Recently I wrote a guest post on Joshua Becker’s site, Becoming Minimalist. In preparation for writing my guest post, I spent some time exploring Joshua’s information and his journey to becoming a minimalist. First, I spent many hours watching his YouTube channel.
Second, I spent time reading his blog and I found inspiration to minimize my wardrobe. These two articles started me off on contemplated just how I could do it:
- How Many Clothes Do I Need? A Practical Guide to Owning Fewer Clothes
- 8 Reasons Successful People Wear the Same Clothes Every Day
Then I was directed to this post by Denaye Barahona about how she embraced a minimalist wardrobe. It was really her post, which is full of pictures, that gave me the final motivation to take the plunge and get rid of a bunch of clothes in favor of more simplistic decisions in the mornings. Additionally, I timed this with my recent move which is a fine time to declutter.
Some before pictures
Identifying what I like
I really began this process by thinking about what types of clothing I like. This way, rather than just throwing away random things, I can be thoughtful about what types of items will work in my wardrobe. For some time, I’ve been thinking that if I had to choose between black or brown shoes, I’d choose brown. I’d also choose a brown purse and a brown belt. That made this process so much easier knowing what my foundational color is.
So I love earth tones (browns, tans, and olive green and gray) but I also know I like myself in a few colors such as red and blue. That being said, I decided my wardrobe around earth tones with a sprinkle of red and blue for some flavor.
The good news in identifying what I like is that I had most of these things already. I had brown shoes and plenty of earth tone clothing as well as some red & blue items.
However, I did identify some holes to fill in before I could begin thinning things out…
Items I purchased before the thinning could begin
I added two pairs of brown shoes.
Pants are my problem child! I wear pants often but I’m always in search of the perfect pant. I am about 5ft 10in tall and so I really need tall size pants which are not so easily found in stores. The good news is that tall sizes can easily be bought online; however, that doesn’t allow for trying on before purchasing.
While I had a ton of pants, I identified that I loved only one pair. Unfortunately, it was no longer available. So I began my online search. I was even willing to pay a higher price for the perfect pant. My first purchase was a fail. I knew immediately when I tried them on I didn’t like them.
My second online store find was more hopeful. So much so I bought 4 pairs of pants. I scurried home from work to try them on when they arrived. Again these were higher-priced purchases so I was assuming better success. Not! I didn’t like a single one of them so again I found myself at UPS with returns.
The third times a charm they say and it rang true for me! I decided to look online with Old Navy and found 2 pairs of Khakis and 2 pairs of dressier pants in tall sizes. Each pair are business casual (my work attire) and in my color scheme.
Furthermore, they fit great! As a bonus, they were far better priced than the first two higher-end pants I purchased and didn’t like.
Now that I’ve got what I needed, I could begin the decluttering…
Let the fun begin
I find that getting rid of stuff is quite enjoyable. Here is the breakdown of what I got rid of:
- 13 pairs of pants – whaaaat?!? I had 13 pairs of pants that I didn’t really love.
- 4 skirts
- 2 jackets
- 3 sweaters/sweatshirts
- 7 tops
- 5 shoes, 3 of which were black
- 3 belts
Since pictures speak 1,000 words, here is what I got rid of…
I have a friend who runs a program in one of the local women’s recovery/sober houses. I gave her my discarded but good quality clothing. Many of my clothes were business casual and these ladies will soon be looking for jobs. I’m happy to help give them a good start. 🙂
What I’m Left With
Please keep in mind this is round one of my new minimalist wardrobe but it’s a good start for me. I hope to do some further thinning in the future. As I am now wearing fewer items, I’m hoping to narrow in on my favs, and get rid of more.
While I identified that my main foundational color is brown, I did keep one pair of black pants, one black dress, two black skirts, several black tops and three pairs of black shoes. Still seems like a lot of black for a gal who’s not really into black, eh?
I don’t mind keeping black tops because they go with khakis but my goal with black is to get down to the following or less:
- One pair of black pants
- Um, one black dress because apparently every lady needs one
- Uno black skirt
- And you guessed it, one pair of black shoes
My favorite pants left in my wardrobe are tan, olive green, gray, and navy. All go with brown shoes, earth tones, reds, and blues.
My tops range from white to black with my biggest spectrum being gray. I simply love gray! It goes with everything and is so versatile. Additionally, I have some red, blue and green tops.
