Diet & Fitness Blog

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, June 24, 2008 4:13:00 AM  

Hey Cathy! It sounds to me like you need to "do" your closet. Twice a year I set aside a block of time when I can (hopefully) be alone in the house for a few hours. I then try on everything and decide what fits and what doesn't. Fitting includes whether or not I like it on me and think I would actually wear it; like if it has big shoulder pads and looks stupid that doesn't "fit." Because I have trouble getting rid of things, I have another closet (I call this my purgatory closet) to put stuff in--if it's in there for a year or two and I haven't pulled it back out again, I give it away to charity. I take a big load of stuff out of the purgatory closet and give it away as part of this process. This will leave you with an edited closet with items you actually want to wear, plus you can identify items you need (like if you need black pants or more short-sleeved tops or something). The other thing I do is I rotate stuff like work jackets--if a jacket comes up in the rotation and my heart sinks at the prospect of wearing it, off to purgatory it goes.
I don't do this but I know some people will actually pull together outfits on hangers. But I'm more of a mix-and-match person, plus there are seasonal issues with that sometimes. Anyway, I hope this helps!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 7:01:00 AM  

Every Fall and Spring I go through my closet and throw out anything that hasn't been wore in the past year or anything that doesn't fit right. If you haven't worn it in a year, then there is probably a good reason! Also, if you can't remember the last time you wore it...just throw out! That helps me know what I need to buy and weeds out the closet to make it easier to find something to wear! Good Luck!!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 8:33:00 AM  

Cathy, Seems like you should buy 1 new item and then have a mix/match time and throw out at least 10 items each time you get something new! Be sure you like it before you buy it! Have fun!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 8:45:00 AM  

I use to have the same problem as Cathy. My soulution, besides editing my closet, annually, was to organize all my clothes... into skits, trousers, jackets, casual tops, formal dresses etc. This way I was able to see all my clothes at a glance. I beleive knowing what you have in the closet helps us to decide better, what we should wear. If you have a closet full of clothes that all jumbled togethee, then it's difficult to make that decision.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 8:55:00 AM  

Cathy, I do the exact same thing. I have three closets and still have to do the seasonal change to put away winter clothes and bring up summer clothes. It is such a hassle. I disagree with the notion of throwing it out if you have not worn it for a year. I know that is hard to do, but some items are just not easy to part with.

You do need to do try-on and discard session and get rid of some things. Your local Goodwill will be very appreciative. I give gowns, formal dresses and unique items to our high school for their theater closet. They love it.

Also, I do my "fashion show" at night so I won't have any surprises in the morning which would delay me. That is when I have my pile on the bed, etc.

I am sure there are more women like you and me than care to admit. If nothing else, organize it into items, colors or something.

Cute blog.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 9:03:00 AM  

In this age of living "green" I am frustrated at the people who just "throw out" clothing that is in good to excellent condition, and literally mean "throw it out." I generally go through my closet and dresser to find clothing that is not wearable for me. The things that are irrepairable or in poor condition are cut up for the rag pile (True, some fabrics make terrible rags), but the items that are still wearable will go to several different places: a garage sale, a general clothing drive, my local internet "free cycle" site, or a local shelter that donates clothes to people who are struggling to get their life back together. I only donate my clothes and things to Good Will or Salvation Army if the above places have not worked since Good Will and Salvation Army actually charge people in need and those people not in need go there looking for bargains. Also, if Salvation Army (at least our local donation sites)doesn't think the item will sell or move quickly, they put it in their dumpster for the trash. I know this because my oldest son dumpster dives and has found wonderful things in the local Salvation Army dumpsters. By all means, go through your stuff at least once a year, but trash any stuff as a last resort.

Comment by  Iamanotr said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 9:12:00 AM  

Hi, Catthy, Oh my God we must be related. I am also overwhelmed with the same closet...I just wanted you to know you are not alone. I just recently tried to purge the closet...I am still working on it. It helped that I went to a wedding recently and saw a lady in a nice dress. It was rather dated only because I knew I bought one just like it before my 18 year old daugher was born. It made me think even if I could get back into it... would I want to wear it? Someone else bought some of these thing many years ago too. Good luck

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 9:15:00 AM  

Hey Cathy you are not alone! I have three closets that look like yours and I can't find anything. I also do the trying different things on and throwing them on the bed thing. I redid my room though and love it and want to keep it looking nice, so I hang things back up right away now instead of at the end of the day. I also pick out my outfit the day before and have it ready to throw on in the morning. It still is the same process only it happens before I go to bed. I also purge and give to charity when I know that I am running out of room in the closet and that there are items in there that I know I will not ever wear again. I also have sisters that go through my closets and can wear what I no longer want. Good luck!

