“Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.” – Epictetus
Consider for just a moment how your life would look different if you owned fewer clothes:
- You would have more disposable income.
- You would have more time to live your life.
- Mornings would feature less stress.
- Your closets would be well-organized and uncluttered.
- Packing for trips/vacations would take less time.
- Laundry days would be easier (not necessarily less, but definitely easier).
Unfortunately, instead of enjoying the benefits of owning fewer clothes, most of us buy into the lie that more is better. And because we do, we accumulate more and more clothing each season. We are convinced that new clothes will make us more joyful, more fashionable, and more popular. Unfortunately, they just end up getting in the way.
Consider going a different route with your life. Try owning fewer clothes. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy the freedom that it brings.
Whether you are hoping to minimize your wardrobe to the absolute minimum or just trying to pare down some of the excess in your closet, you will find these 10 steps practical and applicable. They are the same steps that we have used in our home:
1. Admit that you own too much clothing. That’s all you really need to get started.
2. Wear fewer colors. Most of us already have a few favorite colors that we wear most often anyway – usually because we like the way we look in them. Choosing to intentionally wear fewer colors means less accessories (shoes, belts, jewelry, handbags, etc.). It also makes too much sense not to try.
3. Embrace the idea of one. When one can be enough, embrace it – one black dress, one swimsuit, one winter coat, one black belt, one pair of black shoes, one pair of sneakers, one handbag… insert your own based on your occupation, lifestyle, or climate.
4. Donate, sell, recycle, discard. Depending on the size of one’s existing wardrobe, an initial paring down won’t take long. Make a few piles – donate, sell, or recycle. Start with the clothes that you no longer wear. You’ll be surprised how much you can remove.
5. Donate, sell, discard some more. Removing the clothes you no longer wear is easy. Removing the clothes that you don’t really need can be a tougher choice. Turn around all the hangers in your closet. After the season, remove every article of clothing that wasn’t worn. That should help get you started on a second round of paring down.
6. Impose an arbitrary moratorium on shopping. For many, clothes shopping is just a habit – and habit always takes over for inattention. To begin breaking the cycle of purchasing and discarding (the average American throws away 68 lbs. of textiles each year), set a self-imposed buying freeze. I recommend 90 days. If given enough time, this simple exercise in self-discipline will change your view of your clothing and the stores that produce, market, and sell them.
7. Set a monthly spending limit. Pick a low number and stick to it.
8. Purchase quality over quantity. Only buy clothing that you truly love – even if it costs more. If you stock your closet full of things you love, you will have less desire to add to it.
9. Avoid the sale racks. Sales can (and should) be used to help you get a better price on something you need. Unfortunately, most sale racks are designed to convince us to purchase something we don’t.
10. Impress with your character, not your clothes. Lee Mildon once said, “People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.”
To see how owning less in other areas of life can bring even more life-giving benefits, check out my book: The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
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It probably would less if I weren’t living through four seasons.
I never, ever stay the same size. I go up, then I go down. It drives me nuts. In the last three years I have gone from a 14 to a six, now I am a 10. I would like to stay this size but my body is just un predictable.
Sizes! I can relate so much.
My size varies from one week to the next.
I own several pieces of the same model in different sizes.
I’ve never known anyone with this problem.
I have this problem too. It definitely makes it harder to down size.
I am the same way from a size 14 to a size 9. I’m working on it
I completely understand! I’ve found a strategy that works better than what I used to do. My regular wardrobe contains mostly my most common size (don’t bother with your “ideal” size stick with reality). I have a small spare closet that stores a few basics for my next size up and down. This is kept to one skirt and one pair of slacks in a neutral color, a dress, and about three shirts each. I keep only what I REALLY love so when my size changes I don’t hate what I put on every day–that makes it easier to keep just a few key pieces. I can usually get away with some of the pieces from my standard size mixed in if the shift lasts longer than usual.
It’s actually the most difficult part of de cluttering the closet. This year I gained about fifteen pounds and now all my fav clothes don’t fit. I think I need to delutter my body first and then when I’m at the size I want to stay at I should get rid of all the clothes that don’t fit…. especially the bigger ones, as they allow me to feel comfortable when I’m bigger than I want to be. It’s an ongoing battle that I strove to conquer! This will be the year I do it!!!
