There are so many ways to start living more sustainably – a message I repeat ad nauseum, I’m sure. But it’s so true and so important to remember!! Maintaining a small living space and keeping your purchases and belongings in check is one of the best ways to live sustainably (and save money). But once you cut back, how do you keep your closet size in check?? I’m embracing the one in, one out method and it’s fabulous!
The One In, One Out Closet DeCluttering Method
Most of us are guilty of it – a closet that’s a bit unruly and out of control. While Pinterest has made us drool over huge closets, that’s not really the most eco-friendly option.
And you may not believe it, but having a smaller wardrobe actually means you know your style and you feel as though you always have something to wear!! It seems counterintuitive, but I’m telling you from personal experience, that it’s true!
Downsizing Your Closet
The first step to downsizing is to decide what to donate. You can always move along more than you think – I promise. You can even easily donate and recycle your undergarments!
As you’re picking what to keep and what to move along, focus on what items and outfits you’re very likely to wear and rewear! It’s this part that will help you find your style.
Now, once you’ve really pared down your wardrobe, does that mean you can’t buy new clothes and shoes?!
Of course not. If you aren’t buying frivolously, however, and you’re just focused on items your wardrobe is missing or replacing items you know you’ll wear the heck out of, you won’t have as much trouble keeping your closet size in check!
You can focus on (and save up for) buying quality clothes and buying from more sustainable and fair trade brands!
But. BUT. BUT!!! With time, if you’re still buying new items, then your wardrobe will start to get bigger and bigger.
While quality, long-lasting clothes from sustainable brands is great, you’ll soon be back where you started – with an overstuffed closet and that feeling of having nothing to wear.
This is when the one in, one out closet method comes into play.
Keeping Your Closet in Check
If you’ve truly gotten to a point where you feel you have pretty much everything you need, then there’s no need for a higher number of items, right?
So when you add something to your closet, welcome it into your wardrobe, but before you do it, you need to move something else along. Hence the one in, one out…
This Eric Javits purse and hat, for example, are new to me. And I can imagine a lot of use for them in my closet. But that also means, I need to move two items along.
To make room for these two items, I’ll be selling/donating a Marc Jacobs purse I bought 8 years ago and haven’t worn much recently as well as a pair of tennis shoes I can’t wear too much these days.
So for the two new items coming in, I have two items going out.
The one in, one out closet method is a hard practice to start at the beginning, I know. It ends up being a great practice, however, in not only helping you limit what you buy (because you know something will have to go) but also in keeping your closet size in check!!
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