I am conducting a fashion science experiment.  I will wear every item in my closet.  If I don’t, I will donate it or move it to the “just want to be seen but not worn section”.

My closet is my sanctuary where I can admire all of the incredible purchases over the years from different countries I’ve been or the fab finds I’ve found from places like the Off 5th Outlet or Loehman’s.  But as fabulous as it may be, it gets cluttered and I can’t stand the chaos if I don’t have enough hangers for my newest fall buys. And if I feel like I need to buy more hangers than I’m not getting rid of enough.  I am totally guilty of wearing the same jeans every single day even though I have 23 other pairs staring at me. So starting tomorrow I will officially wear every item in my closet. I have organized it according to time and place.  For instance, tops and sweaters are separated according to function. Tops to wear during the day with jeans. Tops to wear to meeting with a client. Tops for dinner with friends. Tops for dinner with kids.  Tops to wear with pants to a cocktail party when I’m not in the mood for a dress. You get the picture.

Beginning from left to right I will wear everything. If I’m not in the mood to wear it when I’m holding it then it’s time to put it in the “I’m not in the mood to wear this today” pile. I will collect enough data to see if the next week I will be in the “mood’. I will allow a 7 day grace period with myself and try the experiment again.  If I am still not in the mood on day 7 then I will put it in the donate or consignment pile. That’s it. Simple. Move on.

There are of course exceptions to this experiment. Vintage. I couldn’t part with Grandma Belle’s vintage Pucci blouse or Missoni outfit that totally doesn’t fit me but has original Bergdorf Goodman tags from the 40s! How can you? You can’t. So the items that have history must be showcased in the “I am gorgeous but will never be worn again” section.  And very few items should end up here. Yes, every item of clothing has a sentimental value and “oh I bought that when I was 22 at this store, etc. etc.” But it’s time to move on.  Like scientists, we must embrace the future and move forward. If that skirt you had fit perfectly 7 years ago and you wonder why it doesn’t fit like it used to it’s not that the skirt shrunk on the hanger, it’s that your body changed and it’s time to deal with it and move on.  Just like science is ever-evolving, so should you and your closet.