I’m leaving tomorrow morning for Allume and if you could see my closet right now, you wouldn’t trust another thing I say. There’s boots and shape wear and flower pins galore. I don’t know why I’m fretting about what to bring, because in the end, I’ll just throw it all in there and wait for inspiration once I’m at the conference. I appreciate those of you who’ve prayed for me. I’m a nervous nelly about my talk. I’m considering doing some karaoke with Melanie, to ease my nerves. I couldn’t be more excited to see all the wonderful people who have inspired me over the years. I’m rooming with Ruth, Paige, and Jen and can hardly wait to shower them with hugs and cookies and all kinds of southern love.
On to the business at hand.
Ruth and I both did closet makeovers this year. We learned a few a things that might help you in your fight against clutter and disorder in the closet. My approach is slightly different—slightly more than hers, but there are some things we both had in common.
The first, most important barrier to tidy closet spaces is that most us have way too much.
The more we have, the harder it will be to keep it tidy. So, the first principle is purging. Or as Ruth calls it RUTHless purging! Get rid of everything you don’t love. Most of us wear 10-20% of what’s in our closets for a reason. Those are the pieces that fit well, that we LOVE. I learned when I did this exercise that I tend to wear drapey blouses a lot, but I had a closet full of button up shirts. I liked the color of the pattern of the shirts, but I seldom wear them because that style is not very flattering on me. Here are a few good tips besides PURGING:
- Stop over-buying— When you find something you love, try it on and then leave the store and think about it. Go home and check your closet. Do you have something similar already? What is it that you love about the piece you want to buy? Do you things similar that you’re not wearing?
- Invest in good hangers—I can’t tell you how much this revolutionized my closet. I use these hangers and they are an investment. Buy a set at a time, until you eventually replace all your old hangers. Make sure you purge before you buy hangers!
- Take better care of what you have—Start using homemade laundry soap. Hang your good clothes to dry. (I LOVE this laundry cart for that!) Wash like fabrics and color with like. In other words, don’t wash your yoga pants with towels.
- Do the rainbow closet—I have my clothes organized by color and it’s almost like a work of art. It inspires me to keep it tidier, because it’s pretty.
- Rinse and repeat—This is not a one time gig. Every couple months, revisit what you’ve done and keep purging/organizing.
Challenge Day 23: Organize your closet today. Or, if that feels too overwhelming, start with just one rack. Go through every piece and remove the things you haven’t worn in a month. What percentage of the pieces are left? Examine the ones you removed and ask yourself why you don’t wear them. Not flattering? Don’t fit? Out of style? Stained or torn? Snap a before and after photo of your pared down closet and then share with us on Instagram or Facebook. Ruth and I will go first and then you can follow our lead. Use hashtag #31dayslessmore. Over the next weeks, do this for every rack or section in your closet. Store the unwanted/unused items, if you’re not sure whether or not you want to keep them. Follow our other suggestions and get your closets in great shape.
And while you organize, revisit the Low Risin’ Blue Jeans video featuring the hilarious east TN girl, Leanne Morgan.
Read Ruth’s corresponding post, Less Closet Chaos!
You’ll do great at the conference. Wish I could be there to hear you especially if you let some Tammy or Loretta fly. 😉
My closet it pitifully stocked. I’m one of those who don’t shop for years and then everything wears out and you’re left naked. It’s a shopping year which I HATE.
😉
I am the same way, this is my year too! Clothes are fading and shoes are getting worn! Last year I got new tennis shoes and this year I just got new boots! 🙂
Gosh, thank goodness you didn’t ask for a picture of our closets. If you thought my paperwork was bad, you’d die at my closet! I love this series you’re doing. It has put a fire under my butt. 🙂 Thank you!
And you will be great at your conference. Praying for you!
Hanging this by color was such a huge help for me to see what I had. And I’ve recently purged my closet a TON as I’ve changed sizes and it’s so nice with less. Less to keep up with and less choices has been surprisingly great. : )
Thanks for the post – I can never have enough inspiration to keep my closet organized. It’s unreal how fast it gets messy again! I am sure you will do a wonderful job and bless many people with your talk at Allume!
xo
PS: Thanks for that Leanne Morgan video. I about peed my worn out yoga pants. 😉
Is it just me, or does it seem like there should be some clickable links in the past several posts that aren’t working?
You’ll do great on your talk, Edie. Just be your sweet self and the info will flow through and be well received.
I’m not seeing the links either – I’m very curious about the hangars and the cart!
Great post, and I know you’ll give a fantastic talk!
Edie, If your talk is half as good as your writing, you’ll be wonderful. You are so inspirational to me. I love reading everything, and someday I hope to be at one of your talks. Have a great time!
Edie,
I’m not getting the links either. Would love to know about hangers, chart and homemade laundry soap. Have a great time.
Edie, you shower all of us that read your blog with hugs & cookies & all kinds of southern love. You’re covered in prayer, now go & continue to inspire us!!!
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