The Purge
I have a biannual date with my closet that usually takes place a few weeks before the summer/fall and winter/spring transitions. These times of year typically coincide with New York Fashion week which serves as a reminder and an inspiration.
“The Purge” is my closet recycling and revamping extravaganza that keeps my wardrobe fresh and gives me a chance to reevaluate the pieces that may have been there too long.
I start by going through each warm weather section of my closet and ask myself a series of questions:
When is the last time I wore this?
Do I still like this?
Where can I wear this?
How long have I had this? Is it in good condition?
Does it have a good CPW? Cost per wear? Was it pricey?
If I were shopping right now, would I buy it again?
Are there sentimental values to this?
Are there tears, stains, etc? Easy to fix?
As I ask myself these questions, I put the clothes into three categories.
Keep it on the hanger. I’m definitely keeping this.
Donation pile. We’ve had a good run but it’s time for you to find another home.
Redemption pile. I can’t bear to part with this, but also I haven’t worn it since 2013.
The first two categories are pretty self-explanatory. The third is trickier, and this is where my extra step comes in. The reason why I do this before the weather officially turns is to give some clothes one more shot. It pains me to part with some things from my closet. Even if I can’t remember the last time I wore it, sometimes I just can’t justify pulling it off the hanger just yet.
So I give myself a three-to-four week window where the redemption pile has one more chance. I’ve had this black Bebe jumpsuit in the back of my closet since at least 2011. I had to have it, but hadn’t put it on since the purchase. It came to the redemption pile and now that I have better style and more confidence than I did five years ago, I strutted my stuff in that black jumpsuit and never looked back.
Now it’s back on the hanger and I can’t wait to incorporate it into my wardrobe. My Forever 21 sheer blouse that I’ve had since high school, wore throughout college and hasn’t been worn since 2012? I tried, I really tried. It’s mid-September and 94 degrees out, and still couldn’t justify it. Off to Goodwill it goes.
The best part about my biannual purge is that I justify it with this probably stupid mantra: for every five pieces I donate, I can get one new thing. That’s really all the motivation I need (though my bank account won’t agree).
What are your tips for keeping your wardrobe fresh?