Now, most of my items can be worn with one another and that was my goal.
We all tend to gravitate towards our favorites time and time again. For me, anything extra became unnecessary fluff that just aids in decision fatigue.
Some after pictures
Some obvious benefits
As I embrace less with my wardrobe I can see the benefits being:
- Simpler decisions on what to wear
- Loving what I wear every day
- Less shopping
- Saving money
- Reduced consumption
- Less waste
- More time for hobbies I love
- Satisfaction
Closing thoughts
I’m loving my new home and already loving my simpler wardrobe. My mornings are easier and I’m happy with my appearance decisions throughout the day. If I wake up late, I can throw something together quickly and it works. Lastly, I have less to take care of.
As I’ve been inspired to minimize my wardrobe, I’ve also minimized my makeup routine (future post). I can now get ready (shower, dress, hair & makeup) in 15-minutes flat which is a lovely small amount of time in which to feel confidently good about my appearance. Here’s one final shot of me after my 15-minute routine. Til next time, happy decluttering…
This is such an excellent post for me to read as we are in the process of remodeling our master bedroom, bathroom, and closet. I view it as a time to organize and streamline my clothes, beauty products, accessories, shoes, etc.
Great pictures and great reasoning! I really agree with this quote, “The good news in identifying what I like is that I had most of these things already.” I also like your thoughts on still buying a couple of things (something I need to do in order to find a style that feels like me and doesn’t remind me of clothes from 10+ years ago that I still literally have)!
I’ve never spent much on clothes over the years, but I have bought A LOT of used clothes that were cheap along the way. Right now I have to rotate out my winter clothes and my summer clothes because there is definitely zero room to have them both presentable at the same time. My goal with more space is to get rid of a couple of things and make that happen so I never have to dig through dusty totes or boxes again.
Thank you for sharing and putting this together!
Thank you, Michelle! This has been a fun process and I don’t know think I am done yet. I am enjoying the thinning.
Also, I do have my summer stuff in totes under my bed so when I bring them I’m out, I am looking forward to more thinning.
I absolutely think zoning in on what I like and is functional for me (and buying several pieces) is what gave me the freedom to discard. 🙂
Good work!
Thank you!
👍🏻
What a great post! Simple and to the point. I’ve read many articles about this subject and watched video’s but yours is tops. I can’t find pants that work no matter how I try. Why are pants for woman such a dilemma?
Hi Betsy! Wow, thank you, kindly. So many posts I read are about getting rid of things and I wanted to do that too. However, I just needed to secure several things (the right pants being top of the list) before I could begin. It was worth the search!
Haha on pants! I am glad I am not alone there. We all have different shapes and what works for one certainly doesn’t seem to necessarily work for another. To better pants days!
Hi Deanna it is so nice to read a post that mentions liking earth tones but keeping some black things! I look better in earth tones but I get that there are times when black seems to work. Once I pulled away from that ubiquitous list of items “every woman should own” l started liking my wardrobe more. Thanks for the great post and for sharing your journey!
Hi Krys! Great name & spelling BTW. Thank you for reading & sharing your thoughts. Yeah, we get to make up our own wardrobe rules and like ‘em!
I love minimalism. I’ve read so much that Joshua Becker has written. I’ve been minimalising several years. I started with my furniture several years ago. I have just the pieces I really love in each room I tend to stay with tans and white. That way I can address each season with a quick switch of through pillows. That way I can change a look if I want to buy a few new pillows. I’ve downsized on clothing. I wear just what I love and feel good in. I like black and white with sometimes a pop of color. I bought three denim jackets in regular denim color, one black, and one white. I have one pair of regular denim colored jeans and one pair of back jeans. I also have two pair of dressier pants in black. Of course I have one black dress. I have one dressier jacket in a soft gray that pairs well with everything. My tops are white, black, teal and pink. All works well together. I tend to wear black shoes and bags. A couple of nice scarves add accents. My jewelry is minimal also. One silver and one gold pendent and small hoops to match. Needless to say my makeup routine requires about five minutes. I have found over the years I do not need a lot of”stuff.” I prefer to have less and better quality. I’ve also shared Josh Beckers books with others who hope to live with less and enjoy life more!
