Sweaty and frustrated, I pulled off another shirt and threw it on the floor of my walk-in closet on Sunday. I could see my baby fines sticking out from my hairline. Good thing I did my hair before I got dressed.
Standing there in my underwear, I thrust my arms forward, hands up, as if surrendering to the clothes hanging before me. I glared at them. “I have nothing to wear.”
Silence.
I’m having a major wardrobe malfunction.
First of all, the abnormally cool weather around here has kept me from purchasing a lot of summer clothing. I have two casual cotton t-shirts and two pairs of shorts: army green and cream. None of these items are ever clean at the same time.
The bigger problem, however, is size. Or should I say, “smaller”? There are not many clothes in my closet that don’t have exceptions like, “I could wear this…oh, but the one shirt that goes with it is dirty,” or, “I can’t wear that with that because I have to wear something with it that hides the toddler-inflicted stain on the chest,” or, “I could wear this, but…oh wait, it’s two sizes too big now.”
I waste precious time standing in my skivvies scanning the same sweaters, jeans, and one dress over and over again. I don’t know what I’m hoping for.
On Sunday, I finally I tried on a shirt hanging there that had been just a smidge too small (I bought it on eBay a while back) a couple of weeks ago, and it fit! But the neckline was plunging. I was going to the Highland Games (Scottish arts festival), not a fashion show. What choice did I have, though? Luckily, my black tank top was clean and I layered it underneath. Then I pulled on my army green shorts and stood in front of the full-length mirror. I sighed. “It’ll have to do.”
But it’s time.
It’s time to clean out my closet. I’m a believer in getting rid of your too-big or too-small clothing items. Yet, I don’t always remember to do it.
So, here’s the Summer of Weight Loss Challenge:
Clean out your closet! And your dresser drawers! Get rid of things that don’t fit anymore. Donate them to a homeless shelter or drop them off at a Goodwill or sell them on eBay. Whatever you want to do. Take a before and after picture of your closet to share on your blog (if you want). Or take a photo of the pile of clothes you’ll be donating. I’ll post mine next week.
And here’s a good idea I’ve heard of, but never done: Pull all the decent clothes that don’t fit and then have your friends do the same. Get together and have a clothing exchange.
Quick Update:
that’s Amanda’s Little Buddy with the recognizable hairdo). There are the
aforementioned clothing items. And, there’s a lady that thinks the Highland
Games are a great excuse to dress up in a weird-a$$ costume.
1. I haven’t been in the gym as much as I have wanted to in the past couple of weeks. But I have been watching my plate. I weighed in on my new day last week — Friday — and was down 3 pounds. I hope that it was a legit loss because sometimes an early weigh-in can trick you. We shall see when I weigh in again in a couple of days.
2. I finished Born to Run. I enjoyed this book so much, I am actually sad that I’m done reading it.
3. Sunday’s Highland Games were fun. As you can see from the photo above, I ran into blog buddy, Amanda! It was so nice to see her and meet her hubby and see her little buddy again, who was rockin’ his mohawk (that’s how I actually spotted them, by the way).
4. Mr. T was supposed to play bagpipes Sunday, but couldn’t locate his kilt belt. I guess we were both having wardrobe malfunctions that day. I hung out with T Junior for several hours. I sat on a blanket while he dribbled his soccer ball everywhere. I can’t believe how quickly he picked up this skill! He’s two! Here’s a pictures and two quick videos. I’m thinking of sending it out to MLS scouts.
14 comments
When you don't have things to wear because they are too big then that is a GOOD thing :). I purge clothes all the time…well, from my basement to my closet. Whatever I don't like, I throw up in the attic for the next garage sale :). But I had no strength for one this summer so maybe next year. Congrats on the awesome weight loss – yayyyy!!
I am with ya Sista…It's so true. By the way, you are looking so good. The picture of Amanda and you, you look tiny. I need new clothes and need to clean out my closet.
I just did this about a month ago. I gave all of my too-bigs to a good friend who is also losing weight and is now down to my old size. It's been great – I knew she needed the clothes something bad and I still get to see my old favorite pair of jeans sometimes. 🙂 FYI – GAP is having a great sale on T-Shirts – I got a whole bunch for less than $6 each. 🙂 Now if I can just get hubs to clean out HIS closet…
I just did a massive cleaning out of my closet last week in preparation for my garage sale I had last weekend. I usually always have an excuse to keep a few things. This time I just tossed it all out in the pile. I'm sick of seeing it. Too late for a pic now but at least I'm on the track to a less clutter filled life.
Kerrie, you're looking great in that photo! I'm always up for a closet clean out, although I've done so many in the last year I have to start replacing or I'll have no clothes to wear. I think my drawers could use some work though….
I hear you on the wardrobe woes. I am terrible at getting rid of things but it sounds like you're due! And treat yourself to some new items, lady!!
Oh my gosh – my closest is a wreck. I so need to go through it. I'm in transition right now. I'm ready to ditch all that's too big but hoping to get into all that's too small.Winks & Smiles,WifeyOh, and congrats on the 3 pounds!
I really need to clean out my closet. My wedding gown is still taking up prime real estate in there!
I really need to clean out my closet. My wedding gown is still taking up prime real estate in there!
@Sarah – hahaha! Mine too.
A few months ago I got new shirts to replace my “too bigs”. But I kept my camis. I wear one every day. But these Camis are xls, post-baby size. My t shirts are mediums. It's definetly time for new ones.
Sigh. I wish I had those wardrobe problems….
Great idea/challenge! Sorry I've been MIA. I need to get back on the SOWL bus, if you'll have me!!I went through my clothes earlier this summer, but I still have too much (and most of it I don't even wear). Uhh 2.5 dressers and a huge walk-in closet. A bit excessive. Guess I need to step up to the challenge and go thru things again! Another suggestion for getting rid of clothes is selling them to a consignment-like shop, down here we have “Plato's Closet” who buys back gently-used name brands,
I just purged the closet and it felt SO GOOD. Phew!