It’s time to be ruthless. This morning, I tried on three pairs of pants before I got a pair that fit right and wasn’t too tight or too short. One of the problems with thrift-store shopping is you can’t usually try things on. Considering I get Ann Taylor and Banana Republic pants for $6 a pair, it’s worth the risk. Justifying the savings can snowball into other purchases, though, and that’s where trouble comes in.
“These pants are a little too short, but I can buy some cute flats and then they’ll work.”
“I don’t usually wear lemon yellow cardigans, but it’s from Lands End. I’ll just get a nice tee to wear underneath.”
“This jacket has a teensy hole, but I bet I can fix it up.”
Or the worst one...
“I should try wearing new colors. Black or gray slacks every day is boring.” This led to buying a pair of brown pants and a matching top. Then I needed brown shoes and a brown skirt. Then there was only one brown top, so I “had” to get some more.
How often do I wear them? They’ve been in the ironing basket since last winter.
Here’s the plan. In true FlyLady style, it’s time for a “27 Item Boogie.” I set a timer for 15 minutes and pulled all the stuff I’m not wearing straight into a bag for donation to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS).
Even though crisp blouses are nice, I never get around to ironing them (and am too
Slacks that are too short? In the bag. I spent too much time getting teased for high waters in grade school to risk it now.
Sweaters that never did fit right? You get the idea. If my clothing makes me mad (because it itches, binds, or pulls) before I even leave the house, why should I suffer in it all day long?
*ding* The timer goes off and the job’s not done, but that’s ok. Spending too much time on this task leads to burnout and frustration! The bags go straight into the car (no deliberation, no hesitation) for dropoff the next time I’m near SFBFS.
Have you tackled your Closet Monster? How did it go? Share your closet tough love tips with us in the comments.
omg, that is SO funny! i just bought a pink, yes pink, cable-knit sweater, size small. it's sooo soft, and did i mention j. crew? but it's a small, and i'm not!! i squeezed into it for a few days, but now will likely donate it. like you said, at least my hit-and-miss shopping habit doesn't put me into debt! however, cheap doesn't mean right! very funny post!
ReplyDelete(oops) i don't think my previous comment made sense since i didn't make it clear that i bought that miniature sweater at a thrift store.
ReplyDeletedid this over holidays and then proceeded to buy more at some way cool thrift stores. One of the best I've found is Thrift Town in Carmichael! Day I was there, although everything already thrift store cheap, EVERYTHING in store was 30% off and everything with white tag 50%. One of the cool sweaters I found, black with fake fur around collar was listed at $1.99. So I paid 60 cents for it! Also, if you ever know anyone in the market for a beautiful wedding dress, I stopped by the WEAVE shop in Carmichael. They had about 15 wedding dresses - all of them only $45. One comment, I don't know where you thrift shop but every one I have been to has dressing rooms
ReplyDeleteLILLY
LILLY
I love purging my closet. Unfortunately I hate shopping for clothes. So I've purged so much over the years that I'm at the point where I can look at my closet right now and pick a handful of items that I'd be happy to get rid of, but if I did I would no longer have two weeks of clothes for work. And I don't hate the items enough to make myself purchase replacements.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you're saying. When you buy a high end outfit for cheap, you feel like it's such a deal that even the slightest "frustration" with the outfit will be doable. Then, you do it, and it's not. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt, and now I am really picky. I go the fitting rooms there and make sure that I'll wear it a lot.
ReplyDeleteAn idea that I saw was to hang all of your hangers the opposite direction at the beginning of a season. Once you've worn and washed a shirt, when hanging up again, hang that hanger the opposite way of "the others." At the end of the season, all of the clothes that you haven't worn can be seen by the way the hanger is hanging. I hope that made sense.
I need to give my closet some tough loving too. It might be something I do tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you.
Sounds great. I'll share what I did. I had a trying on session. I put on some music and try everything on. If it doesn't fit or is out of style, get rid of it. Then, the things I put back in my closet, I turned the hangers backwards. When I wear something, I then put it back in the closet the right way. I can easily look in my closet and see what I really don't wear. If the hangers are backwards after so long, I get rid of it. It is working.
ReplyDelete