I have the wonderful job of helping women in their homes. One of my favorite areas to organize is their clothes closet. My clients usually start out by saying “I have three different sizes in there somewhere and I don’t know what to do”. I say “keep them”. We are women, our weight is supposed to fluctuate! Everyone has a pair of skinny jeans AND those oh so comfortable loosey-gooseys.
What you DO need to donate are those clothes that are out of style, but they say “what’s in style. I don’t know what to wear”. Well here’s an idea…when you are reading your favorite magazines scan the models. Are they wearing shoulder pads and pleats? If they are wearing any clothes that resemble some of the pieces in your closet, tear the page out, tape the picture on the inside of your closet door and copy the look.
Also what you need to donate are all the clothes in your room that have been in the “to mend” bin for the last two years. Chances are you are not going to mend them. Let them go! Stains? Did you say your clothes are stained? I have clients who want to create a big laundry pile so that when I leave they can soak, rub, and scrub the stains. When I come back the following week, there they are still in the laundry basket waiting. Let them go too!
Fill your closet with items that you love. Pants that are perfect for your body type. Shirts that are soft and comfortable. Nice pajamas, not your husband’s t- shirts and your old sweatpants. I know that the clothes in your donation bag cost a lot of money but they are also taking up room in your closet and making you frustrated every time you open the door. Someone somewhere is going to love the items you passed on.
Here are simple ways to put the sanity back into the process of packing for a trip:
Stay true to yourself and you will always look fabulous! It doesn’t make sense to go on vacation to reduce stress and then pack in such a way as to cause you more stress. Pack well and enjoy your trip.
Ok, we’ve all heard that we should keep our bodies active in order to lose weight. We’ve also heard that we should keep our brains stimulated so we can keep our minds sharp and therefore, remember where we left our keys! But how does “use it or lose it” relate to clothes? Well, I will tell you now!
Clothes are tied to sentiment, self expression and comfort, so it’s no wonder why closets can become overloaded. Sentiment, for clothing we wore at meaningful events in our lives and also times when we were a couple sizes smaller! Self expression, for clothing we buy to show off our different sides. And comfort, for those days you just can’t deal with constricting buttons and zippers! Often though, these items don’t fall into your everyday wardrobe. Did you know that there is actually a statistic created for that? You wear 20 percent of your clothes 80 percent of the time. So what can you do with that 80 percent that is rarely worn? Here are some options:
1) Consign …for formal gowns or cocktail dresses (yes, those bridesmaid dresses too!) that you don’t know if and when you will wear again. Interview some consignment shops and let someone else appreciate and enjoy them for their special occasions!
2) Host a clothing swap…for friends that have been eyeing items in your closet. Beware of taking in more than you have put out and aim to use those items in your day to day 20 percent.
3) Donate…if there are items that you know you will never wear again (maybe they’ve fallen on the floor and got pushed to the far corner!), or haven’t worn in a year. Give them a gentle wash and bring them to your favorite charity collection site.
But maybe you’re not wearing some clothes because they are missing buttons, have ripped seams or you are just plain tired of them. Here are some options for these dilemmas:
1) Head to a tailor…for items with the quality to last and take them in to repair seams. If you are missing a button, look to the stash of buttons that come with the shirts you buy – that’s what they are there for! I store all mine in a small decorative box.
2) Head to a low cost retailer…for items that you’re bored with. Look for accessories like belts and broaches that can enliven and refresh what you own. You can follow the color trends without having to buy clothes. Plus accessories are much smaller and easier to store!
3) Head to an art center…for shirts that have faded or just can’t be fixed. They make great smocks for kids!
Now, with all that done, how is your closet looking? Have you gotten to 70/30? 60/40?
Take it one day at a time and know you are not alone! Strive to make your closet a place that you can enjoy going to, filled with items that make you happy, are flattering, and reflect your personality. Then go out into the world, smile, and know that you look fabulous!