Comment by  Xzavier Williams said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 9:35:00 AM  

I seem to be plagued by the same problem. Fashion just makes a circle, whats old is new. Lately they have not been meshing for the older crowd. Men like to see us in the latest fashion, but they are not willing to pay the price. So they retort with statements like, "honey you look good in anything to me, or nothing at all. But when they take you out, their eye's are on the women in the latest fashion, thereby making you feel old and outdated...What to do, what to do???
Xzavier D. Williams
Jax, Fl

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 9:55:00 AM  

Hi Cathy: You really need to take a weekend or two and do some serious trying on and give the rejects to charity. Good Will, Salvation Army, Value Village or church organization. You might feel quite virtuous after such a closet purge and someone else might really like it. If you are rejecting the outfit first thing in the morning then you really need to get rid of it. For a time (as a student) I really had to be up early and out the door in order to be on time and I used to arrange on Sunday night what I was going to wear for the five days coming up. That was complete outfits, washed, ironed and ready to go. Remember the rule, if you haven't worn it for a year get rid of it. Good luck.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 10:18:00 AM  

I could easily have your problem and to some extent I do. Lots and lots of clothes, shoes, and accessories and to make matters worse I hate to give away stuff whether it fits me or not. You could call me a "collector". What has made my life somewhat organized is for example, at present the weather is warm, so I have taken out all my summery shoes and put the others in a big box. My light colored pants, skirts, and tops are within reach out of the closet on hangers. This is working pretty well.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 11:07:00 AM  

Cathy, every Saturday while doing laundry I go to the Weather Channel and make a little chart on a 3 x 5 sticky note that goes inside my bathroom mirror. I put the 5 days of the work week across the long edge/top and HI LO & R (for rain/snow?) down the left side. I fill this in from the TV (or weather.com).
Then I look at the bottoms that will feel comfy at each day's temp & try to find tops that will "go with." Wash, sew over the weekend any ones needing it.
I add shoes, bag, jewelry with small notes on the chart, by days.
When each day of the week comes up, I wear what I wrote and suffer if need be. If it's looking to be much colder/hotter than forecast, I throw a warmer/cooler top in the same color in the back seat of my car. (Fortunately, I can easily get to my car from work office.) Lately I've been keeping one black cap-sleeve V-neck tee in the car always for days when the AC breaks and the top I chose turns out to be too hot. (I can wear black with anything.)

Comment by  Jacque said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 11:09:00 AM  

Rotating work jackets and sorting clothes by category are both great ideas. I sort not only by category - pants, tops, jackets, dresses, skirts - but I sort by color also. Put all red tops/blouses together, all black pants together etc. I have been able to create some amazing new mix and match outfits that I would never have thought of otherwise, thus expanding my wardrobe with fewer pieces. Cathy, there will STILL be some days when you have nothing to wear, but this system helps a LOT! Good luck!

Comment by  Kelly said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 11:37:00 AM  

I can completely relate! I actually kicked my husband out of our closet, his clothes are now in another room! I know how ridiculous this is, so I decided to change the situation. I have 2 big bags, one for clothes to donate, and one for really good condition clothes to get $ from resale shops. These bags are hanging up in the closet, so every time I try something on and it doesn't fit properly, or it's beyond stylish, I put in one of the bags. I find myself putting items in one of the bags daily. It has really helped. I've been doing this for about 2 months now, and it's looking like my closet is ready for husband's clothes to move back in. Good luck, you are certainly NOT a loan!

