Wardrobe: stripped and swapped

The most productive thing I’ve ever done for my closet and possibly my personal style is the night I spent cleansing my wardrobe with my neighbor-friend Perry. We threw away about 50% of our clothes, bringing new life to our closets by claiming the treasures we found in each others trashed clothes.

The rules were simple. Throw away anything you don’t wear, or that you don’t see yourself wearing again. Throw away anything that does not lend itself to your current personal style, or what your mind’s eye sees as your classic style. Throw away anything you wore in order to fit in with a certain group, or for a boy. Throw away all things that are faded or look too old. Convene with the clothing-trash and take anything you’d like that the other girl has tossed, everything else gets thrown out!

With the help of a few glasses of wine it becomes incredibly easy and empowering to throw away in gobs the pieces of who you’ve been. As i dug through and tossed more and more into the bulging bags, I refused to give into ambivalence. I began to feel fashion baptized. I let go of nostalgia. I let the ideas of my future direct me, what I wanted to look like and the pieces of clothing that made me feel good, safe, most myself.

I chose items to sacrifice that were much more suited to Perry, a sheer floral printed blouse, an oatmeal colored cob-webbed shawl, a lacy lilac top.

When we came together it quickly turned into a ridiculous fashion show and naked glance into each others past lives. We bonded over various skull and crossbones printed rags and held up band tees in a form of self deprecating amusement. We gave each other carefully chosen presents from our closets, taken with glee and appreciation.

When it was all over and we sat on the floor in piles of dresses, skirts and tops, our golden glasses of wine raised triumphantly. As women true to our word we packed the rest back into our trash bags and made the way down to our buildings dumpster, flinging the bags in.

The next morning as I got dressed for work I admired the immaculate minimalism of my closet, the crisp folded turtlenecks, the beloved hanging dresses. I got ready and felt lighter in myself, freed.

I was working as a hostess at the time for a sushi bar in the gold coast. It was the morning shift and rather slow. I stood behind the hostess stand thinking of how clear I felt, wondering if Perry felt as great and hopeful. My bouncing thoughts were suddenly broken as a twig-thin woman with a runway strut walked from across the street towards the restaurant.

I immediately recognized the burgundy colored pants with black lace overlay as a Christmas present from my mother years ago. They were a size zero and I had never been able to squeeze into them. Miss thing was rocking the pants. On top she wore a tee-shirt of deep purple that in large hot pink letters read “So Fresh, So Clean.” It had, the night before, resulted in fits of laughter when Perry presented it from her bag.

She dramatically approached my hostess stand and asked “Can I have some matches?” It was the same homeless woman who lolled this neighborhood day and night. She was having a very on day.

I handed over a fistful of matches and watched in awe and she sashayed out.

So… throwing out things you don’t need can be good for your closet and your psyche. It can also be good for friends and whoever else may reap the benefits of you un-worn clothes. I bring this up now because I am long overdue for another one of these cleanses. Anyone up for a swap?

Rabbit Write