Lifestyle Experiment • Living With Less Clothes
While catching up on one of my favorite blogs, I came across this article: What Would Your Life Be Like With Less Stuff? (A Lifestyle Experiment), and it peaked my interest.
The premise is that happiness is increased by experience and not by material things.
I agree, and like the author, I am more prone to save $400 and travel to visit a friend than I am to spend that same $400 on a pair of shoes. 
She goes on to explain that she conducted her own lifestyle experiment concerning the amount of clothing she owned.
“As of right now, I’ve gotten rid of 50% of my clothes and already my tiny apartment feels so much lighter. And I’ll be ditching some more stuff once I finally do my fall wardrobe changover. It has to go if:
- I haven’t worn it all summer.
- I haven’t worn it in six months.
- I have never worn it.
- I don’t really like it.
- I shoulda never bought it.”
source: happyblackwoman.com
I am so inspired and so gonna do this! 
I must confess just reading this post made me feel freer, almost like it gave me permission to try something that’s been in the back of my head for a really long time. I often look at my closet with angst. I like my clothes but they also annoy me. I have too many pieces. The rack in my closet is coming out the wall, and the rack on the other side has busted off the wall once before. Even though I own lots of items I am never 100% content with my ability to “put together” the outfits that I want. Don’t get me wrong, I can be cute quickly, but I always want something else I can’t have … typically ’cause I’m cheap. Case in point, as I type this, I’m sitting here in brown slacks I’ve owned for a decade … but I’ve always wanted darker brown slacks because I feel they would go better with my tops … but I won’t buy a pair so I settle for these milk chocolate colored ones and sulk.
Yes, I know #firstworldproblems.
I believe I will be doing my own version of this through 2012. Here is the criteria I’ll stick to (subject to change):
My actual piles of clothes from the 1st clothing purge
It has to go* if:
- I don’t really like it.
- I have never worn it.
- It is falling apart, on its last leg or of poor quality (’cause I’ll hold on to a piece until it begs for mercy)
- The only reason I’m holding onto it is because someone gave it to me and I don’t want to hurt their feelings (#guiltfail)
- It doesn’t fit
*By “go” I mean one of three things: Go to the Goodwill as a donation, go in the trash -or- go into a large plastic bag in storage in my basement. Baby steps.
Once that initial “purge” is completed, I will aim for monthly evaluations of how it’s going. While I’m at it I’m gonna add on this life hack I read about on Uncommonchick.com where you put all your clothes into your closet with the hangers reversed. As wear the item put it back on the hanger the right direction. Ever so often, check, and you’ll be able to easily tell which clothes you haven’t worn and deal with the ones you have not.
Once a month I will either:
- purge unnecessary items from my closet or
- re-introduce items from my basement storage purgatory that were truly missed.
I’m doing this “interim” step because … well … I’m not 100% gonna commit to tossing items that FIT me (I’m 6’1″, many items purchased from specialty stores and altered for me) unless I’m sure they can go. I’m experimenting, not crazy.
I will also be limiting this experiment to clothing only, and not shoes, accessories, makeup etc. I don’t have any plans on increasing items in those areas but I figure I’ll focus on one part and give myself the accessories to still doll my trimmed down wardrobe up the way I want to.
Could you live with less clothing … like 50% less?
2016 UPDATE: This is in full swing beyond clothes! To catch up on my minimalist journey click HERE or search the words “glamazini living with less” 🙂
Roshini Cope
Roshini Cope, aka Glamazini, is a life coach and video creator who gained a following for her natural hair tutorials, which evolved into authentic personal stories of healing with a consistent dash of humor. She is a black woman healing helping other black women heal, expand their self-awareness, reclaim their joy, and create the life they want. Work with Roshini 🤎✨🤎
28 Comments
Twisted
I know the feeling, prior to moving to moving to the city I had crazy amounts of storage and had to cut my clothes and shoes considerably just to be able to breath in my city loft. And I can say that I actually felt much better, and that inital step had a ripple effect, I streamlined my entire life! lol and still trying to make moves to cut some more clutter 🙂
glamazini
I’ve always had “the urge to purge” & do it on occasion so this is right up my alley, except on a grander scale.
