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 had a delusion that I was 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 workout 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.

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It Started with Closet Envy

If you are similarly wardrobe-challenged, you probably also have that friend who always looks 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 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 her 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 capsule wardrobes. It is simply a collection of clothes that you love to wear. Emphasis on the “love.”

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

It didn’t take long to make my move. One night after bedtime, I armed myself with a couple of giant garbage bags and equally giant glasses of wine (for bravery), and completely emptied my closet.

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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 them.

On the other hand, my capsule wardrobe is like a fine dining restaurant. I have fewer choices, however, the decision is easier to make because all of the options are amazing.

Skeptic Turned Poster Girl

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 capsule wardrobe. I quickly grabbed 10 pieces: three tops, three bottoms, three pairs of shoes, and one dress.

Then, in a matter of 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.

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Decluttering Life

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.

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 of 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 even had closet space to add my own piece of art, courtesy of local artist Ashlee McClung.

I don’t want to spend a lot of time dealing with clothes every day, but I also don’t want to live in yoga gear. I can say that changing my wardrobe has changed my outlook on life. With a new-found confidence, I believe less really is more.

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