How To Purge Your Clothes Easily 5 Steps For Busy Moms

Inside: Getting dressed in the morning shouldn’t be so hard. Learn how to purge your clothes and make getting ready for work quick and easy!

Seven.

Seven is the number of outfits I tried on in one morning last week trying to get ready and out the door and go to work.

I was running late doing a mad dash around my bedroom from my disaster of a closet and my dresser.

I tried bunny hopping into several pairs of pants which flat out refused to go past my hips. Tell me I am not the only one who does that?!

Finally, I found a black skirt, pulled on tights (which I discovered had a hole in them! Ugh!), black flats, and a chunky sweater.

Getting dressed in the morning shouldn’t be so hard and result in decision fatigue before I’ve even had my coffee. I decided to learn how to make getting ready for work easier for me.

I’m excited to share how to purge your clothes and reduce stress and clutter!

Time-Saving Tip: Purge Your Clothes

As a busy mom, I need all the time savers I can get my hands on.

Looking around that day I realized I needed to clean, sort, and organize my clothes. So I could get dressed and out the door in time without looking dragged behind a truck.

Imagine if you could get up in the morning and know what you’d be wearing that day. Not only that but know it fits, is clean and you feel great in it!

Turns out you can! And you don’t even have to spend a cent to get started. It’s called “purging your clothes.”

Let me show you how I cleaned out my closet, have clothes that fit, and am on my way to getting them all clean. Keeping it real, laundry is NEVER done.

The (Free) PDF That Started All

The first thing that jump-started my whole process was a free PDF from Get Your Pretty On. Alison creates Style Challenges that are perfect for any budget, size, and shape.

When I came across her site I reached out to ask when the next Style Challenge was opening up.

I also wanted to know if there was a way to test the program to see if it would fit my needs.

Testing before I buy is important.

It’s a great way to know if something will work for you and to know I am not throwing away my hard-earned money.

She told me how to get the Closet Staples Casual Capsule Wardrobe Builder for free.

This freebie has been updated and no longer exists. However, I will share the tips on how to get her other freebies below.

The PDF I accessed for free contains a shopping list, tips on how to clean out your closet, and photos of each “staple” item and how it can be paired with other items in the list. This way, you can spend less time wondering what to wear. Hello, easy!

Here is how a free download to help you purge your clothes:

1. On your desktop, click on this link: Get Your Pretty On

2. Next, click on Closet Cleanout and sign up for the freebie.

3. Enter your email address, the one you save for things like this, and you’ll get a download from Get Your Pretty On. Make sure you check your spam folder in case it ends up in the “junk” section.

Please note: this is NOT the freebie I started with. The one I had is no longer available, but this should get you started. I have not tried the updated one. Let me know how it is!

How To Purge Your Clothes

If you want to fall in love with your clothes again and make mornings easier, you can!

Follow these steps to purge your clothes easily.

Step 1: Set Aside Time

You need time to clean out your closet, especially if it is as disorganized as mine.

I chose a rainy day. I woke up sore from head to toe, which ended up being a perfect day to clean out my closet and really figure out exactly what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to toss.

I printed off the GYPO Style Challenge. I did the cover in color, so it is pretty and left the rest B&W. Don’t do that. You’ll want those photos of the clothing in color if you can. You’ll see why in the photo below.

It would have been so much easier in color. Instead, I had to read the descriptions to see what colors I needed. Print it out in color if you can! 

This task can feel super overwhelming. To help overcome that, you can:

• Ask for help: I asked my daughter to come and help me. It ended up being a perfect rainy day fun activity. Not only did we get to spend time together but I felt like I accomplished something.
• Break your clothes down into sections: If you only have a limited amount of time or energy, break down the room into manageable tasks. Tackle a dresser drawer at a time, and you’ll see progress quickly.
• Make it fun! Turn on your favorite playlist or add a scented candle. Do whatever makes you feel energized and fun!

Step 2: Create A Plan

Before you begin, plan out how much time you want to spend on this project.

Use the tips above to reduce overwhelm and let others in your family know what you are going to be doing and if you can be interrupted.

