View Full Version : Ladies: purging closet questions
Packratona!
5-6-18, 4:36pm
How low can you go in terms of # of items? What clothing items have you gotten rid of?
I am doing a major purge. This has been a step by step process, over several months as I am losing weight; 30 pounds thus far and 15 more to go to get where I want to be. So I do this in phases:
1) Tried on all the shorts, pants and capris after I realized too many were literally falling off when I put them on and went out for the day. Put in pile to give away.
2) Tried on all the shirts. Added to the pile, all the ones which didn't fit well anymore and didn't cover well enough. I have evolved in that over the years, and am now no longer comfortable wearing clothes that show more skin that I want to show.
3) Went through all the dressier clothes, and added to the pile skirts that don't have matching tops.
4) Went through all the casual clothes, and added to the pile tops that are just too worn out looking. Not too many of those but every little bit helps.
5) Tossed away all the slips. Who wears those anyway anymore? I sure don't.
6) Tossed in the pile clothes that I just never wear, of the casual clothes, for reasons that I am just not sure of.
7) Kept most of the dressy clothes, but did get rid of some. I live a casual country life now and have not gone to any dressy affairs in almost a year, but who knows, maybe that will change some time in the future? No clue.
Now I am counting what is left. STILL too many! Am hoping that when I lose another 15 pounds, that will help as more will not fit. But I am curious for the most part, how many outfits, casual and dressy, do you own and use? My intent, is to get my wardrobe down to ONE closet full; Right now I need an extra closet to store the dressy stuff. Not good!
I have one dresser and one closet under 3 ft wide, maybe a few winter coats somewhere else. That is all. I haven't done anything dressy in a ling time so i would need to shop anyway.
I have more than 10 pairs of pants and that seems a lit, but that includes a pairof dressy ones that fit great. I have 6 skirts, plenty of those. For summer i run camps so i have 6 outfits and exactly, just had to buy new shorts and threw a pair away. But i do need to shop for camp friendly ( not cotton) shorts.
Not having space to keep things works, and i rarely have missed anything
In any given season I wear what fits in a five drawer dresser and half of a standard (not walk-in) closet. This does not include winter outerwear and yard work clothes. Out of season clothes are in the other half of the closet but also other things I am storing besides clothes.
#2 on your list was a focus for me past year. I am trying to dress my age without being frumpy. #5 I have one slip left in case I go to a holiday party with a staticky dress but I have not worn it in years.
Congratulations on the weight loss!
Teacher Terry
5-6-18, 6:41pm
I have half of a walk in closet but my side is not full. Also I don't put t-shirts in drawers but hang them instead. About the only time I wear dress clothes is on cruises so don't need a lot of those.
I'm having trouble with clothes from work. They aren't too office-ey, and I know I could certainly still wear them in theory, but as a practical matter, it is highly unlikely. Maybe I just need a little more time with this one.
Packratona!
5-6-18, 7:16pm
In any given season I wear what fits in a five drawer dresser and half of a standard (not walk-in) closet. This does not include winter outerwear and yard work clothes. Out of season clothes are in the other half of the closet but also other things I am storing besides clothes.
#2 on your list was a focus for me past year. I am trying to dress my age without being frumpy. #5 I have one slip left in case I go to a holiday party with a staticky dress but I have not worn it in years.
Congratulations on the weight loss!
Yes, I think we do have to evolve our dress as we age. Gone are the days when they could save the same long black gown to wear over and over when going out ha ha! I have to figure out what is in style and appropriate for my age. But that usually means a trip to a regular store in a mall, gasp! I do know I am tending towards more dignified. Thanks for the congrats...it is doable when you figure it out and follow the rules.
I don't use a chest of drawers, just hang everything, easier than folding and no wrinkles, but have this cool huge canvas shoe storage thing that I bought on line for about $25, Amazon, and bought some fabric bins from the dollar store put above the shoes in the unit, on the shelves, to use for underwear and socks. I got rid of all my thin soles shoes and flip flops since I had a bout with plantar fascitis.