PS I am loving decluttering my home”
Thanks Joshua!
I just cut my wardrobe down by at least 75%. I had grown accustomed to being surrounded by clutter and huge collection of clothes for all the wet weather britain throws at us all year round. Next job is our kit room. The door doesn’t open fully. I havent seen the walls in that room since we moved in 6 years ago. There will be boxes still unpacked in that room. This is a great site to read and undersand how to turn away from materialistic approach to life. More stuff has made me miserable. Getting rid of the excess is refreshing. Keep up the good work.
Bubbs.
I live through 4 seasons as well, and
I practice this. You can live with a whole lot less!
About 30 years ago someone helped me work out “my” colours a la autumn winter spring summer. I have had the pleasure of only buying colours that suit me for all that time. What a saving in angst time and clutter. It felt frivolous at the time but I am still thankful that I did it. Maybe it will help you too.
This is making a comeback. I had my colors done by a woman trained by House of Colour. Some think it’s outdated and people should wear what they like, but when I saw how much better I looked in yellow-based autumn colors, I was sold. Still haven’t eliminated all my blacl clothes, but my make up now suits my palette and any new clothes fit my in my best colors. Added bonus–they all look good together so putting an outfit together is easy,which is perfect for this stay-at-home mom of four young children!
I do like the idea of not buying too many clothes. I question the getting rid of usable clothing. Just wear what you have until it wears out. I, like many women require two different sized wardrobes. I also get tired of wearing the same things, two weeks in a hotel and I look forward to going home to change out my clothes. But I love the idea of basic pieces in similar colors dressed up with jewelry. I think I’ll try that.
I’m okay with tossing clothing – meaning donate, in my case. (I don’t sell things.) Clothes not resold in stores by Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc., are sold to make rags, I don’t believe they are dumping clothes in landfills..
I didn’t wear everything in my closet so I had no problem getting rid of that stuff. I also just didn’t want my closet stuffed to the gills anymore, so weeding it out felt better.
I’m doing basics now too, using scarves to brighten if I feel like it. I love the classic colors! Black, white, gray, khaki, blue denim. :) I’m down to that.
Those charitable stores are dumping in landfills. Sell for $1
Goodwill stores, for one, do not dump into landfills their old clothing stock (their inventorying system being a color-coded 5-week turnover rate). I have spoken before with veteran Goodwill staff members who have explained to me that the 5-week-old clothing stock is thereafter bundled up and charitably shipped across seas to needy populations in second and third world countries (they can well afford to do this through their years of increasing profits, thankfully).
They also utilize other numerous methods of turning over all types of stock: Goodwill final clearance outlet stores; Goodwill online auction website; and also Ebay; (and probably a few other methods, whether local or national, that I am not presently aware of). Goodwill has come a very long way from where they were more than a decade ago. More than ever before, they are all about supporting the philosophy of recycling.
Fortunately, I happen to live in a city where there exists at least a half dozen Goodwill stores, as well as an ever-increasing number of thrift chains and boutiques. I have stocked 90% of my own wardrobe for 20+ years through the thrift market, online and offline. Just to add another encouragement to readers to support this thrift/recycling industry, it is a fact that I am unceasingly surprised how very, very often I step out my door into the public eye and receive some compliment (sometimes two or three) on my outfit; they rarely have a clue about my clothes’ origin and cost. And in connection to that fact, I am also unceasingly amazed at what very fine items our society just tosses over to Goodwill! But, on the other hand, however, in reference to the landfill comments, I am appalled at how our society can also toss to Goodwill drop-off sites/backrooms own pure un-salvageable, irreparable, unsalable junk at these stores, treating the recycling thrift industry’s outlets like landfills. The staff members haven’t a choice but to waste their own time (money) throwing such junk out into their own parking lot dustbins!
Thank you Frugirl I volunteer for the Salvation Army and the amount of crap dumped is shocking. I say to my neighbours …..think about it… would you buy it if you saw it ? I love my work there.. makes me feel good and tires me out. hugs Rita
Our local thrift store bundles unusable clothing for recycling. They get paid for it. They encourage donations of ALL clothing, stained, torn, etc.
