For the last few months, I’ve been making an attempt to clean out my (literal) closet. Not only is my closet way too small for my collection of clothes, shoes, and bags, but a majority of the things in my closet should not be worn.
I have a really bad habit of keeping clothes (and often wearing them) way past the time I should have tossed them. I’ve also bought my fair share of clothes that didn’t fit right, just because I needed something to wear.
But as I apply for all of these jobs, I’ve got two things on my mind when it comes to my closet: 1. I don’t want to pack up (assuming I’ll be moving) a bunch of clothes and shoes I never wear anyway, and 2. For my next 9-5 job, I want to look and feel great in clothes that flatter my body and show my *fun* personality!
At my old job, I never took the time to really look cute. I think it reflected in the way I felt every day, and in the end, it reflected poorly on me. So, I’ve spent a lot of time trying on clothes, making piles, and making trips to Goodwill and/or the dumpster. I even made a pile of shoes that need repair.
Of course, I don’t want my closet to end up empty. I’ve always wanted a closet full of great, classic staples that I can wear in a pinch and still feel confident. The catch is, as always, that I’m on a tight budget. This means that I’ve got to find bargains, and I can only buy items that are absolutely necessary.
If I get rid of a few pairs of jeans, then it’s okay for me to replace them with a great pair that looks fabulous (as long as it’s within my budget). Over the past few months, I’ve gotten some great deals at TJ Maxx, where I found a colorful Ivanka Trump dolman top, and a pair of Michael Kors dress slacks.
At a local thrift shop, I picked up a leopard cardigan from Ann Taylor and a flowing, button-down from Old Navy ($8 for both). And I hit up the outlet mall for some costume jewelry, pencil skirts, and shell tops.
Over the weekend, I came across such a great deal that I never saw coming: a pair of brand new, blue suede flats, normally retailing at $125. I got them for $20.
I bought mine during a secret sale at J.Crew (I think I got the last blue pair), but found a similar pair for purchase on Amazon, if you’re interested.
Not only are these going to look super cute with basically anything from skinny jeans and pencil skirts to corduroys and dresses, but I want to bust out in song every time I put them on. Enter: Marc Cohn.
According to Wiki, Cohn said: “It’s a pretty literal transcription of a visit I made there in 1986. I went to Graceland, I heard Al Green preach the gospel, I saw W. C. Handy’s statue. But the song is about more than just a place, it’s about a kind of spiritual awakening, one of those trips where you’re different when you leave.”
That’s something I can stand behind!
If you’re trying to clean out your closet, I found a great article on Elle.com on rules to follow in order to get the job done. Basically, I’ve just been trying things on whenever I have time (sometimes it’s just when I’m getting ready for work) and if it doesn’t look right or fit well, then I toss it in a pile. When the pile is big enough, I take it to Goodwill and jot down any items I might want to replace.
It’s a lot of work, but I’m certain it’s going to pay off, and hopefully soon!
The Bitter Lemon 
Great tips, and I need to do the same. Sad thing is I just did a major purge, and I realize it wasn’t good enough. I need to be ruthless. In the article, it references selling clothes to Bib & Tuck, but they are now Crossroads. Have you ever used these services to resale clothes?