About two months ago I took a serious look at my closet. Inside I found some amazing pieces that I will wear for as long as the clothes will last. I also found a ton of "on trend" pieces that I wore twice and never touched again. I decided it was time for an intervention with my closet.
The steps taken below did three things:
1. Successfully purged my closet
2. Made me money off of my old clothes
3. Gave me discounts on future purchases at a major retailer
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| Tim Gunn's "A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style" |
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| Chapter Three "Diagnosing the Common Closet" |
I love, love Tim Gunn. His style, flair, and superior vocabulary have kept me a fan for all thirteen years he has been on Project Runway. I bought this book on a whim at a used bookstore and found it to be the best possible read for a grown woman trying to curate her own personal style. The entire book is a gem, but 'Chapter Three: Diagnosing the Common Closet' is key to starting your purge process.
Clear your schedule, kick out your roommate/boyfriend/husband, open your favorite bottle of wine, and begin. Thoughtfully diagnosing your closet will take time, you don't want to be rushed or distracted. As you will read in the book, Tim recommends separating your closet into four piles:
1. The Soul-Stirring Pile
2. The Repair Pile
3. The Give-Away Pile
4. The Throw-Out Pile
Pile No. 1 - You Look So Good You Turn Your Own Head
Any piece in this pile means you feel amazing when you wear it. It can be anything - the perfect little black dress you spent way too much money on, or the best fitting t-shirt you bought from the Gap. Whatever the cost, who cares. The rule simply is: if you feel amazing in it, it goes here and it earns the right to stay.
Pile No. 2 - Trip to the Tailor
Pieces in this pile are things that you love, that you feel great in, they just don't fit quite right. Sometimes $20 worth of tailoring can make you feel like a million bucks. Tailoring is an added expense, and something you rarely splurge on when you're younger. Know this, you always look your best when the clothes look like they were made for you. Invest in these pieces and make them perfect.
On No. 3 and No. 4 I do differ in opinion to the Yoda of fashion, Tim Gunn. I would change No. 3 to the Resale Pile and No. 4 to the Recycle Pile. Here's why:
I have donated bags and bags of clothing to Goodwill over the years as I casually took a few pieces out of my closet. This time, I was doing a major overhaul and I wanted to re-think the Give-Away and/or Throw Out strategy.
Pile No. 3 Revised - Make Some Money
I had quite a few nice things in my closet that were definitely worth something, so I went online and found the most popular, best-reviewed consignment shop in DC. I dropped off my pieces I thought were of value, four weeks later they mailed me a check for $200. Every piece sold. If you have spent a decent amount of money on your clothes, and they are gently used, why not get some money back?
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| The results of my own closet purge |
Pile No. 4 Revised - Fashion Should Never Go To Waste
I never know what to do with the old tshirt that has a hole in it, or a dress where I just couldn't get that food stain out. You don't want to give these away because they are in poor shape, so how can you recycle the fabric? Lucky for us H&M just started a great new program where they will take any clothing items back, regardless of brand, and recycle them. Not only are they saving fashion from the landfill, but they also give you a coupon for 15% off your next purchase for every bag of clothing you bring in. A shopping discount and diverting trash from the landfill? Stylish and smart.
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| H&M Coupons for Recycled Clothing |
Want to Learn More?
Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style can be purchased here
Learn more about H&M's Recycle Program here
Good Luck!
S.
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