I have been working on getting rid of excess for about six months. Clothing has been a little difficult. For about 8 years I did not have a washer or dryer and had to use a laundry mat. I hated it! Many times is was easier to buy more clothes. Therefore, I ended up with 4 closets and 2 dressers stuffed with clothing. I also had boxes in my garage. I finally got a new washer and dryer. I did one big clean out and got rid of a lot. Now I am down to 2 closets and one dresser. I am now going to try and remove at least 7 items per week. I want to get down to one closet. I live in Southern California so I don’t have a winter wardrobe to worry about.
I am not sure to understand your comment Kim. Even when buying new clothes you have to wash it first. Leftovers from dust, colour, most of our clothes came from Asia and had a long way to our body.
More on subject – I live with 20 pcs. per season (pants, skirts, shirts included) and was never better dressed. I now think twice before buying anything, it has to be perfect, high quality and timeless. Yes I do pay much more for clothes, but do buy clothes only 2-3 times per year and a good quality blazer goes a long way. I would also buy one expensive and good bag every two years, then have 10 of them, all nothing special and cheap. Also when one new things come to my closet, one old of the same sort has to go away. My closet is half empty and I love it that way.
My clothing closet is only 36″ wide so there isn’t much chance of collecting too many clothes BUT I do have to change out the clothes as the seasons change. Even though I have very little storage space, I did accumulate too many summer tops last year so I am having a clothes swapping party with girlfriends.
This summer I haven’t bought any news close, a first for me! My downfall – scarves – can’t have enough!
Looooove the girls swap idea
I’ve pared my clothes down to black, white, gray, blue denim, and khaki. A few brightly colored scarves. Classic has always worked for me, but PM (pre-minimalist) I was always buying bright colored basics and finally realized I always went back to .. black, white, gray, blue denim, and khaki. :) Now I just have the scarves to boost to bright if I want to.
Yes! This is exactly how I am.
I had to share this article with my sister who thinks she needs to purchase every item that goes on sale. Well done for pointing out the obvious. I only go shopping when I need something, and that’s not all that often these days.
this is a great post :) I love that initial quote! I came across this while looking for “best clothing brand nonsweatshop” and then i realize, I really should buy less.
I would like to thank you for this piece. I have been paring down for a few years and still have a bit of trouble or I go a bit overboard. The feeling of freedom, order and contentment is what I feel. I watch the tv show “hoarders” for inspiration to “let go”. I have an advertising background and have known a long time the marketing “tricks” for us consumers to constantly consume, consume, consume, yet I still have succumbed.
One day it hit me that I have too much, I found sport jackets in my closets that I either forgot about, where very rarely, don’t fit, etc., “I like, but always gravitate to my favorites, the rationale in my head is “someday I may need that, or I spent money on that, or that was a gift, or I can give that to my son as he grows, etc.” Then I close the closet door. I had found comfort in a “packed closet”, I grew up with the bare minimum because that’s how my parents were trained albeit poverty. So I’ve realized I feel a sense of success by having so many choices, I feel a sense of “I’m rich because I have a lot of stuff”. or “I’m not poor anymore.” Anyway, I have been taking steps. One funny thing I did that sounds weird but works, I have these beautiful itchy expensive sweaters that I found hard to part with and I was looking at my couch’s throw pillows, I placed a pillow inside the sweater and tied a knot with the arms and tucked them in. Funny, weird, frugal yes. Another tip I learned is when shopping learn of the marketing tricks like “buy one get on free”, buy one get one half price”, “if you sign up for our credit card you will get a good discount,” and so on. Just the other day I was looking at a Mets hoodie, $65 a plain hoodie without the logo can be found for less than $20. So do the math, when you shop. Another tip is I overshop with elation when things are on sale, I get a sense of “wow, such a deal how can I resist, or I deserve it, or aren’t I lucky to find such a bargain-I’m getting “over on this store”-suckers, or this is retail therapy-I’m frustrated or mad, anyway the “high” doesn’t last too long, or I feel guilty and ignore how irrational that was. So anyway this is what I have been doing, I will shop and take the so called “bargains” and then rationalize well that was onsale and what I really need isn’t on sale but the bargain I got on the other stuff kinda makes up for the full