A Radical Approach to Cleaning Out Your Closet

August 2, 2026

Yes, I never post on Sundays. But I’ve had an idea kicking around in my head for a few weeks, and I wanted to put it into words. This helps me clarify my thoughts, and feedback from you helps me refine my ideas!

We’re always seeing the same “Wardrobe Clear-out” advice:

1. take everything out of your closet
2. try everything on
3. sort it all into three piles – Keep, Repair or Alter, Donate

And then you’re going to have the perfect wardrobe…

My issues with this are many – who is REALLY going to put every stitch of clothing that they own on their bed (or the floor!) and sort it out? Who’s got time? Who’s got patience?

Further, it worries me that we’re donating clothes that are still appealing to us, but that just aren’t something we want to wear RIGHT NOW.

So my plan for this autumn (probably starting October 15, when true cool weather has set in here in Chicago):

1. I’m going to choose a Project 33 Wardrobe – my definition of Project 33, which will be 33 garments. I’m kind of seeing this as 10 3-piece outfits and 3 dresses. This is certainly subject to change!
2. Everything else is going to be put into a visual holding area. For me, this will probably be draping a flat sheet over the closet area holding all of the “non-33” garments.
3. I’m going to dress from the Project 33 Wardrobe for at least two months. Maybe, by mid-December, I will change out everything, to include more festive clothes. Anything that I want to include in the second “wave” of this project is clearly a core wardrobe item. (I see my black jeans there…)
4. If I think I want to buy something during this time, I have to go into my closet, take down the sheet from the “resting” clothes, and look at EVERYTHING. 
5. Anything in the Project 33 Wardrobe that I haven’t worn within the first 30 days needs to be evaluated, to figure out what’s gone awry.

We’re always told to shop our wardrobes. By keeping a bunch of stuff literally under wraps, I’m going to treat those things like my store.

The most environmentally excellent clothes possible are the ones that you already own…

Does this make sense?

love,
Janice

p.s. What is everybody reading? My husband is raving about The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb.