Clothes / Decluttering / Minimalist

[memenee]

I want to do something radical and need someone to say do it or you’re crazy.

Literally want to donate all my clothes. (Keep a handful of things)

I want to no longer have too many clothes, things I don’t wear, etc. I want to build off of the few basics that I end up keeping and create a simple minimalist wardrobe.

For reference I am a nurse so don’t need a work wardrobe - I just have a drawer dedicated to scrubs.

When I get home from work I change into loungewear. Weekends I’m either athleisure or jeans and a simple black sweater or something. I’d like a couple special occasion outfits and that’s it.

Thoughts? Resources? Suggestions?

[tacokick]

Do it! I see no downside.

[artichokie]

Just do it ! You’ll feel so much better!! I did it and felt light a weight had been lifted. 😀

[Roc A Bee]

I don’t see why not! You will feel lighter!

I just went through my closet and got rid of everything I didn’t like and didn’t fit. The didn’t fit pile went to the garage but I feel better just not seeing it daily in my closet.

[waverly]

I also vote do it. I’m not sure I would purge as much but a good starting point is put in one pile everything you are sure about getting ride of.

If you aren’t sure try it on and that will really narrow it down.

I have more than a capsule wardrobe but most items are at least in the same color scheme or all neutrals that 90% can be mixed and matched. As for color scheme I would just the 2 colors that you look the best in and then are you more a fan brown/ khaki or gray/ black.

When I did it my main colors were forest green, teal, navy, black, gray.

[heygrey]

Do it!

I keep a very minimalist warbrobe and I love it. I did a big purge like you're suggesting at one point and have never regretted it. I had clothes that didn't fit and clothes that were meant for a profession I would never return to - no reason to hang onto them. I kept maybe 25% of what I had originally and whittled it down a bit more over time. I have a uniform style that I wear to work and just replace items as needed. A couple cute, but comfortable weekend looks, and 2 nice dresses (one winter, one summer). Im totally fine rewearing the same thing over and over. I like the simplicity of not thinking so much about clothes now.

ETA: For resources, I really liked the Marie Kondo style of putting everything is a big pile and doing a quick sort to get out stuff I definitely didn't want to keep. I did a few rounds of that and then starting putting things back into my closet. Once I could see it organized it was also easy to see a colour pallet which helped narrow down what I buy when I replace items. The less I own, the more I want it all to mix and match. Sticking to one pallet makes that possible. 

[lessel]

I’ve been doing this bit by bit helped by weight loss surgery. Working at home helps too. The space in my closet is so nice. Easier to see what I have and choose something vs. overwhelmed by it being jam-packed.

My H is really the clothes hoarder of the two of us though. So now I’m compelled to toss/donate his stuff too. Who needs over 60 pairs of socks and over 100 tshirts?! 🤦🏻

Honestly I’m trying to go minimalist in a lot of aspects of life stuff right now. I need breathing room and less clutter and consumption across the board.

[stemmie]

I think that's a brilliant idea. Knowing what works for you is a great basis for creating a wardrobe that feels authentic to who you are and will simplify shopping, storage and care. I let go of a bunch of things when a friend's church sponsored an Afghan family whose mom was about my size-- she's loving the ability to try styles that are new to her without a big commitment, and I no longer feel bad about having so much stuff.

[sonrisa]

Firs thought - Do It! Second thought. But consider keeping a basic for those rarely used but definitely-needed-when-needed things. (a bathing suit if you almost never swim, for example)

For me that is shorts. I hate wearing shorts and don't. So every time I purge, off they go. And then every few years I *need* a pair and I'm kicking myself because now I not only need to wear shorts, I need to shop and try on shorts and generally put so much more energy into them than I want. So I've learned to keep one pair of shorts around.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

💯 You can google "capsule wardrobe" and there are tons of checklists like this one.

Eta Well these are more essentials (since the list includes accessories) rather than a wardrobe capsule but you get the idea.

