Wannabe Minimalists and Declutterers...found this re: clothing & thought it might help

[PolkadotRosa]

In the process of decluttering, I have come across a book I've been hoarding bought years ago after watching The Life Laundry programme called ''How To De-Junk Your Life'

Too many clothes, lack of organisation and reluctance to part with them has seen clothes become my clutter achilles heel and enough's enough. I'm being ruthless and turns out I haven't actually got much to wear once I've weeded out the stuff I don't like that much/doesn't fit/had for ages and not worn in ages! Minimalist wardrobe here I come & I can't wait!!!!

These are the steps to follow to get your clothing in order, spend less on clothes & save time getting ready

1. Gather all your clothing together from all areas of the house into one room, including stuff you've packed away in storage. (Clean clothes obviously separate from dirty- get dirty stuff washed asap)

1. Separate clothes into seasons. Only current season should be in your wardrobe.

1. Now sort the in season clothes pile into categories - dresses/shirts/tops/trousers etc and hang in your wardrobe - short things at one end, longer at the other.

1. Now sort them by colour (still in short/long order).

1. Sort your folded clothing (T.shirts/undies) in same way, and do the same with shoes, belts & accessories.

1. Go through the out of season clothing - have a good purge (be ruthless!!) before putting them away. Dispose of/recycle any ripped/stained/beyond repair stuff (I'm going to be using alot of mine for cleaning rags!)

Give away what you haven't worn in past year. Admit you made mistakes. You're human. Let them go and move on.

1. It's very important to launder/dry clean everything you store to preserve the life of your clothes & help keep moths away (use cedar or lavender products to help deter them) plus they'll be ready to wear next season when you bring them out.

1. Remove plastic bags from dry-cleaning as clothes can't 'breathe' and can discolour.

1. Clearly label the box, bag or case with tags identifyingbthe contents to save faffing around searching.

10. Identify a place in the house where you can store all your bags together (under bed/in loft etc) this allows you to control what you have & decide what new items may be needed to compliment your existing wardrobe.

Now it's time to tackle the items in your current wardrobe
Much easier now they're sorted in type, colour & size. Write down any excesses or what's missing. Rather than repeating past mistakes look what you can purchase to compliment your existing wardrobe (NOT just an excuse to go shopping and buy more un-needed stuff!)

Make a list and buy only from that list. Look at things you don't have enough of and target the things you need. Good planning & staying in control = saved time, £ and space.

In analysing your wardrobe- consider:
Do you buy things in the same colour?
Buy the same over & over again?
Wear some items more than others? If so, why are they more special?
Do you have work clothing that no longer reflects your situation?
Does your wardrobe reflect the balance of activities in your life?
Stuff there you've never worn?
Does it all fit you?

12. Decide you'll reduce the (usually) 80% that you never wear/hardly ever wear by half.

13. Let go of all the items you feel guilty about - things you can't fit into/never wear/gifts that don't suit you.

14. Stop the cycle of impulse buying - think more before you spend.

15. Let go of clothes that don't reflect your lifestyle anymore.

Do the same for shoes, accessories and folded clothes.

PHEW!! Cramp in my fingers!
Hope that's helpful for someone, sorry it's loooong.

I realise too it's important to pace yourself and not get overwhelmed by having everything out, so do it a section at a time, at a pace that suits you. Babysteps. But try not to dither, get it done as quick as you can Bish-Bash-Bosh, See-Ya annoying pile of clothes that have been haunting me for way too long. Your time has come! I don't need you buggering up my room/life anymore!! You get the gist.

Off now to make strong coffee then kick some wardrobe ass. Will check in again later.

How did you get on?

Thanks for the post, I will have a poke about in my wardrobe later!

Hey Slattern!
Good, thanks! It really helped sorting seasonally first (obvious now - ha!) The steps really helped me, normally given up by now after opening wardrobe door and sighing. Been brave - lots to give away. Was going to ebay some but think I just want it gone. It was tricky at times, tried stuff on and thought "hmm might wear this again" but I won't. Nor can I either if it's in the charity shop.
Not tackled shoes yet.
Never had as few clothes hanging up, but it feels good. Really, strangely, good. Laundry should be lots easier now. Plus now I know what I need to make my wardrobe/clothes work together and am looking forward to purchasing a couple of such items when it's done. My treat to me for eventually getting rid!

Do some too! We can help each other slay this fabric beast!

I have a mass of ironing to do as just back from holidays. My wardrobes are full now never mind fitting the clean and ironed stuff back in.

I will report back in later. I'm in the mood for shifting!

Yey!
Eugh, ironing.
How nice is it though to have just 'holiday' clothes when you're away? All neat, hung and easy to chose from/put together. I'm aiming for us to have a holiday wardrobe everyday, if that makes sense.
Good luck, catch up later:)

Just remembered you are my fellow 'let's spend all conceivable disposable income on pretty clothes, I won't possibly regret this decision in the future' buddy.

