Every now and again I do a cull of my clothes, however I hadn’t done a big one since I moved house last June, so after seeing Hannah’s successful wardrobe cull over on her blog Nellie and Oliver I decided it was time I took some action as well!
I only have a small wardrobe and had dreams of getting rid of my large chest of drawers and replacing it with a desk so I was ruthless when considering what stays and goes. I set up 4 initial piles:
- Definite keep
- Try on and decide
- Op-shop
- Bin
Most of the clothes that ended up in the ‘try-on and decide’ pile eventually ended up in the op-shop pile but one or two things managed to sneak back into the wardrobe. There were so many items that I remember umming and ahhing over the last time I did a cull, but most hadn’t been worn in the 9 months since, so they didn’t make the cut this time. I decided it wasn’t worth giving up valuable space to clothes I was holding on to ‘just in case’ or for sentimental reasons (other than a few pieces that I just can’t let go of!).
A majority of the clothes I am getting rid of were in the drawers – they are large and deep so clothes just get lost in them and there’s definite truth to the ‘out of sight out of mind’ idea – I just wasn’t wearing most of the clothes so I definitely don’t need them. I’m hoping that with the space I have created this won’t happen so much and I’ll be wearing more of what I own, rather than rotating through the same pieces like I definitely do at present!
It wasn’t just clothes either – shoes and handbags also got included, with quite a few of both heading to the op-shop (and more than a couple of pairs of shoes to the bin, there’s only so many times you can repair them unfortunately!). I did rediscover a few bags that I know I’ll get some use of, so that was exciting!
It’s amazing how a clean out of physical items can also help to declutter your mind at the same time – I felt like I had created all this space and instantly felt lighter and wanted to do something creative and positive which was such a nice bonus!
The best part of this process was that through a combination of better storage within (and on top of!) my wardrobe, plus the amount of stuff I got rid of I could actually remove the chest of drawers, and now have a tiny desk to sit and write the blog from – success!
Now to get rid of all the horrible wire hangers and replace them with something a bit nicer – if only wooden hangers didn’t take up so much extra room!
How often do you do a clothing cull?
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
frenchadele
April 11, 2013 at 4:11 pm (11 years ago)I do one at least once a year and did a major one just before I left to live overseas. I don’t really shop a lot and tend to keep things pretty basic, but I was still amazed and how much crap I had accumulated! Now that I am travelling, I am forced to keep things to a only-what-you-can-take-with-you limit, which, I have to say, is rather liberating and, as you say, refreshing for my mind! Great post.
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
April 11, 2013 at 7:41 pm (11 years ago)It’s scary how much we accumulate almost unknowingly, isn’t it! I’m hoping this will make me extra aware about what I’m buying so the next cull won’t have to be so huge!
Hannah
April 11, 2013 at 6:07 pm (11 years ago)Yay glad I was able to help motivate you to do the cull! Looks like you did a good job. It really does make you feel better 🙂
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
April 11, 2013 at 7:43 pm (11 years ago)You definitely gave me the push I needed to get it done! I didn’t think it was going to be quite as extreme as it ended up, but it was so worth doing!
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian
April 13, 2013 at 8:33 pm (11 years ago)I DESPERATELY need to do a clothes cull. I did one a year ago but didn’t end up removing anything from my house. All I did was move bunches of clothes from one cupboard to another and the op shop bag is still sitting under my bed. Hopeless. I really just have to go and do it properly, stop thinking “oh but, one day I might fit into that again” and just do it. And i agree totally about clearing the mind. I am so in need of that right now!!