So before I can hoof it over the Atlantic to my new home in Scotland there are some things to do (apart from not thinking about leaving my twinie, and the rest of my fam and friends).
It turns out that we will be carrying everything we need in Edinburgh in two medium-sized suitcases each. Going by my current closet status, I can fit my boots in one suitcase, my sweaters in another, jackets in the third, tees and blouses in the fourth, and because I’m a generous wifey person, I’ll give Matt a quarter of the fourth suitcase for his clothes. He doesn’t need shoes.
Okay, okay, okay, so I have to clean out my closet. Like whoa. So I purged last weekend. I’m bad at it. I think about it for weeks, grumble about having to do it, and cry a little over my favorite worn out boots that won’t last a week in Scottish rain. It’s silly to get sentimental about things. They don’t matter! I’ll be in one of my most favorite countries with my awesome mans. Awesome! Lovely! Beautiful! I can smell the fresh Scottish air now – ahhhhhgahhh, I have to give away the pink cowboy boots to?!!
Done and done. Most will be going to Rag-o-Rama and Good Will. Reduce and reuse! Once it’s done, it feels good. I still have another wave of purging to go: I won’t need my summer clothes for the next few years and I have one two many coats. But for now, it’s a start, and Matt can have at least one suitcase all to himself.
What are your tips, readers? How do you go about culling your closet? How often do you do it and what’s your method?
Those boots are all so lovely! It is a shame to get rid of them but you will be happier in Scotland. I hate closet purging, I very rarely do it. When I do, a year or so later I will want again what it is I purged Lol.
Can I buy those brown boots off you? Seriously? The dark brown ones?
What size shoe do you wear, Windsor? These are size 7 and kinda worn. I can send you more pics if the size is right 🙂
I can sometimes wear a 7. Will you send pictures to windsor @ knitinpublic.com
I have become a master closet purger after years of multiple moves to and from various countries. It’s always at least a little hard though-you did a great job!
I usually clean out my closet a few times a year or when stuff stops fitting if I have lost weight. I feel bad that you had to pare everything down. My sister got to bring two large suitcases weighing up to 50 pounds when she moved to both Korea and Japan for the year. You could always get a flat fee crate shipped to you guys with books and clothes once you are settled. It probably can’t hurt though to get rid of stuff you definitely won’t be wearing in the cold and wet!
Allll those lovely boots! I wish they could be mine instead! 🙂 But, reading from the previous comments, I’m a 7.5 🙁
I HATE closet purging. I try to do them four times a year, after each season, but so far, I’ve done it 0 times this year. When I do though, I like to separate those I haven’t worn in 6+ months from all the rest of the clothes and start from there. I try every single article on and assess why I haven’t worn them. If I can’t find a good reason to keep them, they get donated.
Oh my! I had to do this a few weeks ago and it is TERRIBLE! I’d not done it seriously in years so I just dropped my giant bag of clothes at the thrift store at Monroe and Ponce. Now that I’m living with a little less clothing it (kinda) feels better.
Lots of luck to you Lauren!I definitely feel your pain!
Aw, it’s always hard to clean out a closet! (Those boots look fabulous by the way). I usually sort out the things I know I’ll where a few years down the road from now and the clothes that I haven’t worn as much as the others. I hope that helps!
Some friends and I are having a clothing/accessories exchange party in the coming weeks. I’d be happy to take your purged items off your hands to add to our “shopping experience,” and then donate what’s left after.
That would be awesome, Heather! I’ve had a few requests to organize a clothing swap, but my house is a tip from getting ready for our move. I’ll be in touch!
Hey! You wanna have a clean your closets slash June Shin jewelry sale? If you’re game, email me! Oh, and I will email you about getting together before you leave.
I’ll email you soon, June!
I would like to do the exchange party!
I wish that’s what my closet looked like right now!
I just did a similar thing a few months ago. I gave away nearly everything piece of clothing I owned save 2 shirts, 2 skirts, 3 pairs of shoes, and a pair of jeans (I moved permanently to Europe and did’t want to bring anything other than a backpack). My husband did the same thing and never looked back. It wasn’t as easy for me. I am now here in Europe with no wardrobe, but hey, I know that I’ll grow that wardrobe again. And, I will definitely be more picky about what I purchase in the future; there were lots of clothes that I gave away that I never wore. Good luck with Scotland! Never been, but I hear it’s incredible.
Just a backpack? Kimberly, I am sooo impressed. I thought I was being good with two HUGE suitcases – sheesh! You are inspiring me to pair down even more!
Your European trip sounds amazing- I’m going to catch-up on your blog now 😉
Where did you get that lovely accessory bag for the back of your door? It’s genius!
Are you selling the tan boots?? Or having a sale of sorts?? I’m in Maryland now for the summer buto I’ll be back in decatur for school next onth ! When are u moving?!
Are you selling the tan boots?? Or having a sale of sorts?? I’m in Maryland now for the summer but I’ll be back in decatur for school next onth ! When are u moving?!
Hi Ariel! I did sell them to Rag-o-Rama in L5P a few days ago, but I promise to sell some other stuff via this blog! We’ll be off to Scotland by mid-september if all goes well!
ps- Cath and I did the same as you: went to school in Decatur, but went home to Maryland in the summer – until we moved here permanently 😉
Best way to pare down your closet? Loan the extra clothes to your twin – she can borrow them while you’re gone. 🙂
ummmm which Goodwill did you donate to?