A Peek Into My Minimal Closet


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Minimal wardrobes are a thing nowadays. And rightly they should be. It’s truly one of the most impactful “decluttering” projects I’ve done.

I’ve wanted to write about my wardrobe for a while now, since minimizing it was partially what inspired me to start this blog. But with the upheaval caused by a growing pregnancy belly and many maternity hand-me-downs, I’ve been in constant transition for almost a year.

My various categories of clothes (this season and that, early pregnancy and late, favorites and backups, to be returned yonder-and-hither, etc.) prohibited me from fully establishing my wardrobe during that time.

Even now, only a few of my pre-pregnancy garments fit me. And that’s not going to change any time soon with my current “nursing figure” and related wardrobe needs.

However, in Day 12 of the Make Over Your Mornings eCourse, Crystal challenged us to identify areas of our day where we experience decision-making-related stress.

As I completed the exercises, I realized my wardrobe was one of these stressors.

Many of the things hanging in my closet either didn’t fit me or at least did not make me feel good to wear. This meant I had to sift through all the “no, not yet” options mentally before finding something I could wear, which is a lot of sorting. Not to mention the discouragement of seeing my pre-pregnancy clothes and not being able to wear them!

Talk about decision fatigue.

So, I accepted Crystal’s challenge to eliminate this stressor and went to work immediately. I removed the clothes that weren’t fitting or appropriate for nursing and left out only what I can and like to wear. I hung every one of these items, including t-shirts, women’s leggings, and shorts, so I could see it all clearly.

This is what I ended up with.

_D4B8045This has been a breath of fresh air! It has been so wonderful to simplify and de-stress my morning in this way.

In my closet I currently have:

  • 2 Dresses
  • 4 Cardigans/jackets
  • 5 dressy shirts
  • 5 tank tops (usually worn as undershirts)
  • 7 v-neck t-shirts (my favorite for nursing)
  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 1 pair of leggings
  • 3 pairs of exercise-type pants or caprices
  • 1 pair of jean shorts
  • 4 fun scarves
  • 5 pairs of shoes

I also have a couple of special occasion dresses and high heels, but I wear these so infrequently that I removed them from my daily lineup.

While this quantity of clothing may seem low to some, this is a postpartum wardrobe, so I’m not investing money into it and it will likely grow when I establish a more stable size. Also, my needs in this stage of life are pretty basic. Yours may not be.

Each day I put on exercise-type pants or shorts, a tank top, a t-shirt and athletic shoes.

That’s my mom uniform! That’s what works for me as I chase my kids around and tend to the needs of our home. I wear dressier clothes to church and night-out things.

So, really, I don’t need or want much variety to clutter up my decision-making faculties and closet!

_MG_8021

Whew!

Would minimizing your wardrobe de-stress your mornings? If so, grab a box and get going!

 

New to this community? Start here, friend.

 

**update: I’m not postpartum anymore, and while I’m still working on a minimal wardrobe, I’m taking a different approach now. Read about it here:

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Comments

  1. Lyme says:

    Wow, my goal too…i hope i can do it. I notice your flat shoes. it looks like mine. i love the simplicity and the color…it is a safe color that fits all types of wear…i love your blog and im glad i found it. it is an inspiration… Thank you 🙂

  2. Lindsey says:

    I LOVED this post! Thank you so very much! I recently got my wardrobe down to pretty small after transitioning from nursing my second child. It feels so good to just be able to pick what you love, doesn’t it?! I’m new to your site but so far I am LOVING all your encouragement and insights! I did have a question, sorry if this seems weird… You have the same size and type of closet I do (at least from the picture it looks the same!), and I’m having some trouble organizing it… I love your bins at the top and was wondering… What do you keep in them? Not trying to pry! Sorry if that seems weird! Just general type categories 🙂 Again, sorry to bother you! I’m off to read more of your blog! 🙂 Have a great day!

    • That’s awesome! I am an open book, seriously! You can ask me anything! I actually have a total of six bins and two drawers, plus my hanging stuff. I organize my drawers as 1. undergarments 2. socks and my bins as 1. pajama tops 2. pajama bottoms 3. t-shirts 4. shorts/work out pants 5. painting clothes 6. swimwear/undershirts/leggings! I actually have a full walk in closet, but because I love keeping a minimal wardrobe, I only use half of it! 🙂

  3. Great post for minimizing your closet space. Glad I found it – cleaning out my closet is one of my goals for this month!

