I'm saying this with kindess: I think to achieve a more minimalistic wardrobe, it'll be more important to have a mindset change rather than a closet purge. While you are doing an amazing job decluttering, you keep talking about what new stuff you want to buy. The point of minimalism is to have and desire less

This is coming from someone who’s not a minimalist, but I feel like focusing on numbers makes it not as fun. It’s about loving what you do have, not about having the perfect number of clothes. Sometimes I’ll watch the “my __ piece wardrobe” and then they actually have a lot more that they don’t count, like jackets, pajamas, t-shirts even. It’s an illusion. If you force yourself to give away something that you do love, you might want to rebuy it and then the cycle will continue. The same goes with eating, some people can eat the blandest diet of chicken broccoli and rice, but there’s seasoning and sauce out there. Some people don’t mind wearing the same outfit every day, but I would hate that.

Good job! You decluttered a lot. You are right. It is a journey. I have been working on downsizing for years. However, I can see that you are also sabotaging your goals, if you really want to have a more minimal wardrobe. You keep talking about this wardrobe that you are building, but, it doesn't sound like you know where you are headed besides with a reduced color palette. Its great to start with a vision for your style, colors, fits, materials and brands you love. Have a list of pieces that you want to invest in. I think random shopping is diverting you from your goal. Have a list of what you already own in each category and how many items do you want to end up with in each category. You may already be at a number that is reasonable. If you buy more in that category, you will end up where you were before you decluttered. One in one out is great if the end result is where you already want to land. If the end result is less, then think about how many items you really need for each activity that the category is worn for. The hanger method only helps you figure out what you aren't wearing. It doesn't tell you how many your should own. There are ways to calculate based on percentage of time you spend in each activity if you really need more, or if you are buying for a fantasy self. Figure all of this out before you buy anything. Make your wish list based on needs for categories where you are missing something. Don't just add to add. Maybe set a buying limit per month/year rather than one in one out, if you are serious about downsizing. Otherwise, you will continue these declutters and still end up with more than you can possibly wear. In summary, assess, set goals, shop based on a list of needs that you actually need/will wear. Try not to cheat. Don't replace something unless you actually are missing it. If you do this, and you continue to declutter, you will land much closer to a minimalist wardrobe that you love and wear. Good luck!

Love seeing your progress! It's definitely more chalenging in the start. I find it easier to take everything out like you did, but to assume I'm donating everything and only putting back what I love in my closet/wardrobe. Focusing on the things I love and want to keep makes the experience more positive and less stressful. Then, the items that are remaining have to be able to mix and match with 5 other peices of clothing. Finally, the maybe and out of season items are put in a container under the bed. At the end of the season, I reasses the items. I'm now down to 45 ish pieces of clothing out at a time and have probably 30 at any given time that are out of rotation.

Great job! Your are so correct; keep whatever you like and don’t stress about the number of items you have versus the number you declutter.

Great job! I use to have a moutain of clothing just like this and it took years to get down to what I have now. (Around 30ish summer pieces and 20ish winter pieces and maybe 10/20 tranistion pieces) I think having a category for activewear is smart! Another thing that helped me get rid of more was having a box that I put things I wasn't sure of and if I didn't go into it within 3 or 6 months then I deculttered it. It's a great way to get it out of your face so you feel better and can focus on other pieces without over deculttering. Can't wait to see the next one!

You’re making great progress. I watched your first declutter video and your clothes filled a room! Don’t forget where you started. Also it’s not about getting to a certain number, if you wear it keep it but if you don’t get rid of it. If you’re on the fence about something just get rid of it now rather than waiting to replace it (unless you have to have the item for work). Just be really intentional when shopping, if it isn’t perfect don’t buy it. I also used to struggle with mixing casual and workout clothes until I heard this “clothes are meant to be worn and worn out, so wear your clothes.” Another great tip if you really want to get the number down because you don’t think you wear a lot of your clothes is to use “the minimalist’s” strategy of a packing party and just throw all your clothes into a box and when you get dressed you have to find exactly what you’re looking for and the items you don’t bother to dig out of the box, just donate.