[blondemoment123]

Do it! I was just texting my friend about how overwhelmed I am by having so much stuff in my house.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

Feb 11, 2023 14:37:04 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Firs thought - Do It! Second thought. But consider keeping a basic for those rarely used but definitely needed when needed things. (a bathing suit if you almost never swim, for example)

For me that is shorts. I hate wearing shorts and don't. So every time I purge, off they go. And then every few years I *need* a pair and I'm kicking myself because now I not only need to wear shorts, I need to shop and try on shorts and generally put so much more energy into them than I want. So I've learned to keep one pair of shorts around.

Nobody wears shorts here unless you're a tourist or one of those flip flops in January dudes. I have one pair as well, maybe worn once a year in Mexico.

[icedcoffee]

I’ve never done the whole closet, but I’ve done parts and it’s so nice. Most recently I did bras and pants. It’s so rare that I regret getting rid of something.

[icedcoffee]

Feb 11, 2023 14:53:07 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Feb 11, 2023 14:37:04 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Firs thought - Do It! Second thought. But consider keeping a basic for those rarely used but definitely needed when needed things. (a bathing suit if you almost never swim, for example)

For me that is shorts. I hate wearing shorts and don't. So every time I purge, off they go. And then every few years I *need* a pair and I'm kicking myself because now I not only need to wear shorts, I need to shop and try on shorts and generally put so much more energy into them than I want. So I've learned to keep one pair of shorts around.

Nobody wears shorts here unless you're a tourist or one of those flip flops in January dudes. I have one pair as well, maybe worn once a year in Mexico.

Really? I never used to, but since having kids I wear them a lot and I’ve noticed I’m not alone. It’s hard to chase a small kid in a dress and I can’t wear pants when it’s 95 degrees out so I’ve been embarrassing shorts the past few years.

ETA: embracing not embarrassing but maybe I should be embarrassed in them lol

[fryjack2]

Feb 11, 2023 14:53:07 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Feb 11, 2023 14:37:04 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Firs thought - Do It! Second thought. But consider keeping a basic for those rarely used but definitely needed when needed things. (a bathing suit if you almost never swim, for example)

For me that is shorts. I hate wearing shorts and don't. So every time I purge, off they go. And then every few years I *need* a pair and I'm kicking myself because now I not only need to wear shorts, I need to shop and try on shorts and generally put so much more energy into them than I want. So I've learned to keep one pair of shorts around.

Nobody wears shorts here unless you're a tourist or one of those flip flops in January dudes. I have one pair as well, maybe worn once a year in Mexico.

Bro, not everyone goes to Mexico, let alone once a year  

[jobae1234]

Do it! If you’re unsure, put them in your basement for a month or two before you donate.

I keep my wardrobe pretty lean. It’s nice!

[fryjack2]

I purge stuff once a year. The last one I did last month, I finally got rid of the stuff that I *might wear but haven't in 3 year's worth of purges.

I don't have a capsule wardrobe, and like clothes too much to be that minimalist. H would love to go all steve jobs and wear a uniform outfit each day. Blue button down and khakis. He always references studies on decision fatigue and taking even the what do I wear decision out of your daily thoughts woudl be awesome.

My dad essentially did that but that's because he was a refugee and didn't have more than 2 outfits growing up and not owning more than he really needed stuck.

[jackie011]

Feb 11, 2023 15:04:17 GMT -5 fryjack2 said:

I purge stuff once a year. The last one I did last month, I finally got rid of the stuff that I *might wear but haven't in 3 year's worth of purges.

I don't have a capsule wardrobe, and like clothes too much to be that minimalist. H would love to go all steve jobs and wear a uniform outfit each day. Blue button down and khakis. He always references studies on decision fatigue and taking even the what do I wear decision out of your daily thoughts woudl be awesome.

My dad essentially did that but that's because he was a refugee and didn't have more than 2 outfits growing up and not owning more than he really needed stuck.

That’s my H. Black button down and khakis, anywhere we go.

This is a constant struggle for me. I have clothes stashed all over our house. Every weekend I have “fill a box with clothes donations” on my mental to do list. I just need to do it already. I did a big purge of dress clothes a few years ago and have not missed a single thing.