Lisa
I already do this with my clothes. Lack of space makes me re-evaluate what’s hanging in my closet so when I change between the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons, I purge. I use almost the same criteria except, if an item is on the fence, I save it for the next season and THEN if I’m not feeling it, I give it away. When I look in my closet, I now love EVERYTHING in it. I don’t feel ‘meh’ about not once piece of clothing.
glamazini
That is awesome! I never change over my closet from season to season ’cause my winter selection is lacking and I’m big on layering. I have been activelt trying to live toward loving each piece I own, so I think this is a step in the right direction.
Katrina
I do the same as Lisa – EXCEPT – I update my wardrobe every season with a few pieces. BUT before shopping, I MUST purge items from the previous year (season) if I a) no longer like it, b) no longer fit it, or c) plan on updating/replacing it in my seasonal shopping. I began to do this after realizing that by NOT evaluating my closet regularly, I was holding on to over 8 large trash bags of clothes that needed to move on to those that needed them more than I did. What it also made me do was to think of how long I will have any piece before I bought it and make better decisions for purchasing clothes in the future. Now, I only update my wardrobe with a few classic pieces and some inexpensive trendy pieces and I can honestly say that I wear 90% of my clothes (formal wear not included).
glamazini
Awesome technique!
cindy
I have been feeling this in my spirit for a LONG time. I look in my closet and regularly think “this is too much stuff”. Then I feel guilty because I don’t want to be ungrateful about God’s abundance for me in my life. Well I’m going to allow my abundant blessings (in my closet for starters) be a blessing to someone else. I feel lighter just thinking about it!! Thanks for lifting this up.
Peace,
Cindy
glamazini
It’s been great so far & I’ve had no issue getting dressed. It’s like I know I have less so I’m calmer & just pick from what I’ve got.
Twisted
For me it not really a difference because I wasn’t wearing the stuff that I got rid of anyway, and still not wearing it now lol so I just have a nicer looking closet but I tend to wear the same things over again just in a different way.
glamazini
Right! I have all these clothes, but I wear 20 pieces over and over.
mrs basse
This experiment is absolutely amazing. It does help you to really purge materially and spiritually. As you start to get rid of things you see that it is also cleaning things in your heart, mind and soul. We (husband and I) did this with our whole house. When we moved in together as marrieds, i still had all my furniture. My husband just bought his clothes. I was a totally Pottery Barn, West Elm kinda girl, so i had the place laid out and was very content. My husband, being the spiritual drill sargent that he is, comes and says that we should consider downsizing. Saying that it was like fasting. Well we got rid of the dining room set first and i was ok with that, but then he suggested my couch and it was like WW5 in our house. I was upset that he (husband) was trying to change me. I told him, if you want to be St. Francis of Assisi go ahead but i’m keeping my couch. Ladies, i didn’t realize how i was desirinf so much a material possession to the point of fighting for it. So in my daily meditation and prayer, it weighed on me so much. “Why am i holding onto to this couch?” The Lord reminded me, “Its not the couch, but whats attached to the couch. See the couch represented all that i am NOT letting go. I didn’t realize how heavy it (couch) was. So the Holy Spirit moved me to go a lift up the couch. He said, “See how heavy that couch is. This is how heavy your heart and soul is with the things of this world.” IT WAS A REVELATION. Letting go is so hard ya’ll. I prayed and fasted (no food, just water) for about 3 days and the Lord helped me to get rid of not only my material couch but the spiritual one as well. Simplicity is desirable. I admire Mother Teresa so much because of her desire for simplicity. I thank God for taking me in that path, because now i am no longer a slave to “things” but to God. Its hard, don’t get me wrong but it is so worth it. It brings you to a level of maturity and CANNOT be taken away.
glamazini
Amazing. In my family I’m more of the minimilist & hubby is more of the materialist lol. I do what I can to reduce & reuse though. I’m loving this life experiment so far!
MerelyMarie
I’m the opposite. I tend to spend more on “stuff” (clothes/shoes/bags) than save up for experiences (trip back to Hawaii. Finally visit Paris, etc.) that I know will bring my spirit more long-term joy & excitement. I’d love to be the other way around, like you, but it’s hard. Shopping is also an “experience” that brings me delight, but it is a short-lived delight.
