There is no one on this earth that can call me a hoarder. I like a clean, tidy and minimal household. Kind of ironic considering I’m a Fashion Blogger – but for me, all the more reason to be practical. You’ve seen the size of my wardrobe (here, if you need convincing) – if the new stuff doesn’t fit, the old stuff has to go.
I often take for granted how easy it is for me to detach myself from belongings. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not very materialistic – or maybe I’m just fickle, yet to be deciphered – and clearing out gives me a sense of control and wellbeing – it’s upcycling after all!
Vestiaire Collective sent an email a few weeks back about ‘Practical Minimalism’ and have in fact released a Wardrobe Detox booklet, partnered with Anuschka Rees from Into Mind (if you haven’t seen this blog, it’s FAB), which is downloadable from their site – and it made me think I have never shared a few of my tips that people might find useful. So, along with Fanny Moizant from Vestiaire, I’m sharing a few nuggets of wisdom:
1. Do you really need that many of the same thing?
So I’m not really counting breton tops in this discussion but I am a total sucker for buying something I like again and again and again. Even whilst writing this, I’m thinking about the pair of Archive by Alexa x M&S sneakers I was looking at today when I clearly have enough classic white trainers. But when I’m clearing out I look realistically and think, do they serve the same purpose? Are those looking a bit worse for wear and can be replaced with the fresher ones? Sometimes the answer is ‘no’, but more often than not I can lose something…
2. Does it spark joy?
Now I can’t be held responsible for this one, Marie Kondo’s now infamous phrase makes a lot of sense to me. Sometimes I’ll pull something old from the back of my wardrobe and think ‘I haven’t worn this for a while, I must wear that again’, so I do, and if I don’t feel fabulous in it all day, I’ll come home and get rid.
2. Does it spark joy?
Now I can’t be held responsible for this one, Marie Kondo’s now infamous phrase makes a lot of sense to me. Sometimes I’ll pull something old from the back of my wardrobe and think ‘I haven’t worn this for a while, I must wear that again’, so I do, and if I don’t feel fabulous in it all day, I’ll come home and get rid.
3. Prioritise
I love clothes, but sometimes a big fat realisation slaps me in the face and I become Carrie in Sex And The City “I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and have nowhere to live?”. Currently with the refurbishment and roof bills, the idea of doing carboot sales and making some extra cash seems more important than having an overspilling wardrobe.
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| Bracelets: Astley Clarke |
4. Pack away
Due to space, I swap over my winter and summer wardrobes and store in our loft. Time away from clothes helps with detachment and often, when I go to unpack last season’s clothes, seeing them all come out creased and worse for wear helps me make a decision about pieces that I love/ don’t love anymore.
5. Designer pieces hold their value
Yes, they cost more money originally, but designer clothes are always worth more at resale value – so for me, they’re often the first things to go. I’ve just resold my Cecilie Copenhagen dress on Vestiaire Collective and didn’t lose that much on it.
6. Be practical
Those shoes you bought, the pointy kitten heels. Are they comfy? can you wear them everyday? Or do you feel a wince of pain just looking at them? Yes, they’re pretty, but they’re taking up valuable space in your wardrobe if you dread wearing them.
Still finding it hard? Here are some tips from style expert Fanny Moizant – one of my style crushes and founder of Vestiaire Collective – on making your wardrobe work for you:
1. Firstly pull together the classic pieces, the ones you wear
everyday; these will make up the core part of your wardrobe.
everyday; these will make up the core part of your wardrobe.
2. Operate a
one in one out policy, if you purchase something new then something has to go!
one in one out policy, if you purchase something new then something has to go!
3. Think about versatility. If you can’t wear an item in
three different ways with things that already exist in your wardrobe then it
doesn’t work anymore.
three different ways with things that already exist in your wardrobe then it
doesn’t work anymore.
4. Be brave, if you haven’t worn something in the last 18
months, then get rid of it.
months, then get rid of it.
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| You can download your own Vestiaire Collective Detox Booklet here |
Ha! This is me! completely downsized my wardrobe, trying to invest in classic pieces x
http://www.whiitelist.com
Yes me too – but I also accept that I buy into trends too – just love them so much! But loving my wardrobe so much more x
I've been downsizing my clothes at the moment! It's going quite well. If I haven't worn something then I sell it/charity shop donation. Now I've brought my Summer clothes out I need to restart the process.
DarlingSophie
It is somehow neverending, isn't it?! But the cleansing feels so good!