Packratona!
5-6-18, 7:17pm
I'm having trouble with clothes from work. They aren't too office-ey, and I know I could certainly still wear them in theory, but as a practical matter, it is highly unlikely. Maybe I just need a little more time with this one.
When I finally retired early, I got rid of almost all my work clothes. Just did not want to look at them any more!
Work clothes, oh you are all so jealous of me! I just bought my new vans for summer camp, they are black and dark floral. I can wear nice jeans almost every day and either converse or vans, of course on my hippy meditation teacher days it is leggings with a dress.
Gardenarian
5-7-18, 12:51pm
I don't go by number of items, but by the space I have for clothes. Good thing I don't have one of those walk in closets.
I'm going on a month long trip soon, and figuring out what to pack is turning out to be an exercise in purging. There are so many things I decided not to bring because they're not very comfortable or flattering - those are going in the donation pile.
I have a good sized closet and a dresser. I have one drawer for t-shirts, which is overflowing. Need to do some pruning there. I also have the habit of throwing worn out tank tops, tees, sweats etc. Into my pajama drawer, and that is getting tight too. I do love old super-soft things.
I have way too many clothes. I have one tall, narrow armoire that is filled just with PJs. I try to cull this, but I actually wear them all. Many soft old John Prine, Leonard Cohen, etc., t shirts filled with memories. Then I have a dresser with two drawers for pants, 3 for shirts, one for leggings and sweats. I have a decent sized closet with all of my tops, which I tend to accumulate because I wear tunics to try to hide my belly so when i see cute ones on sale I snap them up. I have a few dresses/skirts. Then I have a bin for underwear/bras and two for socks (I have a lot of these so I can go a long time between doing laundry as laundry is hard for me). Then I have stored in two under the bed bags, clothes that are one size down as I am trying to lose wt and I blew through that size, the stuff is like new.
The problem is I've never dealt with my work clothes. They were business casual so they still fit into my life. They are one size down so should be stored away with the other stuff but for some reason, I can't take them out of my main closet and they take up half the closet. It feels like admitting defeat to pack them away, even though they don't fit. It's crazy!
Since I've gained wt over the years, my feet are 1/2 a size larger. I have to go through all my shoes and get rid of the ones that no longer fit because I don't think your feet go back to being smaller when you lose wt. They are longer now, not wider or anything. So those shoes have got to go. I have an amazing shoe holder that goes on the back of my closet door and it holds 32 pairs. It's full.
I'm currently on a diet with a goal to lose 20 lbs in 6 mos. That should bring me to the one size down clothes. But I sort of feel bad because I've been this size a long time and I have a LOT in this size. I know this sounds stupid but I like these clothes. I have a rule that I ever pay more than $20 for an item unless it's for a dress or a winter coat but still, fiscally it adds up. I'm not working, I did not need all these outfits.
oh, this is a loaded topic for me!
Since I've gained wt over the years, my feet are 1/2 a size larger. I have to go through all my shoes and get rid of the ones that no longer fit because I don't think your feet go back to being smaller when you lose wt. They are longer now, not wider or anything. So those shoes have got to go. I have an amazing shoe holder that goes on the back of my closet door and it holds 32 pairs. It's full.
That is such a hard one for me! I love shoes, boots, sandals, etc.
In college I wore an 8 and mom and I shoe shopped every time I went home or she came to visit. Pregnancy brought on a 1/2 inch increase that I never lost so I had to get rid of probably 60 pair. Then weight gain and another 1/2 then the broken ankle somehow affected shoe size and another 1/2-1 increase. Boots I have to get 10 in now and everything else 9 1/2. Sigh. That is too big for my almost 5'4.5" height. I trip over my own feet all the time. I wear boots some but they just look gigantic on me. I have much less shoes, boots, sandals now because I wonder if they are like noses and ears and just keep growing as you age.
getting rid of 60 pair all at once would break my heart!
