A funny thing has been happening lately; people have been complimenting me on my outfits because I’ve become a better dresser. Me: the one who wears yoga pants and pretends they are “professional attire.” Who always grabs the ugly, frumpy dress because it’s easy and won’t require dry cleaning when I inevitably spill pasta sauce on it. And me: the one who has been known to wear sneakers with dresses because I walk to work.
The first time it happened I looked behind me because surely they weren’t talking to me. But then I looked down and had noticed I had put on a cute outfit that day. After a silent pat on the back I chalked it up as a lucky break. Eventually I had to put on a decent outfit, right? And then it happened again – in a different group of people – so this was no fluke.
That’s when I remembered my recent closet purge. How could I forget? In a flurry I had taken everything I didn’t love, or couldn’t find things to match and triumphantly put them in the “donate” bag. At the time it felt good, I just had no idea it would make be a better dresser.
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My Minimalist Wardrobe
Backing up a bit, I had recently finished a book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Don’t worry, this isn’t a book review. But her book did help me de-clutter my apartment (and surprisingly my life) with her practical and unique tips. In a mad flurry I went through everything I owned either donating or throwing away most of my stuff while my husband looked on, clutching his belongings tighter. And while Marie does talk about cleaning out your closet, she always connected it to bringing me more joy (which it did) and not that it would make me a better dresser.
It Starts with Cleaning Out Your Closet
In fact, my closet was the last part of my apartment I tackled with her tips. First, I felt like I didn’t have that many clothes to begin with; even before reading her book I was pretty minimalistic. Second, I was only supposed to keep everything I loved, but I didn’t love a lot of things in my closet, and therefore feared I would have nothing to wear.
I almost felt like I didn’t deserve an entire wardrobe I loved. It’s expensive, and most days no one sees me except my husband, my co-workers and maybe the woman who works at the Post Office. Why waste a good outfit then? I needed ones that I could wash and wear and just not care.
That’s not to say I didn’t have cute clothes. It’s funny, the more I got rid of the old and ugly brown dresses, the more cute sweaters from JCrew and pretty little skirts from Loft I found hidden behind them. Clothes I bought knowing they were adorable but never felt like I earned the right to wear them. But somehow buying them and letting them sit in my closet – unused – made me feel better. That is until I read the Magic of Tidying Up book and had an epiphany. One day I grabbed a brown dress that I probably wore once a week, but truly hated, and thought, “Why am I keeping this?” I decided I’d rather have fewer items, but love every piece in my closet, then extras I don’t like or even need.
RELATED POST: 5 Steps to Get Your Wardrobe Ready for Fall
So I purged.
Gone went sweaters covered in fuzz that I kept because they were warm. Out went that yellow sweater that washed me out but I kept wearing because it never wrinkled. Gone even was the silk nautical shirt I always got compliments on, but never knew what to wear with it, so always felt awkward when I did.
What I was left with were items that I individually loved, and surprisingly went well together. Why did I never think to put my black leggings with that oversized fall sweater? They were so perfect; it was so easy.
I also discovered a few other unintended effects of purging my closet.
First, it goes without saying that if you only keep everything you love, you will love every item in your closet.
Second, putting together outfits is so much simpler now. As I purged I only kept items that easily matched other items (think neutrals) and therefore, more of my tops automatically go with more of my bottoms.
Third, it saves me money! Yes, I actually buy fewer clothes. Now before I hand over my card I ask myself whether it will go with a majority of the rest of the items in my closet. If not, I no longer see it being worth the money, knowing I will probably love it, but never wear it.
Fourth, I appreciate what I have more. It’s funny, but when you have fewer things, you appreciate them more. Almost like being flooded with material items forces you to lose appreciation for them. These minimalists may be onto something.
RELATED POST: How to Create Your First Capsule Wardrobe
And lastly, it has boosted my confidence. A good outfit will do that. Now when someone says, “I love your outfit!” I just smile and say, “Thank you. Me too.”
*This post originally appeared on Her View From Home*
Have you ever purged your closet? How’d that go?
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I’ve been nibbling at my closet for a while after my wardrobe needs changed about a year ago. I’m stunned at how much is STILL left even after taking several big bags to charity! In my old house I had three separate (but smaller) closets. Putting everything together into one (bigger) closet was a real eye opener. This is definitely an area I need to tackle in the new year and finally weed through items that are no longer useful in the life I’m living right now. Thanks for the inspiration.
it’s funny, the more I get rid of the more I realize I still don’t need most of what’s left.
