Why I Got Rid of My Wardrobe

This spring I got rid of my entire wardrobe. I did it because I have been wearing yoga pants as clothes for far longer than I like to admit–even before I had a baby. On a daily basis I actually have a delusion that I am going to do yoga. Due to the lack of actual exercise happening in this fitness gear, my husband has been begging asking me to treat myself to new clothes for quite some time.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a closet full of clothes. I had lost all the baby weight, so most of them fit. But I never seemed to have anything to wear. Post-baby, I felt certain styles like strapless dresses, v-neck tops, and short(ish) skirts just weren’t working for me anymore. Hence the head-to-toe work-out attire. I knew a shopping trip needed to happen, but I had no idea where to start. After all, most of my clothes came from a quick grab-n-go during a “drive-by” of the woman’s section at Target.

If you are similarly wardrobe challenged, you probably also have that friend who always looks so cute-and-put-together. You love to hate her—especially when she has “it all together” while wrangling a toddler the same age as yours. Around the time that I was contemplating these big questions about getting my act together, my super cute-always-put-together-friend posted this on Instagram.

Seriously. This is her closet? I had three thoughts immediately upon seeing this photo of her closet.

1. MBN (must be nice) to live in the ‘burbs and have closets for miles. I bet this is her second overflow closet {insert jealousy}.
2. Who the heck has the space to decorate their closet with artwork. I can barely get the door closed on mine.
3. Where are the piles of cute stuff I always see her wearing?

Months went by, and my cluttered wardrobe continued to accumulate. One day at a play date, my cute-always-put-together-friend casually mentioned that she follows a fashion blog called Unfancy and does a “wardrobe capsule”. I may have rolled my eyes at the thought of following a fashion blog but decided I should take a gander.

After all, I looked like this:

And my closet looked like this:

What did I have to lose?

I started to read about wardrobe capsules. Caroline, the Austin-based blogger of Unfancy (who is currently on hiatus), describes a wardrobe capsule as

a mini-wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally LOVE to wear.

She advocates for maintaining a 37 piece wardrobe: 15 tops, 9 bottoms, 9 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, and 2 jackets.

It didn’t take long to make my move. After bedtime one night, armed with a couple of giant garbage bags and equally giant glasses of wine (for bravery) I completely emptied my closet. I donated most of it. I kept a few of the nicer things and sold them online, which helped to fund the rest of the pieces I needed to complete my wardrobe capsule.

Pre-capsule, my wardrobe was like the Cheesecake Factory menu. It went on for days, was disorganized, and overwhelming. The majority of my options didn’t fit right, didn’t look right, or I just plain didn’t like. On the other hand, my capsule wardrobe is like a fine-dining restaurant. I have fewer choices. However, the decision is easier to make, and I can be sure that all of the choices will be amazing.

It has been a month, and I haven’t worn yoga pants in public (not even once). My new wardrobe is comfortable, flattering, accessible, flexible, and overall just really cute. Sounds impossible, right?

If you think this minimalist wardrobe idea sounds as crazy I did, here is a preview of my wardrobe capsule. I quickly grabbed 10 pieces: 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, and 1 dress.

Then, in a matter of a few minutes, I made 12 outfits with these 10 pieces and the help of a few accessories. Take a look.

In case you are wondering, I did save my yoga gear. I actually wear it when doing yoga now. I also kept a few pairs of pajamas and comfortable clothes to have around the house. And for special occasions, I will continue to use my go-to source for fun dresses, Rent the Runway.

Not only do I look better, but I feel better. The clutter I cut out of my life has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Decluttering expert Marie Kondo says there are two types of people: Those who can’t put things away and those who can’t throw things away. I am both of those people.

This experience has taught me that no organizational system will help me organize my space—the only solution that will last is to dramatically cut down on the number of possessions that I own. Since tackling the closet, I have made my way through every nook and cranny in the house. No knick knack, vacation souvenir, or old book is safe.

I have struggled with clutter for a lifetime, but I finally feel like I am getting on track.

I have always loved having a smaller house and the intimacy that it provides our family. I do not fantasize about having a bigger closet or home. But I do need to find a way to fit what I really need inside of the space that I have.

I don’t want to spend a lot of time dealing with clothes everyday, but I also don’t want to live in yoga gear. I can say that changing my wardrobe has changed my outlook on life. It has helped my confidence and attitude about how less really is more.

I have a seasonal wardrobe capsule for my son in the works. And in the future, I may even try to apply it to maternity wear. Interested in reading more? Check out why I got rid of the toys.

For more inspirational links from our archives, check out how to do multiple looks with 1 black dress or add a little “excitement” to the basic pieces you already have in your wardrobe.  And if you just have to keep some of those yoga pants in your wardrobe for painting (or exercising) here’s Dallas Moms Blog’s favorite workout gear for all occasions. 

Do you think you could trade it all in and start fresh?

If you’ve been inspired by this post, we want to see your new wardrobe!

Tag #DMBWardrobeCapsule & @dallasmomsblog and show us your results! 

Follow Dallas Moms Blog on Facebook or subscribe to our daily newsletter for more great content!