[sonrisa]

Feb 11, 2023 14:57:08 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Feb 11, 2023 14:53:07 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Nobody wears shorts here unless you're a tourist or one of those flip flops in January dudes. I have one pair as well, maybe worn once a year in Mexico.

Really? I never used to, but since having kids I wear them a lot and I’ve noticed I’m not alone. It’s hard to chase a small kid in a dress and I can’t wear pants when it’s 95 degrees out so I’ve been embarrassing shorts the past few years.

ETA: embracing not embarrassing but maybe I should be embarrassed in them lol

It's never 95 degrees here. 80 is a hot day. So really it is just the surfer kids who also wear shorts and flip flops in January. 

And then I have reason to be some where hot and I wish I had them.

[heygrey]

Feb 11, 2023 14:37:04 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Firs thought - Do It! Second thought. But consider keeping a basic for those rarely used but definitely needed when needed things. (a bathing suit if you almost never swim, for example)

For me that is shorts. I hate wearing shorts and don't. So every time I purge, off they go. And then every few years I *need* a pair and I'm kicking myself because now I not only need to wear shorts, I need to shop and try on shorts and generally put so much more energy into them than I want. So I've learned to keep one pair of shorts around.

This is why I own 2 dresses. If you see me at a wedding or holiday party I will be wearing the same thing for the next 5+ years. I have never worn a dress casually in my every day life, but I don't want to shop those few times a year when I need to dress up. I picked basic styles that can be dressed up a bit with accessories. I usually hit up my best friend for accessories since she dresses up everyday and has need for those items. Sometimes I'll buy something second hand then donate it back after the event - I consider it a rental fee  

[lilac05]

Yes! Do it!

I did a massive closet purge not too long ago, and it feels SO good. Mine wasn’t as major, but I just can’t put into words how nice it is to not be surrounded by things that no longer fit me or I just don’t want to wear!

It also helped me be more mindful of what I bought afterwards…because I hated getting rid of stuff that was new but never worn.

The stuff that was in great condition but too small we t on Buy Nothing as a whole bundle, where I said specifically that I hoped it would go to someone who had recently gone up in size, but didn’t want to spend the money on new stuff.

[maudefindlay]

Do it and please share before and after photos. Sherry Petersik of Young House Love has a small wardrobe. I don't care for her black tank/Jean short combo, but her general idea of find your uniform might help you. In other words her style might not work, but her formula and reasoning may.

[mysteriouswife]

We did this to our folded clothes last weekend. H and I have really enjoyed being able to wear some of our favorites this week. We both noticed how much clutter we had

[starburst604]

I fantasize about this but could never do it. Show us your results!

[konapoppy]

You inspired me to pull an entire trash bag of stuff out of my closet. I have been decluttering since 2020 and have a lot of space, but still things that weren’t getting any wear and just getting in the way. Thank you!

[VillainV]

This is inspiring me to decluttering my wardrobe…I don’t know if I can ever go “minimalist” but I definitely have way too much crap and need to a top buying stuff.

[tacokick]

I’ve mentioned it before but I switched to just wearing dresses maybe 6-7 years ago and haven’t looked back. It makes getting dressed so much easier and I’m never looking for a better/new shirt to match my pants or vice versa which lead to a lot of clothing accumulation in the past. I have a limited color palette and a few cardigans and tights to wear when it’s cold but I basically wear the same dresses year round with a couple sleeveless or long sleeved ones for very cold or hot weather.

[bunnies]

I think it's a great idea! I did something similar a few years ago. My closet looks so much more.....soothing/calming now than when it was packed with clothes!

[Gato]

Do it! I have a minimalist wardrobe and it makes my life simpler. I literally can see everything in front of me, it’s not all crammed together, and I feel good in all of it. I have been doing this for 30 years and have never, ever wished for more.

[mysteriouswife]

This is a good place to ask. Anyone having a hard time purging items due to Covid? We haven’t really worn any of our business or business casual. I can’t bare to donate when a time may come we need a more professional look. My current role went to smart casual. So I wear a lot of jeans and tshirts.