This is something I need to focus on this year! My closet is out of control!
I am reading this at the best time! I am pursing the less is more lifestyle in 2017 and I just started skimming the surface by clearing out some clothes and items I didn’t need and donating them. I still have a lot of clothes in my closet and I definitely want to keep downsizing, but I’m one of those people who think “What if I need this?!”
I am going to try to use the rule if I didn’t wear it once last season then I don’t need it!
Alexa – good luck with your Less is More goal!
When we moved this summer, I purged my closet. I found clothes and shoes i hadn’t worn in years because I’d forgotten about them. I feel like I went shopping in my own closet. It’s been great!
OH that’s why I love starting a new season too. All these clothes I haven’t worn in months!
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LOVE THIS!! Your blog post made me smile 🙂
2017, for me, is all about confidence so thank you for sharing your thoughts!
<3
Yes, definitely. I have a “one in , one out” rule that keeps my closet sane. I also embrace a minimalist wardrobe. I love not having to take more than a few seconds to pick out a presentable outfit every day!
Isn’t it funny how much less time it takes to get dressed? I love it!
I really like this post because I literally reap the benefits when you purge your closet since your castoffs tend to head in my direction! For example, the orange dress. Love it. And that blue Old Navy Shirt, bet you don’t even remember that one. I wear it to all my Doctors Appointments and look cool and chic, not an easy feat for me. So please….please….please…purge your closet and the rest of your apartment. Every. Single. Day. Can I get an Amen?
…And then there are the recipients of your purging who get something new like my sister! haha
Been needing to accomplish this for sometime now. Giving me the needed encouragement.
Candy – no better time than this week! 🙂
Love this! I’ve heard so many great things about this book, I have got to check it out! Happy New Year
XO
Lee Anne
http://www.lifebylee.com
Get it! I was so surprised how chalk full it was of new organization tips!
My closet is such a mess right now! I am always shopping but couldn’t tell you the last time I went through them.
I can definitely relate to this post! I feel more confident with my capsule wardrobe and dress a lot better. It is like I am being proven everyday that less really is more.
I hear ya. It actually feels like I have more in my closet now.
Seriously! I purge through my closet so often. As an individual you evolve and your tastes change…so its natural that the things you liked a few years back get outdated.
Meghan | beyondbasicblog.com
I am totally on board with this, and I do this purge a few times a year. It is very time consuming but always worth it. I recently did it because I moved into a new home and it was so freeing
I love this. My situation is a little different, I needed to replace everything after a house fire but I was really careful to not bring anything into our new home that I didn’t actually love. We have a beautiful home now, but not a lot of stuff. Instead, we have what we need and what we love!
Christine – I am so sorry you lost your house to a fire. I’m glad you have what you love now and hope you have rebuilt!
Lol I totally agree
I recently did the same to my closet and I discovered a lot of clothes that I had totally forgotten about but still adored.
And I got rid of much more of course! 🙂
This is something I need to tackle sometime soon as well. I’ve lost a bit of weight and my wardrobe could use a little revamping! I just have to dig out what doesn’t fit anymore. I’ll check out that book 🙂
I’ve lived by this my entire life. I was always more of a less is more person, especially because my mother had a habit of stuffing every closet in our house with clothes. HOWEVER, I totally need to approach this with my daughter’s closet lol. She has wayyyyy too many clothes, and people keep giving her more! Thanks for sharing, off to go declutter her closet!
Haha decluttering other people’s closets can be a monumental task indeed. Good luck! 😉
I’ve been in the process of simplifying my closet for the past few seasons. I’m slowly learning about my personal style and what makes me feel best. It’s a great feeling to have more and dress better!
I’m still trying to figure out my style as well…ha
Absolutely! Out with the drab and focus on the color and stuff I actually wear? I love this as a challenge in 2017.
Yes! I definitely need to go through my closet and get rid of stuff, especially shoes! If I’m honest with myself, I wear like 5 pair of shoes regularly and the rest of the 40 or so are just there collecting dust. I’ll get to it one day!
SAME
My closet is a complete mess. My goal for 2017 is to declutter and get rid of clothes that I don’t love. I’m glad it has worked out for you!