Ah I need to learn a thing or two from this! i'm so bad for buying things, particularly shoes, I love but don't wear as much as I should because I don't find them comfortable. Think I need a good closet clear out!
forevabelle.blogspot.co.uk
Me too – but reselling/upcycling makes me feel better about the chain! Buying clothes makes me happy so there's nothing wrong with that – but it's also good to accept that I can't keep everything forever x
Wonderful post, thank you. I like the versatility tip and must work better at the being brave GULP….Now to offload some beautiful (and horrible uncomfortable) shoes….
Yes – the uncomfy shoes MUST go!
Great post Alex – is it easy to use Vestiare ? I have so much pre mortgage never worn designer clothes waiting for a one day I'll wear it… I need to just do it!!
Yes it is ! You don't have to add as much detail as eBay etc as people know their stuff already pretty much…and you set the price etc – some things can be on sale for a few months without shifting, so you still have to store them – but then you can wait until someone pays the price you want, rather than letting things go for 99p on eBay (as once happened to me with some Dolce shoes!) – the horror!
What a timely blog! I was rifling in my shoes earlier and came up with 3 pairs which can go instantly, plus another two I'm considering. Just need to steel myself and start on my full-to-bursting wardrobe too!
Well done -your first steps! x
I really enjoyed this post. I've been dedicating the whole of April to decluttering my home including my wardrobe the Marie Kondo way so it's been great to learn some new tips and get a fresh take on it. I really enjoyed your tip about wearing something and seeing if you feel fabulous for the whole day.
I've been writing about my month of decluttering on TheEclecticity.org and I'd love it if you'd check it out. My wardrobe is a lot smaller (except for dresses – most spark lots of joy!)
Katie x
Thank you -it's so interesting how well these sorts of posts do! I forget I have at least one skill in life(!) – loved your post on storage too – I agree you can't throw everything out so it's good to know how to store chicly and effectively x
I love your blog and insta pictures-thank you! I've drastically cut down my colour palate. That's trally helped the decluttering process. When are you next doing battersea? Will definitely pop down. Steph x
yes – me too! The occasional 'fun' purchase but definitely helps with keeping the wardrobe more defined. I do Battersea about twice a year – the next one will probably be September time (before it gets too cold!) x
I go through my wardrobe twice a year like that and I always have stuff I want/need to throw out. That sense of freedom after the clean out is divine :-).
Totally agree, feel like I can breathe/see/live again! Ha….no exaggeration there at all…
I like to add: Into Mind is a real gem! I actually did a blogpost on her one year ago myself :-):
https://mostlyme-certainothers.com/2015/04/02/free-your-mind/
First post I have read on here and how inspiring. Already started decluttering that wardrobe and feel okay about it. So nice how you interact with your readers on here too – so personal and lovely! Keep up the great work Ms Frugality ��
Thanks so much Kathie -it's the readers that keep me going!! So glad you liked the post, clearing out is such a good, cathartic experience – not for everyone, but I love it x
Oh I did a post a few months ago on minimalism and I came across Anuschka's blog into-mind, so interesting and made me rethink everything in my own wardrobe. I am more aware now of what I spend my money on but it's so hard with trends and I sometimes just give in.
Tee X http://teeclutter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/minimalism.html?m=1
I love that you found Anuschka's blog on your own, it's so fab – and totally agree with your blogpost, I think it's good to buy colour sometimes to 'lift' your everyday essentials – I have a bright yellow dress I bought from Finery, unworn….but can't bear to get rid of just yet….hoping for a wedding or something! x
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post and for the links to other posts. I am looking forward to going through my wardrobe this weekend so that I am only left with what I truly love to wear and what looks great on me.
Good luck! It's a hard task but once you look at your wardrobe afterwards and can actually see what's in it, you won't look back x
Some fab tips and love the shots. My wardrobe really needs a total overhaul, I've cleared out so much and I need to top it back up with capsule or classic items now
Mel x
mediamarmalade.com
Hi Alex,
Where did you get the clothes rail from? I’ve been looking for one similar for ages!
Thanks!
Kate
It’s from morplan! Just bought another one as living off rails at home at the moment! Much more durable than Argos etc – use them for carboots too and they never fall down in the wind! x
A great post. It has taken me many decades but like so many I am now embracing minimalism. Only keeping those items which give me value. Retailers would give a squeal of delight when I entered their premises. I could shop for England and to be honest it was obscene. Older, wiser and financially poorer I am now happier, calmer and more at one with my life. You are a great example ….have loved your blogs for so long and have benefitted from your wise words. Go girl !