A classic case of “I have nothing to wear” syndrome rears its ugly head even when we have closets stuffed full of the latest and greatest. Could that be the problem? Is there such a thing as too many clothes?

Maybe.

Capsule wardrobes and minimalist makeovers have become popular more recently — and for good reason. It’s so much easier to create your own individual style and get dressed in the morning if you don’t have an entire shopping mall to choose from! If you’ve found yourself with an overabundance of clothes and don’t know where to start, try out these five tips to shed a few layers.

1. Stop Buying

This may seem like an obvious first step, but people can get into deep denial when it comes to their spending habits. How did you end up with enough clothes to keep an army toasty warm this winter? Put down the credit cards, step away from the ATM, and don’t you dare be tempted by those sales! I’ve found that using a spending tracker exposes just how much I shell out for clothes, and can help to quell the habit.

2. Get rid of duplicates

You may not have two of the same shirt, but I can guarantee you have two or even three items that look remarkably similar or serve the exact same purpose. How many black layering tank tops do I really need? Apparently, I thought seven would do the trick. Any generic skirts, blue jeans, or white blouses that are available in endless supply? As long as you keep up on laundry, there’s really no reason to have multiples, as it will just cause unnecessary wardrobe bulk.

3. Remove the “To Be Repaired”

Let’s face it, at some point you’re going to have to realize you’re not a seamstress. It might be easy to repair a simple hole, but anything beyond that needs to be carefully considered. How long have you been meaning to take that old blouse in to have a split seam fixed somewhere or do it yourself? If the answer is more than six months, chances are you’re never going to touch it. We’re busy women! It’s okay to have priorities! Just don’t let the things that fall to the wayside fill up your closet space.

4. If it Doesn’t Fit, it’s Time to Split

You know that size zero you always told yourself you’d eventually fit into? If it’s been sitting on a shelf for a while, it’s probably not going to happen. And that’s okay! Every woman has her own shape; own yours like a boss. I’m guilty of this, too. If I buy something online that doesn’t fit perfectly, I’ll hang onto it just in case my shape changes (not likely; bone structure isn’t known to fluctuate) or I tell myself I’ll find time to take it to a tailor. You know what happens to those items? That’s right — a year later they go to a thrift shop. So let’s say sayonara to these ill-fitting items.

5. Guilty conscience? Time to let go

Good grief, those gorgeous $80 heels that are hell on the ankles? Or, that beautiful floor length gown that I bought “just in case?” The impractical designer jacket that can’t get dirty, wet, cold, or, let alone used? Money makes us do crazy things — especially when it comes to looking good. The thought of having something luxurious and expensive in our closet is sometimes so tempting, we forget if we actually have a use for it or not. In my experience, if something is REALLY nice and REALLY expensive, I’m too afraid to wear it. That’s not the point of clothing! If it stays out of guilt, give yourself a break and let go. Who knows, the resale value could be enough to assuage your conscience!

You don’t have to do everything all at once. Baby steps are good too, and hopefully, by the end of the process, your closet will be a bit less overwhelming. Your next overflow project to tackle: makeup! *cringing inside*….

Inspirational Image:

Inspirational image courtesy of Pinterest via My Domaine

Sara Antonuccio, Grants Pass, @afashionistaabroad

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