  4. Jessica says:

    This post was very inspiring! Cleaning out the closets!

  5. Whitney Distler says:

    Katie, I love the inspiration each of your posts give me! I’m reading the book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo and it is inspiring me in this area too (if you haven’t heard of the book I think you’d like it). I tackled shirts first as I have such small buckets of time between interruptions. And, I am happy to say I have 2 1/2 big trash bags full of clothes to donate, and probably another 1/2 a bag to just throw out. At first, in looking at my closet I felt like I had nothing left. But, after a week now I can say it’s so refreshing to just see the things I enjoy hanging/folded in there. And, picking out outfits has been easier too! Thanks for sharing with us! And, I completely understand the challenges of the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and nursing bodies. Ha! Thank goodness clothes are so readily available for us here :).

    • I have heard so many good things about that book! I am going to go reserve it online from the library right now before I forget again. I bet it would give me so much inspiration for furthering my own “simple living” and ideas for where to take the blog. Thanks for the tip! And way to go with your closet minimizing!

  6. Linda says:

    P.S. Your baby is adorable!

    • Thank you!! I sort of “cheated” with this picture. This is actually from 2 years ago, after my middle child, my son was born. It was more becoming than any picture I could find from present day and represented the exact same clothes. 🙂 I thought, “people are going to wonder why she dressed her girl in such boyish clothes!” Ha! Fortunately all of my babies look pretty much the same…

  7. Linda says:

    Katie, thank you so much for encouraging me by your heart for the people in care homes. Going there was not my choice. My husband is the one with the heart! When we laid my mother to rest in September I was so relieved to be finished with everything that goes along with old age. It had been such a long road. But when my husband was asked to take on this ministry, he wanted to do it so badly and I didn’t feel like I should opt out. You know how it is–they love and appreciate him and talk with him and ask questions, and love the Bible studies and their eyes light up when they see him, but they Hug me. I often long for those “cocoon” days at home! But one of the ladies went to heaven last week and I am so happy for her and—I find that I miss her! Who would have thought. Perhaps your kids will like to do this sort of thing with you when they get older–they would be very popular!

    • My parents always did care home visits with my siblings and me growing up. Now I realize how good that was! I tried going when my oldest was around 12 months, but it was difficult. She was into everything, so I fell off. But I think you’re right, when they’re older, there will be a time for it.

  8. Erin says:

    Katie thank you for sharing! I’m due with a baby soon and I want to declutter my closet as well. Quick question, did you donate all the clothes you removed from your closet or did you save them for later? Thank you!

    • I would say I’m about 60/40. About 60% has been donated, but there are also many things that I truly do like but just don’t suit my current needs and size. I saved these to wear after I’m done nursing. Congratulations on your coming baby! I am in newborn heaven right now (with a 9 week old), so I’m excited for you! 🙂

  9. linda says:

    How generous of you to not only tell about your wardrobe, but also to show us what a working (and workable) wardrobe looks like! Thank you! Relating wardrobe to decision-making stress is also a huge concept for me to think about. I have looked at my clothes from the standpoint of style, color, fit, budget, coordination, needs for each activity and ministry. I have realized that some things I need because of the people and places where we minister–for example, the care home people enjoy and respond to bright, cheerful colors–I prefer to wear neutrals, so that is what I had. So I had added a couple of colorful options. But thinking about the wardrobe in terms of decision making stress! That is so helpful. That seems like the piece of the puzzle I have been missing. Can’t wait to go re-evaluate:-)

    • Yay! That’s great Linda! I love to hear about your ministry too. Thank you so much for reaching out in a care home. That is something that my heart stirs for, although I’m not currently involved in going. It’s sometimes those people who are truly the least-of-these. Some are lonely or forgotten and need love and hope! I love that you put even put special thought into your wardrobe.

  10. Amber says:

    Wow, as I was reading this I was thinking of specific things I’m always seeing but never wearing. Every morning I’m so stressed trying to find something I can nanny in. I may be needing a decluttering sesh myself. Thanks for sharing.

    • DO IT! You can always box it up and set it aside, then re-evaluate later! But in the meantime I bet you will catch the vision for living with less. It is SO NICE!

  11. Rachel says:

    Wow! I do love de cluttering my side of the closet. Ironically it’s my husband’s side that is bursting at the seams! Ha! Thanks for the inspiration.

    • Ha! That is funny! As I worked to minimize my closet over and over again, I eventually inspired my husband to take a pass at his closet too! Maybe, maybe? 🙂

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