24 Mar 2014

the wardrobe cleanse


Be it the tightrope twang of budgetary constraints, the challenge of ethical ideals or simply avoiding change rooms and their garish lighting (and a peek-a-boo toddler), my wardrobe hasn't had any spark injected into for quite a while.  Rather than spurring on a mammoth online shopping session, this making do or simply going without has been food for thought when it comes to how many clothes I really need.

My "before babies" self would reel at such a statement as each and every issue of Harpers Bazzar, Vogue and the like were tossed religiously into the weekly shopping trolley. Key looks were scrutinised and favourites were scrapbooked (before the age of pinterest!), and not a thought was given to whiling away entire days shopping for clothes; spending ridiculous amounts of money on faddish pieces in ghastly fabrics. How times have changed.

Although my ideals have altered significantly I still adore beautiful clothing and have been rather uninspired by my wardrobe of late. I thought a cathartic  purge and good old rearrange might be the antidote to my seemingly lack lustre wardrobe. The results were quite illuminating; there were many treasures hidden beneath the clutter. This is how I tackled it:

  • Make it manageable by dividing your wardrobe up into categories and tackle one at a time. Perhaps shoes on Saturday morning and skirts and pants in the evening. As a Mumma to little people I rarely have big stretches of time to devote to such a task. Breaking it up means I achieve something in a small amount of time and I'm motivated to keep going. A major overhaul can be too overwhelming.
  • Line up four large baskets. One for clothes to sell, one to donate, one for mending and one for clothes past their use by date to be turned into rags (old t-shirts make the best cleaning rags for windows and mirrors). Things that you're keeping should go back on a hanger on the rail. This avoids an interrupted wardrobe purge turning into bedroom chaos.
  • Try everything on. I was quite ruthless here and asked myself with each garment, "Does it fit me today, does it suit my body shape and lifestyle, is it comfortable, can I alter it, do I like it?"  I cleared out quite a few structured pants and tops from my teaching days that have not been worn for years. They simple don't suit me or my way of living anymore. Sorting through everything helped me to see what I am drawn to and for the first time I feel I have found my style.
  • Try to restrict yourself to just a few sentimental pieces. Clothes are not memories. I have however, a   vintage sequined butterfly top that I  simply can't part with as well as the tiny yellow miniskirt I wore the night I  met my beloved.  These have  been squirrelled away in space bags in the garage to pull out on a nostalgic afternoon for giggles and a trip down memory lane. Pregnancy pieces were also stored away.
  • Make a list of basics you might need to make a languishing piece more wearable. The purchase of a simple beige slip has turned two very sheer and hence unworn maxi skirts into my absolute favourites. Trying things on and thinking about what I would wear them with highlighted my avoidance for buying basics. I added simple short and long sleeved tees and singlets in black, white and grey to my list as well as a nude coloured bra. 
  • Empty shelves can be wiped over with a mixture of warm water, vinegar and lavender oil and then dried off with an old towel. Lavender's antifungal qualities will help to keep mould at bay.
  • When everything has been sorted, group things into like items and rearrange by shape then colour. It is quite clear that I have a weakness for floaty white blouses. 
  • Bag up the donation clothes straight away and put them on the passenger seat of the car. The very next time you're in the car, find the nearest bin and pass it on. 
  • Small squares of muslin can be filled with dried lavender, thyme, mint, rosemary, cinnamon sticks and   cloves and tied up with string. These little parcels can be popped amongst the socks and tied around   hangers here and there to ward off moths and mould.

Much to my surprise, approaching my wardrobe cleanse this way was a pleasant and very enlightening experience. I chose a path of kindness for myself and passed on anything that didn't adhere to my criteria. This included things I might fit one day, or those special pieces kept for that perfect occasion. And then there were the few fashion mistakes; items I had paid an obscene amount of money for that I just never wore. Now when I look in my pared back wardrobe there is no guilt, no "if only" thinking. There are just clothes. Simple, wearale pieces that reflect me and my life, now.

