I read a post on YoungHouseLove recently that got me thinking about my closet. Do I really love all the clothes I own? Is everything necessary? Right away I know my answer is no. I have so many clothes, but some of them are over 4 years old, getting worn and look like bla on me, but I keep them because ‘what if one day I want to wear it?’. Scott is really bad for this as well. He has a chest of clothes in our room of which he has touched maybe 4 things. We must be closet horders. haha get it?
Two points in YoungHouseLove‘s post stayed with me, and I think I’ll use this for my closet cleaning/new clothes buying:
- “Ask yourself if each item of clothing in your closet: 1) flatters your shape, 2) fits perfectly or is fixable, 3) is the right color for you, 4) has been worn in the last two years – only things that get four yesses should stay.”
- Don’t buy anything on sale that you wouldn’t consider at full price.
I think I’m going to challenge myself to keep a tally of what I wear and in a couple weeks get rid of everything I don’t love. I really like the idea of consigning clothes, that still have a lot of wear left in them, but are just not right for me. That way I can use the money that I get to put towards items that I will actually wear. I think Mic and Leah know of a store in Toronto, any London readers know of one here? I know Once Upon A Child buys children’s clothing but I’m looking for women’s consignment.
I’m looking forward to seeing my newly cleaned closet once this is all over! I’m going to challenge Scott to try and do this as well. He has shirts from highschool that he keeps “just in case” of what? Just incase all your others clothes are eaten by bugs?
I’m thinking some clothes might get exemptions.. but we’ll see as I go through, maybe my attitude will change.
Anyone else ever tried this?
a post isn’t a post from me, without a photo of Hailey:
If there were any related posts we'd list 'em here...but this one is pretty unique!
It must be in the air- that closet cleaning thing! I have 3 big garbage bags for Goodwill, and that is only my side of the closet. As far as consignment- there is a store in Arva across from the flower shop that takes consignments.
Oh and to keep track of what you wear- in your closet at least- I read once that once you wear something and put it back in your closet, turn the hanger around so that the hanger is backwards and after a month or two you can assess by which hangers aren’t backwards what has not been worn!
You did have a lot of clothes mom. It must help that you are redoing your room.
I purge our closets a lot since we don’t have much space. Still, I find it so hard to get rid of certain things even though I know I’ll never wear them. I know what Scott means about “just in case.”
Consignment shops, at least in Toronto, are tough because there aren’t many and the ones that exist are super picky about what they take. Maybe we should get a bunch of girls together and do a clothing swap. That way it might be easier to get rid of those “just in case” clothes that haunt us, when we know they will be going to a friend who might like them.
I sooo agree with the “don’t buy clothes on sale you wouldn’t buy at regular price.” I’d rather have a few really good quality things that I liked enough to pay a lot of money for, than tons of things that I kind of like and bought on sale because they were a good deal.
I think he saves clothes to wear as barn clothes? But he wears barn clothes to the death, so I don’t know why he saves them. I threw out 2 of his shirts and he never even noticed.
A clothing swap sounds great! That’s probably a better idea for me to do rather then consignment since I don’t really buy expensive clothes and wouldn’t get much money for them.
.-= Micaela´s last blog ..Closet Thinking =-.
I’ve been to the consignment store in Arva a couple of weeks ago and there’s piles of stuff there, but also a lot of stuff still in bags that hasn’t been sorted, might be a while before your stuff actually gets displayed to be bought…..there’s also store in Stratford called Repitions that is consignment too and is very organized and nice!
That’s true about having to wait to get the stuff sorted. Reminds me of Once Upon A Child, there are bags everywhere! I’m excited to be able to go there with you someday when you have an outside baby.
I have the exact opposite problem! At my current size I don’t have a lot to wear, so I kind of need to go shopping (for pants, definitely). Except I don’t want to spend any money on clothes that are only going to fit – at most – for another 2 months (if that!). And since I’m plus-sized, it’s not a 30$ pair of pants, its more like 70$.
Hate. So much.
Maybe you could shop at a consignment shop and then sell them back after? Might be a cheaper option.
Very timely – I actually purged my closet today! One pile for Goodwill, one for consignment. I have always been a really big fan of consignment stores, I can usually get over $100 every time I drop off 2 garabage bags of stuff to Trend in Calgary. Better than nothing, and they do the sorting for me! Unfortunately, Calgary is a long way for you to send your stuff
Good luck with the hunt!
Wow! $100 each time! That would be great.
I LOVE closet cleaning. A friend told me a really nifty tip for cleaning closets: take all your clothes out and put them back in the closet with all the hangers facing one direction. Each time you wear something, but them back in the closet with the hanger facing the opposite way – go back in a few months and see what clothes you really aren’t wearing.
That’s a good tip. I think I know what I wear and what I don’t but it would be good reinforcement. The only problem is most of what I usually wear is in my dresser. Which I realize I failed to mention, but I guess I’ll just see what is still neatly folded after a couple months and realize I never wear that stuff.
Jeff and I just decided yesterday that we are going to purge our clothes this week sometime too! Must be in the air…
Also, I think there is a consignment store in Byron, I will just have to get back to you with the name of it…
woah! That is super weird. You, me and mom! I still have to talk to Scott about it to get him on the bandwagon. He thinks he doesn’t have that many clothes but he does, he just doesn’t wear most of it, so why keep it?
Me and my girlfriends do clothing exchanges about once every six months. It is a great way to get rid of nice clothes that either don’t fit, or just don’t flatter you anymore. We just had one and I got rid of two garbage bags of stuff and got some great stuff myself!!
ARgh! Maaaan! I almost wish I hadn’t of read this because while reading it, I felt this sinking feeling in me, just KNOWING that I needed to do a major closet purge. I suppose when it’s all done I will have to thank you but for now? My lazy self says Boo to you!
(But honestly, thank you for the motivation to finally get to it!)
I LOVE the idea of inviting your friends to bring their things over and have an exchange….what a fun idea!!!!
Another idea….everytime you add something to your closet….new skirt, new shoes….whatever…. You MUST remove one thing as well.
Happy purging!!
Love Auntie Kathy
I usually do this when I move, so I just had a couple of bags for good will. In my closet in Ottawa I have dresses and shirts I wear on a regular basis, but still in suitcases (I don’t have my dresser here yet), I have pants, cheerleading clothes, and around the house clothes/pj worthy clothes. I still have too much clothes, but I wear it all on a regular basis! Otherwise I wouldn’t have it in Ottawa.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Closet Thinking =-.
There’s a consignment store on Adelaide just past Central – you can pick me and MY clothes up on the way!
.-= Erica´s last blog ..ericablonde- My husband has never seen Ferris Beullers Day Off Im not sure how to react to this news =-.
Hi Kate!
My husband has been on me to do this and so far I have taken two trips to Repetitions in Stratford. The store is great and I was very impressed that most of my things sold within the first 30 days. I think I got around $100 for about 8 items which is great.
Keep me posted on the clothing swap too. Great idea Micaela!
There’s a consignment store on Adelaid St. near Central, it’s called ‘Just For You’ Clothes. I’ve shopped there, but have never tried cashing in on the oldies in my closet. Maybe I should.
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