Minimalist Mom Closet Clean Out

Minimizing Mama’s Closet

Now that I was armed with all of the information about minimalism my brain could handle, it was time to start somewhere.  I kept reading about the benefits of having fewer material possessions in your life. I also read all different kinds of approaches.  Some minimalists want you to count every item, some say you must find joy in everything you own, and I even saw a minimalist husband and wife that shared clothes.  While none of these methods fit me, my family, or my life, I could be open to learning something from all of them.  I can make minimalism work for my family.  I don’t have time to count everything, silverware doesn’t spark joy but I still need it, and I am definitely not sharing clothes with my hubby (sorry, hun!).  This Mama’s closet clean-out was first up on the list.  I have the most control over what goes on in that area and nothing that I find with strong sentimental attachment.  

Pile It On

I pulled everything out of my closet (and the clothes stashed in other areas of the house), e-v-e-r-y-thing, and piled it ALL on my bed, and floor, and nightstand!

I knew I had too many clothes, but OH MY! With my babies in bed, I poured a glass of wine, and got to work.  

Questions To Ask

I asked myself several questions as I went through my items.

1. Is it stained, damaged, torn, thread bear or ragged?
2. Does it fit great? Not just ok, or it will do, it must fit GREAT!
3. Do I love it?  Is it something that I wear all of the time and makes me feel like a million bucks? I can’t just like it, I have to LOOOVE it.
4. Will I have my picture made in it?  This was the big eliminator for me.  I had some clothes that passed the first questions, but not this one.

The Process

Most items I knew had to go without trying them on. The ones that I wasn’t sure about, I tried on.  Every stinking one of them.  I’m not going to lie, I ended up keeping about 10 pieces that did not follow my rules.  We were not financially in a place where I could just go buy the missing pieces in my wardrobe.  I kept these items knowing they needed to be replaced over time and I have stuck to my guns and have replaced those items or donated them.  When I hung everything back in my closet, I went as far as turning the hangers the wrong direction. After wearing something, I would hang it with the hanger facing the right direction to easily see what I had actually worn. In 30 days, I had worn almost everything (season appropriate) in my closet! The 3 items that remained were some of the ones I kept out of fear of having nothing in my closet.  I promptly added them to our donation pile!  This is what I donated that first night.

I will admit that I “cleaned-out” my closet a few months before and got rid of some things then.  I have also been back through since this purge and will probably do a closet clean-out every month just to keep it in check.  It takes about ten minutes to go through it since I purged most of the clothes I never wore anyway.  I am getting to a place of one in, one out.  I buy a new shirt, one has to go.    

What Remains

This is what I have left.  It looks like a lot, but this is all four seasons.  Winter, spring, summer, and fall.  Many of the minimalist closet pictures you see are only one season at a time.  A small dresser has my t-shirts, workout gear, socks, undies, swimsuits, etc.   I have a professional job that requires a different set of clothes than what I wear on the weekends.  My closet is smaller than a yellow polka dot bikini, so bear with the pictures.

That little chevron box contains three pairs of heels (black, nude, and strappy) that I only wear when I have no other choice.  I’m a jeans kind of girl!

Just so you get an idea of what a season of clothes looks like for me, here is my summer wardrobe.  

*Not pictured are two shirts and two pairs of running shorts to wear with t-shirts.

I find that I am so much more mindful when shopping for clothes (and spend way less money, score!).  The new item must fit my four rules.  I should also be able to mix and match it.   Items that I can wear it in more than one season are preferable.  I do not buy outfits.  Mamas deserve to feel good in their clothes too.  Just because we spend most of our days caring for others does not give us the right to neglect ourselves!  Everyone deserves a closet full of things they love.

What is your favorite go-to that makes you feel amazing?