Comments on: tips and tricks for purging the closet

By: Amanda Hes

Amanda Hes

I have purged closets more than anything else in our lives. Somehow a beautifully clean closet goes right back to insanity in a matter of months. I am not a big shopper so i am not sure where the clothes appear from, but i do use my guest bedroom closets as a “store-for-several-months-if you-want-them-they-go-back-in” whirl-pool of disaster. This i have to stop, if i am willing to go put it across the house for any period of time then it needs to go.
Progress is progress none-the-less. And less is more, right? right!
Thanks for the constant inspiration, i adore this series!

By: Linda

Linda

I purged my husbands/my closet recently — 1. I took my time! 2. I made a “maybe stack” and waited until the next day to purge this! 3. I then hung all dresses together and color coordinated blouses, pants, skirts! 4. I purged shoes and purses last (because they are my fave!) The job was a success! I gave myself 2 days to complete this so I wasn’t overwhelmed and feeling the need to throw in the towel ! (I did hang on to a few of our HS tshirts…) and the following week, a friend called “My son is selling tshirts to help their baseball team out, will you buy one?” My answer “No, but I would be glad to donate $” Happy purging!

By: Erika

Erika

Very practical and pragmatic advice. With regards to tip #3 I buy way too much yoga wear (I can’t resist good yoga pants), shoes, and handbags. I need to re-think my priorities. Good article.

By: Erin @ House Envy

Erin @ House Envy

I absolutely love that you put these “real” photos of your gorgeous home. All great things start with a giant mess, don’t they!?

By: Tennille Mykula

Tennille Mykula

Great post! I’m a little more vicious than you in the purging process, no maybe-him-and-haw pile for me but that’s ok. Different strokes, right? My only piece of advice is one I just recently completed myself. I recently experienced an abnormal increase in my weight due to hormonal imbalance and thyroid issues. tThe clothes hanging in my closet that didn’t currently fit were a constant reminder of the out-of-control state I am currently experiencing. Unwanted weight can be such a stressful issue without the added stress of seeing all those tiny outfits everyday. After a year of looking at all the jeans that no longer fit me, and knowing that getting the weight off is less important than getting my health back on track, I simply got a clear bin, took all the jeans that I still love and will wear later, packed them away and took them to the basement. I know I’ll get back into them as my health issues get figured out but I felt like they were taunting me every time I opened the closet. I removed them and I feel much better when I’m choosing from a selection of clothing that I know fit and flatter for right now. Secondly, figure out what sort of laundry management style you are. My husband is a hanger, I’m a folder. Make sure when you’re re-doing your closet to include storage options that work for both of you. We have a lot more hanging storage than I’d like and I’ve had to get used to a whole new system of dealing with my clothes. There are much bigger fish to fry than dealing with clothes so find a system that is efficient for everyone using the closet. Happy purging!

By: Em

A friend and I did a closet challenge after our initial purge…we started at one side of the closet and went straight through. If you couldn’t wear the item for one day, you had to toss it. (We did shirts only since we were both in baby-having season and need to save those bigger pants:). I realized by the time I got to work one day that I should have tossed the Gap yellow argyle sweater circa 2001;)…not a good look!

By: Cecilia

Cecilia

I just did our closet…actually talked the hubby into getting rid of stuff he never wore! Woohoo! I like your two year rule! I’ve decided to get rid of the so-so clothes and things I’m not 100% comfortable in. Sounds like another purge!

By: Brooke

Brooke

In reply to Linda.

Linda – You are so.right.on with the buying ‘so-so’ things just cause they’re a bargain (and don’t we all live to brag about a great deal!?) but I have to keep reminding myself that with all of the bargain so-so purchases that are just ok I could have bought something really fabulous that I’ll love for much longer!!

By: Linda

Linda

Congratulations on going back into your closet and making those hard decisions! I’ve purged closets more times than I can remember, because we move house (and occasionally country) a lot and I regularly get tempted by “bargains”. ! Currently I have small and separate winter and summer closets, and just did another purge. I have realized that I keep making the same mistakes over and over again, and finally decided that I have to force myself to buy some great clothes (both kids now grown up and off the payroll!) and stay away from sale rails and discount stores. Not that sale rails and discount stores are a bad thing, but I need to make some serious purchases of clothes that look great on me, and not be tempted by clothes that are just ok and a “bargain”. Some people have the knack of putting outfits together but I don’t, and need the help of a department store personal shopper.
I do have a “keep pile” of great jeans and trousers that will stay until the end of the summer in the hope that I can fit into them again, and attending WeightWatchers is helping me towards that goal. If I don’t get there by Labor Day they are going to the thrift store. In short, I’d rather have an organized closet with a few wonderful clothes that I wear often, rather than just “so-so” things that don’t really hit the mark.