Feet flatten and thus expand with age, or so I read. It hasn't happened to me yet.
I have way too many clothes. I have one tall, narrow armoire that is filled just with PJs. I try to cull this, but I actually wear them all. Many soft old John Prine, Leonard Cohen, etc., t shirts filled with memories. Then I have a dresser with two drawers for pants, 3 for shirts, one for leggings and sweats. I have a decent sized closet with all of my tops, which I tend to accumulate because I wear tunics to try to hide my belly so when i see cute ones on sale I snap them up. I have a few dresses/skirts. Then I have a bin for underwear/bras and two for socks (I have a lot of these so I can go a long time between doing laundry as laundry is hard for me). Then I have stored in two under the bed bags, clothes that are one size down as I am trying to lose wt and I blew through that size, the stuff is like new.
The problem is I've never dealt with my work clothes. They were business casual so they still fit into my life. They are one size down so should be stored away with the other stuff but for some reason, I can't take them out of my main closet and they take up half the closet. It feels like admitting defeat to pack them away, even though they don't fit. It's crazy!
Since I've gained wt over the years, my feet are 1/2 a size larger. I have to go through all my shoes and get rid of the ones that no longer fit because I don't think your feet go back to being smaller when you lose wt. They are longer now, not wider or anything. So those shoes have got to go. I have an amazing shoe holder that goes on the back of my closet door and it holds 32 pairs. It's full.
I'm currently on a diet with a goal to lose 20 lbs in 6 mos. That should bring me to the one size down clothes. But I sort of feel bad because I've been this size a long time and I have a LOT in this size. I know this sounds stupid but I like these clothes. I have a rule that I ever pay more than $20 for an item unless it's for a dress or a winter coat but still, fiscally it adds up. I'm not working, I did not need all these outfits.
oh, this is a loaded topic for me!
Where do you buy tunics that are flattering?
Macy's online and Lands End come to mind. Macy's has so many more than they have in their store
I feel like I mastered this when I moved to New Mexico - I have no closet, but one of those 3 ft. long cheapo garment racks at the end of my bed against the wall. If I squish all the clothes together hanging there (includes one bulky winter sheepskin jacket), it takes up about 15". FIFTEEN inches! I have a wooden bookshelf with three shelves that I brought from Michigan that has three plastic (but nice-looking bins) that hold underwear, then socks, and the third one holds a bathing suit, bras, and bandanas. The rest of the shelf has leggings and sleepwear. The middle shelf I keep my folded shirts (switched now to summer stuff) and shorts (I think I winnowed it down to 8 pairs) and two pairs of jeans. The bottom shelf holds my seven pairs of footwear (I also have one pair flip-flops and slippers that get kicked around).
I did have to buy an under-the-bed storage box that holds off-season shirts, a sweater and my extra sheets. And I employ the use of hooks on the backs of two doors to hold denim jackets, a fleece jacket, some scarves, some head wraps and a belt (I only have two belts). Oh, and I have a little cross body bag I use sometimes.
I STILL have stuff I don't really wear, and have recently purged some things over to the town's Free Box. I need to go through again and get rid of things I don't feel right in, especially since I am gaining weight and my shape is changing (dang menopause.....). Losing the figure that I got used to having during the Wholefoods years is a bitter pill to swallow. That's fodder for another thread....
My clothes fit in about 3' of closet space (SiouxQ--15" is truly admirable!!) and 5 dresser drawers (1 for jewelry and accessories; 1 for socks/lingerie; 1 for hanging around sloppy clothes; 2 for seasonal tops.
