topic Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out in Fashion

Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

maddiecat — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:05:12 GMT

Last night I began trying on little black dresses in my closet in anticipation of a mid-April wedding that I'll be attending. Fortunately, a LBD I bought last summer from Ann Taylor will work and I won't have to buy anything. I decided to get rid of four older cocktail dresses that hadn't been worn in years, but I was saving "just in case." Probably sounds familiar to many of you.

The dress try-on session led to a major closet cleaning out. I am donating 35+ pieces (most were in the guest room closet), taking 10 items to the consignment store, giving 2 items to my cousin, and throwing away 6 items. Quite simply, I was tired of having clothes in the closet that made me feel bad. The items were old, no longer in style, or didn't fit. Or I just got tired of them and couldn't muster up any excitement about wearing them. There was no sense in having them take up precious room in the closet.

The money was spent a long time ago and the clothes have served their purpose. Time to let go and move on!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

jackthebear — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:13:06 GMT

Yes, you make excellent points. No point holding on to these kinds of clothing.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Bigbro — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:13:10 GMT

Good for you starting early ! I have a guest closet with clothes too. I started last year springtime with clean up. Why am I keeping these clothes and shoes. Everything I did not wear to work or play will go out this year. One black suit will stay with a blouse. I look at some clothes, bad quality clothing, didn't look good on after wearing and not a nice fit on my body type. I love how you said no excitement about wearing them, that sums it up !

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

molly47 — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:17:36 GMT

I wish I could get motivated to do this. I retired last spring and have not gotten rid of any of my work clothes plus other I do not need. I always get stuck thinking maybe someday I will wear things.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Sooner — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:19:29 GMT

I started Saturday and have about 12 items boxed so far. Wow is that a small start--but it makes me want to do more! Changing seasons is a good time for this!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Heart of Spade — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:25:37 GMT

I don't buy particularly trendy items, and it never fails! Every time I get rid of something, I'm looking for it a few months later! I got rid of some fashion jewelry a few years ago and could kick myself. I will never get rid of any accessory ever again. I'm thinking this "hoarding" business doesn't sound so bad.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

moonstone dunes — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:42:16 GMT

I too seem to look for items after donating them. Certain things I can't seem to part ways with. My weight and size are the same as when I purchased tailored business suits and dresses I'm sure I will never wear again. But they still fit! Several are a lush silk gabardine you don't easily find these days and a few are tropical weight all wool. I need to let them go. Men's WearHouse has a business suit donation drive every July so I will donate most of the suits then.

The other pieces I weeded through last fall and are ready for donation.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

glmama — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:43:27 GMT

Hi Maddie & Ladies,

I've been doing a lot of purging as well. And it feels GREAT! Last week I gathered up a huge trash bag of purses to donate. Just purses--oh and a few shoes!

And you know what I realized? And it took me forever to get this? That the things I keep are the things I've spent more $$ on. These items have lasted the test of time. Not the $19.99 summer sandals from Target I bought on a whim. Sure, there are exceptions. But in general, my money, when invested well into good quality items, is well spent.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

LTT1 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 00:47:41 GMT

On 3/2/2015 glmama said:

And you know what I realized? And it took me forever to get this? That the things I keep are the things I've spent more $$ on. These items have lasted the test of time. But in general, my money, when invested well into good quality items, is well spent.

glmama... ITA! Things I spent more on, but knew would fit a variety of occasions, etc, have served me well and for a long time. I always felt "presentable" in items that never seemed to "go out of style." And this type of item is rare and when found, it is worth the extra$$$. For me, in this case, less is more! PS... the closet clutter is slowly being pared down!!!

Congrats to all who have successfully "let go!"

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Squirrel Lover — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:17:35 GMT

I mentioned this on several threads in the last two weeks, but I got rid of 11 garbage bags of clothes and shoes and I don't miss one single thing. I was the same size for the last 30 years so everything fit--until this year. I hit perimenopause and went up a size. Out it all went to our St. Vincent dePaul Society where it will benefit others. I have donated half my wardrobe and I still have too many clothes.

PS--The clothes that stayed? Yea, they were the more expensive ones and/or classic.

PSS-I feel 100 pounds or more of clothes lighter.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

AuntG — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:25:14 GMT

Maddie, you did just what the experts tell us to do. I'm hanging on to so much of the early Quacker Factory stuff which I will never wear (picture a jumper with ghosts on it or a sweater with a bunny the size of Kansas on the front) but I just can't part with them. Luckily, I don't need the closet in our spare room for anything else.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Steffdoggy10 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:32:43 GMT

I'm trying to learn from my mistakes, so took a hard look at my giveaway pile.

