July 6 2008: Cleaning Out One’s Wardrobe
Filed under Style
I’ve been cleaning out my wardrobe. It might not look empty by some standards, but by mine, it’s very empty. This spring clean is taking place for multiple purposes:
- To get rid of items that no longer fit.
- To get rid of items that I will no longer wear.
- To get rid of items that no longer fit into my outfit aesthetics (dressy corporate for work, sloppy casual for weekend, cocktail dresses for nights out)
- To make space for newly-purchased items that fit into the aforementioned outfit aesthetics.
Essentially, I’m coming up for a major lifestyle change at the end of this year as I transition from a largely casual university lifestyle, to a more corporate, office-work-every-day, lifestyle. Rather than buying a whole heap of work clothes at the end of the year, I’m trying to gradually build up a wardrobe of corporate separates over time, as I find items on sale. I’m slowly getting there – I’ve got quite a few shirts and dressier tops, a few skirts, some jackets, some pants. All of which can be mixed and matched for numerous different corporate outfits.
My friends and loved ones have benefited from this wardrobe cleanout. Mish got a few dresses, I sent Tracey a couple of bags worth of items, and other friends came over and dove into my offloadings. This then led me to think…maybe this could be turned into an actual event? Everyone has items in their closet which they’ll probably never wear or never fit into again – rather than simply letting these items go to the Salvation Army (which is of course, the right thing to do, if a little devoid of benefits for oneself), why not do a clothing swap?
Organise a group of your friends and your friends’ friends (at least ten or more) to meet at someone’s house with everything they’ve cleared out of their wardrobes. You then negotiate with other people there, in a “I’ll swap you this item for that item” way. Make a real event out of it as well, with drinks and nibblies, and perhaps even telling tales of each item of clothing – how and where you got it, events you’ve worn it to, events you’ve never had a chance to wear it to, and the time you picked up a hot Swede in a bar when wearing the item.
One could potentially get rid of items they’ll no longer wear, while gaining new items that will inject some new life into their outfits. Mmm, ideas!
15 Responses to “Cleaning Out One’s Wardrobe”
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That sounds like a good idea…and fun too! Just swapping clothes, very efficient. But I’m way shorter than my friends. Either that or I’m way too flat-chested.
And I wanna know what you were wearing when you picked up a hot Swede! ;)
Reply: Cream lace top. ;)
marilyn on July 6 2008 #
I have tons of clothes that aren’t my size! In fact, MOST of my clothes aren’t my size. No one seems to make clothes for short, ridiculously skinny people — only Chinese sweatshops, and I don’t like buying clothes produced in Chinese sweatshops. :( Perhaps I should resort to children’s clothing stores — if it worked for mods in the 1960s, it can work for me, right?
Your idea would be fantastic if I could stomach the thought of spending hours getting new clothes. I’m just not that kind of person. It may be why I haven’t hit the children’s stores yet even though I’m down to my last pair of jeans… ;)
Jessica on July 6 2008 #
That’s a good idea, but that one would have to have friends in approximately the same size.
I still have to go through my clothes in my wardrobe to see what I won’t wear anymore but I think my friends don’t want them either haha, they have been in there since uhm last century ;)….
Chans on July 6 2008 #
So from that picture I can see that you own a pair of RMKs, Diana Ferraris, DF Supersofts, and Colorados (those boxes are annoying to carry) but my shoe box memory fails me on the others :(
Love the idea of the clothing swap! Would also like to here details about picking up hot Swedes.
Reply: Haha, the boxes are misleading. I don’t tend to keep my shoes in their original boxes – I throw out boxes if they become too battered, and just keep the good ones. I do have RMK, Supersoft (for work), Adidas, Zensu, a shelf of Tony Biancos that the photo didn’t pick up…and others too.
Alexandra on July 6 2008 #
ohh I saw a story on A Current Affair (? one of those shows) a couple of weeks ago about swapping clothes, where some people organised an event where everyone brings 2 or 3 items and they can swap for other peoples. They had alcohol and even massages! Sounds fun…
kat on July 6 2008 #
Right before I moved to Singapore, I invited a bunch of my friends to raid my closet. They had a lot of fun trying out stuff, and I managed to give away almost everything I didn’t plan on taking.
Your idea sounds even more fun! I’d love to try organizing a clothing swap one of these days :)
Nikki on July 6 2008 #
That sounds a great idea if you’re a normal size. Being a skinny midget though, I’m not sure if I’d find many people who I’d be able to swap with!
I’ve had the same with changing my wardrobe. Sixth form next year basically requires work clothing; suits or smart separates. The great thing about it is that it’s an excuse to do more shopping. <3
Amber on July 6 2008 #
I swap clothes with my BF all the time… mostly t-shirts and shorts we can both fit in… does that count?
But I usually donate to the Salvation Army about 2-3 times a year with clothes. I don’t think my friends would like my clothes ;)
TBQ on July 7 2008 #
Eh, my friends would love the stuff I have…god, I haven’t cleaned out my wardrobe since I was…well…10! I got so much shit in there..phewwwww.
April on July 7 2008 #
anything more for me? or all gone?
Mish on July 7 2008 #
What a great idea!! Especially since I have two bags full of clothes I no longer want or wear :D And I am in dire need for some new clothes, so it’s all full of win!
Robmarie on July 7 2008 #
I think I’ve read about this somewhere, but I don’t like any of my friends clothes enough or dislike my own clothes enough to give it a shot (yet).
Corporate clothes are exciting though, yes? I’ve always thought office-appropriate clothes are pretty!
Shen-Shen on July 7 2008 #
… unfortunately my friends are much too skinny for my clothes X(
I haven’t really changed my style since I was employed. Perks of being a programmer: the only ones wearing suits to work are the big boss and the HR department.
Vera on July 7 2008 #
I’ve heard so much about clothes swaps and how much fun they are but personally, I don’t feel comfortable wearing secondhand clothing… I would sell my clothes to other people who maybe interested in wearing them again but the idea of wearing somebody else’s never really occurred to me. I’m not being a snob or anything but .. I guess I just don’t feel comfortable. =0
Katy on July 8 2008 #
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