Steph x

19 comments:

  1. Lovely, you've encouraged me to tackle mine again :)

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  2. Good work Steph! I have been trying to tackle my wardrobe for years and I simply cannot bring myself to do it but it seems that jeans bought 7 years ago no longer deserve a place on my hanger. Getting rid of 'sentimental' pieces might need more strength than I initially thought

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  3. The bit "Make it manageable....." made me smile. I pulled everything off my bedroom shelves over a week ago and I haven't done any more. You have inspired me to go back and do some more. Thank you. xxoo

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  4. So great Steph, I'm doing the same right now, mostly because I've accepted the fact that I'm not going back to my former work anytime soon (lawyer) and that keeping the clothes is cluttering up our small house and weighing me down with a vague sense of guilt every time I look at them (as in, think of what we could be earning if I was back at work!!) - I love the vinegar and lavender idea, especially in our Qld climate, am going to follow suit : ) xo

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  5. i love the simple approach you take to this. i end up with mammoth piles every time and then try and squeeze all my 'just in case' pieces back in! what do you do with seasons? store winter clothing in garage? i remember the spending of time and money on trends, in that way especially it is nice to grow old! xx

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  6. Great post Steph. Sorting out my wardrobe is something I really need to do and you have given me inspiration x

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  7. So good... off to do the same thing this week! Spring is finally peeking her face around the corner - I'm always more inspired to cleanse at the turn of a season : ) Thank you for the helpful tips x

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  8. just fabulous Steph! the two moves I did was a great way to cleanse my wardrobe! Like you, I literally tried everything on, and culled and feel so great that I have less. I love the idea of making little scented bags! xx

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  9. I love this post, and agree with all your sentiments. Especially the 'grown out of fashion shopping' one!
    I now have a small wardrobe by most standards, but I'd love it to be smaller! I'm in the frustrating third trimester pregnant wardrobe phase, and therefore have 3 wardrobes - current pregnancy, winter wools&jeans in a box stowed away, and trans seasonal items I don't currently fit. It all takes up a lot more space than I'm comfortable with!
    I've picked up a few things from our local markets recently. I go every Sunday for our organic produce, and sometimes walk away with a new top etc bought for a few dollars from a second hand trader, or someone simply selling their household goods/excess. It's a great way to clothes shop!
    xx

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  10. I do a section of the house each month. February was our bedroom. I follow a similar guide as you do. Keep, donate, throw. Interesting enough the less I own, the less I want.

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  11. It always feels great to have a clear out. I work in a similar way to Julie- Iliska Dreams and agree that the more you pare back the less you feel you need.

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  12. i've been going through a similar process with my own wardrobe but i still have a ways to go! it's amazing how motherhood has changed the way i wear my clothes, and i'm definitely wearing the same 5 things day in, day out. time for another purge x

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  13. I'm in the process of clearing out my daughter's wardrobe! I can't believe how many things there are that she no longer wears that are simply taking up space. Everything is currently being washed, ironed and photographed and hopefully I'll make a few dollars on ebay!

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  14. I do love good wardrobe cleanout - it feels so good to not have to rifle through things I just dont wear anymore. You ahve inspired me xx

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  15. I love this post. Just read Practising Simplicity and Jodi recommended this post. So good. I love a good purge, and have done one recently. Even that lads have wardrobes that are clear of clutter and contains everything in their size. Such a great feeling. x

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  16. Wonderful post! A simple wardrobe has been my focus too (I even wrote a little post about it http://tshirtjeans.blogspot.com/2014/04/trying-out-10-item-wardrobe.html), and I love your last statement about having clothes that reflect who you are NOW. The herbs in muslin bags sound delightful!

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  17. I love this. I also did a wardrobe purge a few weeks ago and it feels so good. I now have clothes that I love in my wardrobe and also a plan, which is kept on Evernote. If I am in the shops I check it to see if something is on my list of clothes I want to buy. At the moment, I am on the hunt for a denim skirt amongst other things. I find that it is so helpful to have a running list, because when I am in the shops, I sort of lose my mind with all the choices and checking back to my list brings me back to what is really needed as opposed to an impulse buy that won't fit with anything else in my wardrobe. xxx

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  18. I love the system of take everything out and only put back what you love andc need and actually wear. Rest into two. Out now to chraity shops, or stored what has been loved to see if it returns. Some things have recently - like long coats and loose jumpers. Them I don't shop but go to z dress maker/designer and we co-create keg new pieces. Rest from possumdown online or the odd perfect bargin in passing. No shopping centres! Jean

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x