Too much black! How many black tops, pants and summer dresses do I need in black? I think that I tend to defer to black because it's so easy to pair with.

Crew neck t-shirts and tops. They look boyish to me and just aren't flattering on my figure type.

Polyester tops, I just don't like how they feel on (too clammy) so no longer buying no matter how cute they are!

Hopefully these realizations will keep my closet pared down to only what I really love!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

magicmoodz — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:46:06 GMT

Hi maddie! Isn't it a great feeling! Perhaps I am more fickle than most, but I remember a time when I would have 10 pair of black pants in my wardrobe. And still, I always reached for the newest favorite. I began feeling like those other pairs were just unnecessary clutter in my closet and my life.

But back to you. Good job of getting rid of the excess. This is your second purge recently, correct? Do you have a goal in mind?

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

lolakimono — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:50:47 GMT

On 3/2/2015 AuntG said:
I'm hanging on to so much of the early Quacker Factory stuff which I will never wear (picture a jumper with ghosts on it or a sweater with a bunny the size of Kansas on the front) but I just can't part with them.

Make a quilt from the items you love!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

ECBG — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:08:49 GMT

Great! Proud of you!

I always do this at the season's end and put them in marked bags in the basement or in a closet. During the season I know where everything should go and I don't have to try to remember; also, consignment wants things really early, and since Easter is early, I want my black in there first because they will only take "so much" of some things!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

ECBG — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 02:10:44 GMT

On 3/2/2015 Heart of Spade said:
I don't buy particularly trendy items, and it never fails! Every time I get rid of something, I'm looking for it a few months later! I got rid of some fashion jewelry a few years ago and could kick myself. I will never get rid of any accessory ever again. I'm thinking this "hoarding" business doesn't sound so bad.

If you look for things you've gotten rid of, try "two years not worn" before you let it go.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

FastDogWalker2 — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 03:12:34 GMT

On 3/2/2015 molly47 said:
I wish I could get motivated to do this. I retired last spring and have not gotten rid of any of my work clothes plus other I do not need. I always get stuck thinking maybe someday I will wear things.

I am anticipating retiring this summer and am already getting rid of work clothes that are for winter that I know I will not need again! I donate and figure someone will be very pleased!

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

maddiecat — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:56:17 GMT

I don't find that I regret giving up items for donation. They have served their purpose.

However, sometimes I wish I could find a newer version of an old favorite.

Magic, to answer your question, I'm not purging to reach a goal amount of clothes. Just getting real with myself about why I'm not wearing some of these clothes, which have been hanging around too long.

I had an ah-ha moment yesterday as a result of the closet purge. My past reaction would have been to start thinking about shopping and buying some new "replacement" items. But I realize that I don't have to rush out and buy the first thing that appeals to me. I can take my time, do some browsing, and really put some thought into what I bring into my closet. I still have enough to wear and there's no rush.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

Rock_chick — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:24:41 GMT

I love these posts! I'm now relocated, and I've discovered that most of my clothes don't work for a "business" wardrobe. However, all those jackets I've purchased over the years look wonderful with the handful of dresses I've been wearing. I did bring a few skirts but so far it's been too easy to just throw on a dress and go, and I feel that I look the part.

Meanwhile, after work I change into lounge clothes. So super casual when I get home. Most of my "in between clothes" dont really work anymore. I need to get rid of more (only so many hangers can fit in my tiny closet in the RV) but so far have not. Now when I go home to "country home" the closet looks forlorn, and I'm sure I will end up getting rid of most of what is left.

Re: Pre-Spring Closet Clean-out

granddi — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:53:48 GMT

On 3/2/2015 FastDogWalker2 said:
On 3/2/2015 molly47 said:
I wish I could get motivated to do this. I retired last spring and have not gotten rid of any of my work clothes plus other I do not need. I always get stuck thinking maybe someday I will wear things.

I am anticipating retiring this summer and am already getting rid of work clothes that are for winter that I know I will not need again! I donate and figure someone will be very pleased!

For years, I read that upon retirement you will get rid of lots of career/work clothes. I retired last July 2014 and cannot believe the items that have been donated. I am having a hard time shopping with the "casual" clothes mind set. Today I went to routine med appt. and got out my black pants, sweater--just like I was going to work. I still cannot go to appointments in jeans unless I have a jacket.