Great job 👏

I can’t think of any capsule wardrobe that “counts” workout wear- but since I work in athletic gear for my job it definitely makes the whole wardrobe organization process more challenging! I think it helps to think about how many of a given item (tank tops, sweatpants, whatever) you typically wear in a week regardless of the reason, and then try to keep no more than 2-3 week’s worth of that thing. Like for example I wear multiple shirts/ pants in a day because I change out of workout gear after a work shift, so I might wear 7 workout tanks in a week but also 7 pairs of workout pants but maybe only 4-5 pairs of jeans. Sooo if I’m getting up above 14-15 tanks or workout pants in my closet, or above 10ish pairs of jeans, I know I have more than enough- and in my case I’ll probably start to feel overwhelmed because I have more than I can even wear. The number might be different for you, but I’m finding that process way more helpful for my type of closet than trying to stick with a certain ‘ideal’ # of wardrobe pieces when most people don’t even count athletic wear in their capsules to begin with. I hope that made any sense at all.

I love your videos about decluttering and the path to minimalism, Angelene. Very motivating. I'm your like-minded person ❤. There are currently 57 items in my wardrobe, including outerwear.

I think if you're honestly interested in minimalism, then it would be good to question why you keep buying more. What does shopping give you? What is the need behind it and how can you fulfill it in a healthy way? ❤ Otherwise, there will be no end to the sorting out if you continue to consume instead of changing your behavior.

Hey girl ! Just found you ! Enjoying your videos. For the gym/athleisure items that you still like to pair for going out … “just wear the shirt” lol 😂 when you need a basic top to bring a “going out” outfit together nobody will notice that it’s for the gym too & it helps you value your pieces better … you will either love that it’s diverse or get rid of things you find less exciting/over worn . Storage wise - I have a gym clothes only section (pieces I couldn’t cross over into outfits) then a pile of basics (casual items I would pull for the gym & going out) . I hope this helps !

I think one of the reasons why you may be struggling is because you are focusing on the overall numbers. I think what may be very helpful is to do a lifestyle analysis. Look at HOW you spend your time and how much TIME you spend doing different lifestyle roles/ activities. Literally use an average week in your life and break down the hours in your days into what you are doing and then make a ‘pie’ chart as in the percentage of your time doing the various activities and THEN look at your clothes in the categories and see if the number of clothes you have in every given category corresponds at least reasonably close with how you actually spend your time. As you have stated, you just want to have what you actually need and use. You may really need quite a lot of one category because that is what you spend the most time in. Also, thinking about your clothes in 4 seasonal (3 month) ‘capsules’ and then looking at the numbers for each season also makes it so the numbers don’t seem like so much. And you may find you need way more summer items because you have to wash them more often compared to winter items. Some seasons for you just maybe much more or much less and that’s ok as long as your clothes are ‘working for you’ and not causing overwhelm. My goal is to generally have 50 or less items per season. Perhaps you could try the ‘PROJECT 333’ challenge by Courtney Carver. You may want to start with maybe more than the 33 items ( like me, maybe start with 50). And I don’t include coats or accessories like she would. To hone in on your style more you may want to watch some videos by Allison Borstien and her 3 word method. 😊

I always clean out my closet

Hey I came across your before a week I guess. And I pretty much binge watched all the declutter series ,moving vlog. I felt a connection towards you like we have a lot in common. Yah I'm in my minimalist journey too. And I was pretty much sad today too because I can't bring myself into declutter my art and craft supplies . I only decluttered 10 items like you I'm also looking for a big no of mass declutter.but I can't . Anyways keep going strong and do love this golden period of single era you will miss it after some time. - love from kerala❤

Good job! Count only clothes you wear outside the house. Not special occasion like christmas clothes, lounge, night or workout wear. 👌

Yee

What's the difference between "wardrobe" pieces and "everyday" pieces?

You cant be a minimalist if you are constantly buying stuff. Wait it out and invest in quality instead of buying stuff that is just meh because you "force yourself to buy a new one". If you want to do that fine, just dont brand it as minimalism.

The idea that you think this is supposed to be a "journey" is insane, as is the fact that it took you over seven hours to do this. If you're doing laundry once a week, you don't need more than 14 of ANYTHING, and a lot of categories require a lot less, even in a four-season climate.