This week I stood in my closet a number of times and stared at my clothes for a long time. I noticed that while I honestly did have a lot of clothes, I continually believed that I had nothing to wear…

And so Wardrobe Overhaul 2006 began. I invited my friend over and we went through everything! She was helpfully, and sometimes brutally, honest about the fit, the color or the “datedness” of most every item of clothing I own, including my purses and we’d decide together whether or not it should remain on a hanger or be thrown into the “sell or donate” pile…

We definitely disagreed on some items, so we’d each argue our point of view. My point of view was always why it should remain in my closet and her point of view was always why it should go. Sometimes I won and sometimes she won. It’s amazing how much emotion can be wrapped up in a certain piece of clothing.

I’d say, “Oh, I got that at my favorite resale store in San Francisco…”
And she’d say, “Uh, huh. And so when was that, like 5 years ago? This hasn’t been in style for 5 years ~ it’s time to go.”

Or I’d say, “But my Mom bought that for me.”
And she’d say, “Ok, well, it makes you look like a little girl. You decide.” (I decided to keep it, because I think she just has something against anything with flowers)

Or I’d say, “But it’s a good basic item.”
And she’d say, “Yeah if you lived in the Midwest!”

Then sometimes we’d pull something out, giggle immediately and it would not even take a discussion…and so the pile grew and grew.

Now, I can see what I own! Some shirts I forgot I owned came out from overstuffed drawers and onto hangers where they belong…

Here’s to better outfits in 2006!

(And next week, we’re doing her closet…)