priced item-be it I really need it or not, I fill the cart, maybe try some on and weed out the wrong ones, but the little hoarder in me still wants the other stuff, so then I take the shopping cart and ask someone near the dressing room to watch it for a bit. I walk thru the store, maybe get a cup of coffee and think about what I really need, regardless if its BOGO, or whatever is on sale or not, I weed out again, then I roll the cart to the check out area, and look again and weed out. So I now leave the store either empty handed LOL, or feel content. If when I get home I have a duplicate, (oops), I discard the old one or bring the new one back. I also use cash now, not the store cards, debit cards or regular credit cards and save tons more…end result, less guilt and I donate more of my income to charity (feels soooo good), less to dry clean, mend, shove in etc. These actions I am putting in place one cubby at a time–it was overwhelming at first–then I decided do it slowly and it’s working. Dishes 8 sets- now 3. everyday, formal, melamine for summer. I re-gifted the good sets, but I also let the person know, kitchen gadgets–I laughed at the old popcorn air popper, the yogurt maker and french press’s. Really, I’m going to make yogurt, what was I thinking, oh thats right it was on “sale”, or “i got that for nothing at a yard sale”, etc. Now I shop with lists of what I “really” need and that helps me a lot. Consumption is a hard thing for me to combat growing up poor and a bit needy, but now I feel “smarter” controlling myself, even if it’s free, and I have space…in my head, in my house, in my closet etc. I feel not “denied” but wiser. As for that corporate girl concerned with “climbing the ladder, who’s wearing what, what do other people think, etc.” that’s your problem, there’s nothing more classy and intelligent in the corporate world of a woman who dresses in “fine” clothing and minimal jewlery, it shows to me that the woman knows who she is, what’s really important, and how confident she is, and fiscal responsiblity and maturity”–don’t worry what people think, worry what you think.” and the ladder obsession won’t be so important and you’ll get there anyway or you’ll realize “climbing the corporate ladder is for people caught up in the game of empty consumerism”. Sorry I rambled on so long.
I think paragraph separations are also free
Now, was that nice? Shame on you.
That was rude and unnecessary. A kind word goes a long way. You were hurtful and unkind, and that reflects poorly on your character. Do better, be better.
Joe,
This long post was so worth it! Thanks for taking the time to write it. I agree with it. I am also a girl climbing the corp ladder & struggling with the these things. Realizing that the fine dress and minimal jewelry (with less junk& more cash in pocket or to help others) is soooo rewarding! Good luck & keep on
These will have to be my 10 commandments next year I think – I’m embarking on a ‘wardrobe challenge’ where I buy nothing new for 12 long months. Check out my progress at theethicalwardrobe.com!
That was my New Year’s resolution too Sophie. No clothes for 12 mths. I haven’t managed to cull anything yet though. Keep looking but don’t know where to start.
It’s easier to remove the ‘keepers’ sometimes ie your capsule wardrobe and favourites than remove what to get rid of. Once you take out the special clothes then it’s easier to work out what should be kept or not. Makes it less overwhelming. Works for shoes and bags too.
when getting dressed to have lunch or whatever with a friend ,tons of clothes wind up on the floor and the bed, and finally , I manage to find something that is not too bad to actually wear with a certain amount of confidence.When I get home ,I hang everything lying around back into the closet. This is precisely the problem for me ,now , I just simply throw all these clothes in a trash bag and donate .So if I don’t absolutely love what it does for me, I immediately toss it. And now I choose clothes more wisely and therefore I do keep clothes to a minimum and dressing time is brought down to moments ,and no work to make order again in my bedroom.and I have experienced this quiet “joy” and “peace” that minimalists speak of .Less is more
very helpful. my closet is packed but the eye-opener for me came when I was late for work the other day b/c i had changed clothes SEVEN times. how can i have “nothing to wear” with a full closet? i realized some of these are clothes I used to love but no longer do. time to purge. (side benefit = happy husband who has to share a closet with me!) :)
I read a different blog recently that recommended keeping a box in the bottom of the closet for just this type of occasion. When you do a round of put it on and realize you hate it just toss it into the box so you don’t end up on an endless loop of realizing you don’t like an item that got hung back up.
These are great ideas! I have way too much clothes and could really use the extra space. Thanks!