Comment by  Tammy in Tennessee said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 12:08:00 PM  

Cathy, I do the exact same thing. You should see all the clothes on my bed! That is, when I don't plan. I find that if I make time on Sunday to plan out what I'm going to wear for the week, or even the day before, I don't struggle as much with what to wear. I always have a back up outfit for those bloated days too. I also agree with the other comments to purge your stock. Good Luck! Tammy in Tennessee

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 3:20:00 PM  

HEY CATHY...YES BEEN THERE DONE THAT...WHEN SHOPPING: 1. BUY THE WHOLE OUTFIT...2. DON'T BUY JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON SALE...3. BUY CLOTHES THAT FIT BEAUTIFULLY...HAVE SKIRTS AND SLACKS OR ENTIRE SUITS IN BROWN, BLACK, NAVY. HAVE SHOES IN BROWN, BLACK AND NAVY...HAVE PURSES IN BROWN BLACK AND NAVY. THEN BUY BEAUTIFUL BLOUSES. DON'T BUY CLOTHES UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM...GOOD LUCK

Comment by  Pamela Lynn said... - Friday, July 04, 2008 3:22:00 PM  

DO NOT just throw stuff into the landfills, please!

use freecycle.org, craigslist, and see if your trash pickup always/sometimes will accept fabric recyclables (mine does, if your unwanted clothing is placed in clear plastic bags). all 3 of those methods do NOT involve schlepping your old clothing to salvation army or goodwill yourself, too...just out your door!

reduce by letting others reuse your stuff! the karmic benefits are fairly high, too.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Saturday, July 05, 2008 9:46:00 PM  

hey cathy,

i just went through my closet. here is how mine is set up, just so you get an idea first. on one side i have all the long pants, skirts, capris and dresses. on the other side, i have an upper hanging area and a lower hanging area. the top area closest to the closet opening are work tops or going out tops, then towards the middle are all my "winter" clothing. i put "winter" in quotes because i live in south florida so i don't need as many nice sweaters and such, and then the back of the top hanging side are all my holiday shirts and sweatshirts and vests.

then i have the lower side, the whole beginning part of that are what i used to wear as workout shirts or clean around the house shirts, then i have my t-shirts that i wear now, then in the middle are most of the size L and some XL that do not fit at this moment hanging there, and then in the back are all my sweatshirts and jackets i have. so that is the layout of my closet.

i went to visit my parents last weekend and decided i needed to give my mom some clothes to sell in her garage sale. so i went through all hte t-shirts i used to wear to the gym. i realized most of them hadn't been worn in probably 2 years, they all went in a pile. if they were old dance shirts, i put them in a box because i don't want to part with them quite yet. so all of those shirts went to my mom's house for a garage sale and if she doesn't sell them, she will donate them or use them at her middle school she works at for kids to wear if they don't have the proper attire on.

as for what to wear in the morning, i go through the same problem, there is a chair in the middle of my closet that i lay or hang clothes on that i have decided are not what i want to wear. so at least they are not on my bed, but in the closet and by the end of the week, i try to work on hanging them back up. so i don't know if this helps, but i do clean out my closet every couple of months when i have gone through things and they are jsut arent' fitting anymore.

Comment by  CuteBuns said... - Monday, July 07, 2008 10:36:00 AM  

Hi Cathy! I think we're related somehow, but there's no way I'm putting a picture of my closet on the web...I have FOUR TIMES the mess and the clothes!! I'm so glad you came up with this blog, because now I don't feel so alone with my packrat tendencies...though I MUST do something about it soon! I'm approaching 50 years old, and 1/2 of the clothes in my closet are size 4s, which would be great if I still wore size 4! It's been 3 or 4 years since I was in my smaller size, and I'm wearing a size 8 now... but I can't decided if my constant dieting and hoping that I'll fit back into them is a blessing or a curse! I find that I also have too many "trendy" clothes for my age. I need to start looking for more conservative, yet cute, clothes... But, wow!!!...some of these ideas for getting organized are great and I hope to start weeding through my piles and piles of clothes soon!

Comment by  Cathy said... - Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:04:00 AM  

Wow - you guys have some awesome pointers to share! I am notoriously bad at cleaning out what doesn't fit or what is out of style - the worst part is that I just moved! Twice! Twice in the past 2 years. So what you see now IS relatively ummm...sorted and cleaned out. Hah! I will do it again, and re-organize and see if that helps...

