Closet Purge

This is an ongoing project that I've been working on for a couple of months.  Like many women I have a closet and dresser drawers crammed with way too many clothes and accessories.  In my former life as a closet designer for Closet World, I know that we really only use 20% of the contents of our closets 80% of the time.  I worked with clients who shamefully agreed with that statistic.  What's worse is that I've become guilty of that as well.  Not good, considering this year my husband and I downsized and moved into an apartment that we love, but that is definitely challenging our storage needs.  Though he's too sweet to call me on it, my husband must be wondering why his clothes occupy only a third of our shared closet space when marriage is supposed to be a 50/50 partnership.  This 20/80 imbalance also means that I have a bitch of a time getting dressed most mornings.  It's so cliche, but "I have nothing to wear!" pops into my head more often than it should.   

J. Crew brown silk dress
Purchased on eBay for $23 (including shipping).

So what's taking up all that space?  Well, there's a whole ton of clothes that I no longer fit anymore since I've gained weight over the past few years.  I had been holding onto a lot of these for mainly three reasons:

1. They were great finds -- designer labels for a terrific price.
2. Holding onto these clothes will motivate me to get back into shape so that I can fit them again.
3. I'm too lazy to roll up my sleeves and do the work.  Pulling out the dead weight in my closet, sorting through what to donate and what to sell is a lot of work.  

Well, I think I've finally come to the realization that I just need to suck it up and get over these ideas.  The results will be worth it.

Kenneth Cole brown jacket
Purchased on eBay for $15 (including shipping)

1. Each time I open my closet I'll have a clear idea of what my options are and know that whatever I pick will fit and flatter me.  That latter word, "flatter", is one I've had to learn about over time.  Even if something fits me, it won't necessarily look good on me.  Considering the fact that I'm short (5' 2 1/2") and have what's been referred to as a pear-shaped figure, a flattering fit is necessary.  If it doesn't flatter me I've found that I can wind up looking like a kid playing dress-up or looking just frumpy.  I'd rather avoid that, if possible.
2. Money is tight.  I need to pay down debt and begin saving.  Knowing that I've converted my unused wardrobe into cold hard cash would give me the smart thing to do.




Max Studio brown microfiber jacket.
Purchased on eBay for $6 (including shipping).

3. If and when I do go shopping, I'll know what's missing from my wardrobe and what I need to purchase to fill those gaps.  A couple more jackets would be good.  Another pair of trousers.  Tops with more variety in color.  I've come to realize that a good chunk of my wardrobe is black, brown and grey. 

   

   DKNY black wool blazer 
   Purchased on eBay for $39.99 (including shipping)

   Knowing this, I'll remember in the future that I DO NOT need another brown dress...or jacket...or top, regardless if its from one of my favorite labels or not.  I do not need to dress like a Hershey bar.