Fun! I love this post and what happened to you! I can totally understand how purging makes you think twice about purchasing new items — I have several pairs of pants that come to mind that I just cannot stand! I need to take action! 🙂
I’m in college, and over the years it has become easier and easier to clean my closet! Any of the items I left at home for the school year and never wore were instantly donated. It was also easier for me to keep track of the items I wore at school and the ones I didn’t. Loved this post! I’m determined to one day have a closet full of clothes I love and clothes that fit me!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Kayla – I can definitely see how that would help you condense your closet. Best of luck!
I totally have to do this. I have way to many clothes but I find myself wearing the same main pieces all the time. Now that football season is coming to a close, I think I’ll have more free weekends to get organized!
OK, I SO need to do this. It’s one of my January goals. I love starting new for the new year.
My closet was such a hot mess, so I tackled it on the 1st of the year! And it is amazing how much cute stuff you do find and rediscover!!
I love cleaning out my closet. It brings such satisfaction! We’re now working on my husbands…hehe
Amanda – tell me about it….HA
It’s so true! I try to clean my closet out as often as I can. It’s so freeing! Some stuff sits in there SO LONG
Mmhmm…we just keep thinking we’re going to wear it!
I did when I was pregnant with my son because I thought those clothes won’t fit me anymore. And boy was I wrong! Now I am back to shopping for new clothes again. Lol
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Belle – oh no! I guess that’s a lesson for me when I get pregnant to keep my old clothes 🙂
I recently purged my clothes and it felt so good. After baby arrives, I plan to look what at I have left and as I buy new clothes only buying clothes I love. I tend to wear the same clothes over and over again. It so nice to be able to see what I need or what i don’t need instead of guessing and buying items I truly don’t need.
Melissa – I also wear the same clothes over and over. The trick is to make sure you’re not with the same people. 🙂
While I haven’t started on my closet yet, I have started on the rest of the apartment! It’s the simple advances.
I’ve been trying to go through and get rid of things as I go, but struggle to get rid of things. I try to sell them on ebay so I don’t feel so bad and can use the money to buy new styles!
Making money from our old stuff is even better.
I got that book on Audible. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m looking forward to finishing it and cleaning out my closet. I have a bad habit of wanting to keep EVERYTHING. The shirt I only wore once, but swear I’m going to find another time to wear it. Or the dress I haven’t fit into in 4 years but swear I will lose enough weight to fit into it again. I wear about 1/10 of the clothes in my closet!
Yup that’s exactly what I was doing!
Girl, I also totally connect with the feeling of appreciating what I have more now that I have “deleted” (so to speak) all these unnecessary pieces from my life. You go!
xo Kathryn
http://www.fashionablyfrank.com
Amen to that!
Yes! Less is most definitely more .. thanks for a great post 🙂
Love this! I got the book for Christmas and can’t wait to read it. I’m in serious need of a good clothing purge!
Ooh read it! You’ll love it.
I read that book this summer and it inspired me to clean out my closet. It was the best feeling ever to purge my closet of all the things I was holding on to but didn’t wear! I definitely agree with you on it making me a better dresser. I feel a lot better getting dressed in the morning too because I only wear things I really love and feel good in!
xo Ashley
I just did this last week! And although I purged with most things I didn’t wear there were just a few things I couldn’t yet part with. But I have noticed I am finding it easier to figure out what to wear
I couldn’t agree more with you! Sometimes when I’m uninspired by my closet I will spend a few hours purging items. Then I create more cute outfits using the clothes I have. It’s actually quite fun!
XOX
mQs
http://www.shorelifeofm.blogspot.com
I’d imagine the time savings aspects have been pretty great for you. Having a smaller more concise wardrobe means less time getting ready and planning. Sometimes I consider going the Steve Jobs / Mark Zuckerberg route of just having all the same color neutral shirt and jeans. Sure makes life easy.
i am ready for a closet purge, waiting for a nice snowy day!
jen
effortlesseverydaystyle.com
I’ve actually heard of that book before, and you mentioning it too makes me think I should really look into reading it now. My closet is the worst room in our house, so I need to get on it!
I purged my closet using the Konmari method last summer. It worked for a while but then events kept coming up and I “didn’t have anything to wear” and I have slowly acquired too many clothes again. Probably going to do another purge soon!
Great post Sarah! So glad your closet is a happy place now. 🙂
I just pulled out my summer clothes and noticed that I felt kind of overwhelmed when hanging them in the closet. I usually purge at the end of each season and just keep out a few outfits for different types of occasions. My closet looks so full now that I bet I will be tossing things this weekend!