Lifestyle change. Do I have to throw away everything?

It happens that the way we spend our time on a daily basis changes. It may be a process (changing preferences, style, putting comfort above an uncomfortable, yet fashionable look), or a one-off change (e.g. changing a job where a less formal outfit was required to a more formal one, or vice versa). What to do with the clothes then?

If your lifestyle has changed, the need for specific clothing cuts / patterns / colors / types will change. For example, suddenly you don’t need to wear high heels and a smart dress every day, or on the contrary – casual clothes are not appropriate in a new job. This is where the troubles start, because you may need to supplement your wardrobe with the things you need at the moment, but there is also trouble number two: what to do with what you currently use very rarely?

If you don’t wear something longer than … you should throw it out (?)

Seriously? But okay, you surely know these tips. Often such statements can be found on blogs for minimalists. Personally, I think this is bullshit. If you’ve been buying a lot of so-called „seasonal trends” (most obviously one-season), it might make some sense because you probably really won’t wear it anymore. But what if you have chosen your wardrobe well, you have timeless things that cost a lot more?

Tip # 1: Consider whether or not the item will be useful

First of all, think about what your life is like today and what clothes you need to be prepared for all the activities you spend your time on. The Lifestyle Analysis is best for this. The analysis also includes activities that appear sporadically or may occur suddenly (e.g. wedding, prom, spontaneous registration for a training camp, etc.). It is definitely worth being prepared for them and keeping something in the wardrobe for such occasions.

Tip # 2: Consider keeping these things after all

If you have clothes with timeless cuts, excellent or very good quality, in very good condition, which were / are some kind of investment in your image, you should keep them. Are they all like that? Decide for yourself. You don’t know the future, and you may need these things in the next few years. If they are classics – they will surely be up to date then. Everyone who has worn clothes from previous generations (mothers, grandmothers, etc.) knows this. Maybe this is not too minimalist advice, but minimalism forcing only to have as little as possible is not a way for everyone. If you want to free up space in a closet, secure it, pack it, hide it, but don’t forget.

After changing my full-time job, which required me to wear formal clothes, to run my own business, I was left with a lot of dresses, coats, jackets, and high heels, which I don’t really need at the moment. In fact, most of the day I spend in front of the computer in my home studio. However, it would be a pity to get rid of things that I really like and which I know would be hard for me to find similar at the moment. If I had been following the principle of „If you haven’t worn something in a year / two, throw it away”, I would have to get rid of half of my clothes. So, after scrupulously going through the wardrobe and eliminating the things that I really never intended to wear, I decided to keep everything else. However, occasions to wear these things happen sometimes less than once a year, but certainly it’s a great pleasure.