Cleaning out my Closet….

…or Wardrobe, seeing as I’m English.

This weekend I finally bit the bullet and transformed the huge pile of clothes draped over the top of a rail and drawers into something one could vaguely recognise as a wardrobe.

Photos don’t really do my hard work justice, but here’s some before and after views anyway…

The result of all this was a large charity donation, a FAR smaller wardrobe, but one filled with things I know I can actually wear, as opposed to things that I loved 5 years ago, are too big or too small or just not my style anymore.

Having completed this epic process I feel like a weight has been lifted. If you’re a procrastinator and need to do some clearing out yourself, my advice is, just do it. You’ll feel better, I promise.

To make the painful process a little easier my top tips are:

• Be Systematic

  Take one pile/drawer/rail at a time. Sort it into piles for Keeping, Charity, eBay/Swapping sites and Potential Repairs. Taking it in small sections will make it less daunting to tackle.

• Be Honest

  Try things on and look at them honestly, do they really suit you? Do they fit into your current style? If there is a rip or tear can it be mended? Really? WILL you mend it? If the answer is no then remember Charity Shops get money for rags and let it go. If you find it hard to judge then rope in a friend/family member/passer by/Twitter follower to give you an honest opinion. Hell, if you’re really stuck take a photo, send it to me and I’LL tell you if you should keep it or not!

• Be Ruthless

  Be stern with yourself, if it’s 6 months old or more and you’ve never worn it, if it no longer fits, is falling to bits, or is just no longer your style then out it goes.If this is too hard (and it was for me) then allow yourself 3 pieces to save for emotional reasons , no more. My saves were 2 items from my mid 90s wardrobe, a tartan patchwork mini skirt from Miss Selfridge and a navy blue cropped T Shirt with a Sunflower print. My third save was a pair of black wide leg trousers, 3 sizes too big, that I keep to remind myself of the weight I’ve lost over the last couple of years.

In the process I discovered some old items that I’d forgotten about. When I gained weight I couldn’t wear them, they migrated to the back of my wardrobe and there they stayed. I assumed they didn’t fit, or didn’t look right, but a trying on session has added a pair of black French Connection straight leg trousers, a brown Topshop summer dress with a strappy back and fluttery sleeves, a beige faux leather pencil skirt and a black and white floral A Line skirt back into the realms of “things that fit”.

I’m now left with a limited wardrobe I can use as a basis to add things to, and some glaring holes that need filling. My mission is to find:

A well fitting black high waisted skirt

A black longline cardigan

Pinafore Dresses in black and grey

Leggings and tights in assorted colours

Next step is to tackle the shoe pile. Wish me luck…..

Photo by An Optional Holiday