Health & Fitness
Simplicity is the Art of Sophistication
Fall is here and winter is quickly approaching so it's time to make room in your closets for bulky sweaters and tall boots. It's time to maximize closet space and start your annual clothing purge!
Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets.
~Mignon McLaughlin
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How many outfits did you try on today? Why didn’t you wear the first one? Was it too tight? Out of style? Just not feeling it?
Did you consider for a moment discarding the article of clothing that didn’t work? Why keep something that doesn’t make you look or feel good? Do you have that much closet space that it doesn’t really matter? Not likely.
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As women, we tend to pride ourselves on owning a lot of clothing, shoes and accessories. I am reminded of this every time I turn on HGTV and watch House Hunters. Inevitably the woman is talking about how her clothing may fit in the small master closet but she’s not sure where her husband’s clothes are going to go (chuckle chuckle). I mean, the women say that on every episode and I just don’t get it.
Yes, clothing is inexpensive and easily accessible but the reality is unless you are Jennifer Lopez or Mariah Carey the 80/20 rule usually applies- you wear 20% of your clothing 80% of the time. So why do you keep all of the extra stuff? If you don’t know the answer than perhaps it is time to simply. Perhaps it is time for a clothing purge!
Read below for the quick and dirty clothing purge:
Step 1: Get a donation bag and a trash bag. They are hungry....feed them!
Step 2: Go through your closet quickly and pull everything out that you have not worn in one year.
Step 3: Now think about why you have not worn the item and determine whether it should be donated or trashed. On a rare occasion, clothing may be sold to a resale or consignment store but evaluate whether or not it’s worth the time investment.
Step 4: Remove all clothing that no longer fits. Why would you keep clothes that remind you of how you used to look? It can’t make you feel good. Yes, you may get back to your goal weight one day but by that time the fashions will have changed and you’ll most likely want to reward yourself with something new anyway. Get rid of clothing that no longer fits!
Step 5: Look for items that still have tags on them. Wear them this week or return them!
Step 6: Shoes! Throw out all shoes with worn down heels or immediately take them to the shoe doctor. Get rid of all workout shoes except two pairs (your current pair and a back up just in case.) Donate or toss any shoes you have not worn in 2+ years. Understanding special occasion shoes are a little different use your best judgment. Souls4Souls is a great charity!
Step 7: Accessories. What jewelry have you not worn in a while? Can you give it to your kids to use as dress-up? Is it worth selling? Save time by reducing your options.
Step 8: Turn all of your clothes facing one direction. Once you wear something turn it the other way so you can validly keep track of what you wear. That will make the clothing purge much easier in the future.
Step 9: Keep a donation bag under your bed and purge clothing regularly. Less is more. I promise!!
In short, get rid of clothing that does not fit, you have not worn in one year, and that have stains.
If you still need help, please let me know. Simplicity is the art of sophistication and the less options you have, the better. Simplify your life by simplifying your closet. You will get out the door much faster!
