I'd been toying with the idea of a capsule wardrobe for four years now. I loved the idea of a personal uniform. The thought of never having to try on two or three tops or dresses before settling for a regular item in my wardrobe felt liberating.
After moving to our first apartment I had to let go of half of my clothes. 3 years later we bought a house which was even smaller (and had no closet) and I had to let go of 3 balikbayan boxes worth of clothes. Purging became easier and easier each time partly because I now have the option to buy clothes I actually like since my income has improved over the years.
So here are 5 quick rules that make purging easier:
1.) You Don't Like It
Why keep something that makes you crinkle your nose or roll your eyes or even snicker every time you see it? There is no shame in getting rid of an unwanted gift even if it is from an in-law, your mom, your best friend or even your spouse. This applies to bags and shoes too. Sell it online to someone who might actually like it.
2.) It Doesn't Fit
Toss it. Too loose, weird in places, too short, or too tight (especially if too tight) just TOSS. Don't keep it because you think you MIGHT slim down to fit into it again. You really should have a better goal to slim down than just to fit into an old pair of jeans or short shorts. Donate it to someone who can use it.
3.) It's Out of Style
Vintage is in now but there are items that are just no longer relevant like neon leggings and peplum blouses, bakuna tops (AKA cold-shoulder tops). Sure they could come back in style SOMEDAY but personally the items I used to keep for when they come back in style just ended up in storage for years.
4.) It's "In Case"
If it's a "for when" item = keep. Most of the time "in case" items just sit in our closets gathering dust. A good example of this are costumes from company Christmas Parties and bridesmaid's dresses. It is highly unlikely you will wear them again even if you get invited to another wedding. You would most likely want a different dress. I suggest you sell once-used formal wear online its a good place to look too if you need a formal dress. As for the costumes, how likely is it that your employer will do a repeat of last year's Christmas party theme this year? or even next year?
5.) It's irrelevant
Old company uniforms that look like uniforms. This needs no explaining. It'll take up space in your closet. If you feel sentimental about it just remember you probably have a photo of yourself wearing it somewhere.
I don't know the exact count of items I have in my closet but this is what I have:
Office Wear: I have 3 weeks worth of office wear in my closet. It sounds excessive at first but I've come to realize I like having choices. I like putting together an outfit an surprising myself with combinations I haven't previously tried. I feel like its making a statement to the world when I step out. It really depends on your industry. The type of work I have requires me to be presentable, a bit formal and look authoritative. I look a bit young so I need dress up a bit.
Pambahay: I have about a week worth of clothes that I think are pretty decent and wouldn't make me feel under dressed at the supermarket. No ratty old clothes, those are for basahan.
Sleepwear: I don't have sleepwear.
Underwear: A week's worth of underwear and I only kept those that are comfortable and fit well. I have 3 pairs of socks for cold nights and when I need to wear sneakers.
Active Wear: 2 sets. I'm not very active and I do my home exercise in my pambahay. The two sets I have are for company activities where I'd need to wear active wear.
Everything hung fits on about two meters of rod space and I have three shelves for folded items and underwear. This is a huge leap from my old life where I filled up three cabinets with clothes.
According to The Minimalists, if you can't see yourself using an item in the next 90 days you probably don't need it. I agree. The only exceptions for this rule is "for when" items like thermal wear, pullovers and jackets for chillier months or chilly offices, a simple black or white dress for funerals, and a crisp outfit for job interviews and formal meetings.
Basically the rule is to keep only what you will wear any extra is just going to take up space and add to the things you have to organize and clean.
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