How to Simplify your Wardrobe

Your morning routine of getting ready may be one that takes you a lot longer than you should each day…. if you are anything like me, you have a FULL closet of clothing, and a full dresser, but not one thing to wear.

My daughter asks me daily why I always stand there pondering what to wear, when I usually end up grabbing from the same comfortable pool of clothes. 

I own ONE pair of jeans, NO shorts, and about 8 maxi skirts.  I usually throw on a skirt & a t-shirt 90% of the time. That, is what I am comfortable in.

But then I stand there looking at everything else .. I know I need to part with some of those things, but I can’t bring myself to let them go … because one day, they might fit me. OR…. one day the shoes MIGHT fit.  It might get cold here in Phoenix to where I need that huge clumsy sweater. Or I might eventually decide I want to back to my old position at my previous Recruiting job where I need the pant suit for an interview.

But… in the end, we need to be real – if you find yourself constantly saying “I have nothing to wear”… or, you find yourself keeping pieces just for the sake of doing so, then it’s time to get busy & clean out your wardrobe. Thankfully.. you have some choices:  Do you sell it? Donate? Pass it on to someone else? 

So if you can, try to set aside an afternoon – ask your daughter to help you.. and pull out no stops in getting your closet back in order (and free up MORE space for yourself to use for other projects!)  As you pull out all of your pieces… ask yourself a few questions:

• Does this article fit me right now?
• Have I worn this piece in the last 12 months?
• Is it in good shape – is it missing buttons? Damaged? Zipper broke?
• Do I feel the same way about this article of clothing NOW compared to when I first looked at it and purchased it?

Over the weekend I bagged up 85% of my closet — it felt liberating … it really did.  Right now it’s in bags, and I’ll take it to Goodwill sometime this week when I am in that area.  Let me tell you that it felt GOOD to get RID of that stuff.

So how DO you keep a minimalist wardrobe and still have things to wear?

1.  Try to Keep ONLY What you Wear – Consistently

Do you wear ALL of the items in your closet? Or do you wear a small portion and keep the rest .. just in case?  If you have a closet full of clothes you never wear, and they are taking up space, then they are creating clutter.

Try to narrow down what pieces are critical to you .. that you could wear daily — that would get their use. 

2.  Keep Items that Mix and Match Together

I wear a LOT of Maxi Skirts, and basic tees – they ALL mix and match. Try your best to go for pieces that have function that you can wear with multiple items — keep common colors too, to make it easier on yourself. 

3. Know What Works BEST for You

I’m really short, and I’m not as thin as I was 10 years ago before children ~ I’m getting there but it’s going to take me a while. I like items that really are universal — I try to avoid things that are too tight, and things that are too big as well. I also realize that I have an 8 year old daughter that is soon going to be finding her identity — so it’s important to be a role model for her as well.

Knowing what works best for you means being able to find that one style that fits well and makes you feel good – and looking for those colors that bring out your best.

I try to find those colors that work best for my pale skin and dark hair — since I know my colors, I can quickly scan ANY rack at a thrift or clearance store and find those items that work best for me. And leave the rest on the rack for the next person.  You can see some tips HERE from Women’s Style on finding colors that work best for you.

4.  Find Items that you can Pair with the Basics

Once you narrow your closet down to essential pieces that work for you, find those items that will accessorize your clothing for work, day, night or even special events.  

Scarves are really a great way to brighten up an outfit — I am definitely not a fashion icon, but you can use a scarf in so many ways besides wearing around your neck. Check out this video on 25 ways to tie a scarf just to give you a few ideas.

Did you know that the $.99 store has scarves & accessories for $1.49? Crazy good deal.

Don’t forget a cute pair of shoes, and jewelry to pair as well – the best part is that you can always find accessories for a great price at Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, or even at the Mall.  

Instead of buying 15 pairs of cheaper shoes, invest in a few quality pairs that will last you longer, and be more comfortable too. Especially if you are on your feet all day.

5.  Avoid the Sale Racks

Oh gosh, I really hate to say this … because I know we are ALL so addicted to them. But think about all those times you hit a sale rack… did you really NEED those clothes you picked up? Those racks are designed to make you want to grab it.. as it’s on sale. 

Though you don’t always need what you see…

6.  Donate or Send In

If you DO end up getting rid of a lot of items you realized you will no longer use, think about donating or, sending them in for credit.

Schoola is a great place to send in your items ~ they will put a price on the item and a portion of the sale will be donated to your child’s school.  

Or, simply donate – drop off at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Or go a step further, and gather up a bunch of your friends and host a clothing swap… in which you all gather the clothing items and shop amongst each other. 

7.  Set a Spending Limit 

If you are addicted to buying clothing each month and you can’t resist getting more items, remember that the reason for going through your closet was to pare back…   if you head back out and shop you are just going to reinvent what you just worked so hard getting rid of.

Set a monthly limit on clothes spending.. and stick to that limit. Go a step further, and put that cash in an envelope so you are forced to stick TO that limit. No cheating.

8.  Remember that clothes don’t make a person .. YOU make the person.

That doesn’t mean you should wear rags, but having the latest & greatest brand name items is great, people will notice you and your personality well before they look for the tag on your clothes.   Perhaps that’s my two cents…but it’s something my parents drilled into us as kids — 37 years later it’s one thing that still sticks fresh in my mind.