Thank you for this simple guide. Just reading your ideas helps to set me in the right direction for less accumulation and paring down. I feel slightly suffocated by all my stuff!
I love the suggestion of putting a moratorium on purchasing any clothing.
Recently, I visited a thrift distribution center that feeds other locations of that store. There is so much! They are constantly opening and placing new bins. People dig through it, not caring if they knock items onto the ground. Many of the items are perfectly usable, but they have little value as someone else’s cast off junk. It hurt my heart to see so much waste in our society. It wasn’t until I got that overwhelmingly sick feeling that I really truly began to grasp the reality of what a gluttonous society we have proven ourselves to be now.
To truly get full use of these items, everyone would need to stop all new purchases and use up this excess for quite a length of time.
I couldn’t help but think, where does this waste begin? I believe it is the initial purchaser who makes the choice. If we only purchase what we love, in good quality, and use it up, then we are being wise stewards. If we carelessly buy to the point that we have little choice but to discard from our collection in some way the items that were not even really considered until they were in our closets, we have created waste, and carry the responsibility.
The producers would slow down and create more quality with great fabrics, if that was all we invested in for our families. The excess can only be curbed by the consumer. Until then, I’ll be using up, wearing out, making it do, or doing without.
I think that is a mantra for living minimally: Using up, Wearing out, Making it do , or Doing without.
Please don’t give marginal clothing to Goodwill or similar. As someone before posted they ship it overseas – but it isn’t going to clothe the needy there either but to factories who use it as furniture filler, throw pillow stuffing etc. Please please think of the energy and expense to send what are essentially rags thousands of miles on a gas guzzling container and then back again shoved into in a cheap product made by people making slave wages….
Cotton clothing is compostable. Cut it into strips before putting it in your compost pile OR the landfill (it will degrade quickly as opposed to a lot of other things – even processed foods). Cut off the buttons etc and put them in a jar to sell at a garage sale or give to goodwill – people who sew or make crafts buy buttons all the time. I know because I give them to friends to sell at their garage sales and they always are the first things bought.
Scrap rugs are super easy to make – even me, who was born without a craft gene, can and do do it. I got my easy instructions off the internet. And they sell great on etsy or fairs. Gives you something to do in the evenings that does not demand a lot of skill but is useful and look great. Even kids can do it. Can be done with all manner of fabrics as well. For example silky polyester makes really nice placemats…
And sorry but you better keep two of some things – like swimsuits if you are even thinking of swimming. A suit that is fine one year can fall apart by the time you get it out for next year and of course just when you wanted to pack it for a last minute trip!! It’s the elastic that can go quickly.( ask me how many times it has happened to be over the years;) u til ai learned to keep two!!
Great one! I’m sure those who have plenty can make use of this guide. I just find this funny because while some people on this planet have too much clothes, I know and see a lot of people literally wearing rags! Very old and worn out clothes! Talk about irony!
Thanks so much for this article. Two years ago, I started weeding items out of my closet. My hair went completely grey and I decided to embrace the color and change my wardrobe accordingly, black, white, denim. It’s been very freeing to have fewer decisions to make and save the mental energy for more important things.
I’m very happy tto find this great site. I want to to thank yyou for your time for this particularly wonderful read!!
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I need to print this out and put it on my refrigerator! Great tips on how to live with less clothes. In a society where we constantly feel the need to have more, it’s reassuring to know that I am able to live with less.
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I am going to do the same!
& will not buy anything that screams “SALE” or buy 2 get 3rd for free… etc. For a month and hope it works and becomes a habit after that!
I remember when I lived in the USA for 2 years. I just could not shop. I hated shopping for clothes. I would go to the store and could not get myself to go through all the racks to choose clothing. I got anxious just to look at the options available. I do not like shopping. I mean I like someone to come with me and tell me what suits me. But I hate spending hours in the shops.
So in 2 and a half years in the USa I must have bought about 5 clothing items.
Then in 2001 I got given my sister’s clothes. She had passed away, and she had lovely clothes. I wore those without purchasing anything till 2004 when I got pregnant. I remember a financial advisor could not believe I didn’t spend money on clothes.
Since having my children my wardrobe has shrunk. I know I still have things I could give away, but I am hoping I would fit sometime in them since I like them.