Picking stuff out the night before though..that has historically never helped, because it can be lovely the night before and the nicest/best outfit I've ever owned, but if it's going to be "one of those days," then it won't matter :)

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Monday, July 14, 2008 12:44:00 AM  

There are some really good tips here for weeding out and organizing clothes! I, too, have trouble with my weight now that I'm over 50, and have wardrobes for at least two different sizes. My latest idea is to pack away my smaller size until I lose weight again. What do you think?
As far as organization goes, the best thing for me has been a closet organizer with rods for hanging clothes and shelves for T-shirts, sweaters, everyday pants & jeans, and workout clothes. I hang everything else by COLOR, no matter what it is. It has helped me make new outfits - and besides, it looks prettier!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Monday, August 18, 2008 12:21:00 PM  

Cathy, you have a very refreshing style.
I keep special dresses ready - sounds like a luxury.
Organization is the key.
I only have one style of jeans I love which I keep two pairs rolled up on the shelf.
I keep all my black items in a rubbermaid storage container-camisoles, sweaters, etc.
I keep all of my white and pink tops together b/c I am a pink afficionado.
If something just isn't doing anything for my shape - I do get rid of it.
How about some jewelry organizing tips or what happens with all those single earrings.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:20:00 AM  

it has to do with how much you love yourself... it's a psychological thing, not a wardrobe matter. No advice about organizing things will help... unless you put your own feelings in order.... I mean become settled... the reason behind the disaster is your own mind... which wants more, out of yourself, that is where the indecision comes from...without being sure is ready to handle more...that's where headaches are originating... it has a name... codependency... it has a solution... loving yourself and appreciating yourself more, seeing yourself in a positive light, regardless of what you wear... You must not please others, you should please yourself... that is why you have so many clothes... so you could fit into any shoe... LOL... tell me, is it possible?

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Sunday, August 24, 2008 10:40:00 AM  

Of course you are not alone! We are all teenage girls with crows feet and a rear that has shifted to an area closer to our knees than we would like...my closet is very organized with all my clothes separated into like colors (to easily satisfy, say, a green mood) camis together, short little shrugs keeping each other company and so on...so easy and yet I still have many days when I am closing the door to my bedroom and leaving for work that I know I will have to have a glass of wine that evening before being able to face the fact that a bomb went off in my bedroom throwing clothes and jewelry and shoes all over the place and the only maid that is going to come in and clean it up looks just like me...we're just girls!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Monday, September 01, 2008 9:35:00 PM  

Hey Kathy I go through the same thing everyday. The night before thing doesn't work. I try on 3-10 outfits everyday until I finally settle on something. The night before doesn't work, organizing doesn't work and downsizing my 3 closets full of clothes doesn't work. First of all the night before may promise to be sunny and warm and then it turns hot to be rainy and cool, also it depends on my mood my mood reflects in the choice of colors I wear as well as if I want to look dressy, or casual etc.I just resigned mtyself to being a "hopeless case" a go through the torture everyday. But I agree with a previous post IT is a pyschological thing, not a wardrobe thing, but knowing it doesn't make it just go away. Anyway good luck and I will think of you in the mornings as I too toss my clothes all over the place trying to find the right thing to wear.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, September 05, 2008 11:35:00 PM  

Hello Cathy, I had the same problem. I tried choosing my outfit for the next day at night, but I find that by morning, I am not in the mood to wear what I chose the night before!!!!

I have one suggestion for you that helps me when I change my mind, that is to categorize my clothes by type: skirts, pants, tops, dresses, suits. That way you can quickly put another outfit together in a snap. Another thing that I find helpful is not to hang in the closet clothes that need ironing, mending or cleaning (this will cause you to waste time if you come up with another outfit only to find buttons missing or unironed article of clothing which is perfect with your chosen suit or whatever else.)

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Saturday, September 06, 2008 10:57:00 AM  

Hey Cathy!

You are not alone. I have a 13 year old daughter that does the same thing. My daughter is overweight-in the process of dieting and hates everything she wears. By the time she leaves for school her room looks like a tornado hit. I think that it ties in with self-esteem. If you feel good about yourself and accepting of your body image, getting dressed is a breeze. It is when you don't feel comfortable in your own skin that putting on another layer is uncomfortable.

Comment by  wonderjoy said... - Monday, September 08, 2008 8:05:00 AM  

Cathy I usually pick out a different set of five outfits for the entire week and make sure it is something that I can fit and looks nice on me. Then I wear that for the week and if I change my mind about one thing during that week I have at least other things already picked out. So I won't be late or have a pile of clothes laying all over the place. when I return home. This saves me time and money.

