Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Budget Wardrobe Building: Clean Out That Closet!

Hopefully I have already convinced you of the importance of wardrobe building rather than collecting; now let's get down to business! The first step to building a wardrobe on a budget is to clean out the closet (to see the other steps, in list form, look here).  Do not skip this step, no matter how anxious you are to get planning and shopping! A closet purged of useless clutter is absolutely essential to a highly functioning wardrobe. To make today's task as painless and straightforward as possible, keep in mind a clear goal -  to get rid of any items that are of no use to you (read, they don't make you look and feel great).

Grab a beverage and head to the closet. If it isn't large and well lit, pull out items belonging to the current season (warm or cold) and put them on the bed. Go through the items adding them to one of four piles: KEEP, MAYBE, STORAGE, and GOODBYE (i.e. donate, consign, or trash).Let me give you a few guidelines to help you in the discernment process:

Add an item to the keep pile only if it fits, the color works for you, and you feel good in it.

Say goodbye if an item is worn out and cannot be fixed. Check pant hems and cuffs for fraying. Look for spots, pilling, fading, and stains (don't forget those armpit areas).

Say goodbye to any items that you just do not like (it sounds obvious, but you might be surprised).

If you love the color and fit, but still don't ever wear an item, ask yourself why. Is it because you don't have pants that work with it, or is it because it just feels too [insert any number of adjectives here]? Ask yourself if [that adjective] could be played down, or if it's a lost cause. For example, a dress has some frilly detailing around the neckline, and you aren't into frills. BUT, the dress fits in a flattering way and is obviously very high quality.  Could you throw a no-nonsense blazer over it and feel like yourself? You be the judge. If after some such grueling soul searching, you still don't know, put it in the maybe pile.

Put any items in the maybe pile that could have real potential with a little tweaking. For example, would you love that sweater if the buttons weren't so cheesy? Would you wear that skirt if it flattered your figure a bit more? Maybe it would if the hem hit an inch above the knee instead of right across it. Would that dress be in regular rotation if you weren't constantly worried about a wardrobe malfunction? Some fixes are not complicated or expensive. Take your item to a good seamstress and just ask what can be done (and for how much).

Beware of keeping items because you have a preconceived notion that no wardrobe is complete without X. If you haven't worn it in the last year, you probably don't need it in your wardrobe.

Beware of keeping an item simply because you may need it. If you haven't worn it in the last year, you probably don't need it. I used to be guilty of this; I was on such a tight budget during college that I was scared to get rid of anything. After awhile, the drawers were so packed and overflowing with stuff "I may need someday" that my wardrobe was not functioning. I kept up a steady rotation of the same few items that worked and missed out on some other great ones that were tucked in amidst a bunch of losers.

Put any keepers you aren't currently using into storage. For example, don't waste precious space on sweaters during the summer, or on maternity clothes if you're back to you pre-pregnancy size. While you're at it, remove anything from your drawers and clothing shelves that is not clothing. It's so easy to start using those nooks and crannies for other purposes ("husband will never find his birthday gift now!"); resist!

Now, by this point, everything should be in one of four piles. Go through the maybe pile one last time. Still not sure if this or that item looks great on you? Try it on and take a picture. A friend of mine suggested this practice to me, and it really is about as honest as it gets!

Don't worry if there isn't much in the keep pile. The items that are going weren't doing you any favors and you probably weren't wearing them (or shouldn't have been wearing them!) anyway. There is a tried and true wardrobe system that proposes eight pieces (!) plus shoes and accessories are enough for any given wardrobe (i.e. work, personal casual, etc). It sounds radical, but I guarantee you that you will dress more creatively (it's a paradox, I know), with greater ease, and with a better finished product - a super stylish you! So, get cleaning, ladies! Next week we'll talk about organizing what remains, and  taking stock of needs and wants.


17 comments:

  1. I really need to do this. I just have SUCH a hard time with that maybe pile...I'm always worried that I'll get rid of something and regret it...but I definitely have many items in my closet that I don't wear.

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    1. Hi Erika! Yes it is sooo tough! Try this: get the maybe pile as small as you can then put the rest in a Rubbermaid bin. Put it out of sight and see what happens. Maybe you'll forget about and realize you don't need it, or maybe you'll realize you really should have kept that sweater, etc!

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  2. I love this concept and I am going to do it! The whole pregnancy/post pregnancy thing made my closet crazy for awhile. I have been MANY different sizes over such a short period. This is inspiring me to put things away. Thank you.

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    1. That's kind of how it started with me, Diana! I had no idea that maternity / post-partem would require so many clothes! You're welcome : ) And I haven't forgot about your email, I think it's going to be a post : )

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  3. I am SOOO guilty of "I might need it someday"!!

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    1. Me too, me too : ( Also, you should be receiving those earrings soon!

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  4. I'm interested in the 8 piece wardrobe, that sounds like right up my alley!

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Kristen! I'm excited to talk about it! :)

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    2. Same here! Really interested to read about those 8 pieces.

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  5. Thanks Mary! I love this whole theme or budget wardrobe building! You have some great ideas, so thanks for sharing!
    Also, congrats on your license!
    Margo

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    1. Thanks, Margo! I'm very excited to get my business up and running!

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  6. Oh man. My closet is seriously bad. Like "There Might Be A Real Pony In It" bad. Anyway, this is an awesome post. I LOVE how you really break it down and give practical steps.And yes to the 8 piece wardrobe!! Can't wait to go shopping with you, sister!:)

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    1. Thanks, MamaH! I'm looking forward to it, too!

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  7. Thanks Mary. I am all about the practicals and you gave great ones. Ok...I will do this...I can do this...

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  8. funny coming across this (via life unseen). I wrote a blog almost exactly the same, based on my own experiences, about 3 months ago.
    I'd add two more things.
    Once everything is back in the wardrobe, do the coat hanger trick http://www.challengefuture.org/news/582
    and
    put the maybe pile in a box and revisit it in say 3 months. shop from the box when you need a fashion fix. Guarantee you'll find at least one thing you will be SO glad you didnt' throw out - and a heap that you will want to send to the thrift shop right away!

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    1. Hi Susan, thanks for commenting! Could you send me a link for your post? I went to your blog but I couldn't find it. Thank you!

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