.

Suz

(website)

Good for you for getting a start on this! And I must say, it's all very neatly organized!

Amy

So hard to do! I'm applauding from the sidelines.

annaj

I'm down to around 100 items (currently in my wardrobe, not including what I have packed away for summer storage). It still seems like a lot, but I've culled about half of what I had, which I consider to be quite a substantial decrease. I'll work at decreasing it further, but plan to do it in stages.

I don't feel like I have any significant gaps at the moment, but I do like to mix things up, so I am sure things will morph as the season progresses. I'll cull more when I get sick of the washing pile again no doubt!!

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement!

Gigi

Shedev, I like your suggestion of using the question, Would I buy this now? to help decide on what to keep. I just moved into a much smaller apartment and have to do a bit of culling. Not a lot, but I am the type of person who tends to get attached to everything and always worries if I will have a need for something once it is gone. But there are things in my closet that I definitely wouldn't have bought now and don't make me happy. Maybe I should let them go and enjoy a little extra space so that I don't feel like everything is so crammed in. I HATE that crammed-in feeling! Urgh.

froggiebecky

Can I just say that I wish I had your closet?

Gigi - I'm a lot like you! A lot of sentimental attachment to my clothes! I always need things the moment I've thrown them away (or I think I do) which is why I've tended to pack up, rather than throw away a lot of my surplus. I'm more comfortable to store for a while, and then throw it.

The first photo was taken inside my closet. The second photo was taken on a transportable rack before I put everything back in my closet. The racks are great for pulling things out and playing with combinations as everything is within arm's reach. I have another rack that I use as my "cull" rack and hang the things I don't need or am not sure about before I fold to throw away. I also find that when things are grouped by type, and arranged by colour, I can more easily see the gaps, or where "maybes" can fit back in.

The good news from all of this is that I wore something quite different (for me) today having rediscovered it in my wardrobe

Bianca

Active Member

You have inspired me. This is something I too desperately need to do.

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