Wardrobe editing season goes on all year

Mostly for my own benefit/record keeping, a summary of wardrobe editing action at my house within the last several weeks:
Convinced DH to release 13 T-shirts by promising to make a quilt. This will be a truck-back-seat blanket. Many of these shirts were sentimental gifts from daughters, event shirts. I cut the fronts off and got rid of the rest. He has more room in his drawers for the ones he really wears.

DH voluntarily gave up some athletic shoes in good shape but didn’t work for him. I’ve found him less reluctant to cull when I say quite regularly, I have a bag of donation things ready. Do you have anything to get rid of yet?

Sorted my two (!?!) drawers of socks and purged at least 30 pairs. I still have two drawers, one with dark, warm, wool, boot, dressy or cooler weather socks, and the smaller one with low cut sneaker socks and the fun, colorful and print ones.

Gave away many more work clothes, incuding 4 black sleeveless dresses, two nice blazers, and skirts. Finally I am enjoying that there is a little space between items hanging in Closet #2.

Sorted and purged several workout pieces including soft shell jackets, fleece pullovers and too-tight running shirts. Still need to review cotton race shirts, which I usually wear for after-run socializing but have way too many that are not meaningful or a good size. So a bit of progress but more needed on Closet #3.

Removed for donation 5 nice textured lace bras that are pretty, fit well and are like new, but I do not wear because 90% of the tops I wear now are knits. I’ve added enough smooth bras that I don’t need the lacy ones. One women’s shelter here welcomes even underwear in good shape.

Plans for near future:
If the weather cooperates, I will lay out at least 5 light sweaters and/or cardigans to choose this week and if I don’t, will assess why not and if I should keep or donate.

Attempt to enumerate how many dressy outfits I truly need for church and possible funeral events. I’ve been thinking since I attend church almost every week, and change to everyday wear when I get home before noon, I could easily live with fewer choices... especially since I have not worn so many things in the past year. This might be too close to item counting for my comfort but would probably be good for me and give me more room in all the closets.

Think hard and plan for two or three “arty party” combos for each season. This is where I’ve felt a lack and am willing to shop and spend.

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

Great work! You've actually figured out why items don't need to stay, where I just went on instinct & tossed things without worrying about the why. So proud of you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

EXCELLENT edit. Well done, cjh. Good wardrobe planning and outfit creation thoughts too. You sound like a uniform dresser.

I chuckled at your quilt bribe with DH

Greyscale

Heh heh, I am also taking this opportunity to push for some editing of my guy's closet. It's tricky because he has excellent taste but he gets prickly at any intervention. He's been too busy to notice that his favorite shirts have holes at the collars. But I just found a few replacement options for him and he ordered them!

Thanks for the idea of sending good-condition bras to a shelter. I don't think the local charity thrift stores take them, here. I have a lot that are a size too big at the moment, and I'm debating keeping them in reserve vs passing them on to someone who could use them now.

Suz

Excellent thinking and editing! I nodded at this: "I’ve found him less reluctant to cull when I say quite regularly, I have a bag of donation things ready. Do you have anything to get rid of yet?" I use a similar trick. Heh.

Barbara Diane

That’s a lot of letting go of. And congrats on having more space between items in your closet.

kkards

Love the idea of a novelty tee quilt! And I had no idea anyone took Pre worn bra’s. I think that’s a state by state or even city by city thing...

MsMaven

Well done, and thanks for reminding me I need to make a serious effort with my sock drawer. I buy more socks, but don't like to discard any, no matter how worn. I also need to do something about pantyhose. It's been 3 years since I've worn a pair, but I keep many unworn pairs just in case.

I have 2 bags of DH's stuff in the garage waiting for the next donation day. Major victory. Before I married my Mom made a quilt for me with squares from many of my old dresses, her dresses, even my sisters dresses. It long ago wore out, but this is a great way to save some memories.

Cardiff girl

That’s a really nice idea of making a quilt out of sentimental clothing,lm impressed.

cjh

Cindysmith, I have the most success purging when it becomes apparent I’m not choosing to wear a particular item. Going through my cardigan sweaters today, it was easy to see which ones I’ve worn through spring and summer, and which ones I haven’t. Those are the ones coming under the gun this week.

Angie, thanks. You are totally right that I’m a uniform dresser and getting moreso. It has made it easier for me, though still a slow process, to unload the work wardrobe. What I do want to wear is pretty well defined in my mind.

Greyscale and Suz, yup, gotta love ‘em, and their stuff.

Barbara Diane and Kkards, yes it is SO nice to have even a few extra inches of space by removing just a few small no longer used items!

MsMaven, I hear you on the pantyhose. I used to have some in reserve, and finally decided that if needed, I’ll just have to go past a drugstore or discount store on the way. Often old pantyhose will have deteriorated anyway, by the time that special occasion or funeral comes along.

Anonymous

I have seen a denim star quilt made from old jeans of different shades of blue, and lined in flannel. Perfect for a boy. Ms.Maven those old pantyhose may have elastic that is shot, even though never worn or opened. That happened to me when I over-bought nylon knee highs.
Cjh, well done. Thank you for a post full of good ideas. I would like to more about your "arty party" outfits. Something like that sounds like it would be just right for our monthly neighborhood cocktail parties.

Thanks, Joy. I’m hoping to do something concrete about the new “capsule” in the next few days as I have some occasions coming up and have time constraints due to travel. I need to solve the issue before it’s panic time.

Janet

Some very smart insights — good job!

I had two blankets made from my old tees, so I highly recommend that solution! I could probably make two more...

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SarahD8

Well done, cjh! I think working on a "glad rags" capsule and outfits is going to be my November challenge for myself, so I'll be watching and learning from your efforts.

Janet, oh my gosh, WHFS! That is a blast from my 90s past -- the HFStival, etc. (I'm from NoVa & went to grad school in Baltimore).

Colette

Nice job and thanks for the idea to motivate my SO to let go of some things with "I have a bag of donation things ready. Do you have anything to get rid of yet?".

Gretchen

I'm totally stealing your "I have a bag ready" approach. Any chance it will work for a much-needed garage edit?

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