I am a farm wife and I have those clothes that are just for working outside on the farm. G
Hey Glenda! Thanks for coming by and commenting. It sounds like you really honed in on a wardrobe that’s right for you! I love it.
Additionally, I love how you said you have the pieces of furniture you really love in each room. That’s how to do it-find what we love and keep it simple.
Happy minimalising 🙂
Thank you for this post. I have been a minimalist for years, and certainly have a minimalist wardrobe. But your post made me realize what has felt wrong about it for so long. I love brown and light colored shoes. I also prefer brown and light colored pants. But to match all my black pants, I just have 2 pair of brown shoes and I rarely wear them. I am a YOUNG 50ish lady, but I feel like an old lady just trying to match other ladies my age when I wear black pants and black shoes. But like you, I’m a tall 5’9” and demand a comfortable fit. Greater possibility of finding that in ubiquitous black. Thank you for encouraging me to try harder, follow my joy, and keep seeking the colors that don’t bore me, even make me feel special. You look about my size. I shall now give Old Navy a shot! God bless you, dear! I just signed up today to follow your posts.
Hi Nanette, I love you comment! I am a young 40ish lady so it sounds like we have a lot in common.
You are right that black pants seem to be easy to find but I am done with em. I really felt like I struck the jackpot with old navy. They have tall sizes for about every pant online. I don’t know about you, but I usually need to hem tall pants just a bit; although, regular is too short. Anyway, I have a sewing machine for that. However, it’s affordable to have a seamstress hem.
Thanks for the follow! I hope I don’t disappoint:-)
Awesome. You don’t need a black dress, you could just as easily have a gray one, and that seems to be the color you’re most drawn to.
Yeah, you are absolutely right. Thank you for encouraging me!
yes i am 6 feet tall and have to buy tall pants, it is a challenge, but…fast fashion…? I buy things that are expensive but that will last a long long time, I try not to buy anything made in china and bangladesh etc because of the laxer environmental and labour laws. I prefer to get designer clothes on sale, usually made in italy, yes more expensive, but less guilt and will last longer probably.
Hello Gwen! I have enjoyed finding designer clothes in thrift stores. Additionally, I am willing to pay more money for better quality clothing but was still struggling to find good pants.
I do appreciate you cautions about buying stuff from China & Bangladesh. I just checked & my pants from old navy weren’t made in either but tbh I wasn’t making such considerations when I purchased them.
#AlwaysLearning
I finally figured out I don’t like black and it doesn’t look good next to my face. I’m moving to brown based. I have mostly neutral pants in colors like navy, blue jean, tan, gray, white and Black. I will keep some of the black because it will work but I can’t wait to move away from it. I’m buying brighter and lighter colors to wear near my face. I feel like DUH why didn’t I realize I should wear colors I like and that look good on me long ago. Following the herd mentality, I suppose.
Love your blog and will be following you. I’m a minimalist in most things. Thank God.
Hello Eve! Love the name. I have a dear friend whose sister’s & daughter’s name is Eve.
Isn’t it funny what we do just because it seems like the thing to do. It’s freeing to finally do & wear what we want!! Which just happens to lend itself to a more minimalist lifestyle.
Happy earth toning! And thanks for the follow 🙂
Ditto about pants. I found at Walmart of all places a brand I love. I now own 2 pair of blue jeans, 2 pairs of black jeans, one pair each of black and navy blue pants. I have one pair of good black loafers, one pair of blue loafers, a very good pair of sandals. and 2 pairs of tennies. I did keep a pair of dress black heels which I never wear, but my mom drilled into me the “What if…” mode of thinking. I do have one good outfit for dress up but haven’t worn it for years. Since my church services are very low key (we feel that God doesn’t care what we wear), I do not need dressy clothes. I have one dressy coat and one not-so-dressy, both black. I carry an umbrella when it’s raining so I don’t need a raincoat.
My downfall is tops. I have literally about 50 of them. So I put some away, and if I need something new, I shop in my put away closet.
I’m retired and don’t need much, but I refuse to become dowdy.
I love that you don’t want to become dowdy. Me neither!
Wow, nice job on pants, shoes & coats. I would like to reduce my coats next.
Hey that is a fantastic idea of putting the tops in another closet so you can “shop” there.
Marie, I feel similar about God not caring if we dress up for church or not! Heck now churches are in our home 🙂