This is the third post on building a Capsule Wardrobe for the 2016 Clutter Cleanse. You can read see my list of wardrobe basics and complete task #1 and also see my list of accessories and complete task #2 to get started.

So what are you wearing? What aren’t you wearing? Did the two exercises help you identify what you actually wear, what you love but never wear and what’s been sitting in your closet for someday? The goal was to see that you probably are wearing 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time. If that’s you, don’t be scared – you are not alone. Most Westerners have a lot of clothing but wear very little of it.

For more help on capsule wardrobes, the building and the choosing, check out these smart style mavens:

• The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley Morgan. This book was revolutionary for me – I’m an hourglass shape! – and reduced my stress about what to wear. I don’t like shopping for clothes and Hayley had great tips in this book for working with your own body type, budget and lifestyle to create a functional and fashionable capsule wardrobe.
• Project333 by Courtney Carver. I think it’s been at least five years since Courtney started this daring greatly minimalist fashion experiment. Thirty-three pieces for three months. You box up everything else and get on with your life with just your best mix and match garments, jewellery and shoes. Check out the #project333 Instagram stream for real life ideas.
• Un-Fancy.com chronicles Caroline’s 37 piece seasonal wardrobes. I’m very partial to her style: easy wearing casual pieces with lots of neutrals and some blues. The purpose of her capsule wardrobe: “I wondered if I could trade my stuff for more time, contentment, and joy.”  That’s pretty much the goal of this blog.

how to get rid of clothes you don’t wear

Big task #3, the one you have three days to complete, is to box up what you’re not wearing. That’s right: put it all away. Live with your essentials and only your essentials for a while. When you feel like you need another article of clothing go and shop your storage instead of the stores. Aim for three months with those boxes out of sight and your calm, spacious and edited closet in use. Then evaluate again: what are you missing, what are you still not wearing much.

Ready to let go? Then do it. Bag up those in great condition items and donate them. Set yourself free from all that clothing you bought for all the wrong reasons or that is for a life you no longer live.

Donate and dispose of your clothing the correct way. Excellent condition pieces can be sent to charity. The stuff in not great condition can be sent for textile recycling. If you didn’t catch it the first time, read this Atlantic article on our fast fashion consumption that has skyrocketed since the 1980s, the global impact of it, and what you can do to help. Charities only end up selling 10-20% of the clothing donations they receive. The rest is sold by the pound to textile recyclers. Look up textile recycling options in your community or ask a charity shop where they send clothing donations that can’t be sold.

The final piece: buy less clothing this year. If you feel there are gaps in your wardrobe start a list of what you need. Wait patiently. Start a 30 day buy-list or set two to three dates a year for buying new clothing. For one off occasions try to borrow clothing from a friend or consider renting a formal dress instead of buying one. Start a bi-annual clothing swap with friends to freshen up your wardrobe for free and pass on some of your own clothing that isn’t being worn. Shop your closet or your friend’s closet instead of the stores. Evaluate. Are you enjoying life less or more with a smaller wardrobe and no random ‘for fun’ shopping?

As Caroline said, trade your stuff for more contentment, time and joy.

How did you do with week one and your wardrobe? Victories? Defeats?