Not too long ago I read about this clever idea for taking back your closet. This person (wish I could remember who, so I could credit them...) placed a ribbon around each hanger in their closet. As that item of clothing was worn she would take the ribbon off the hanger. At the end of the season she would look in her closet and any clothing with ribbon still on the hanger had to go! Isn't that brilliant in its ruthlessness? So, if you haven't worn it this season, chances are pretty good you won't wear it the next.
I did a similar thing, only all at once. I just attacked my closet and if I didn't wear and love it, I tossed it. Note that the items had to meet both criteria; if I loved it, but never wore it, or wore it, but didn't love it, it was out. I spend so little time thinking about what I wear, that it doesn't make much sense to have to wade through items I don't like or use just to get to the half a dozen items that I do wear. So, several garbage bags went to the thrift store and I felt noticeable lighter. Something about removing excess physical stuff creates excess emotional and mental space, don't you think?
Now I feel like I have a better handle on my closet. I can see at a glance what I have and I can also see what areas are a little "weak." For example, I got rid of at least a dozen pair of jeans, jeans that I paid good money for that were in style, um, almost a decade ago. So, now I wear pretty much the same pair every day, but who really cares? I'll get another pair or two, but I like not really having to think much about what I put on. I know it looks decent, otherwise it wouldn't be in my closet, so I don't really have to hem and haw about it, I just throw them on with a top that has also passed the "love it and wear it" test and I'm out the door.
Do you have any secrets I should know about as far as organizing clothing and looking good without actually having to think about it? (Do you ever get dressed in the dark so you don't wake the baby? I'm finding that another benefit of the stripped down closet is less chance for crazy outfits when you can't really see what you're putting on:) ) I think my next step might be to lay out the week's outfits with accessories each Sunday night. Then for the rest of the week I won't have to waste even one IQ point and I can actually look put together. That's one thing I wish I did more; throw on some earrings, or a scarf, or a funky necklace or something. I have a bunch, I just never think to do it. But, one step at a time... So tell me, what are your tricks?
