From Hoarder To Minimalist
Are there little clothing mountains scattered around your room? Do you stare at your bursting closet and think you have nothing to wear? There are several signs you might be a clothes hoarder but with a few mindset adjustments and simple strategies, you can transform into a thriving minimalist fashionista.
1. You Have “Nothing To Wear”
If you catch yourself saying you have nothing to wear all the time, chances are it’s the polar opposite. You are overwhelmed by choice and it’s too hard to make a decision. If getting dressed is a stressful chore, it may be time for a closet purge.
2. Every Garment Is Sentimental
It doesn’t fit you anymore but you can’t imagine parting with that dress you wore to your first school dance. That old ragged t-shirt has pit stains but it reminds you to have college so you couldn’t possibly throw it out. Sound familiar?
3. You Have Clothes With Tags On Them
If you’re guilty of new unworn clothes in your closet then it’s a sure sign you buy clothes for the sake of buying clothes. If you have clothes with tags on them it’s either because you have too many clothes already or because you do a little too much retail therapy.
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4. You Buy Things “Just In Case”
You’ve never seen the snow but you buy that on-sale ski jacket just in case you decide to book a trip up north. If you bought a dress just in case your friends get married or you bought another pair of shoes just in case they stop making them, you may be a shopaholic.
5. You Dig Into Your Donation Pile
Good for you! You have attempted to declutter and fill a bag to take to the donation center. The only problem is that it’s been sitting in your hallways for three months and you sometimes dig through it and take pieces back out.
6. A Vacation Means A New Wardrobe
Immediately after you book your vacation, you’re headed to the mall or the online stores. You start thinking of all the outfits you want to wear on your trip and all of a sudden those bikinis you already own aren’t good enough for a holiday overseas.
7. You Own More Jackets Than Cold Days In A Year
You might buy a new coat every winter or you can’t pass by a cute jacket without buying it. Your coat closet has reached capacity but you found space in another closet to squeeze the excess into. If you own more jackets than the forecast calls for, it may be a sign you’re a clothes hoarder.
8. You Always Run Out Of Hangers
You don’t think you have too many clothes, you think you didn’t buy enough hangers, or that your closet isn’t big enough. You keep running out of hangers so you’ve gone and tried the double-hanging trick. Instead of buying more hangers, consider buying less clothes.
9. You Have Clothes In Multiple Rooms
You could be entering clothes hoarder territory if you have clothes all over the house. Even if they’re tucked away in drawers and closets, if your wardrobe is spread out in every room, it’s a sign you have too much. Another red flag is when your shoe closet is full and you have no room for the new boots you just bought.
10. Your Drawers Don’t Close
No matter how many times you refold your tops, they still end up spilling out your drawers. If your drawers are jammed or can’t close then there are too many clothes in them. If you brace yourself every time you open your closet, it may be time to declutter.
Don’t worry, if you’re guilty of half of these hoarding signs or more, there are ways you can change your habits and start living the easy life of a minimalist.
1. Take Inventory
The best way to help you declutter and remove clothes from your wardrobe is to take an inventory of what you have. Go through every article of clothing and compare each one to other pieces. Group them into categorized piles so you can see how much you own and get rid of your least favorites from each stack.
2. Understand Your Style
Identify your style or get to understand what clothing you’re drawn to. Sometimes we have too many clothes because we think we like it at the moment but we’d never actually wear it. Take the time to look through your clothes and find out what styles you actually like.
3. Set A Budget & Boundaries
Setting boundaries and creating a budget will help you from making impulse purchases or wasting money on items you don’t need. Start by limiting yourself to a reasonable amount of items, like four pairs of jeans or having a set number of hangers. You could also implement the one-in, one-out rule and get rid of a piece every time you buy something new.
4. Shop With Intention
Make a shopping list and stick to it. Shop for the items you need and don’t let yourself get distracted by items off your list. Always shop with purpose and intention to avoid impulse buys and overconsumption. Don’t let the fast fashion industry get to you!
5. Basic Core Pieces
A minimalist wardrobe thrives with classic staples and supportive pieces. Think about layers and mixing and matching. Hold onto your favorite basics like black pants, a trench coat, and a sweater, and alter the look with various accessories. Find pieces that can be worn with multiple outfits and outer layers that work with pants and dresses.
6. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
Instead of buying ten shirts from the clearance section, consider investing in fewer but higher-quality tops instead. You’ll get more wear out of well-made garments and you’ll end up saving money because you won’t need to buy as many.
7. Pay Attention To Materials
Go touch your clothes! Seriously, feel the fabrics and notice which clothes you wear more often than others. Chances are you avoid wearing some items because you don’t like how they feel against your skin. When you start buying clothes more consciously you’ll pay attention to the fabrics and buy only what you feel good in.
8. Organize Your Wardrobe
After you purge your closets, it’s helpful to organize your new and improved wardrobe. When you have organized storage you can easily view and access what you have. This will not only help you save time choosing an outfit, but it’ll also save you from buying doubles because nothing will be hiding out of sight.
9. Take Good Care Of Your Clothes
Treat your clothes with the love that they deserve and they’ll treat you right back. Clean them by the instructions on their labels and don’t over wash them either. Good care will give your clothes longevity, saving the environment and your bank account.
10. Donate & Sell
The intention to donate and sell your clothes will help you get rid of stuff. You’ll be motivated to support a good cause or earn a little extra cash. If you have a hard time parting with an outfit, find a friend or family member you can pass it along to who’ll make you feel good about giving it away.