I still do not shop for clothes. Only when I need to.
Enjoyed these tips. I am trying to stop shopping and declutter my home for a while. I am interested in minimalism but I don’t know if I can give up that much stuff. I can recommend a good book that helps me let go of clutter. Goodbye clutter, hello simplicity. My husband actually bought it for me because we are living with a spare room filled with my off season clothes, my son’s toys and games, and a guest bed underneath boxes of other things. I am getting through it with guidance from the book. Making progress.
Fabulous – I have some really beautiful quirky clothes that I love – but I also have a huge pile of so so clothes, many of which I bought simply because they were cheap. My real weakness is charity shop buying – clothes so cheap that it doesn’t appear to matter whether I need them or even want them….
Life is more enjoyable without the endless choice and I often find that my favourite clothes lay unworn as I save them for “best” rather than enjoying them daily.
One of the great things about getting older is working out what really suits me and not buying into the whole “fashion” idea. Thank you – I will be looking deeply into my clothing philosophy as spring begins.
Great article indeed.
We need to know how to go minimal at home too like with the furniture and so, please give us an article about that. Thankss!
I just don’t know how to Decrease number of clothes on my closet, almost every weekend I am going in JCpenny (www.jcpenneycomsurvey.com) and bringing at home clothes which I choose, I think this stuff is my life and I can’t through them ..
My father supported his family by working in a business related to NYC’s garment district in the 1970s. The apparel industry in the US pretty much disappeared after that. Much of the “technology” and know-how about manufacturing clothes has been lost here (I.e. Sweaters and knitwear which used to be a thriving industry in the Northeast and Mid-west). Today, the garment industry in America is SLOWLY starting to revive. The way I simplified my wardrobe decisions is to seek out clothes Made in the USA.
I have found several USA brands that work really well for my love of fashion and fit my budget. I may spend a little more on a single garment than I would at a department store, but annually, I spend less. I notice several things about these brands:
1. When I buy them in shops, they are indepently owned stores, not chains. $ funnels right back to the local economy.
2. They are consistently sized, so I can also buy them online.
3. They use good quality fabrics.
4. Designs show innovation and thought.
5. Their websites show pictures of the their factories – creating jobs right here in the USA!
So I just wanted to add this to the discussion here. I advocate having less, but I also advocate making what you do have meaningful on as many levels as you possibly can. That is my recipe for a true sense of abundance!
It has been at least 25 years since I have boight anything to wear (that the public sees) anywhere other than second hand. Every item I have owned in that time has come from a friend, a yard sale or a thrift store. I worked in an office all those years and received many, many compliments on my clothes. I was usually the best dressed person in the room due to the face that I could affort really high end clothing for little cost. I love thrift stores!
If you love your clothes, you won’t need a constant stream of new ones. However, I do understand the feeling of buying something new to yourself to relieve boredom and depression. I always feel good with a new dress that I love. Just adopt the “one in-one out” rule. If a new top comes in, one has to go out.
I don’t have a problem keeping my clothes pared down. My greatest problem is shoes…
I’m a minimalist . . . living in a 525 sq. ft. studio condo I purchased a little over a year ago.
I think my biggest piece of advice on clothing is this: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO WEAR THE SAME THING TO WORK EVERYDAY. No one cares. And no one remembers anyway. I mean think about it: Do you remember what a co-worker wore yesterday? I don’t. I often wish we ALL had uniforms for work! LOL!
Here are my clothing tips:
1) During winter/cold weather, I wear only black leggings. I do own one pair of jeans, but other than that, black leggings. Really makes it easy to dress for work in the morning. They’re also comfortable and can easily accommodate any fluctuations in weight, eating a big meal, etc. Wearing black leggings every day is no different than people who wear jeans everyday. And nobody criticizes those people! So, again, don’t be afraid!
2) I buy only black shoes. I have a dress pair of black slip ons and a casual pair of black slip ons for everyday, work, etc. I also have one pair of black sandals. I have a pair of running shoes, hiking shoes, flipflops . . . and that’s it for shoes.
3) In the warmer weather, I switch to skirts. I only wear pull on types of skirts, elastic waist, etc. And I stick to the classic, timeless colors: black, navy, gray, khaki. And I don’t wear pantyhose. Bare legs are fine even if they’re white! Again, who cares?