I’ve been “decluttering” these past couple of months, and found a cool blog called “Be More with Less”.
glamazini
I subscribe to Be More With Less 🙂
mrs basse
On a flip note, since the whole “simplify your life” began with us, we have been able to both work part-time and focus more on our ministry work. We are able to be stay at home parents and since hubby’s fam is all abroad we are able to realistic safe to be able to go and see his parents in France and West Africa. Also, its good to know that your kids are getting those good values too. Things that great-grandma and grandpa were able to teach.
glamazini
Wow, that is so impressive and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
NaturallyShe
Although I tend to donate to Goodwill every year (for tax purposes & because I like recycling), I know I can do better because there are lots of items in my closet I don’t wear anymore/haven’t worn at all. Think I’ll try a little living with less stuff, starting with clothes and maybe eventually getting rid of old gadgets (my baaabies…lol) since those are pretty much the only items I have in excess.
This also has me thinking – I tend to spend more money on gadgets than I do trying to travel to visit friends & family. I think I could do with less gadgets enabling me to have the money for more experiences with loved ones. Thanks for this post.
glamazini
I’m so happy this is inspiring others like it did me!
Rosetta Thurman
Yay! So cool to read about your experience with this life experiment. Like @Twisted, the first step of getting rid of half my clothes led to me downsize in other areas as well – including my gadgets and accessories. Eventually, I ended up getting rid of my apartment so I can have more freedom to travel!
@mrs basse – Loved the couch story. Just going through the process of getting rid of our physical stuff can bring up mental stuff that we wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to consider.
glamazini
Hi! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting on this post. You so inspired me, and I’ve already been “reducing” in other areas (as in dude and I may be killing out TV set up in some way but we’ll see). Thanks again, love your blog (but you know that *smile*).
K.Nicole
I read this at exactly the right time. More than half of my clothes stay on my closet floor and I rarely wear everything I have. I was thinking about buying another dresser when really I need to purge the clothes I do have. I will definitely be doing this, this week. Thanks for the kick in the pants I needed.
glamazini
Glad to help 🙂
Imani Aisha
I support this mission. I agree with some previous comments above. I have learned to live a more simple life with less things after having moved across country in a suitcases a couple of times. The other experience is being an area (Glamazani’s birthplace) where I learned to appreciate not having too many household (*dollarstore extras) too! Less is more. Thanks for reminding us and sharing Glamazini
glamazini
You are so right! At home we don’t have all this “stuff” so often the choice to live with less is made for you.
The Retro Natural
Nope, I don’t think I can give up half..I mean..if I had to, sure but it wouldn’t be very fun. I actually wear 95% of the clothing I have (not counting pjs and lounge wear). I do a Goodwill run every few months or so and I don’t normally hold on to things that I dislike and I don’t shop often. I get credit for that right? Plus most of my things that I have now are vintage pieces that remain sturdy so I’m gonna wear them til they bust open lol. I do commend you for be able to let go though, that’s called being a grown up (go girl!) 😀
glamazini
Honesty is the best policy 🙂
Michelle
I have a dilemma. My mom is a healthy eater and exercises vigorously/regularly but she has been the same size FOREVER (12). she has clothing that is too small/big, a few that actually fits. she wont get rid of them because “she is trying to lose weight” (been hearing that for years.) Her metal closet rod is sagging from the weight of unused clothing. She has Nice donatable clothing and she has clothes that are past their prime. I dont know how to get through to her so i stopped trying years ago but this post makes me want to try again. Any suggestions on getting her to understand and downsize?
glamazini
Hi,
Unfortunately I can’t influence your mom’s thought process since it seems she is set in her ways HOWEVER you may consider appealing to some other part of her personality, like if she’s generous frame it as a way of giving to others, or if she’s frugal consider not getting rid of the clothes but removing them from the closet and putting them in the basement or storage so she can “see how it feels to live without them” but not have to 100% commit to giving them away. Then a year later you can be like ‘BAM! See, you forgot these were even down here right? Can we give some away?”. As an aside, I find that people who keep saying “I’m gonna loose weight” and never do are not living in the present. They either mentally reside in the past or the future and are not taking full advantage of who they are, in the body they are in , here and now. Just an opinion, take it for what it’s worth.