Technology
279 | Why My Closet Doesn’t Need a Big Fall Purge (and Yours Might Not Either)
In this episode, Heather Riggs explores the idea that not every season requires a major closet purge. Instead, she encourages listeners to assess their wardrobes and focus on identifying gaps rather t...
279 | Why My Closet Doesn’t Need a Big Fall Purge (and Yours Might Not Either)
Technology •
0:00 / 0:00
Interactive Transcript
spk_0
Hey friend, today's episode looks a little different than I originally planned.
spk_0
My idea was to walk you through my fall closet edit and tell you what I'm letting go of
spk_0
and why, but when I actually sat down with my wardrobe this weekend, I realized I don't
spk_0
have much to get rid of right now.
spk_0
And that revelation got me thinking maybe you don't either.
spk_0
It's easy to believe that every new season requires a big overhaul and you've probably
spk_0
heard my advice to clean out your closet at least twice a year if not more.
spk_0
But sometimes forcing yourself into a closet audit is unnecessary.
spk_0
And when you're already busy and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed by your wardrobe and
spk_0
your life as it is, sometimes the smartest move is to do less, not more.
spk_0
So today, I want to share why you might not need to do a seasonal closet edit, what
spk_0
you can do instead, and what I'm personally focusing on this season to show you how practical
spk_0
and freeing it can be when you work on your wardrobe in a way that's customized for
spk_0
you.
spk_0
I'll also reveal what I am focusing on this season so you can see how I'm feeling
spk_0
gaps without forcing myself through unnecessary steps.
spk_0
By the end of this episode, you'll know whether you need a full reset or if you can
spk_0
save time and energy by focusing on what really matters.
spk_0
Welcome to Her Style Podcast where we're all about empowering you to show up and get
spk_0
dressed every day with confidence.
spk_0
I'm your host Heather Riggs, a 15 year end counting certified image consultant and color
spk_0
specialist.
spk_0
Ready to build a wardrobe and a personal style you love?
spk_0
Let's get started.
spk_0
I'm so sorry we're a little late getting this episode out to you, but as I mentioned,
spk_0
my plan for today completely derailed this weekend when I went to do my seasonal closet
spk_0
audit and I realized I didn't want to get rid of anything.
spk_0
So I want to start with that very question, which is why would you even want to skip
spk_0
a seasonal closet audit, edit, purge, whatever you want to call it?
spk_0
I know what I've said and I will stand by this.
spk_0
It is a great idea to do a quick audit at the start of each season.
spk_0
But here's what I've noticed working with so many women and honestly in my own experience
spk_0
over the weekend, sometimes a giant closet edit isn't really needed.
spk_0
In fact, it can be a complete waste of your time and energy.
spk_0
If you already like most of what you own, you're not waiting through clutter every time
spk_0
you open your closet.
spk_0
You have plenty of space for everything and you're able to put outfits together without
spk_0
too much stress.
spk_0
If that's your reality, then doing a big seasonal purge just because might make you feel
spk_0
like you're spinning your wheels.
spk_0
And instead of moving your style forward, you just end up draining your time and energy
spk_0
on something that doesn't actually solve a problem or move the needle for you.
spk_0
And that's not a bad thing because it means you've built a foundation that's already working
spk_0
well for you.
spk_0
You can kind of think of it like your refrigerator.
spk_0
And sometimes you got to pull everything off the shelves, you got to throw away any of
spk_0
the expired food or leftovers that got lost in the dark back corners of the fridge.
spk_0
I don't know why everything ends up back there.
spk_0
And you've got to wipe it all down and give it a full reset.
spk_0
And sometimes you just need to make sure that you don't already have cilantro or the
spk_0
jar of tomato paste that you need before you run out and buy everything on your grocery
spk_0
list so you can make your meals for the week.
spk_0
Your wardrobe works the same way.
spk_0
And here's another way that we can break it down.
spk_0
There's kind of three phases of building a wardrobe that you love.
spk_0
The first one is that you are in need of an overhaul.
spk_0
And this is that big reset at the start of the season.
spk_0
You only need to really do this.
spk_0
I think every few years or after a major life transition, for example, if you've lost
spk_0
a significant amount of weight or maybe gained weight, if you've made a change in your career
spk_0
or your lifestyle, maybe you've moved to a completely different climate, something
spk_0
like that, something significant that you just feel like your closet is a complete mismatch
spk_0
for what you need right now.
spk_0
That's when you need to do the big overhaul.
