In this post, I will focus on how to journal your way to a simpler closet. For me, journaling helps me to untangle the cobwebs. Maybe this will give you some encouragement to tackle your wardrobe challenges in a different way and figure out what works best for you in this season of life. The clothes we wear are such a personal thing reflecting who we are and sometimes how we want the world to see us. So please take all of this with a light hand and use what works for you.
This time of year, I’m always in a “get rid of all the stuff” mood. Clearing out drawers and cupboards and closets fills me with so much joy. I’ve always embraced the “less is more” aesthetic – in my decorating and my wardrobe. In the springtime, I want to lighten up everything. This clearing out process is a physical activity, for sure, but it’s also an abstract one – clearing out yesterday and getting ready for today and tomorrow.
I’ve often been intrigued by the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Now before you stop reading because that seems so drastic, hang on. I did say the “idea” of the capsule wardrobe. I’m investigating, and I thought maybe you would be interested in this too. I am not a minimalist expert or a fashion consultant. I’m a mature woman who appreciates an organized life and loves to learn, so join me on this adventure.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
I hunted online and watched a few videos that explained this concept. What I learned is that it’s whatever you want it to be. No rules. Lots of suggestions. It’s basically a simpler wardrobe.
One expert said the capsule wardrobe is not about owning fewer pieces for the sake of it, it’s about owning better combinations. It’s about having timeless options that will mix and match and last for a long time.
One thing is for sure. Most of us have too many options. Our grandparents had smaller closets and much leaner wardrobes. One article listed the typical wardrobes for women and men in the 1920’s and 1930’s in different professions. For example, a single professional woman in 1939 would own 4 dresses, 3 blouses, 1-2 skirts, 2-6 pairs of shoes, 1 coat, and minimal accessories like stockings and gloves.
One capsule wardrobe expert suggests 30-35 pieces of timeless items which fit your style and season and easily mix and match. A report referenced by Vogue a few years ago said researchers found that a “sufficient” wardrobe is made up of 74 items and 20 outfits total. However, one survey showed that the average woman has more than 100 items of clothing in her closet. Compare that to the 1939 woman? She had about 12 major clothing items.
Some days, even with at least 100 items in my own closet and drawers, I find myself saying, I don’t have anything to wear. That’s a problem. Hence, this quest to simplify my closet.
4 Reasons to Simplify Your Closet
- Space. Are you tired of shoving one more thing in between hangers? Are your dresser drawers so full you can barely close them? I have a small-ish closet and too many clothes so I always shift twice a year. If you want to read about how I tackle this going into winter, here’s a post for you.
- Stress. I’ve always longed for clarity, simplicity. Too often, I open my closet door and think, “What should I wear today?” or “I have nothing to wear” as I stare at dozens of choices that don’t seem right, that don’t fit well, or don’t feel comfortable. And then I pull out the same things over and over. Decision fatigue is real.
- Guilt. I feel guilty for not wearing those other clothes. I paid for them. I like nice things, but I almost always buy them on sale, and too often, that sales rack beckons. It’s such a deal, I think, when I really didn’t need another dress or those shoes.
- Time. This all takes time. All the decision-making and the stress. The shopping and the sale-finding. Yeah, it’s not real serious stress, but it weighs on me and maybe on you too. I’d rather spend my time and my focus outside my closet, all ready for the day ahead and what the Lord has set for me to do.
Journal Your Way to a Simpler Closet
So how do we figure out what we actually need in our closet? I’m not sure I’ve ever really thought about this. Not intentionally. This is where journaling comes in. It may help you think clearly about your wardrobe. If you aren’t a journaler or you could refresh your journaling muscles, here’s a few posts to help you get started.
For now, just grab a notebook and work through all these steps on paper. Trust me. If you just think about them, it won’t be as clear as if you write them down. Nobody else will read this. And it can be bulleted lists and phrases. It’s not a five-paragraph English essay.
Step 1: Define your season of life.
Are you working from home? In an office? Retired and volunteering? Hanging out with grandkids or helping your aging parents? Perhaps you will make a list that looks something like mine:
- Most days, I’m sitting at my desk writing, so I want to be comfortable. But I am also on Zoom meetings at times, so it helps to not just live in sweats.
- Some days, I attend and also lead Bible classes. I like to have some casual clothes that aren’t sweatpants. Things like jeans or dressy joggers with a sweater or a knit shirt.
- Sometimes I’m hanging out with the grandkids, and I definitely want to wear simple and comfy things.
- Every so often, my husband and I go out for a date night, but our town isn’t super fancy, and nice jeans or a sundress are always appropriate.
- My mother took care of how she looked every single day. (See my post about how my mom loved well.) I think our world has become much more casual but sometimes I think Mom would frown at how sloppy I can be when I’m at home. Nobody sees me, I think. Except for my husband and me. I should care more. I know it’s important to take care of myself in other ways, why not with my clothing.
