The other day, I was going out to a nice restaurant to celebrate a friend’s birthday and I thought, “What am I going to wear?”
You’ve been there, haven’t you?
It can be hard to find the “treasures” in our closets when they are buried in junk, laundry, and ill-fitting clothes. I asked my friend, author and organizational expert Karen Ehman, for some advice. Here’s an excerpt from 31 Days to a Younger You about sorting your closet into three categories:
- Giveaway – This is where you put the clothes that don’t fit anymore, don’t flatter your figure, or don’t have anything to match. If you haven’t worn it in two years, it’s time to pitch it. You may have emotional ties to the sweater your favorite aunt gave you, but if you don’t wear it, toss it (you can take a picture of it first if you’re very sentimental!).
- Throwaway – These clothes are in such bad shape that even Goodwill won’t touch them! This is the pile you put your underwear with the shot elastic.
- Put Away – These are items that don’t belong in your closet. Maybe you have photo albums, trinkets, or projects that need to be moved. Or clothes that belong to a friend that you keep forgetting to return.
Be ruthless in your sorting. When you try on a borderline outfit, ask yourself, “Would I want to run into someone important at the grocery store wearing this?” or “Would it be okay if the paparazzi took my picture in this and plastered it on the cover of a tabloid magazine?” Once you have made some room in your closet, you can purchase a few new pieces that will compliment your figure, style, and current wardrobe. It’s never too late to renovate your look so have fun with it.
Sometimes the best shopping can happen in our own closets (free is the best bargain ever, right?). After I sorted through my closet, I was able to re-discover pieces I hadn’t worn in months but still liked.
The way we dress can help us look and feel younger. Don’t be afraid to ask a fashion savvy friend for advice or even to go through your closet with you.
In my book, I give tips about improving your appearance along with many ideas to spruce up your spiritual life too. Beauty truly comes from the inside out!
An energetic speaker and writer, Arlene Pellicane has been featured on The Hour of Power, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. Her book, 31 Days to a Younger You: No Surgery, No Diets, No kidding (Harvest House Publishers) helps women become more beautiful from the inside out.
Arlene knows the ups and downs of pregnancy (she was pregnant five times in six years in her thirties). Arlene miscarried a baby at 26 weeks and is able to relate to moms who have suffered a similar loss. Visit her website www.ArlenePellicane.com for free resources, videos, podcasts and more. Arlene loves speaking to women at retreats, moms groups, seminars, and special events. Arlene lives in San Diego with her husband James and three children, Ethan, Noelle, and Lucy.
Have you done a closet overhaul lately? What hidden treasures are buried there?
*title photo by Twigy Posts
Oooh, good advice. I DO have non clothes type stuff in my closet I should go through. I also tend to keep a lot of clothes even though I haven’t worn them in YEARS, thinking maybe some day… If I haven’t worn in 5 years, I probably won’t in the future. 🙂
I love overhauling my closet:) Goodwill appreciates me. LOL But tell me how I can convince my husband to do his side as well!
Great post! Goodwill is a great nationwide organization for donations! I work for Closet Factory and we always recommend Goodwill and other local charities! When purging old items it is always best to donate reusable items!
Jennifer, I’ve done the same exact thing…clothes I’ve had since before kids, thinking, “Once I lose this baby weight”. Um, yeah, by the time that happens the clothes will be as stylish as leisure suits.
Terri, Hopefully you have a nice big closet so your husband’s half doesn’t interfere with your neat half. 🙂
Nicole, I’m a big fan of Goodwill too, especially since most of them have drive-up doors to drop off your donations. It’s too easy to NOT do it. Thanks for stopping by today!
Sarah,
Every spring I go through my closet and purge…it’s kind of an obsessive habit;) If I haven’t worn something in months it takes a trip to the goodwill.
Great post. Have a restful week, friend.
-Mel
Mel, Hope you have a great week too! Could be interesting with the ice falling down right now. Praying our power stays on. Hope you and yours stay warm!
My closet is my dumping grounds! I store my clothes, shoes, books, writing files, everything! Maybe this is a sign that I need an office:)
Great post ladies!
Tamika, I never realized how much non-clothing I have in my closet until I read Arlene’s post. Amazing how things get lost in the pile, isn’t it?:)
Ack.
I really, really need to sort through my stuff. Bleck.
LOL, Jessica, I hear ya!
Okay, if the paparazzi shot a picture of me in ANY of my clothes, I’d keel over dead. Maybe it’s time to go shopping? 🙂
Great tips!
LOL, Jill. I hear you on the paparazzi thing, although if you have young’uns around your house like me, “Grandma” is paparazzi in and of herself. 🙂
Oooh… this is good. I like the “put away” part… I swear, there is more junk in my closet than there are clothes. *sigh*
Erin, Once nesting kicks in, you’ll clear that closet out in no time. 🙂
Hey Sarah!
This post is really good advice. I laugh at myself for my lack of attention to my closets. I need some serious organizational help. 🙂
Rosslyn, Funny how we can organize our characters into conflict but can’t organize our closets, isn’t it?
I move around every couple of years and I LOVE doing this. De-junking really does make you feel so good!
Nisa, Good point! I’ve lived in my current house for a while, and I shudder to think of what’s hiding in the nooks and crannies.
Great advice! My DH’s B-day is tomorrow and I have nothing to wear. 😉 I’ll have to do some closet shopping tonight.
T. Anne, Hope you had a successful shopping spree last night! 🙂