I had a thought (rare, I know) as I was running past the speed cameras this morning. You know the film My Fair Lady – the scene where Eliza Dolittle is at the races and she shouts at one of the horses “Move your bloomin’ arse”? Well, I expect that message to flash up at me when I run past them, rather than the large, illuminated, 30mph sign that flashes as cars approach too quickly.
Carrying on from yesterday’s post, today I am going to bring you shots of the process I went through in de-cluttering my Wardrobe. Having a neat and tidy Wardrobe, containing only those items that really work for you and that you feel good in, is definitely a great place to start.
This picture shows the heap of clothes that was expelled from my Wardrobe.
These are the shoes with which I will be parting.
The next task was to sort the clothes and shoes into piles. I put all coats together, all skirts, trousers, tops etc, just to bring some sort of semblance to the proceedings…
…and then bagged them up accordingly. I haven’t quite decided what to do with everything yet but I feel much happier now that a thorough edit has taken place and that it is all neatly ordered.
Naturally, as you might imagine, when going through the pile there were one or two things that I retrieved. I am going to see whether there is a way to re-style them before making a final decision.
I have it on good authority that tomorrow, along with three or four other bloggers, I may be making an appearance in the Daily Mail. I knew it was in the offing, having spoken with the journalist a couple of times and having had a photographer come to the house last week. I am letting you know this with some trepidation (and some uncertainty as to whether it will be in tomorrow or Thursday)…just in case you wanted to take a peek, which is exactly what I will be doing, through one eye.
Tomorrow, in the second of my Wardrobe de-clutter posts, I will bring you some pictures from inside my Wardrobe. I am not quite sure whether I am more nervous about that, or the Daily Mail article but having started down the rocky road, there’s no turning back now.
Goodness!Do you have anything left in your wardrobe? Wish I knew which charity shop will be lucky enough to get a nice donation (although it would help if I was your size I suppose…)Looking forward to the DM article.
Hi Kathy – yes, too many some would say! I am looking forward to the DM article too, I think. Will let you know tomorrow!
WOW! Had to show this to my hubby just to prove that i really do not have that many items in my wardrobe even BEFORE a declutter!! lol! I do love a declutter though now & then. Very theraputic ( even if i do end up putting most things back!!) xx
Hi Amanda, so does your husband agree that your wardrobe isn't too big after all?
All i got was a look that said different. Oh well i tried! hehe x
A friend of mine asked her husband to take all her clothes from before a certain era to a charity shop without letting her see the clothes and without telling her which charity shop it was going to. A few days later she was driving past a local charity shop and saw a lovely top in the window which she subsequently went back in to buy – you guessed it I'm sure – it was her own top!
Great story. At least the charity shop would have been pleased. I think she was very trusting in allowing her husband to do that. Was it just a ruse to get a whole load of new clothes?!
I'm intrigued as to how you store your shoes, I can see that you've kept the boxes so do you stack them? Photograph them? memorise them? Or leave them in a heap? Shoeboxes in this house go straight to the children to be made into something 'creative' and then snuck into the recyclling some time later.
Hi! I do try to keep most shoe boxes, with the shoes in them, unless stored as shown in today's post. There are a few pairs that I wear all the time which are scattered around and about. I always stash a few shoe boxes away for the Christmas shoe box appeal though.
Hello,In response to the Mail's article yesterday: please ignore those negative useless comments as I'm sure you will. I am a 39 year old mum of 2 – approaching the school gate full time in September & it is important to me that I have ny wardrobe sorted by then so I definitely appreciate your website! I am also pregnant (due July) so my wardrobe at the moment is awful!!The DM article made a very interestng point in that as a Mum, you have to change your wardrobe 'rules' and I have found that very challenging given that I love my LK Bennett heels, patent grab handle bags & fitted dresses. It is hard to re-define yourself in casual when you're used to smart only to eventually go 'hang on – this isn't really me!' I have really had to think about what I wear & I don't really do casual clothes so it has been an interesting change – and not one which I feel I've managed to succeed with yet. Anyway, for some of us it is important how our children see us & the habits we want to instill in them so I think it is important to make an effort for the school run. In practice however at the moment, that is way easily said than done!! I started my wardrobe edit earlier this year & flogged loads of stuff on Ebay (incl. LKBs – and you know, I don't actually miss them!) so I am ready to start again. I have had a new look at the Hobbs website & ordered a few things – so thanks for inspiring me. The DM readers on-line are an interesting breed & need to be taken with a large pinch of salt!Right…over to tea time now!!Sarah
Hello Sarah and thank you for your thoughtful comment. Re your pregnancy, Laura who runs the "Wearing It Today" blog is currently pregnant so that may be a great place for inspiration for you. I don't quite understand how taking a little bit of effort with your appearance, and being a good Mum, are pereceived to be mutually exclusive! My Mum always sat at a dressing table and did her hair and makeup every morning and so I just assumed that's what women did. I understand the whole point about having to re-define yourself but I would imagine that your casual style will just be a less formal equivalent of your work style – I know mine is – I still like structure, patent, a blazer, nice scarves etc – but I just wear them in a different way now. Do keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Beth
Thanks Beth. I will definitely check out Laura's blog…and I'll be damned if all the patent bits are going! In fact, picked up a nice patent purse only today in H&M!
Must ask, what are you doing with all of your old clothes? Selling on here perhaps? ;0)
Hello! Still haven't decided what to do with them – they are still sitting in our bedroom! Did you mean to include a link to the word "here" or did you mean selling them on the blog?
Sell them on the blog! xxxI'm sure there are loads of us that would like a virtual rummage through your clothes :0)
Hi Beth im new to your blog after reading it in this months W/H fasanating reading . Well done for taking the blung in starting some think new and congrats at its success. I think you should sell you cloths you have sorted out on your blog as im sure there would be lots of ladys willing to purchas them and then donate part of it to a charity ! Good luck . Maria