4) As for tops . . . I found simple, long sleeve (for winter) and short sleeve (for summer) t-shirts at JC Penney and bought a bunch of different colors. Same with some cardigans. The tops and cardigans all mix and match and go right on top of the black leggings in the winter and my skirts in the summer.
5) I don’t own anything that has to be dry-cleaned (except a black winter dress coat). Or ironed.
6) Be careful with socks . . . those can easily multiply. I own three pairs of black trouser socks (same); three pairs of black running socks (same); and three pairs of winter, wool socks (I wear these when I walk to work everyday); and one pair of hiking socks. And note “same.” When socks are the same, it makes it much easier to put away laundry.
7) I own one pair of swim shorts and a swim tank top. I don’t buy swimsuits. Not necessary unless you swim laps in a pool.
8) I don’t buy any weird or current “style” that I know will look dated once it goes out of style. Stick to the classic, timeless pieces. And this isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do.
9) Everything I own fits me and feels good on me. So, I actually wear everything I own.
10) I own two black bras that are the same (plus two black running bras). And I spent some money on these . . . they’re quality (Warcoal and Lulemon) but I’ve had them for YEARS. And I only have six pairs of black underwear which are all the same.
11) If I feel like it, I accessorize with some jewelry and scarves. But not always.
12) I don’t wear make up or paint my nails. I own a bottle of perfume for special occasions, but not for every day use. I don’t buy hair products, except hair spray.
And this is just a miscellaneous tip . . . but years ago I remember reading some time-saving tips and it said to have kids sleep in sleeping bags as a way to minimize dealing with sheets, blankets, comforters, laundry, making beds, etc., etc. So, that’s what I do for myself! I have a fitted bottom sheet and in the winter, I use my down bag (unzipped) like a blanket. When the weather gets warmer, I switch to just a blanket. But I NEVER use a flat sheet. And the down bag is so warm, I completely shut off my heat at night thereby saving energy and money. Anyway, this is a great way to save money on bedding, not to mention the time spent dealing with it.
Wow! Some really great ideas. Thanks.
I made my own uniform for work
jeans
summer=4 shirts (two patterns) Friday is lucky dip from the small wardrobe
winter=long sleeve tops under a fleece
luckily work is casual so no one cares, you just have to look presentable
A lot of great tips. I especially like the idea of embracing 1 of sneakers, purses, etc.
Thanks so much for this article!!. I am in middle of that road and applying to everything in my life for the last decade. i am 45 and i got to the point where i realised we dont NEED much to live. Applying that principle to my travelling too – that´s indeed where it all began for me, backpacking and later a small campervan for 4. I feel free now and i will never go back to old days!
One black dress? lol :) I recommend owning only what you love. We have so much that we don’t truly enjoy and wear. If we don’t get to the root cause of why we buy so much, we just declutter, buy, rinse and repeat.
Fashion is temporary. Style is forever.
I live in 4 seasons and the only thing I store in a shoe box is hats, gloves and scarf. Everything else fits in my dresser and my half of the closet hanging rod. I do have a small cedar closet that I keep a few skirts and dresses and my mother’s wedding dress as well. That’s it. Everything is easy to see and match up. I downsized all parts of my wardrobe. It is nice not to have the drawers so full I can’t shut them. I also have different sizes but not a lot of them.
This was amazing and so eye opening for someone who defines themselves by what they have and not who they are. So helpful. Thanks x10000000
I am in the middle of this journey. I have downsized quite a bit since working from home. I am starting to see a clothing pattern rise from the dust. I keep wanting to replace basics with quality pieces that are timeless and last but where do I find them???? Expensive isn’t always better. Be careful, we Americans are crafty in our marketing. There are some outrageously priced clothing labels popping up and trying to take advantage of people that want to have a capsule wardrobes. I don’t care who or what made them but I will never pay $195.00 for a pair of jeans to wear every day! You can’t tell me it’s quality just because it costs more. What stores/labels have you found that are quality construction? I would appreciate any input. Thanks
Shop Goodwill.
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle.
