How I Purged My Own Wardrobe

Lately, I've been feeling less than excited when I get dressed. My clothes seemed utilitarian and plain. I wanted to feel confident in my wardrobe - that it expressed my style while still being comfortable and practical. I needed help.

I called on a few good friends to inspire and assist me in purging my entire wardrobe!

Before they arrived, I sorted through everything I owned. I left items in my closet that I knew I liked and felt fit me well. I already knew I would be keeping those items. The rest I sorted into two large piles on my bed: clothes that I liked, but wasn't sure if they fit properly and items that fit well enough, but didn't really seem like my taste. Now, let me say that a majority of my clothes have come from attending or hosting regular clothes swaps. I ended up with most of these items not because I picked them out and purchased them in a store, but rather because they were in front of me at a party - and free. Though that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, I will admit I also have some great pieces from swaps that are exactly what I want in my wardrobe and/or items I'd never think to try on in a store, but ended up loving.

When the ladies arrived, and we had finished our dinner, we headed into the bedroom to look at the piles. They immediately sifted through the pile of items I thought fit, but wasn't sure if they worked for my
needs/wants. While they decided what was worth trying on from that pile, I started to try on items from the other pile: items I liked, but didn't know if they fit. As I modeled each item, the girls yayed or nayed each piece. The nos went into a donation bag right away, and the yeses were set aside to be returned to the closet after the fashion show was over.

By the time I was done trying on the entire pile, I started trying on the items my friends had pulled from the stack of 'fits well, unsure of style' pieces. There were some keepers from here ('Why haven't you worn that; it's so cute!') and some goners ('It's a good color, but it hangs funny on you.'). Goners were bagged and keepers set aside with the other yeses.

After all was said and done, I had gotten rid of about half of my wardrobe!

I have so much more room in my closet! My local donation center is getting a pretty good haul. And, getting dressed these last few days has not only been a breeze (less to choose from), but I feel like my wardrobe better expresses any sense of style I have. Though, I'm still working on that...

After Vacation Disorganization

Last night I came home from vacation. Like any other traveler, I had a couple bags, some snacks and plain old stuff coming back home with me. Here's how it all was put back into place by this afternoon:

1) Start with the food. It was a road trip, so snacks and drinks and leftovers walked right into the kitchen. Food immediately gets put away so it won't spoil. Any dirty containers were put into the dishwasher or sink (if they needed to be hand washed). Bags put away or trashed (maybe I overloaded a couple bags and the handles broke!).

Everything else I tackled in the morning because I was beat!

2) Next, my suitcase that had only clothes in it. I took everything out of every last pocket and crevice of my suitcase and sorted into two piles: Clean and dirty. Dirty went into the hamper, of course. The clean I then divvied into two piles: Season and Out of Season. The seasonable items were simply put back from where I pulled them - shelves or hanging in the closet. The out of season items were separated because I needed assistance putting them away. My out of season items are high up in containers, so when I had the time, I pulled a chair into the bedroom and tucked these items back into their proper containers. Clothes done.

3) My everything else bag. As I emptied all the pockets and parts of this bag, I sorted into piles by which room the item were going to be put away in. Vitamins to the kitchen pile; my travel sized beauty products to the bathroom; my computer to my desk, and so on. When the bag was emptied, I stowed it away. I grabbed a pile at a time to deliver to it's room. Once in each room, I put the items back from whence they came. (Starting to see a pattern here?). And, assuming I still had time and energy, I went back to my unpacking base to grab the next pile.

All in all, this probably took about a half hour. Time well spent, considering what a pain it is to step over bags on the floor for an indefinite amount of time. It's so easy to let those bag sit when you're exhausted from travel. But, it's so much better to feel settled and back to reality... Or...... back to planning the next vacation?

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