If you have younger children who might want to “help,” plan to give them small jobs such as adding discarded items to a box or give them something to do, such as a box of toys or games.

Step 3: Gather Your Supplies

Using her tips on page 3 of the freebie I downloaded, I had to figure out what to keep, repair or chuck/donate, I grabbed a large garbage bag, and we got started.

Therefore to save time, make sure you gather your supplies ahead of time. Some items you will want are:

• Garbage bag for items you want to toss
• Box for donations or items you will pass on
• Bin for items you want to keep that need to be repaired
• Cleaning supplies if you plan on cleaning while you purge your clothes

Step 4: Sort And Purge Your Clothes

Now that you are all ready, it is time to purge your clothes.

I decided to pull out each section of my closet at a time.

I had to try everything on. I highly recommend you do the same. 

Because our bodies change over time. After babies. After surgery. After lifestyle changes. After jobs…you get my drift. If you are like me, some of these items have been around longer than my kids! Yikes!

Turns out I had clothes from years and years ago. Things with holes and things that will never EVER fit again. Ha!

Why do we save the oddest things?

The PDF freebie I downloaded came with a “shopping list.” I checked off things on the shopping list I already had plus crossed out items that I will not wear.

That’s right, just because some woman on the internet says you should wear a certain style of clothing doesn’t mean you need to wear that piece of clothing. I am allergic to wool and there is no way I am wearing it.

For example, she suggests white pants and shorts. Not in my life. I have two cats (do you spot the cat above? Black cat + white clothes = no!), a dog, and iron in my water. Buying white is a chance I hardly ever take. It’s just not worth it!

In fact, almost every single white piece of clothing I own someone gave me, or I got on a major sale. Like my $2.00 tank top from Old Navy!

How To Sort Your Clothes

As you purge your clothes, I recommend you sort them into 4 piles.

• Keep – all the clothes that you love, are in good shape, and you will wear go into this pile
• Repair- if you find clothes you still love and fit but need to be repaired, put them in the box to get fixed. Add this task to your planner otherwise, that box will sit in your closet forever!
• Donate– these are the items you no longer love or can wear. Pass them on and let it go!
• Seasonal– Some items of clothing you will need for a season. Store it where you can find it when that season rolls around

Two large garbage bags to pass on to friends later, and I had a paired-down closet.

By the way, I have a confession. I didn’t even look at the shoe page when going through my shoes. I LOVE my shoes and boots. Instead, I sorted by what I know I’ll wear and what I haven’t worn in years.

My kiddo swiped a few of the ones I can no longer fit into. I think my feet have grown or swelled. Or maybe last year’s broken toe changed the shape. Either way, a few had to go.

Next, I looked at what I know I needed and added those to my list. I want black pumps and hiking boots. To start with 😉

Lastly, I used the sheets to pull together a few casual outfits from what I own. It turns out shopping for your closet is fun and free!

Step 5: Organize Your Clothes

Now that you have clothes that fit you and you love, you need to organize your clothes for your life. Otherwise, it won’t save you time.

I like to sort my dresser and closet by clothing type.

Workout clothes go in one drawer, bottoms are in this drawer, and tops are here. In my closet, I hang them by type as well. Skirts, dresses, etc. are all in one place.

As you go through your own closet, think of what will work best for you.

• Do you like to sort by color so that when you need a red item, you know exactly where it will be?
• Do you prefer to sort by style, short sleeves here? Dresses here?
• Or maybe you sort by “outfits,” and all the outfits go in the same area?

Whatever you decide, take time to organize your clothes for your life. It saves you precious time when getting ready.

I’m still working on the footwear. Right now, they are chucked in a bin. BAD idea. I’ll be looking for a better shoe system when I can.

These are a few of the ones I kept and NO most of them are not on the list 😛 

By the way, my daughter had so much fun doing mine she asked for her own list. You can get ideas for children’s capsule wardrobes by quickly searching the internet.

Purging Your Clothes: My Results

The goal of learning how to purge your clothes is to ditch the unused, unloved, ill-fitting clothes and make getting dressed for your day easier!

