My Closet, My Shame
Look, I need to confess something. Something awful. My closet is a disaster. A complete and utter disaster. We’re talking clothes from 1998 in there. 1998! I was 22 years old, for crying out loud. Who needs a denim mini skirt with fringe? Not me. Not anymore.
But here’s the thing: I couldn’t let it go. Every time I’d try to clean out my closet, I’d freeze. What if I need this? What if this comes back in style? What if… you get the picture. It was a problem. A big one.
So, about three months ago, I decided to do something about it. I was inspired by an article I read on downsizing home tips guide senior (yes, I know I’m not a senior, but hear me out). If they could downsize their homes, I could downsize my closet. And let me tell you, it was a journey.
The Intervention
It started with an intervention. My best friend, let’s call her Marcus, marched into my apartment one Saturday morning and said, “Enough is enough. Your closet is an embarrassment. And frankly, so is your life.” Ouch. But fair enough.
“You need a system,” Marcus told me. “A system?” I asked, skeptical. “Like what?”
“Like the KonMari method,” she said. “You know, the one where you hold each item and ask if it sparks joy?”
I rolled my eyes. “That sounds like some new age mumbo jumbo,” I said. But Marcus was insistent. “Just try it,” she said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
The Cull Begins
So, I did. I started pulling everything out of my closet and holding it up, one by one. And let me tell you, it was an eye-opener. I found a dress I bought in 2007. 2007! I tried it on, and it was completley unflattering. Why had I been holding onto it? Nostalgia, I guess. But nostalgia isn’t a good enough reason to keep something that doesn’t make you look good.
I found a pair of shoes I bought in 2012. They were in perfect condition, but they hurt my feet. Why had I been keeping them? Because they were expensive? Because they were “nice”? None of that mattered if they hurt my feet.
I found a coat I bought in 2015. It was a beautiful coat, but it didn’t fit me anymore. It was too small. Why had I been keeping it? Because it was a gift? Because it was a “classic”? None of that mattered if it didn’t fit.
I found a skirt I bought in 2018. It was a beautiful skirt, but it was too long. Why had I been keeping it? Because it was “trendy”? Because it was “fashionable”? None of that mattered if it didn’t look good on me.
The Realization
And that’s when I realized something. I had been holding onto clothes for all the wrong reasons. I had been holding onto them because they were expensive, because they were gifts, because they were “classic,” because they were “trendy,” because they were “fashionable.” But none of that mattered if they didn’t make me look good, if they didn’t make me feel good, if they didn’t fit me, if they didn’t suit me.
I had been holding onto clothes out of guilt, out of obligation, out of a misplaced sense of commitment to fashion. But fashion should be fun. Fashion should be about expressing yourself, about feeling good, about looking good. It shouldn’t be a source of stress, of guilt, of obligation.
The New System
So, I decided to change my approach. I decided to only keep clothes that I loved, that made me feel good, that suited me, that fit me. And I decided to let go of the rest. It was liberating. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
I also decided to be more mindful about the clothes I bought. I decided to only buy clothes that I loved, that made me feel good, that suited me, that fit me. And I decided to let go of the idea that I needed to keep up with every trend, that I needed to have a closet full of clothes, that I needed to be a slave to fashion.
And you know what? It worked. My closet is now a place of joy, not shame. It’s a place where I can find clothes that make me feel good, that suit me, that fit me. It’s a place where I can express myself, where I can have fun with fashion.
The Tangent
But here’s a tangent for you. While I was going through my closet, I found an old diary. I was 16 years old, and I was writing about how much I loved fashion, how much I loved expressing myself through clothes. And you know what? I still feel that way. I still love fashion. I still love expressing myself through clothes. But now, I do it in a way that makes me feel good, that suits me, that fits me. And that’s what matters.
The Final Count
So, how much did I get rid of? A lot. I filled 14 bags with clothes to donate. 14! And I felt amazing. I felt like I had taken control of my life, of my closet, of my fashion.
And you know what else? I saved money. I didn’t realize how much money I was wasting on clothes I didn’t wear, on clothes that didn’t make me feel good, on clothes that didn’t suit me, that didn’t fit me. But now, I’m more mindful. I’m more intentional. And I’m happier for it.
So, if you’re like me, if you’re a fashion lover but your closet is a disaster, if you’re holding onto clothes out of guilt, out of obligation, out of a misplaced sense of commitment to fashion, do yourself a favor. Have an intervention. Try the KonMari method. Be mindful. Be intentional. And most importantly, have fun with fashion.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience writing about fashion, beauty, and style. I’m based in New York City, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the biggest names in the industry. I’m passionate about fashion, about expressing myself through clothes, and about helping others do the same. When I’m not writing, you can find me thrifting, experimenting with new styles, or binge-watching fashion documentaries. I’m not perfect, I make mistakes, and I’m always learning. But I’m here to share my journey with you, to help you on your own fashion journey, and to have fun along the way.
