Opening those double doors wide and staring at the choices before me, one thought usually crosses my mind… I have nothing to wear! It’s packed pretty tight in there too so it’s not for lack of options. I am sure cuties are hiding. Some newbies (gasp) still have tags! I can’t easily find favorites. I know I have a glut of white short sleeve tees all bunched up together somewhere. And I’m itching to ditch some goodies that are finally (yay) way too big. So recently I did a massive closet reorg that took the better part of a Saturday night. Yes, I’m that exciting that a thrilling closet purge is a fabulous night in for me. Jealous?
From the castoffs, I was able to make a sizable donation to Goodwill (do-gooder alert) and still have some schmancy bibs and bobs left over to sell on a pre-loved website that gives a decent return. They specialize in Jen’s Stupid Overpriced Purchases. Have you heard of it? I have a dedicated section all to myself. Parts of my closet invariably end up there after a regrettable wearing or two of an ill fitting dress, blister-worthy kicks, or an out of date handbag I held onto for too many years. I hear ya’ll might have some stuff listed there, too? Uh huh. Knew it. But regardless of the haul that exited and the emotions once attached to those items, they are all now out of the closet and I’m feeling free! So if like many of us you tend to move your garbage bags of donation from place to place and never make the actual trip to the drop off, let this be the final motivational push you’ve been looking for to get your AIG (ass in gear) and do it.
People often ask me how I know when it’s time to retire a closet staple? Well… Is it out of style? Was it a fast fashion fad? Does it no longer fit? Have you worn it to death? Does your best friend wince when you show up wearing it? If any of these apply, or if duct tape is involved in any way to hold your item together, then yes, it’s time to donate. Another rule of thumb… if the tagline to one of your favorite photos could read, “Sorry about that house that fell on your sister,” maybe it’s time to let those pink boots be enjoyed by another, Dorothy? Just a suggestion, hon.
Another tip to follow involves sage advice about your item being soiled, damaged or lost. If any of these happenings were to befall your fire engine red skinny pants, would you breathe a sigh of relief? Rush to the dry cleaner for overnight service? Or not even bother looking in the lost and found? Your reaction to the loss will tell you what you should do.
The bright side of doing a seasonal reset is that I lovingly visit on deck items that are poised for being outed. Sadly some of these are still waiting for their debut. When I shop, I often earmark a new top or accessory for a specific event, party or trip that could be happening next week or next year. (Yeah, I’m a bit of a crazy planner. I know.) A special occasion black button-down shirt with spiky sequin cuffs I got on sale last December was recently slated for an opening reception in Philly in October. It was a perfectly pleasant 62 degrees and the shirt worked like a charm! It was well worth the self-imposed ten-month waiting period. A woven and beaded blazer might hit the red carpet for an upcoming women’s lunch. But depending on weather, her coming out party might be delayed till next spring. It’s a seasonal piece and the window to wear it is closing. Fingers crossed she’s not shelved until May.
Frankly I get excited for the neverworns to finally break out of the closet! I bought an amazing pair of black loafers in Paris last year and they are begging to hit the pavement this fall. Why did I not wear them last winter you ask? Excellent question. Can I get back to you? And I have my eye on a pair of sparkle t-strap flats I scored at a designer outlet recently that I fearfully wore once already but happily claimed a blister free evening. (Isn’t that the best??) They aren’t exactly everyday run around town kicks. I can see wearing them for upcoming business purposes but they are not cushiony so I need to pick my events carefully. Carpeting would be good for those babies. I made a mental note and carefully slipped them back into their shoe bags, stuffed paper shoe trees intact.
The better my closet looks, the easier it is to find choices and capitalize on all of my options. The remaining minions are all pressed and ready for action. Coming out of the closet now is only about showing off a great outfit. And each time I nail a look, it’s like a coming out party! So think about giving your wardrobe a hard reset. You’ll look and feel fabulous, Dahling.
jenslittleblackbook.com 