Just bought a gorgeous Vera Wang dress there–$4.99 and a pair of white sandals (new) $2.99!!! So for just under $8.00, I got a perfect outfit I needed to wear for a wedding— and these quality pieces I found will be used over and over again :)
I have recently gone down the ‘monochromatic’ wardrobe route and have simplified my wardrobe so much because of it – dressing is so much easier in the morning’s now and I only ever wore colour because people told me I wear “too much black” anyway! By culling numerous clothes and re-wearing items when not necessary to wash every time, using one towel per week etc I only do one load of washing per week (compared to a flatmates 4-5 loads per week for one person!!!). I’ve been able to donate a large number of items to charity, simplify my life, change my outlook on shopping and reduce my footprint on the earth at the same time. Definitely a good feeling :)
I wish you would start a poll asking how much minimalist people spend on clothing a month/year CURRENTLY… vs. How much they USED to spend!
I’d be curious to see what people say. :)
Yes! I instituted a “Shopping ban” years ago for financial reasons, and just stayed with it because it made me happier.
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
I appreciate thought process and the philosophy behind this but its hard to live an active or athletic lifestyle like this. A separate set of clothing for working out in is necessary because no one wants to go to the gym then go out to dinner or go to work wearing a sweaty exercise shirt and shorts. As a philosophy of paring down to just what you need for funtional practical purposes is a good idea.
Agreed. I have a list of “necessary” items, and 7 days of workout clothes is on it. I can’t even re-wear them the next day, they are so sweaty. So this gets me a week before doing laundry and encourages me to work out every day.
I think it’s not so much about how many, how much, but do you love it? Keep what you love, love what you keep, use what you keep, and enjoy caretaking what you keep. That may mean 10 black dresses for some of us, or 4 complete seasonal changes for others. Bottom line: don’t hang onto stuff for 1) Nostalgia, 2) It was expensive, 3) I’ll fit into it someday.
I would add another rule that works well for me: Never buy clothes online unless you are buying an exact replacement for something you love. I have wasted more money than I can count on online purchases of clothes and shoes that were either “good enough maybe” so I kept them, realizing later I hated them OR hated them on sight but waited too long to mail them back. I only get to buy in person, where I can try it on and see if it’s really worth my closet space.
Already added to my favorite blogs list
I love this so much!!
Naye Sapane
Naye Apne
Naye Vade
Naye Kasme
Naye Manzil
Naye Rahe
Nayi Baat
Naya Vishwas
Kooch Simple
Kooch Khas
Har Pal rahe Bindass
Happy New Year
I have only black or gray pants and jackets, which means I only need black or gray shoes and socks. I bring color into the look in my shirts and scarves. I have 1 gray and 2 black purses of different sizes for different needs. I started doing this because I was traveling a lot and it made for easier and lighter packing. However I found it made my home life easier (and smaller) too. I have a fraction of the clothes most of my friends have, and operate strictly on the “one in one out” rule, however I still think I could do better.
Good afternoon, I am starting this process slowly. Here’s my dilemma I work in public safety therefore I have a ton of uniforms that I have to wear keep in mind I work in the fire service and EMS so keeping extra uniforms are a must for those days. Along with this I am also a consultant for my own company therefore need to keep things for that too so we do I draw the line.
I have found this lifestyle to be such a blessing in semi-retirement. While waiting for my husband to retire next year, I have been downsizing in major ways. My clothes are now pima cotton tees and denim on most days. Black jeans and a couple of dressy tops for special occasions and that about covers it. I am searching for my easy winter wardrobe now ~ sorting and purging. I have found another simple but wonderful help both clothes minded and money saving. We incorporated a small 4 shelf plastic shelf with 4 cheap clothes baskets near our laundry in the basement. I wrote “white”, “colors”, “jeans” and “work” on each basket. Laundry is only once a week and our utilities have really dropped…. simple wardrobe helps in many ways! I can hardly wait to both be retired and have more time to enjoy our simple way of life! Love your site!
ugh I don’t know where to start, my daughters tell me “mom you need to get rid of some of your clothes” how? I have a hard time parting from it.. I’m always thinking of other ways to update it with new trends.. it is so difficult..I have it separated by colors.
My closet is overwhelming.. !! I will buy a piece, go home and it doestn’t go with anything.. HELP!