I ran this post pre-pandemic almost two years ago, and recently went back to it and realized how much it still sparks a drive to continue to learn to live with fewer, better things. When I wrote this, it was the beginning of my attempt to learn to live with less and come to terms with all the clothing I had acquired over the years as a fashion editor and beyond. Ultimately, I let go of 281 items (which makes me pretty uncomfortable now when I think about it) and continue to weed out here and there. Then, I came up with a strategy that helped me stay (relatively) on a path to keeping a tighter-edited closet of clothes I love and actually wear. I also helped many women achieve the same. The continuing pandemic has made me re-evaluate how I get dressed even more. Because as much as I missed getting dressed, I also have learned how little I can actually live with. (Personally, I want a beautiful, succinct wardrobe packed in a carry on so I can travel , travel, travel. Something that was true last winter, and once again now.) Below is how my journey started, and I will follow up with the strategy I’ve created. I’m even considering some live online events (either IG or Zoom) where I can explain my thoughts further and field questions from you. (And the Birkin bag I sold, still no regrets, except I might have made more money on it today.) Stay tuned!
It should be abundantly clear to those who know me even the littlest bit that I love clothes. How you present yourself, which includes the shoes you put on your feet, the coat on your back and the bag in your hand, speaks volumes about who you are or want to be. And if you’ve been lucky like I have been and had a chance to meet many major designers and see their designs and creative talents up close and personal, you realize clothing can be inspiring, almost an art form. I will never quit loving or desiring beautifully made things.
But I am having issues with fashion these days. The majority of social media (at least that I follow) feels like a constant marketing barrage of newness and moreness (making up words here, but it feels exactly like what it represents). Fashion houses, for the most part, frankly create too much stuff and still have their deliveries so out of whack (fall clothes in June etc), everyone waits till it all goes on sale, which is an unsustainable cycle. And I’m exhausted by Pinterest photos that show glittering walk-in closets chock full of rainbow arrays of shoes and Hermes bags and Instagram influencers posing in a new outfit everyday. Plus if you consider some of the sobering statistics–85% of textiles end of in landfills and that between 2000 and 2014 people increased their clothing purchases by 60%, buying whatever you want when you want it–just clicking the LikeToKnowIt button on Instagram and snatching up whatever that really chic influencer is wearing, starts to feel like a wasteful, un-modern practice that is ultimately harmful to the planet.
There has to be a better way–one that allows you to love fashion and getting dressed without feeling like you’re responsible for encouraging needless (and sometimes destructive) spending and environmental waste. Because honestly, how much of what’s sitting in your closet do you wear? I think I wear less than half of mine. Maybe one third? Maybe even less?
I have been giving all of this a lot of thought and realized I couldn’t revolutionize the fashion industry, but I could change my behavior. I started to think–how could I change my habits and hopefully inspire and possibly encourage others to follow suit? And maybe if I was radical enough in my approach, a clearer path forward for others would present itself. I’d be my own fashion guinea pig.
My first step? I seriously, close to radically, cleaned out my closet. I had completed a few purges prior to moving to the city a couple of months ago and have written a few posts about it. Then I decided to get ruthless. A couple of weeks ago, I sent over 80 items to The Real Real and another 40 to ThredUp plus a dozen or so to be recycled. There is now extra space in my single closet and I only have two plastic bins–one of summer shorts, etc and another of seriously sentimental clothing items. I am also down to 4 leather handbags and two straw ones. (Out went my Hermes Birkin/30th birthday present that I have been holding onto, and not using, for years.)
At first it as a struggle, I let go of a lot of beautiful things that I still loved, but didn’t get worn. At the same time there were plenty of old and worn out items that just needed to disappear. Plus, I was committed to a zero waste clean-out (which I managed to achieve) and that takes a lot of effort–splitting up the resell items from the donation piles from the recycle bits and then getting everything where it has to go.
Worse than letting things go was realizing how much money was sitting in my closet. In fact, it was rather shocking. Sure, I will make some of it back with resell, but it will be the smallest percentage and there was money wasted on whim purchases. Too much of it. The traveling I could have done with that money.
The most surprising thing since I completed my clean out? After the initial stresses, I am really happy with fewer things, I miss nothing that I let go of, and two weeks later I’m ready to let go of more. As I continue to get rid of extraneous things–those meh items that hang around, I find I am wearing something that I love most of the time. My style seems more focused. I do believe when you learn to live with less, you find your flair. It’s something I thought I was already practicing, until I decided to take it more seriously. To me a sexy closet isn’t one teaming with stuff, but a succinct one that allows you to immediately envision that person’s style. James Bond would have a sexy closet. Audrey Hepburn probably had a sexy closet. My goal is a sexy closet. It will evolve and change and get updated–which all seems much more achievable when you eliminate the excess.
Having less also goes hand in hand with learning to get really comfortable with wearing the same things again and again. What’s wrong with repetition? If you have seen me this fall/winter, chances are I was wearing the Nili Lotan blazer I’m wearing in the photo above. I have one perfect (in my eyes) plaid blazer and that is enough, I don’t need a second or third option. It’s in weekly rotation. Now, I am thinking about next Spring and how I can make thoughtful purchases that will work with what I already have and still keep my Spring wardrobe to a well-edited, really tight minimum.