Comment by  cabooses said... - Monday, September 08, 2008 4:43:00 PM  

Cathy, Wear what feels good for the day for you, and what ever the dress code is for your work place, work it up or down in good taste, yours. Have a great day, You are what you wear. Smile. Cabooses

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Friday, September 12, 2008 3:25:00 PM  

Hi Cathy,
Remember that if you look good you'll feel good so the key is THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY, YOU DON'T NEED THIS, YOU DON'T NEED THAT...
and of course ORGANISE.....
one skirt on each hanger, seperate hanger for tops, jackets etc...
it will make your life MUUUUUUCH
easier!!!!

Comment by  Erin Sowards said... - Wednesday, October 22, 2008 9:09:00 AM  

Okay...I started doing this for my three kids to make getting ready for them easier in the morning and now I have also done it in my closet. I organize everything into "outfits." I try things on, choose the best matching outfit and organize 10-15 outfits according to the season on the shelf or on hangers. Now, in the morning, I throw it on, I know it looks great together and on me, and I go!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:20:00 AM  

Well Kathy, I cant say I have this trouble as musch as you do. Since I share a closet with my husband. We have made it a point to make sure we have just the essentials to make outfits work. You have to be able to mix and match tops with pants and skirts and jackets. This way you have several outfits with just a few articles of clothing. I wish you luck. It took me several years to get to where I am. The one big thing is to just get ride of it. The thought of throwing something out may not please you but your not wearing it and it is going to waste in your closet. Someone somewhere wants it and will use it, let them. Dont be selfish with you old clothes.

Comment by  geri said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:20:00 AM  

hi cathy, i suggest that u can do a garage sale for all the clothes that u dont like to wear anymore.

first, u clear all ur clothes from ur closet and see which goes to garage sale and which u want to keep.. and then u arrange them like one pile all sleeveless clothes, all short sleeved, all long sleeved, all jackets, all skirts, all pants, then the slacks and the formal dresses goes with the hangers. so it will be easy for u to pick, mix and match as u can see all of them well organized.( u may also segregate the stripes, checkered and the plains ) Good luck to u. I hope my advise will help.

Comment by  Wendy said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:40:00 AM  

I agree with the person who said to organize your closet into sections, skirts, slacks, jeans, blouses, jackets, etc. This took a whole lot of the decision making dilema out of my wardrobe. now the only demon that I have to deal with is finding something that still fits. I'm still in denial that my size 14/16 body can fit into my size 12/14 clothes and it's just not happening, so I end up going out in a nice blouse and jeans. so much for those last 10 lbs. good luck, but try to section it all out.

Comment by  vlsullivan said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:20:00 AM  

Oh I totally relate Cathy! In addition for me, because of my work commute, I have a second home and travel between the two. Two houses- two closets! Ugh! BUT it's alot better since I realized that I love clothes, and I have the money to have alot of nice ones. So, on those days when I see the closet is in chaos I've learned to just appreciate what I have. Also, for those days when nothing fits I have a pair of black pants and black top and I throw on one of several brightly colored sweaters that are beautiful and cover up all of the things I'm self-concious about- works beautifully!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:33:00 AM  

Kathy,
I have had the same problem for years! I've given away thousands of boxes of clothes and then go through the same routine over and over. Here is what I have done. I decided what kind of clothes do I need. I have three catagories, petsitting clothes (very casual, going to regular work clothes, and Dressy (Church and special occasion). Petsitting is easy jeans and a sweat shirt will do or old tees. Work takes more effort. First I limit my color palette. Mine is Black, Navy, Cream, If I want color than I will add it in blouses or jackets. I will buy what is almost equivalant to a 3pc. suit pants, skirt, jacket,even if I have to buy by the pc. I do this at the time I buy the original pc. , otherwise it goes back to the store. These can also work for going to church clothes too. Then I group the clothes by activity in my closet and by color.
I think the designers have pulled a fast one on us with all the seperates. Believe me they know our dilemma all the way to he bank. Limit your choices. A few pieces that look smashing on you is what your after. You can only wear one outfit at a time so less can always look like more when you look
great each and every time.
Rebecca

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:05:00 AM  

Hello there Cathy! I pretty much have that same experience time & time again. My solution is to have like 4 sets of "safe pieces", and when I go into panic mode I just grab one of these. That usually solves my problem until next time.
Jacqui

Comment by  Dulcie said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:07:00 AM  