Whilst dinner was on I had a look at my wardrobe. It's in not too bad shape. A bit too many dull colours and the proportion of going out clothes outweighs casual stuff especially as I now only go out twice a year. But it's not too bad.

However the chest of drawers is a different story. I lifted out about 5 sets of pjs - a start.

Hi Polka that's fantastic advice, I'm going to buy some storage for the out of season items. Any ideas?

Once I have the storage I can start on the wardrobe. I'm looking forward to this, I have many clothes but not much to wear

Hi Slattern Yes that's me! Or rather it was the better dressed, pre-child, sillier, unminimalistic, shopper version of me! Haha at the 'going out twice a year' Really? That much??!
Some of my going out stuff, oh my days. I'm blaming the body-snatchers or something along those lines. Farewell those dresses that will never be worn by me again and were probably only worn one night each anyway. If that Gulp.
Glad your wardrobe situation isn't too bad. Now you know what you could do with too. I need a bit more casual stuff too. A lot was maternity until recently.
I'll look forward to hearing how you get on with the drawers.

Hope those PJ's have been 'season-alised!'

Hi IWill Glad you found the advice useful. Join us on our mission! My storage at the mo is consisting of a suitcase for the out of season stuff, which I'll rotate as needed and empty out onto bed when need case for holiday This fits in a cupboard above the airing cupboard. Or you could keep it on your wardrobe/under bed? I've a couple of lidded, clear plastic, under-bed boxes with kids clothes in that needs minimalising yet. The idea obviously though is not to need much storage as you've not much to store! Keep us posted with how you're getting on.

I've basically done this and it makes my wardrobe a much happier place. my stored clothes are in those big plastic bags - too much of it at the most because only maternity is out really. I also have a bag called "spares" where I put loads of pants, socks, vest tops and basics. the theory being I look in there before going to the shops. it's working well and the slimmed down wardrobe helps me to either wear my clothes or get rid.

Great tips polka I have been steadily de-cluttering my wardrobe all year but definitely some way to go, especially in terms of organizing what I do have so I can see it all and trying to work out patterns of what works/what doesn't.

Recently cut my sun dress collection from c.15 dresses to c.5, and I still have enough even in this heat, I don't know what I was thinking before. After I donated the 10 extra ones I realised there was something about each one (too long/short/big/small/baggy/stained/ripped/weird neckline etc that actually meant I would probably never choose to wear it.

Any tips on how to get rid of clothes in good condition, that you like but are too big? I keep thinking I will get them altered...

Here's my tips list:

DAY 1

1. Seperate wardrobe into Summer and Winter. Put away out of season clothes for the time being.

2. Go through piece by piece based on a) if it fits and b) do you actually like it. Only keep items in your wardrobe if both criteria apply to them. ESPECIALLY MAKE SURE YOU DITCH ITEMS THAT DO NOT FIT. You can buy some more when you actually are slim

3. Put non-wearable clothes into Sell or Charity piles.

DAY 2

4. Drive to charity shop the next day so you aren't tempted to sway your original judgement.

5. Iron and list Sell items on Ebay. Day 5 day auction, don't bother waiting 7 days.

DAYS 3,4,5,6,7 - do something else.

DAY 8

6. Post Ebay items

DAY 9

7. Shopping - go buy something that a) fits and b) you do like with Ebay proceeds.

Artemisat - sell them on Ebay. If you're not familiar with Ebay, it's really simple to use/get started.

Artemisat - I had a pile of stuff awaiting alteration. My mum can do it but she can take months to get the stuff back to me and half time I have forgotten all about it. A few months ago I took a few items to the local 'sew it' branch. It was a bit pricey but very handy to get the stuff done and back into use.

It may be worthwhile to pay to get stuff fixed if you think you will use it again. Otherwise get rid.

But I have very little out of season clothing. I wear t shirts year round withal cardi or two on top if I am cold - and sometimes I am cold in summer too!!!

I think it means things like winter coat, wooly hats, scarves, any heavy winter boots, really thick socks etc.

But you're right that this exercise would be much easier in a more dramatic climate where we got a "proper" winter and summer!

I have clothing for both seasons and a chunk that overlaps.

winter knits,black tights thick dresses PJs are all away at the most and zhorts, summer dresses, thin cotton tops and flip flops are out.

starfish that's good that you've not much out of season stuff - less to organise/store!
It is tricky with our weather. No dooner has the summer stuff come out that it goes chilly/rainy again. I've kept some cardi's, pumps, tshirty long sleeve things out, but -like poo and Arti said things like winter boots, thick jumpers, 1000 denier tights, coats and wooly accessories have been put away. If for some reason I did need, say, my welly socks in the next week or so then I know instantly where they are and won't have to root frantically through a pile of random clothes. Tis my organisation revelation.

Dooner?! Kebab?