So tomorrow is going to be The Big Purge.
I've been planning this
for a while, but have been hesitating because of Reasons. See, I have a
closet and cupboard full of clothes, and yet, not that much to wear.
So much crap. So many ill-fitted garments. So many worn out pieces,
mismatched pieces, pieces that I hate.
Why do I keep them all?
Some of it's probably because of that whole 'I have nothing to wear, so
don't get rid of anything or else I'll be NAKED' thought. But I think
it's mostly because of sentimental reasons or value reasons.
'I bought this top last year and have barely worn it - I can't toss it out! It's practically NEW.'
'I've had this top for years and it's gotten me through many a crappy day.'
'My Grandma gave it to me.'
'I made this top when I first started sewing and I can't get rid of it!'
And
so much more. I think another big part of it is that I really do want
to have a me-made wardrobe, and keep thinking that I'll just replace
garments with me-mades. Sadly, I both don't have time to replace
everything in the time span that I want, and I don't actually replace anything. I just add to the whole mess.
So, purge.
Honestly, I've done a bunch of clothes shopping lately (yes I know, fast fashion and cheap crap - I know,
but there's not many other options in the Yukon right now, and I need
clothes now), and I think even including camp clothes, I have more than
enough to just purge nearly everything older (and send to the local
Sally-Ann), and still get by. Hell, I'm making it work on what
little I wear out of my vast collection of crap. And it should give me a
chance to really look for the holes in my wardrobe, and work on filling
it as needed (hopefully with my own makes).
My head and heart
are fighting about this already, and I'm going to be keeping a bunch of
sentimental pieces, I just know it (here's looking at you, dress in
which I defended my M.Sc.), but it's beyond necessary at this point.
*sigh* Wish me luck!
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteI did the big purge years ago. I didn't want 6 sizes of clothes cluttering up the closet. I was ruthless, and took out everything that didn't fit, tacky, worn out stuff and any thing that didn't look good. I figured that if and when I lost weight, most of this stuff would be so out of style ,that I would not wear it anyway. I truly believe that you wear 20% of your clothes, 80% of the time. I have a "uniform' that I wear to work (an office job). Dress pants, dressy T shirt and a blazer or nice cardigan. Everything is mix and match and I love to use long scarves to jazz things up. Casual is jeans and t shirts and a few pairs of shorts/capris for summer. I live in northern BC so summer is short
I only buy or make stuff that fits, and getting dressed is a breeze. Now I have started cycling, so I need a few items for that, but otherwise I am all set. I have been very happy with the set up, and I don't miss anything that I got rid of.
Best of luck with the purge!!
Aw, thanks so much! I love hearing other people's purge stories (I might've procrastinated today by googling 'wardrobe purges' and reading all sorts of stories). I really do want an easy (and small!) wardrobe with fun pieces and workhorse pieces, as well as a small wardrobe to keep at the mining camp where I work instead of shuffling it back and forth and wearing in both places.
DeleteWe'll see what tomorrow brings!
I went through all my old clothes in December, but I made the mistake of getting rid of too much, now I don't have anything to wear this summer. I had thought I'd just be able to go out and buy more stuff, but finances are tight right now. Instead I've had to make new clothes and upcycle whatever old stuff I do have left. I've also asked my mom to donate her old stuff just so I can have sewing material lol. Sometimes those old crap outfits can really come in handy with a little imagination. ; )
ReplyDeleteI do have a bin of old clothes I want to reconstruct eventually. Most of which I'm planning on turning into panties... lol Good luck with your summer wardrobe!
DeleteGood luck with it! I purge my wardrobe every few months (I have a tiny one that can only hold so much and am pretty ruthless with purging everything except fabric, lol).
ReplyDeleteI started sewing with the idea to have a totally me made wardrobe but have found lately I really, really hate sewing knit basics so am trying to find a middle ground somewhere and get back to sewing for fun and just buying the basics.
Yeah, I hear you about the basics. I just bought a bunch of tanks and tees, things I can build around. I don't mind sewing them as much, but I don't have as much sewing time as I used to (too much knitting!), and I'd rather make other things.
DeleteI am not good at purging. Every time I say I'm going to do it I end up getting rid of like 3 things. I really need to purge come fall. I'm not worried about summer, I have very few summer clothes. But I need to get rid of some stuff for sure.
ReplyDeleteHAHA YES. That's been my experience too. Hense my long-planned major purge - lots of planning has gone into this.
DeleteI just did a massive purge as I'm moving overseas and it seems crazy to ship all these clothes I don't wear. I could have purged harder but I just had a baby so I expect my figure will be in flux for a while. I kept quite a few too small jeans to this end. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI keep a big box in my garage and every time I wear something that I just know I'll never wear again, it goes into the box for charity. I have never pulled anything back out of that box. It really gets filled up fast during changes of seasons!
ReplyDeleteI did a huge purge after I lost enough weight that alterations weren't possible. My only regret is sometimes I wish I had the fabric, so save a few favorite fabrics to cut up into other projects if it seems that might be a possibility later.
ReplyDelete