I’m excited by the prospects, because it feels really good on so many levels. I’m even more thrilled because I really want to start helping other women (and men) achieve a well-edited wardrobe and am about to embark on a program that will do just that. If you’re game for a closet clean out email me at jennifer@theflairindex.com, so you will be the first to know once I am ready to roll it out. More details to come soon, plus more of my journey on living with less and ways to sharpen your style. And if you’ve been through this and want to share any tips I would love to hear from you.
A closet edit — I’m ready!
Like you I recently sent 80 items to The RealReal but there’s more to do. I’m also going to Africa for two years with the Peace Corps so I need to pack for that!
My tips:
1) ‘1 for 2’: Whatever you buy, get rid of 2. Share with a friend, sell or donate. People need clothes, help others!
2) Quality rises to the top – 10 pairs of pants, jeans, a particular color – keep your 3 best…of everything!
3) Never buy if you own something better. This reduces impulse buying & fast fashion buys.
I enjoy discovering through your blog brands of substance and how you are a blogger of style not trends.
Congratulations on your path of a sexy closet. It makes you more creative, reasserts your confidence/ style and is utmost liberating – the 3 keys for what I sexy in my eyes is.
Happy 2021!
A huge yes to everything you’re saying. So tired of all the hype…try bold color, I’m into pastels now, new silhouette, refresh your closet, nothing even feels “special” anymore, just another sales pitch. My closet is pretty well edited now – so much to The Real Real, I cringed. Now I want to do a jewelry edit, and would love a post on it. Another post, or possibly a private consult would be about a closet for living in a casual, but upscale country place (where blazers and wide trousers are useless) and logos and high fashion items would be disparaged? I’m keeping my vintage Chanel bag for when I travel again, but The Bindle you suggested is absolutely perfect!
Do you purge your jewelry as well?
Great post. I have tried to purge my closet regularly and am constantly shocked by the money I waste, and I consider my purchasing pretty conservative!
I would love to hear your advice about how to reconcile different facets of a wardrobe. For years I didn’t have jeans. Then I practiced yoga a lot and embraced more casual items. Then I started to enjoy more secondhand and vintage.
I guess the question is how to keep things streamlined while acknowledging different styles and uses.
I absolutely agree with everything you have said, however for me, there is one caveat – if there is ever a chance I will want a similar item in the future, and that said item in my closet is of amazing quality, then I keep it – even if I haven’t worn it in a couple of years.
This is of course after a major purge about 12 years ago (when I stopped buying except for the very occasional item).
And I do flip through every item in my closet twice yearly to assess if it still makes the cut.
And before I consider buying ANYTHING, I look in my closet first. As a result, for the entire calendar year 2021, I bought a pair of trainers ( I literally walk holes in my trainers), two pairs of sport sandals ( I regret buying the second pair) and four tank tops. Period.
And yet I dressed “ in style” because everything comes back around – even down to the soles on the Prada slingbacks I wore to an event that I purchased in 2001 and have the identical sole as their shoes issued this year (worn with wide leg Max Mara pinstriped pants from 2007 and red stripe Sonia Rykiel from 2006ish).
And certain favorites may only be repeated once or twice a year – but The item is repeated for 20+ years ( and in a few cases much longer).
Anyway, LOVE your inspiration on how to wear my current wardrobe differently and I am guessing my next occasional purchase will be inspired by you.
I have made myself a pact – if I reach into the closet and put on ANYTHING – sweater, jacket, jeans – that does not make me feel amazing, right then and there – I take it off immediately and add it to the donate/sell pile. How many times have I put on the cashmere sweater that’s really not flattering (but it was expensive! And I love the designer! And it looked so great on the model! ) and put it back into the drawer, only to do it all over again in a week or two, because I can’t bear to get rid of it.
I once heard someone say that opening your closet should feel like stepping into a great party where you are happy to see everyone.
Great post. Favorite white t-shirt?
This is WONDERFUL. I am very interested in learning more as your process continues to unfold. My only worry – and I say this frankly and with respect – is that I will be signing on to receive yet more “marketing” emails. Any details would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and happy new year!
I hope you are staying tuned for the videos, but I totally hear you on getting more emails in your inbox!
I’ve been thinking about this post a lot since I read it last week. I think you’re right — most people with style and wardrobes of character usually do have very succinct clothing collections. And even if they have big wardrobes, there’s great consistency in their collections. For example, they may have 20 Turnbull & Asser shirts, maybe in different colors, but the same cut that works for them. Even the style icons with maximalist, super colorist closets usually have a stable of go-to pieces and styles as a foundation. I tend to respect anyone that dresses with some kind of intention and thoughtfulness, even if their style is not something I’d aspire to myself. Dressing is a presentation of oneself to the world, after all.
Anyway, love this thoughtful and thought-provoking post!
Was trying to find this Rick Owens quote for you about I think how Corbusier had 40 gray suits in his closet, so YES to all of it!!! Finding a uniform and sticking to it and not getting sidetracked is an art form if you ask me.
Rick Owens is another style icon and designer — is his style for me? No! But I’m terribly interested in his POV, his concepts and thought, so yes, please share the quote when you’ve found it!
100% agree on Le Corbusier and trying not to get sidetracked/detoured.
Same. Not my style, but been reading up on him lately, and he is so thoughtful. When I find will share.