Ditching the Clothes that Hold You Hostage to Self-Doubt. (3 min read)
I make a point of regularly going through my wardrobe and removing anything that makes me feel a little bit bleurgh. I sell anything I can on either Vinted or eBay, and I use those funds to buy on the same apps – it keeps fashion sustainable.
Your wardrobe should be your hype team, not your biggest critic. If you open your closet and feel a rush of shame or ‘not good enough,’ it’s time for an emotional edit.
So here’s my tips on how to edit your wardrobe :
1 – Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit you. Sell it on Vinted or eBay, or donate it. Keeping it in your wardrobe until it fits you is just putting unnecessary stress on your mental health.
2 – If it doesn’t spark joy, is it sparking self doubt? Clothes should make you feel good – I’m not suggesting that you need to be finished to a movie star standard every day, but you *do* deserve to feel great in the clothes you have. If it’s itchy or uncomfortable it has to go. You don’t need to torture yourself every time you get dressed.
3 – Clear the history, not just the hanger. Clothes hold emotional baggage. If wearing something reminds you of a time, a person, or an experience that causes you pain, it has to go. Keeping clothes because they have history is a waste of space – they are a relic of the past, and if wearing something reminds you of a time that you don’t want to remember, it has to go.
4 – Keeping something just because it was expensive is not a good enough excuse. If anything, your cost per wear is just going to go up, because the longer it sits unworn in your wardrobe, the more guilt it’s making you feel. Sell it, and maybe think about renting next time you need something for a one off. Or better yet, make what you already have work – even the royal family don’t worry about repeating outfits anymore.
5 – If you own five shirts but only one makes you feel sensational, ditch the rest. Your wardrobe doesn’t need stand-ins for your best self. One piece that gives you that brilliant feeling is worth more than five that just make you feel average.
Enjoy your wardrobe editing!
Make sure you take a moment after to appreciate the emotional effort it’s taken – letting go of clothes that cost us – whether financially or emotionally – can really take its toll. It’s important you take the time to congratulate yourself on your efforts.
Now go wear something that makes you feel sensational!
With love, Adeline x