First thing when I'm having one of those days, I think "what did my friend/co-worker wear last week?" Don't remember--so obviously I'm thinking WAY too much about it.
Couple things that have helped me. (great posts for ideas)
*I keep a goodwill bag in my closet. Once I put an item in it I'm not allowed to get it back out!
*Buy things because it's classy/stylish not because it's on sale. (yes I LOVE those sales too much)
*Find a friend/sister/husband that you trust to be bruitally honest and plan a closet inventory day. Try stuff on and let her/him help you decide. I find alone I justify keeping somethings that are actually scary..... (lunch is a great payment and they might even leave with a few items)
*When I put my clean laundry away it goes in on the right side of the matching items so I know for sure what I have worn. If an item is all the way to the left then I know it's just taking up space.
Great blog!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:52:00 PM  

Hi Cathy! I divide my closet into thirds - 1)Suits, blazers, sweater jackets hung together & skirts on multi-tiered skirt hangers (this becomes the main 'queue'); 2) shelved tops, sweaters; 3) blouses and casual clothes hung on upper & lower rods, respectively. Each evening I select a suit or jacket from front of section 1 and match with a top or sweater or blouse and a skirt & top if it's just a jacket. At the end of the day, the suit or jacket goes to the opposite end of the rod and the next outfit is selected from the front 'queue' for the next day. If I keep bypassing something in the queue, I give it away. Good luck!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:53:00 PM  

Of course I've been there before, hasen't every women? Anyway what I do is clean out my closet twice a year and throw out anything that has not been worn in 2 years. If it hasen't been worn in 2 years your probably never going to wear it again. The other thing to do is get your clothes ready for the week on Sunday. That's what I do, of course then it's the dreaded Sunday chore but at least during the week I don't have to think about it. Try it sometime, maybe it will work for you too!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:05:00 PM  

WoW! Lots of good comments. I organize my closet by outfit: all on one hanger, even with jewelry scarf, etc. so that in the am it's just grab a hangar and there everything is. These are combinations that I know work and look good. Helps a LOT! Sometimes on weekends when I have time to play dress up, I try other options but during the week it's just grab and go.

Comment by  xXxahra said... - Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:21:00 PM  

Hello! No you are not crazy. I mean im not crazy? I think, because i do that too! Basically, were girls. That is just how we are programmed. Were indecisive little creatures who want to look our best even if it means spending countless of dollars and time doing it. Looking your best isnt always as important as feeling your best. Sometimes I have beautiful wearable clothes, in perfect condition, but I don't feel right wearing them simply because EVERYONE has seen me in it countless of times... Maybe it's out of date a bit? Maybe Im just sick of looking at it? Doesn't fit like how it did when i bought it? But that usually happens over time, and is left in your closet for the purpose of a dust magnet and causes us much stress in the morning, and the evening in your case and mine! Not everybody has extra closets to store clothes in for every month and season of the year, or a dust closet to put icky clothes your never going to wear till you might be eighty in. Even though it is VERY hard to depart from certain items, you will feel SOO much easier too if you save up (or your just blessed with not having to) to just go on a nice little shopping trip and basically by a good week of clothes. You can do it little by little.. Maybe one week by a couple of tops, and the next couple weeks buy other clothing items like pants, skirts etc. Either way clothes will accumulate and youll realize how much space you are starting to lack, and will eventually HAVE to throw things out. Sometimes we just need to be made to do things. You will be surprised how many things in your closet that you dont usually wear that just needs something to go with as well. New outfits will magically appear! What I'm trying to say is you need some major cleaning out to do and a style change MOSTTTTTTTTTTTTTT probably, since you dont like what you already have. Try a new store maybe. Some things I have put aside a couple years ago, Im so glad I have now because even though its not "new", it's just fresh, something I havent worn in a while. Don't throw everything out at once, but certain items just need to be in your closet and deep inside you know it! As girls we are blessed with a pretty little conscience as well. At seventeen, i'm at that age wear my closet really does need to keep up with the style along with myself, and is always going through some sort of change one way or another. This is an issue I don't think I'll escape from until I'm probably really eighty. Or then again, MAYBE NOT.

