Welcome to #freshminimalism! 

Why is that hashtag not used already?! It’s beyond me. Thank you, Jesus. It was obviously meant to be. If you missed our introduction post, you can read it here. I might have busted out a rap in the video…

When times are tough and money is scarce, this process of “cleaning out the closet” may seem a little bit silly and even vain, but creating an environment where we feel good and are not overwhelmed with “stuff” is so helpful; clutter in the home leads to clutter in the mind.

Some people don’t agree with using distraction as a coping mechanism for troubles but I think it’s great (short-term!). It’s not denying there is an issue, it’s managing emotions and learning to deal with it. Taking space, making time for ourselves, these are all important things!

Lately, I have been researching minimalism and how to create a “capsule” wardrobe. You may have seen them on Pinterest, they look like this:

And then, you see the closet of a true minimalist and it looks like this: 

Before I touched a thing, my closet looked like this:

It’s a very small closet, so it’s not too bad, really. But I also have a dresser stuffed with clothing and my attic, a.k.a. the future bedroom for my oldest son, is also filled with bins of old clothing! Also, it smells like the cat because she’s always hanging out up there. Needless to say, I am done going to the attic for clothing. 

Fist things first, let’s start in the dresser.

Can I just say, because I’m super proud, I bought this long dresser, a matching tall dresser and two bedside tables for only $350… Canadian! That’s $260 USD. They would have taken less, but I felt like I was stealing it from them so I paid them the full ask.

Goldmine!

The drawers are very small. Perfect, 1950’s Minimalist-ready. I’m super excited to attack my husband’s closet but we won’t go there (yet). 

Each of these drawers needs to serve a purpose. I should be able to fit quite a bit in there but truth be told, I prefer to hang my clothes. I would also like to give the boys the tall dresser and move the one in their room to the guest room downstairs (or vice-versa) for guests and my stepson. Eventually, we will need to build a closet in our bedroom as I currently share with the baby.

Two girls sharing a small closet? Ha. Ha. Ha.

No.

So the drawers will hold the things drawers are supposed to hold like bras, undies, pajamas, sweatpants, yoga pants, sweatshirts and sweaters that cannot be hung. Hopefully, leaving room for my husband to share as well.

Now, onto the closet.

When cleaning out your closet, take out everything (yes, you heard me!), now put back everything you absolutely love/feel great in/looks amazing on you/wear all the time.

Then organize The mess that remains into the following four piles:

Pile #1- summer clothing (pay attention to the material). we will put this away and think about it later

Pile #2- clothes to donate

Pile #3- clothes you don’t wear or love but are not ready to donate quite yet

Pile #4- clothes you think you want to keep

Here’s my rules for when you’re deciding whether to keep or get rid of clothing:

1. Does it have holes? Toss it.

2. Does it fit you? Do not plan to shrink into it (unless you’re pregnant or postpartum!) because that’s just mean to you. If it’s too big, and not in the good way, it cannot stay either. 

3. How does it feel? Is the fabric quality? Is it itchy? Uncomfortable? Do the pants ride up your bum all the time? We are only keeping what feels good on your skin. 

4. Is the black faded or the white worn yellow? Toss it. 

5. How are the seams? Have they twisted from the wash? Getting frayed? Hate that.

6. Does the colour look good on you? If not, it’s a no-go. Read this post for more on colours.

7. Does it have stains? Nope. 

8. Does it still suit you and your lifestyle? We outgrow our clothing. Especially from teens to twenties and twenties to thirties. If you’re in your twenties or thirties and you’re still hanging onto clothing from the last era, it’s time to say goodbye. Personally, I’m in my early thirties now (ah!) and it’s been time for style change.

9. Why do you want to keep it and is the reason a good one? Did you spend a lot of money on it? Is it sentimental? Do you still like it, just never wear it? What’s the reason?

10. Does it flatter your body? Suit your body type? Read more on that in the next post. 

Keys to remember- fit, flatter, fresh: How does it fit? Does it flatter you? Does it makes you feel fresh?

Of the things you have remaining in your closet, do any of them desperately need to be replaced? Maybe they’re over-worn? Write it down in a note on your phone for items to replace next time you are out shopping or see a great sale.

The majority of my closet is on a “to be replaced” list right now. I had no idea how little I actually was wearing from what I had and don’t miss what I’ve disposed of.

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Cleaning out our closets can be emotional.

If you’ve been through a rough time recently, use this as a healing experience.

You are freshening up everything, starting with this.

It’s the perfect place to begin a “reset”.

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Next up! More on building a capsule wardrobe and how to figure out what styles best suit your body type.