Out With The Old

I spent all of my spare time last weekend on closet cleanout and it is great to have a wardrobe fill of clothes to wear.  My hand washing has been done, my dry-cleaning has been dropped off and collected, buttons have been stitched back on and a few clothes had a visit to the alterations shop.  Now I’m good to go.

But I had another thought about my new wardrobe.  My goal is ‘I love my clothes, and my clothes love me’.  With that in mind I’m going to need to take another look.  I know I kept clothes that don’t fit that brief.  I have room to weed out a few more clothes that don’t fit the brief (call me greedy) and still have clothes to wear for every occasion.   But if you haven’t, hold onto them and earmark them to be replaced.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE OUT PILE

Back to my pile of clothes, that needs a new home.   Unfortunately there were a few that went in the rubbish bin, there was just no saving them.  But the majority are in good condition and just need a new owner.

 If you have a similar pile at home, here are a few options for you.

1.       Support a cause.  Places like the Women’s Refuge and Dress for Success, who support disadvantaged women in your community, are places your clothes will find a well deserving new home.

2.       Your local charity shop.  There are so many options all with great reasons for supporting.  My local shopping area has Salvation Army, IHC, and Hospice and there is always the child cancer bins in the supermarket car parks.  I also love a good rummage through an opshop, my last find be a fantastic handbag for $5, bargain.

3.   Trade Me.  This is a great option to make a bit of money and find a good home for your cast offs.  My first sale was a jacket I loved for 3 years, but I had put on weight and just didn’t fit it anymore. After I posted it off I had an email from the buyer to let me know she had received it and was so excited.  What a great feeling finding a new home for my beloved jacket. Overall, I made a couple of hundred dollars and reinvested them in a timeless classic I just love.

4.       The local markets.  A couple of months ago me and a friend had a very early start and headed down to claim a stall at the Sunday markets.  I came out with $120 profit and my friend $150, not bad for a mornings work.

5.       Recycle boutiques.  There a now a lot of second hand clothes shops that sell on your behalf.  I recommend using a shop near your home or workplace for convenience.  Don’t forget to keep their receipt in a safe place otherwise claiming your money will be a bit more difficult.

6.       Cupcakes and Clothes.  Now I haven’t tried this one yet, I haven’t been able to get my friends in the same spot.  The latest clothes recycling trend is to have a get to together of friends and exchange cast offs.  I think this is such a great idea to catch up with your girlfriends for an afternoon and to go away with a few fab finds.

KICK START YOUR CLEANOUT

If you are having trouble getting started or letting go here are a few tips to kick start your cleanout.

1.       Give yourself a treat for reaching a goal.  For example, if I get through my wardrobe today, tomorrow I get a pedicure (my favourite option), have a glass of wine at the end of the day, or for every 10 items I throw out I get to buy 1 new item.  Whatever motivates you use, as a carrot at the end of the stick.

2.        Get your playlist on.  Set up your favourite tracks to work to.  I always love to get ready for a night out with my favourite tunes.  Picking out clothes, working out make up, doing my hair, these songs always remind me of good times.  Remember your new wardrobe is going to be full of good times.

 3.       Break it down.  If the size of the task is too big to contemplate, you need more manageable steps.  Just do your trousers or knitwear or 2 drawers at a time.  You will still need a time frame you want to complete your whole wardrobe by.

4.       Spread the news. Let your friends and/or family know.  They will be interested in your progress and encourage your accomplishment.

5.       Just do it.  Get up now and get into that closet.

Just remember the light at the end of the tunnel is a happy, confident you that looks great every day.

Clean Out Your Wardrobe

There is nothing more refreshing than clearing out your wardrobe.   It is especially rewarding if you have been going through an ‘I have nothing to wear’ phase or are not happy with the outfits you are putting together.

Let’s start with the clothes that don’t fit anymore.  These need to go.  When you see them every day in your wardrobe they keep saying ‘You can’t fit me’.  If you absolutely love the piece and are planning on a diet or exercise regime in the near future, it still needs to be moved.  Pack it up and move it out of site.  Places like the Plastic Box and The Warehouse have great storage solutions.

The next step is to pull out all the clothes you haven’t worn in the last year.  If you haven’t worn it this year, you aren’t going to wear it again.  I don’t know how many items I couldn’t bear to part with something and then it wasn’t worn again the following year. 

Then check your highly used clothes like camis, tees, leggings even socks and underwear.  Anything that is worn out needs to go in the bin.

I also like to separate my winter and summer wardrobe.  I am lucky enough to have a spare room that I use as my opposite season storage.  Otherwise move them to one side of your wardrobe or pack them up.  This helps keep your current outfit options a lot more visible.

It is also a good time to do a little maintenance.  A trip to the drycleaner, sewing on buttons and re-hemming trousers will put more options back in your wardrobe.  I also use a lint remover (very cheap at The Warehouse) on my knit wear to keep it looking fresh.

Now comes the hard part.  You need to work out what you don’t like about your wardrobe.  The clothes that you don’t wear anymore will help.  Is it the colour, does the style not suit you?  These answers will help you avoid the same mistakes again.

Sort the remainder of your wardrobe into sections; Jackets, dresses, tops, trousers and skirts all in their own sections.  This will help you analyse your new wardrobe needs, and make it easier to put outfits together.

 Now you’ll be ready start building your new look wardrobe.