I'm going through a purge as I pull out the few things I'll bring up North for the summer. I expect that will comprise of
3 casual pants, nice enough to go pretty much anywhere
2 pair yoga pants
1 pair overalls
4 T-shirts
3 sweaters
3 sweatshirts
1 pair sneakers
3 pairs flats
1 pair hiking boots
bathing suit with coverup
For work I'll have to bring
2 blazers
2 shirts
2 nice sweaters
1 pair black trousers
2 black/black check skirts
1 dress
1 nice pair of shoes
1 pair PJs
1 bathrobe
1 rain jacket
Teacher Terry
5-8-18, 12:35pm
I have never liked shoes. I own only 5 pairs. I don't need boots in our climate. When it snows it usually melts by noon when the sun is out. I only like to do laundry every 3 weeks so have enough clothes for that. My feet were a size 8 and I am 5'7". Now my feet are a 10. Every kid put me a half size up and then gaining weight did the last jump. My feet are now wide too.
I purge every spring and fall. Since I’ve retired I have gotten rid of most of my work clothes. Since church has turned casual I’ve gotten rid of dress church clothes. I kept a few skirts (from 17 down to 3) and tops for weddings and funerals but those are casual now too. My winter ‘uniform’ is jeans and sweatshirts and my summer ‘uniform’ is shorts and tee shirts. Paring down every year, don’t really need much. I was in a store a couple of decades ago when the greeter was giving out coupons for clothes. An elderly lady looked at the coupon and said ‘clothes? I don’t need any clothes? I’m there now.
optiminimalist
5-9-18, 12:03pm
I just got finished doing a major closet purge and ran into that issue the first time. I found that storing my seasonal items away in a sealed tote was the biggest help to me. I cut down my winter jackets from 5 to 2, got rid of anything in-season I hadn't worn or even thought about wearing in three months, and tossed the things I was holding onto for sentimental value..except my wedding dress. I gave everything salvagable to Goodwill and threw away the nasties. Good luck on your closet purge!
I am getting motivated by reading this thread...haven't done anything yet, but getting there. We have one clothes closet and one jackets closet. I dresser each and a shoe caddy thing.
I am now an 11 W in shoes and wear sandals nearly all year. I did buy sneakers and a special orthopedic insole the chiropractor suggested and found using them every day I wore shoes helped my feet feel better. I need to clear out some old sandals and clothes.
freshstart
5-16-18, 8:30pm
I purged 3 big bins in one of my closets. Have 11 pairs of glasses to send to the Lions Club. Threw out old make up and perfume. Organized sample sized stuff that I will use for travel. Tried to purge small purses and wallets but they are all ones I still use. 3 more bins tomorrow.
Does old perfume go bad? Mine still smells fine to me but maybe I am noseblind.
rosarugosa
5-16-18, 9:44pm
Does old perfume go bad? Mine still smells fine to me but maybe I am noseblind.
I think it depends on the perfume. I have some old ones that smell fine but have had others that did not fare so well.
freshstart
5-17-18, 1:19pm
some of mine smelled ok but had turned an off-putting color
Teacher Terry
5-17-18, 3:15pm
FS: you did a great job!
freshstart
5-17-18, 3:32pm
thanks! Today I did the other 13 bins. In this house, my stuff that would be in an office is in my BR. So luckily it came with two closets. One is just shelves with bins. I emptied out enough to have 3 empty bins. All I have left to finish this closet is to do the purses, which are in Rubbermaid totes on the floor. I have a purse problem. I buy way too many, I get them on sale but the number I have is ridiculous. I rotate through them so I do use them, but still, I know it's a problem. My goal is to get rid of four. I got a lot done today so I think I'm going to push this to tomorrow when I have fresh eyes and more energy.
Teacher Terry
5-17-18, 4:41pm
That is a lot of purging!
rosarugosa
5-17-18, 8:43pm
Wow, good work, Freshstart! I know that consignment shops are usually eager for handbags if you wanted to try to recoup some of your money.
freshstart
5-18-18, 9:17pm
I purged 13 purses toady. And then my aunt and cousin showed up and took 7 of them, yay! It was hard to watch a couple go but they hadn't been used in a long time so I had to do it.
happystuff
5-20-18, 8:02am
I haven't hit the closet yet, but went through my dresser yesterday. I'm now able to close the drawers!!! LOL. Have about a dozen pieces of clothing in the donation box. Feels good!
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