- Sundays are my dressiest days for worship. I was raised to dress up a little for church. I know many people wear jeans and casual clothes, but most of the time, I like a skirt, dress, or nice slacks. Do I have the right clothes for this?
Step 2: Consider your priorities.
Is it important for you to be stylish or on trend? How about sustainability? Are you concerned about where the clothes are made? Quality? Price? All of this makes a difference when you look at your closet. For example, if you are more comfortable in natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and wool, then take some time to examine the labels on what you already own.
Step 3: Think about your style.
If you’ve never even pondered this, then it may not matter at all to you. But if you are going to simplify your closet, it will help to focus on what style feels most like you. Are you classic? Dramatic? Feminine/romantic? Creative? Bohemian? All over the fashion spectrum? Whatever’s on sale?
I enjoy reading this blogger’s posts about fashion not necessarily because I always like her style, but because I appreciate how she approaches fashion with a Christ-centered mindset. Her website is filled with posts to help especially 50+-year-old women.
Step 4: Next, do a thorough inventory.
I’ve never done this before now, and it’s fascinating. Up to now, I just knew I had too much. I have a drawer filled with t-shirts collected over the years from reunions and vacations, I have a couple old bathing suits that don’t fit, I have clothes that are too small (some day?) or too big (maybe), and I have faded and pilled shirts and sweaters.
So I suggest counting each item and recording them in categories. For example, list 24 t-shirts. 9 jeans. 12 dresses. 5 tennis shoes and so on. (Those aren’t my actual numbers.) Be sure to include socks and lingerie. And then total it up.
Does it surprise you? Or do you already have a handle on this simplicity thing? (My sock drawer shocked me. Why, oh, why do I need more than 30 pairs of socks? Some are fun ones for holidays, different colors, styles, textures. Goodness.)
Step 5: Decide how many pieces of clothing you really need to have in each category.
In your journal, list the categories which you decided upon earlier. Then be realistic. Think about how often you do laundry. How often you wear each item.
Let’s talk about jeans. Say I wear jeans every single day. Experts say we really only need to wash denim about every 10 wears unless you’re working in the garden or hiking dusty trails. With that information, I could function well with just two pairs of jeans. Of course, I like a little variety, maybe a lighter wash and a dark wash. But right now, I have 8 pairs in my closet. And I do not wear jeans every day. Could I get rid of the old and stretched out ones that are comfy? Hmm. I’d have to give this some thought.
But do you see what I mean by deciding for yourself how many pieces will work for you? Let’s return to the sock drawer. I journaled about my socks and realized that I love black socks and a few other fun colors for winter. For spring and summer, I love no-show socks. I hate nylons. I’m okay with tights. So why do I have all these old pairs of pantyhose in multiple colors? I think it dates back to . . . long ago. Time to purge.
Step 6: Purge.
Once you’ve set your priorities and decided how much you actually need for each category, it’s time to get rid of what you don’t want anymore. You can do this all in one day, Marie-Kondo-style, or you can tackle one category at a time. Some people like to put the to-donate items into a “holding box” to wait and see, especially if you aren’t sure. If you tuck it away and don’t miss those items over the next year? Donate.
Step 7: Rebuild with intention.
Now you have your roadmap. You’ve given away the items that you no longer need, and you can see the gaps in your current wardrobe. There’s no rush to “complete” it. Just gradually add quality pieces that you love and will work for you.
Perhaps you can journal or list the items you might want to look for on sale or to add to your gift list. Or if you are a thrifter, you can take the list with you to thrift shops. It’s good to have a plan. I like to add items to my Notes app, so I won’t be tempted to buy that bargain navy and white striped shirt. (Because I have several already in my closet!)
(If you need a little guidance putting everything back, check out my post on how to transition your closet for the upcoming season.)
A Final Thought
Ultimately, this simplifying process may just clear some space in your closet and help you get dressed each day. Perhaps it will do more, though. Maybe it will help you clear space in your heart, revealing some things you haven’t processed. A popular podcaster, Mel Robbins, recently interviewed a stylist who said, “Most of our closets are like a graveyard of the old versions of ourselves.” Maybe you’ve been hoping to return to a professional life, so you hang on to those suits and pumps. Or perhaps it’s a body image issue or emotional ties to certain items because your Mom gave them to you.
Please remember that you are not your clothes. You are not defined by what you have in your closet or drawers; you are not defined by how trendy or pretty or fit or fill-in-the-blank you are. You are defined by the God who loves you, the God who sent His Son to die on the cross for you and redeem you, messy closets and all.
He cares more about what is inside your heart than inside your closet. Add this verse to your journal in the same place as your closet notes to help you remember all this.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17 ESV
Pin “Journal Your Way to a Simpler Closet” for later!
