I love purging stuff. But I also love things–beautiful clothes, shoes, jeans–I have so many jeans and like Sofia Coppola recently stated in a WSJ article “No matter how many jeans you have you’re always looking for another pair.” So true. At least for me. That said when I hear about people, like one of my daughter’s college professors who owns exactly 25 items of clothing that includes 3 pairs of underwear and 2 pairs of socks (which we decided wasn’t enough), I am enamored with the idea of having such a simplistic, almost monastic aesthetic.
Since I have over 50 pairs of shoes (they accumulate and some are at least 20 years old), I will not be leading that kind of life. But recently I have started to get rid of those extraneous “maybe I will wear them” pieces, and you know what? I don’t miss them. And, like the adage from the photo here, I am becoming extremely choosey about what makes into my closet, because it’s true, few things last. That is why buy less but buy the best you can afford is always my motto. Anything that’s classic, and maybe makes me cringe before I buy it because it’s an investment, usually ends up being a piece that I return to again and again.
Need some prodding to tackle your closet? My I suggest…..
- Watch the queen of cleaning out, Marie Kondo’s new Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Honestly, sometimes you have to guilt yourself into doing the right thing. Because as much as I like to purge, I’m mediocre at best–so I plan on watching a couple of episodes before I get out the trash bags.
- Make at appointment, online or in person, with The Real Real. If you aren’t already shopping this site for the Celine boots you missed out on, or using it, like I do, to sell that Narciso Rodriguez pencil skirt you needed when you were an editor and doesn’t see the light of day now, I highly suggest you do so. While you don’t make a lot of money unless you are selling pristine, covetable designer pieces, I sent 22 items my first time and they all sold. I just recently put up a few things but kept others because I couldn’t let them go. But I’ve made my 3rd appointment (this fantastic woman who used to work in fashion p.r. comes to my house–it is so convenient and fast) to finally part with the holdouts and a few more items.
- Take those non-designer items (The Real Real has a list of who they take) to Goodwill. Those pieces of clothing that are too yuck for anyone else to wear? Some H&M and Other Stories stores will take your old clothes to recycle and give you a discount coupon. I learned this from an old Lucky editor, Deb Schwartz, who suggested you hand that discount coupon to someone standing in line to purchase something. Love this idea.
- Recycle your old sneakers (I need new running shoes every six months, so this has become a habit). Many stores like The Running Stores in NY have bins in-store where you can toss them.
I am going to try to be a little more daring in my closet clean out this month than usual. I hope you are inspired to do the same.
I am inspired ! Thank you and I will reread Kondos book / already read twice … or just get going without delay. But first the Christmas tree must come down.
While I lean toward minimalism myself, it’s not right for everyone. I tend toward uniform dressing anyway, so a small wardrobe of quality basics suits me….but like you, I love beautiful clothes, so it’s all in the balance.
There’s a Swedish word, lagom, that means “not too much, not too little, just right”. It’s also widely translated as in moderation, in balance; the right amount is best. It sounds like that’s the path you’re on, keeping beautiful, quality pieces you love and sometimes still wear, but reducing clutter by recycling things you no longer wear so someone else can enjoy them.
I also love how Marie recommends thanking them for their service as you let them go…!
Happy New Year, Jennifer!
Marie Kondo Netflix. Oh my goodness! I feel a binge coming on!
Wish there was the Real Real in Morocco!
Nothing feels as good to me as a “lightening up”. To all NYC dwellers , may I recommend Amanda Sullivan: amanda@theperfectdaughter.com. She clears closets, kitchens, offices – anything. She has soothing techniques to persuade you to let go and…then she takes all the black bags of stuff you have relinquished to the thrift shop of your choice.
I think it’s hard to really guess what’s going to “last forever”. Taste, needs, etc. change and flow. I have no trouble letting go of “stuff” and have sold a lot on The Real, and also donated tons of clothing, furniture etc.
Yes, lightening up, minimizing, restraint, all feel so good and are so “right” for our times, and for the world in general.
Thank you for being so socially conscious – rare in the blog world.