Comment by  Dawn Marie said... - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:22:00 AM  

Cathy, Why do you have such a hard time picking? Are you obsessing over what people think of you? Let it all go! Talk to a friend who always looks great! Ask her the tricks she uses (by the way, that is the person you should take shopping) Then find 3 or 4 things that you relly love (Even if they are a little expensive. Save your pennies and get what you really love). You may be buying things that are not right for your body type, or the wrong colors, or you may be obsessing over outfits that actually look amazing on you! Be bold! There is nothing more atractive on a woman than pure confidence! So, wether you feel great about what you have on or not, forget what you look like when you walk out the door. Hold your head high, smile, exude confidence! Then you will look AMAZING -no matter what you wear.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 11:55:00 AM  

Well Cathy, too much to choose from can be pretty frustrating. First I would get rid of those that I hardly wear and keep the ones that I think can mix and match. Then gradually I will acquire new ones that will get me into the fashoin a bit. You know there are so many homeless people out there who will be so grateful for the same clothes we are indecisive of wearing. So just rid rid of them and from time to time as to buy new ones, purge your closet again.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:27:00 PM  

Dear Cathy,

I was laughing out loud. I know exactly how you feel. It took me 20 years to figure out how to fix this. First, when I take something out and don't want to wear it, I ask myself why not? If it is because nothing goes with it or there are no good shoes, I consider buying shoes. If it needs mending or has a stain, I put in in my fix it trunk - bought for 10 dollars at a craft store.---- If it is not in season, I take it out of the closet and store it away with a well-marked label. Focus... what is in season changes gradually just like the seasons do. -----At the end of the week, I usually manage the clothes at the same time I do laundry. I have a double hamper, on side for dirty clothes and the other for charity and in queue for storage. You can get an affordable, collapsible double hamper at Bed Bath and Beyond, around 20 dollar... ...best twenty dollars you will spend.---When shopping, focus... think seriously where you will wear the item, what you will wear it with. When you get home, if you are not COMPLETELY IN LOVE with it AND FEEL ANYTHING LESS THAN A DASHING AND ELEGANT OR EXTREEMELY COOL, BEAUTIFUL AND SLEEK, take it back RIGHT AWAY. Don't settle for less! You work too hard for your money to give it to some clothier that does not make what you want. Hope this helps.

Comment by  Rita said... - Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:12:00 AM  

If you haven't worn something for a
period of 6months to a year tops, give it away to charity or to someone that you know. I have that same problem and my husband went away for 10 days and I filled l0 bags of clothes that I know I won't wear. I have my fat clothes and regular clothes..it gets depressing. But just make yourself get rif of it and keep a mix & match outfit that you are comfortable with. Good luck

Comment by  Dina Peterson said... - Friday, December 12, 2008 9:44:00 AM  

I feel your pain! I go through my clothes every other year instead of every year and I also colorize my closet for each item, which helps me find clothes easier and faster when getting ready and it helps me to know what I have at home already when I go shopping, a sense of my "inventory". What I mean by colorize is to hang items from lightest colors to darkest colors for each item in your closet. Items are pants, skirts, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, spaghetti-strap shirts, and jackets, etc. So when you see my closet it looks like continuos rainbows, which helps when you know you want to wear a certain top or a certain bottom that particular day, lets say its a certain top, I grab that item and bring it towards my bottom section of skirts, pants, and shorts to find a complimentary color. To accent the outfit I can add a splash of more color with a type of jacket depending on the weather/season. So when you are putting your clothes away, you want to put them in with other like items and in color order within that item group. Try it and tell me it's not easier to get ready in the morning and know what items your waredrobe is in desperate need of.....and what you buy way too many of!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:51:00 PM  

I don't know if this helps but... There are several things I do to keep my closet organized. One is to rotate by season things that are truly seasonal (certain
tops/jackets/pants/skirts can span the seasons. I have a walk-in closet to share with hubby in which we had closet system installed. His side has a double hanging system; my side has only one up high as well as along the back. Since I teach, I have "work" clothes, Sunday clothes, and casual clothes arranged along the side in that order. Along the back I have my "dressy" or formal wear. Second, I also organize by type:long pants, short(er) pants, tops, jackets. Within that organization I arrange by color, yes, the rainbow ROYGBIV. When I return an item after washing, I place it at the end of its section to help with rotation. Third, about once every two months I have a "try-on" party during which I try new pairings of items. During this time I also see which pieces of jewelry/scarves etc., would be appropriate. Fourth, I ALWAYS lay out an outfit the night before with a possible back-up in mind should the weather do a 180. Fifth, I color code my hangars: coral ~ pants, beige ~ shirts/blouses, hunter green ~ jackets, etc. I found this helps when putting outfits together or buying a new item. If I have several hangars empty of a certain color, I know I can buy those items. Sixth, I don't follow the throw-it-out-if-you-haven't-worn-it-in-a-year because I've discovered new outfit pairings happening with a new purchase. It never ceases to excite me when I bring home something new and discover I have several different ways of wearing it by combining with what I already have hanging in the closet.