Here are two outfits I created from 7 pieces of clothing. Note: my daughter took these photos for me, and we had a little photo bomber. Apparently, “dog in a bandana” is the next hot accessory!

Fall/Winter/Spring:

From the shopping list I am wearing:

• Tops #3 Navy Sweater – I was going for ultra bulky for comfort.
• Tops list #5 white tank top. I prefer spaghetti straps instead of wide straps. (unseen)
• Bottoms list #6 Boyfriend jeans medium wash FYI: I prefer skinny jeans, but those are not *ahem* too skinny.
• Shoes #2 Sheet says Gold Sneakers. This is my personal swap. I chose these as it brings in the blue in the sweater, and they are comfortable.
• Accessories #12 Hoop earrings. This is the thing that makes me feel “done”.

Spring/Fall

From the shopping list I am wearing:

• Bottoms list #6 Boyfriend Jeans medium wash
• Tops list #5 white tank top. I prefer spaghetti straps instead of wide straps.
• Tops list #6 floral top. I am not a flower person. I do have a few pieces, but I love this bright breezy top.
• Shoes #1 Gold Sandals. Um kinda? I can not wear the style of sandals she shows, so I chose these.
• Accessories #12 Hoop earrings. This is the thing that makes me feel “done.”

As you can see, I found two cute outfits that are pulled together out of clothes I already had.

I also created a short list of things to buy, but I don’t need to get them any time soon.

6 No-Nonsense Fashion Tips For Busy Moms:

What you might not know about me is I have worked in “fashion” in some capacity starting at age 16. Over those years I’ve picked up a few tips I wanted to share with you. ♥

1. Start with wearing clothes that fit you and you are comfortable in.

If your clothes don’t fit right, are too big or too tight you will feel bad. The right fit can boost your confidence and make you feel like you can take on the world.

2. Look for labels that fit your lifestyle.

I don’t just mean brand or size. I mean, how to take care of them. 

For example, it doesn’t matter how much I love an item, if it has to be dry cleaned OR ironed, it goes back. I will not iron clothes, and I refuse to pay for dry cleaning.

3. Size is just a number.

When trying on clothes, take a few sizes up and down.

From working in fashion for years, I can tell you this: Each label has its own size, and each style will fit you differently.

Your size can vary up to 5 sizes in each direction depending on cut, material, and brand. Don’t let the size hold you back, focus on the fit and feel.

Make sure to try clothes on to make sure they fit. If you are shopping online, check the return policy.

4. Stick with basic pieces that fit your needs.

Mixing solids with prints in colors and a style that fits your body.

I recommend keeping some solid-colored, simply styled pieces in your closet so you can dress them up with fun prints that you like.

5. Choose colors that look good on you.

If you don’t know what colors look good on you, take your time and find out.

I find I gravitate towards yellow, but most shades of yellow look horrible on me.

6. Don’t get caught up in the “fashion of the day.”

It changes too fast. Throw a few fun pieces in and personalize them with your own style and flair.

Be you. Always customize things to fit you and your lifestyle. Your curriculum, your schedule, and  YES, your clothes.

Make Your Closet Work For You By Saving You Time

Here is how I make it work for me:

The day before, I look over my schedule. I set out my clothes, accessories, and shoes. I make sure I like the way they fit and match. I swap them out until I get what I want. I hang mine because of cats.

If I am hitting the gym later, I put my gym clothes in my gym bag. Sneakers go in, and whatever else I need, such as a water bottle, hair ties, and deodorant.

In the morning, I can shower, dress and grab my bags and go. Easy peasy. This saves me so much time, and knowing all the clothes in my closet fit makes me feel good.

You can get dressed to take on the world from your closet.

Purging your closet is a GREAT first step. The second step is making a plan to fill in the missing pieces ♥

I love little hacks that save me time. This one does take a bit of prep work but it is so worth it. Do you have a closet system that “works” for you? I’d love to know, let’s chat!

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

If you prefer to shop on Amazon, check out her books here.

The Alison Lumbatis ShowThe Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas: A Stylish Solution to What Should I Wear?

 

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