It was around last autumn that I had started to majorly downsize my wardrobe and had began thinking about creating a capsule wardrobe, which I talked about here. At the time the thought of clearing out the majority of my clothes to focus on the limited amount of items that I actually wore and refine that selection to create a ‘capsule wardrobe’, was both scary and exciting. Even once I’d got into the swing of mix and matching certain pieces on repeat, I still had a large selection of clothes that I’d been hoarding (but never wore) incase I ‘got bored’ or ‘needed something different’. As the weeks and months passed, I realised those were two scenarios that never actually occurred and although I was quite content with my new outlook on style and how I now dressed/shopped, I still wasn’t quite ready to let go of my safety blanket – which was basically all of the clothes that I was keeping for the sake of keeping them.
Trying To Start Anew
Although I was no longer adding to my unworn clothing collection, the clothes were still there. There were plenty of clear outs (I actually lost count) but it was the last and biggest one that was the hardest. I knew I didn’t want to take all of that stuff to my new house but a part of me didn’t want to part with most of it either. So for a good while, there it sat, bagged up, between homes, unsure of where it was going. It annoyed me, it got in my way, it definitely pissed me off but for some reason I just couldn’t part with it…until eventually I actually forgot what was in some of the bags and so then I knew, it was definitely time to let it go. It still sounds a lot easier than it actually was – I mean, it’s just clothes after all – but I’m so glad that I eventually did it.
Where I’m At Now
Fourteen months later and I’m finally at the place I had only been able to dream about a year ago. It sounds extreme but at the time, I had discovered a few things that really made me want to change my clothes shopping habits (something I’ll go into more in a future post) and I also started to realise that I really wasn’t finding fulfilment from all the things I owned and that the clutter I had created was just causing a distraction, not to mention slowing me down when it came to something as simple as getting ready in the morning (I definitely do better with a lot less choice). Fourteen months later I moved into our house with one suitcase of clothes plus a coat and a few jackets (that I bagged up separately) and I’m currently the happiest I’ve been with my style and my wardrobe in a long time.
…And The Capsule Wardrobe
As for the capsule wardrobe, I don’t strictly have one. I’m much more of a go with the flow person and if I really love something I’m not going to stop myself from buying it just because it doesn’t stick to a certain number of items. I do however like to stick to certain colour pallets. I’ve moved away from bold prints and bright colours, instead favouriting more ‘grown up’, muted tones but that’s not to say that it isn’t possible to have a brightly coloured capsule wardrobe or even just a pop of colour when you fancy it (as I had lots of fun trying to create an example of here). Limiting what I let into my wardrobe has just helped me to discover that I now prefer to dress much more relaxed and casual and I feel most comfortable in more minimal, simple pieces. I also think that if you’re like me and maybe don’t like to stay completely within the rules but can be helped by a little guidance, just planning a capsule wardrobe can be a great way to help you realise the things you actually really want in your wardrobe and it can also be a great way to help you to refine your style.
The Verdict
Without rambling on too much longer (I could honestly talk about this topic for hours), in a nutshell, decluttering has been a long and slow process but one I’m definitely glad I started. It’s helped me think differently about how I shop and yet buying less, opting for better quality when possible and owning less has actually left me feeling much happier about the way I dress and the pieces I own. I guess I can now say I really understand the meaning of ‘less is more’.
Thank you to the fabulous kind hearted soul that is Onyi for taking these fabulous photos for me and thank you to those of you who actually read this post to the end because I know it was a long one.
You can read more about my decluttering journey here.
Samio x
12 comments
Beauty!
Federica Di Nardo
http://federicadinardo.com
Thank you Federica!
Samio x
LOVE this look and I love the thought of downsizing the closet! I talked about something similar in my newest post, clearing stuff out for those who will use it a lot more than I will 🙂
Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
Thanks Pam. I’ll have to go check that out! ?
Samio x
Happy Monday my dear, beautiful Samio! First of all I need to point out how amazing these photos are and how beautiful you look! You have a rare, iconic beauty which is captivating and this casual look is perfection! As for decluttering, I am on the exact position with you lately! Now on my home there is nothing that I do not really use! I have make several donations and also given clothes to friends, nieces etc and kept the ones I am wearing, owning a more versatile and wearable wardrobe! Same situation in my entire home, from the socks to the books, to kitchen utensils to everything! We were amazed when we gave away so many things that another person could enjoy and make an entire home out of it!! I am actually thinking of writing a post about decluttering and you inspired me a lot!
Thank you so much for sharing and hope you have a great start to your week so far!
Love,
Stella
http://www.stellaasteria.com
Thank you very much Stella! It feels good to be able to pass things on to others who may use them more doesn’t it, it’s crazy how easily we can accumilate so much stuff that we don’t actually need/use. You should definitely write your decluttering post, I would love to read it! Thanks for stopping by. =D
Samio x
Oh the drama! Haha I feel exactly the same and get wayyyy too attached to clothes than I should. Whatever you’re doing is definitely working, I love your outfits!
Lily xxx
I wonder why we do that, attach memories to clothes and get all attached haha. I’m getting much better at not doing it so much though…And thanks Lily! 🙂
Samio xxx
you are so stunning! <3
http://www.britishmermaid.com
Dear Samio let me profound this comment by saying wow girl you are truly stunning. I am doing the same at the moment with getting rid of things I do not need by either selling or giving them away. My friends think I own so many clothes while in reality I occupy a very small place in the wardrobe.
Cheers to you,
T.
https://tbymallano.com/
This is awesome! I’ve gone through the same thing in my life a few years ago. My wardrobe is sooo tiny haha. I realized I was just buying all these cheap things because they were on trend. Now I like to focus on more expensive purchases that are timeless pieces. Pieces that go with everything and are minimal. Actually, I LOVE the outfit you are wearing here. It’s so my style. I’ve been focusing on good quality shoes/boots, good jeans, and basic tops (turtlenecks will NEVER go out of style). Living a more minimal life has been so great. You’re right in that sometimes all the little things become a distraction. I love that you posted this because it’s nice to get to know you beyond the repetitive fashion posts that other fashion bloggers do. 🙂
-Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com
I agree, I don’t like the restriction of a capsule wardrobe but at the same time I think decluttering and minimising my wardrobe is something I’d love to do. Just the other day I was looking at my clothes and it was almost overwhelming how many things were in there that I hadn’t worn in a while, I definitely need a clear out.
http://www.thesundaymode.com