So much has changed since the start of the pandemic, but what we wear and how much we weigh seems to be a fairly common, and popular, talking point.

Working from home became the norm, and the longer this went on, the more I started wearing comfy clothing like stretchy pants and t-shirts. I sat hunched over my laptop in chunky jumpers and my recently purchased UGG boots. 

My standard office attire of black pants and sensible cardigans were left languishing in the cupboard.

Later in the year, when the sun metaphorically and literally came out, it was time to assess my wardrobe for clothes to leave the house in that would not portray the message “I didn’t expect to get out of the car!”

Sadly, it was time to face up to a harsh reality.  

I had gained enough weight to ensure that lots of stuff in my wardrobe no longer fit. I purchased a few larger sizes, went back to exercise class, and told myself that I’d be back in all those clothes in no time. My body did not get the memo.

A year down the track and like many of you, I’m suffering from COVID fatigue. It’s hard to tackle projects that involve making too many decisions, but I’ve decided that in the case of my wardrobe I need to persist, and I’ll tell you why. I still don’t fit into quite a few things that are in there and it’s making me sad.

Having clothes in your closet that no longer fit or you don’t feel good in, does not inspire you to lose weight. It just makes you feel guilty, and right now do we really need something else to beat ourselves up about?

So here is my goal. I’m going to make sure that whatever is in my wardrobe fits me and makes me feel good!

What I’m not going to do is pull everything out of my wardrobe and start working through the piles. This project does not need to happen overnight, and I don’t want to get partway through, feel exhausted, and leave myself in a bigger mess than when I started. I’m going to go one item at a time, starting with my clothes on hangers, then working through the shelves and drawers. As I go through this process I’ll be asking myself the following questions:

1. Does it fit?
2. If it does fit, does it make me feel good?
3. Does it suit my current lifestyle?
4. How many of these do I need?
5. Does it have stains or holes?
6. Does it work with other items in my wardrobe?

If you want to join me in taming your COVID wardrobe, but find these questions aren’t enough to help you weed out some offenders, try asking yourself a few of these questions as well, and be honest with yourself.

1. Would I buy it again?
2. Have I convinced myself I like it because it cost a lot of money?
3. Is it still my style or have I moved on?

It’s okay not to throw everything out that you know you won’t wear. Sentimental wardrobe items can be tough and are a topic all on their own. 

There may be some things that you do want to keep in case your size changes, but I recommend limiting the amount and storing them out of your current wardrobe. Things can go out of fashion very quickly, so it can help to focus on classic or basic pieces that won’t date.  

Keep your space in mind. It is a lovely feeling to be able to just put away your clean laundry without having to squeeze stuff in.

Finally, it’s important to just make a start.

Seeing small positive changes can make us feel so much better. If you're feeling a bit fragile (and let’s face it, that’s probably most of us!), work through the items that don’t have a lot of emotional attachment and leave the rest for another time.

If you have any questions about wardrobe decluttering, Ugg boots, or sensible cardigans give me a call. I’d love to chat!