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:37:00 PM  

Hey Cathy,

We've all been there. As in the other's advice, try on and every 6 months go through your whole closet and clean out what you no longer want and give to goodwill. Maybe someone else will like and/or use it and you will have given to a good cause. Set aside money to treat yourself and buy new clothes as much as you can.

Comment by  Shari said... - Sunday, December 28, 2008 10:26:00 PM  

OMG Cathy! If you think you're bad, you should see me. I go away for a 2 day weekend, and because I can't decide what I want to wear, I take like 10 outfits, 8 jammies, 2 dozen pair of undies... you get the picture.
And closets, mine makes yours look good. I have so many clothes packed in there, not only are the clothes tight, but so are the plastic hangers. No wire hangers! I have clothes on hangers that are hung sideways on hangers because i can't fit them in the right direction. Yes, I need to "do" my closet again too. Problem is that everytime I do it, I go buy more clothes. Back to square one.
Good luck :)

Comment by  Cheri said... - Monday, April 06, 2009 11:57:00 AM  

Hi, Cathy!
You are not alone. I've suffered with this for years. Sorry, there is no quick fix but a couple of hours could change everything! I just read a book titled "Looking Great..." by Linda Dano and she suggests the following sorting order:1)Ask yourself honestly if you EVER wear each item; if not, give it away however you choose. Have a clothes trade party with friends maybe...2)Take all the clothes that don't fit out of the closet (box them hopefully or give 'em away so you can shop later!) 3)Remove everything that's damaged. Take it to the dry cleaner for repair or (if you're gifted that way) put it aside to fix. 4)Check for duplicates. Pare it down. 5)Now there's less, you get to organize a little; blouses/shirts together, pants,etc. You can even put them in color order as she suggests although I can't seem to bring myself to do this. Linda D. also suggests hanging outfits together so you can just reach and grab but that also is a problem for creative dressers...
Anyway, hope this helps. It's working for me! Now if I could just get a handle on that ironing ahead of time thing...
Good luck!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, April 07, 2009 12:08:00 PM  

Cathy, You are not crazy or should I say you are only as crazy as me.... I really had a problem with this clothes thing and finally called in my closest friends to help me out. We took a Saturday and a bottle of wine :) I am sure you can follow this same process without the wine, but why... Anyway I hauled out ALL of my clothes.. all of them into the living room floor and we went through them all. Who better to help you know what looks good on you than your closest friends. It was good bonding time and yes, I donated them to several families and charities. It really worked for me !!

Comment by  Anonymous said... - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:48:00 PM  

.....cathy we r so alike in every way
women have to put an outfit together
every day..even if it's just to go to
a dentist appoinment...u can spend one day spreading all your clothes out...skirts in one pile..pants in one pile..blouses..tees..sweaters..jeans..
after everything is in it's own pile..i hang in closet by color and length..u can better coordinate when blouses r in their own area..as pants r in their own..shoes r taken off the floor..and u can get great hanging bags..and purses hung from rack..it will make u happy to look in your closet and feel so together...hope this helps..i help women unclutter their life by simplifying their bedroom...and their closets..
hooe this helpful 4 u..god luk :)

Comment by  Karen said... - Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:31:00 AM  

the clothes you threw on the floor should be the first ones "out the door" i.e. Goodwill! Over time the closet space will appear. Works for me. Karen

Comment by  Ashley P. said... - Monday, October 05, 2009 1:32:00 AM  

I do this daily. That is totally me! So, what I've done to try and combat my hating of the first outfit I pick is: the night before, I will pick out my outfit for the next day. I never wanted to do it when I was younger, but it made more sense as I grew older. I realize that there ARE mornings that I don't like what I've picked out, but for the most part I don't think about it anymore. I watch the weather channel and get the forecast for the next day and pick out my outfit, hang it in my bathroom where I get ready and pick up any mess I made and then go to bed. It makes life SO much easier.