Clearing Space For A New Season
The last quarter of the year can be an ideal time to make room in your closet for something different. Unless you live where the weather rarely changes, a new season usually heralds clearing space to accommodate changing temperatures.
Yet regardless of your particular climate, periodically clearing space in your wardrobe for what truly supports your lifestyle—especially as it evolves—will serve you well.
Now I’m not suggesting a full-on, pull-everything-out-and-dump-on-your-bed activity. Even I feel exhausted with the thought of that! 😜
However, consider taking 5-10 minutes daily to pull out anything that is an obvious “let-it-go” item, i.e., stained, torn, ill-fitting, or simply never-worn clothing. You know the ones! Bag ’em up and let ’em go!
Starting with these small, steady tweaks will reap big benefits. After all, it’s too easy to stash and store far more than what is actually needed or used. And who remembers to exercise the one-in-one-out rule every time, when there’s room for one more? (not me! 😬)
In fact, as we buy new things, the stuff we rarely wear gets pushed to the back. It can be difficult to see what’s in there. Ever come across something hidden and say, “Oh, wow, I forgot I had this!” And then struggle to let it go? (also me! 🙄)
Then, when it gets difficult and you’re slowing down with letting go decisions, pivot to choosing what you want to keep. Lastly, figure out what you will add in for your new season.
Today I’m sharing 3 questions I ask myself as I decide what deserves space in my closet.
Got your pumpkin spice latte in hand? ☕️ Let’s go!
#1: How Do I Spend My Time?
This is my opening question before I even set foot in my closet. Why? Because a supportive wardrobe is one reflecting how I actually spend my time. Once I exited the corporate world, I needed to flip the clothing ratio from less formal to more laidback.
And let me tell you, it’s HOT 😳 from May through September in my part of the world! Yes, I knew this when I relocated to Phoenix, but it didn’t fully register when my weekdays called for business attire inside an air conditioned office. (Still, hardly anyone wears hose here because of that relentless heat 🔥)
Travels near and far have amped up and socializing continues. So I still have clothing for different situations…dressy, casual, warm and cool temps. However, the quantities of each category have changed because how I spend my time has shifted.
Acknowledging what clothing makes sense now is essential for knowing what to keep and what to buy—in all the right quantities!
#2: What Styles And Colors Do I Favor?
Here’s a novel way to sort through your closet: start by segregating what you love and reach for the most.
When it comes to clearing out your closet, everyone agrees there’s stuff that oughta go. But the second thing that crosses our minds? The weight and work of executing those choices! 😣 After all, there is a reason for why each and every thing is in your wardrobe right now. Still, the reasons are not equally important or valid. So sift through mindfully.
Yet when purging stuff gets hard, stop and switch to easy! Now focus on your Keepers. A rolling rack is ideal for hanging all your faithful clothing companions. (It also comes in handy when preparing for an upcoming event or trip ✈️ ) Now you can clearly see what you wear the most. Go with your first instincts and don’t overthink things.
Then step back and look for the common thread with your besties. My guess is that these are the items that feel the most comfortable, they’re the ones most suited to the majority of your activities, and the color or cut truly looks the best for your body type and taste.
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a particular color palette, fabric, or style! When you’re drawn to certain items that you love and they love you back, why deviate? No one is going to think you’re wearing the same thing over and over. On the contrary, their impression will be that you always look good—really!
What you’re doing here is identifying a personal capsule wardrobe that will never let you down.
#3: What should I buy in a new season?
Lastly, think about what you’ve struggled to release while clearing space. I’m specifically referring to the “second stringers”, or items that are in perfectly good condition yet you’ve rarely worn them. Why is that? 🤔
These are often the items that were touted as the current It style. They looked fab on the lanky model. They were the latest new hue. All the stores stocked a variation of them. And once we peeked at them online, ads followed us everywhere, urging us to buy them.
So why did they not get out closet much? Well for me, they didn’t end up flattering my body type, they weren’t my go-to power colors, or I just didn’t have enough occasions (or the right events) to wear them! 🤯
This is a huge revelation, for a few important reasons:
Firstly, I have since learned to pay attention to what looks good on shorter models or celebrities with a more athletic build like me. What drapes elegantly on a 6-foot willowy model does not necessarily flatter for me.
Secondly, everything I admire is not practical for me to acquire. I adore sheath dresses, silk blouses, and high heels. But the opportunities to wear them are far and few between. I have a discreet number of these in my closet and I’ve drawn the line at buying more. Only window shopping allowed! 😍 (bonus: my bank account says thank you!)
And thirdly, I want to break the twitch with buying new things solely because I’m told what to wear each season. Who want to see themselves coming and going because we’re all wearing a variation of the same thing? Why must last season’s It items stop looking good simply because the fashion gurus say something different is better?
For me, a true sense of style develops when someone is aware of what best suits their taste and lifestyle and they happily and unashamedly stick with that.
The Wrap On Clearing Space
Our lifestyle and taste changes over time so why not ensure our wardrobe reflects where we’re at now?
Wouldn’t it be fantastic to know that everything in your closet fits, flatters, and feels good? (the 3 “F’s” = my guiding mantra 🌟)
It would be like possessing a magic portal to a place filled with items we love and love us back, in all the right quantities. Our entire clothing collection would actually get a spin out on the town.
Well, perfection is not possible so relax. But we can elevate what’s in there when we are willing to regularly evaluate the contents. Make the smart decisions about what makes sense to keep, to release, and–going forward–what we should buy less of (I know, that last one is critical—sigh! 👠👠)
No one has infinite storage space and even those with super-sized closets benefit from culling out what no longer matters. Why cling to non-performers, amiright? 🤗
If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll find value in this one, which goes even deeper with clearing space for a new you!
And do check out these stellar Tedx Talks:
🎧 You Can Be A Minimalist. Yes, You!
🎧 Change Your Closet, Change Your Life!
🎧 The Link Between Personal Style & Identity
—And thanks for stopping by!
A New Life Chapter | My Personal Journey Continues
A gentle bend in my road beckons ✨ Time to veer away for a bit and go check it out! -Sometimes, it’s just time to
An Insider Pass: Ruminating About The Instagram Circus With Jo
Once upon a time, a good friend shrugged and said, “I just don’t get that Seinfeld show—why do you think it’s so funny?” And I
Holiday Advice: Don’t Place These Three Things Under Your Tree!
Holiday countdown in 3—2—1…let the shopping begin! 🛍 Does it feel like the race is on, now that Christmas commercialism is in full swing? Despite
3 Weekend Shorties: Words To Make You Pause and Smile
Today’s Shorties are not my own words but they spoke to me and so I’m sharing for your reading pleasure as well. It’s Thanksgiving Week
Organizing: Proven Concepts For A Little Home Sweet Home
Homemaking: enriching art, or unending drudgery? If you ask Rebecca Phillips of RYouReadyToOrganize, it can definitely be the former. Because like anything else, our perception
Finding My Stride In The Third Trimester Of Life
Umm…what the heck does she mean by “my third trimester“? 🤔 This: I intend to live into my 90s (or die trying 😜) so I’m
