Intervention, Please!
Hi. My name is the DCGF, and my closet has become unmanageable.
I can no longer control the management or maintenance of my wardrobe.
It has taken over my house, my car, my office, and even my husband’s closet and dresser drawers. He is none too pleased.
I can’t do laundry because if I do, I have no place to put the clean clothes. My dresser drawers are so full that I broke the face off of one of them. My three closets are overflowing, and I don’t have the time or energy to clean them out. Not only that, but lots of things no longer fit me, but I’m convinced I will fit into them again with just a little more dieting and exercising. That day never seems to come. So, I hold onto them and dream of wearing them again. And they take up space. Lots and lots and lots of space.
I have shoes I haven’t worn in years, but I can’t part with them because I bought them in Paris at Galeries Lafayette. Out of style Sergio Rossi’s. Manolos from my wedding. And some Rene Caovilla hand-painted pumps in a size 6.5 that I bought for myself even though I wear a size 7.5 (below). They are so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes.
My letter jacket from high school.
My black, blue and white motorcycle jacket from when I owned a black, blue and white Kawasaki Ninja (7 years ago), and matching boots and helmet. I haven’t ridden a motorcycle in years.
A vintage white cashmere coat with a gigantic fur collar. I never wear it, but how can I part with it? You can’t buy a coat like this at Macy’s.
3 different sizes of the exact same black bootcut pants. 500 white t-shirts. And so much cheap crap from Forever 21, I can’t even begin to describe it all. But I like quantity sometimes over quality! Diversity is a good thing!
I have nightmares of Ingwa Melero gowns, BCBG leather pants, Gucci handbags and green vintage leather coats pushing me out of my own bedroom! They’re taking over! My house is not a home!
And the problem is, I just keep shopping! I find so much great stuff at low prices everywhere these days (especially at Goodwill, as you know), I keep bringing more and more “must-have fashion” into the house. My husband’s favorite line is, “Great. Another coat.”
I need professional help. Is there a rehab for too much fashion?
9 comments:
In all honesty what you need is an image consultant.
We specialize in helping women make the most of their image. Included in imaging services are closet reconstruction, and pairing together outfits in new/unexpected ways that help you get the most out of your wardrobe.
Be forwarned. - Often closet reconstruction does mean getting rid of old, outdated, damaged, ill fitting or unuseful (to the client) pieces of clothing. The good thing is you'll feel GREAT minus the clutter and find great homes for what you can't use.
Also an image consultant can help you to identify your shopping habits and make a plan that works for you so you can shop smarter and avoid buying items that don't work for your body type and/or lifestyle.
Aside from that, in all honesty, you may have to set a plan in place that limits the amount of shopping you do. Who has money to waste on clothing you won't use?
Depending on why you shop, therapy could be an option but that is only something you (and possibly your husband) would know!
Shoot me an email if you'd like more information on my or another image consultant's services. I could recommend some!
Blessings!
That was me two years ago...the problem with having so much stuff is that:
A. You don't know what you have
B. It stresses you out - there's no room, there's no time to find things, it is just lots of clutter
C. It's expensive (even with thrift store purchases!)
D. You can't fully utilize your closet.
So...yes. I was in the same boat after graduating from college, and I went for the brutal method: I invited over a girlfriend one weekend and went ahead with it.
Step 1: Take EVERYTHING out of your closets (seriously. All at once.)
Step 2: Sort into pants, skirts, dresses, etc.
Step 3: Try EVERYTHING on, group by group and decide where it belongs:
--keep in closet (items which fit great, look wonderful, and are in good condition)
--keep for posterity (old Halloween costumes, the letter jacket, vintage items that you want to pass on eventually to a daughter/niece/relative, etc...)
--keep for six months (this was the bag for all the things I loved but couldn't fit into or it was just time for them to leave. Mine was about two bags of things my friend raised her eyebrows at "Bridge--that's waaaay too tight" or things that just didn't look so good. I did my sort during June after graduating, and I kept these in the very back of a closet and brought them back out in December. I only ended up keeping one of the items, and I only regret giving away one of the items that I could have made over---I have some sewing skills now that could have made the fabric into something else)
--give away (clothing swap, Goodwill, friends, etc...)
--throw away/rag bin (I actually kept a shirt, a sweatshirt, jeans, and falling apart shoes in a bag in my closet to be used for gardening, house-painting, or other things)
--other (have lots of old tshirts? make a t shirt quilt! have a sweater that ended up being way too big but you love the color and feel of the yarn? take the sweater apart and knit into a scarf)
Step 4: wine
I had 14 bags left to go to goodwill, and everything finally fits into my closet. It was a pretty impressive victory.
(also---another thing to do is if you're getting rid of things you love is to have a friend do a photo shoot with you - it can be kind of fun!)
WOW... you ladies are sooooo helpful! I know just the friend to help me with this project, and she is coming to visit on December 3rd. I am going to make an appointment with her, not to be broken under any circumstances!!!
And yeah, I shop too much. No denying that!
DCGF, there are so few things we have left to treasure, there is NO need for fashion rehab. However, it is evident that chaos has ensued in your closets and those danties and damasks must be organized. It's time to take that long hard look at what you can part with and what you can't. Craigslist is a beautiful thing if you want to sell of your clothes (I have a friend who had the same problem and she turned a nice profit). Good luck, and as always, thanks for sharing. Oh, and by the way I'm salivating over those Rene Caovilla's. They wouldn't fit me either.
Miss Carla, a truer word was never spoken. Those danties and damasks DO need to be organized. Are you free next weekend??? Ha ha!
OMG! I thought I was bad...I do sympathize with you...Thanks to Bridget for the GREAT advice. I can really use some of her tips. I hope it works for you as well. Good Luck! :)
Traci D.
http://www.pdwebstore.com
I agree with Bridget and Deborah, you need to stop, drop, and organize. A good way to curb your future shopping might be to really sit down and add up everything you spend on clothes per month, convert it to see what percentage of your monthly income it is, and then cut it in half-- for starters. Perhaps make a deal with yourself, for every item you bring home, you must get rid of something you haven't worn in 6 months. Good luck - I'm right there with you fighting the thrifting addiction... :)
Hey!
I, too, LOOOOOVE fashion HOWEVER I've use self-reflection plan to keep me from overspending.
Let it be summer: there are a total of 12 weekends in one summer. And let's say you dress up twice each weekend. Now, wear each "weekend outfit" only once each month (a total of three times over the entire summer), then you still only need MAX 8 summer weekend outfits. IF THAT. But I'm sure you have more than 8 choices when going out. Same for happy hour, working out, slinky lingerie...no need to own more than you can actually use.
I also think that it's good to spare yourself wasting money on "cheap crap from Forever 21." How many of those items do you really love and how many would you not even miss if they disappeared? Buying great pieces that you love- even if they are a bit more expensive- saves you space and money in the long run b/c the high they provide lasts longer which, with self-control, will cause you to buy less.
Take what you're spending on clothes and put it towards mutual funds, your IRA, or paying off the mortgage early...you can even put that money towards an extra-fabulous vacation each year.
It sounds like you need a closet "make-under" (as opposed to a "makeover")
Here is a link to my tips on how to pare down your wardrobe:
http://www.skinnydip.ca/?id=2082234053654051075
Enjoy & Good luck! :)
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