spk_0
The second option is maybe you're in the edit phase and you just need a simple seasonal
spk_0
refresh.
spk_0
You've got to pull forward what works.
spk_0
You want to tuck away anything that doesn't for the season.
spk_0
I'm remove any obvious nose, right?
spk_0
This is just kind of that.
spk_0
Again, the quick audit that I normally do recommend that you do at the start of each season.
spk_0
And then the third option, which I don't know that we've ever really talked about here
spk_0
before, is maintenance mode.
spk_0
And this is really when you just need to make some very light adjustments.
spk_0
You want to maybe pinpoint any gaps or new things that you want to pick up for the season,
spk_0
replace any pieces that are feeling a bit worn out, and focus on the next small priority.
spk_0
And this fall, I realized I am firmly in that third maintenance season.
spk_0
And that's a huge relief to me because my wardrobe is working.
spk_0
It feels cohesive.
spk_0
I know what I have.
spk_0
There aren't piles of unworn clothing staring back at me.
spk_0
I don't actually want to get rid of anything that I currently own.
spk_0
And what I discovered this weekend and thinking about all of this and really taking time
spk_0
to reflect on my current wardrobe needs is that all I really have is just a few gaps
spk_0
that if I fill them, we'll make my wardrobe work even better.
spk_0
There's nothing that I need to get rid of.
spk_0
There's just a few simple things that are missing.
spk_0
So for me, those gaps are shoes big time, really just because a lot of the ones that I wore
spk_0
last season are pretty worn out and they need some upgrading.
spk_0
And there's a couple of things that I need like a new pair of slippers and just an easy
spk_0
comfy pair of slip-ons that I can throw on in the morning to take the dog outside for
spk_0
a walk.
spk_0
That's not something I had to think about last fall, but it is a need for me now.
spk_0
And I do need to replace just one or two really simple basic pair of heels for church
spk_0
and the occasional date night or going out with friends, things like that one.
spk_0
I want to feel a little bit dressier.
spk_0
So that's really it.
spk_0
I just mostly need shoes.
spk_0
And then I'm also looking to add to my loungewear and pajamas.
spk_0
Specifically, I'm looking for some comfy bottoms.
spk_0
I picked up a lot of great sweatshirts in the spring that I absolutely love.
spk_0
So I just want to find a couple cozy soft pairs of sweatpants or maybe joggers or some
spk_0
soft leggings that are in my best colors and then are going to work with all of the sweatshirts
spk_0
that I already have.
spk_0
So I'm not going to get the matching sets that I love so much.
spk_0
But I will try to think of coordinating the things with the colors that are already
spk_0
in my closet, which is what I want you to do anyway using your color palette.
spk_0
It makes it so easy to do and make sure that what you have really works together seamlessly.
spk_0
And then also just maybe one or two pair of cute pajamas for the winter because honestly,
spk_0
that's a gap that I often ignore, which I think maybe you can relate to.
spk_0
It's like one of those things.
spk_0
It's really just more for your own enjoyment.
spk_0
It's not something people typically really see.
spk_0
But that said, I do want to get a couple of pretty warm, maybe flannel pajamas sets for
spk_0
the winter season.
spk_0
And so that's all I need.
spk_0
That's where my focus is going this fall, not on what I can get rid of, but on what's
spk_0
missing because those are the changes that are going to make the biggest impact on how
spk_0
I feel getting dressed every day or every evening.
spk_0
And that's something I really want you to hear is that sometimes the smartest style move
spk_0
isn't subtraction.
spk_0
It's addition.
spk_0
Or even just reimagining what you already own.
spk_0
It's not that you have to go in and get rid of stuff every season if you don't have a
spk_0
legitimate need for that.
spk_0
And so here's a quick, like little series of questions to help you kind of figure out
spk_0
which stage you're in.
spk_0
Again, whether it's an overhaul and edits or if you're in maintenance mode like me.
spk_0
So the questions are number one, do you feel overwhelmed every time you open your closet?
spk_0
Or is it busting at the seams?
spk_0
Do you have way too many things?
spk_0
And it just stresses you out when you look at what you have.
spk_0
Secondly, are you holding onto a lot of someday or fantasy life pieces?
spk_0
I will admit, I do have one pretty tank top.
spk_0
I got it to wear when we went to Las Vegas for my husband's 30th birthday.
spk_0
So this was like more than a decade ago.
spk_0
And it is this beautiful, sequin tank top.
spk_0
It's sheer in the back.
spk_0
So that's a thing.
spk_0
It's something I don't know that I'll ever wear again, but I really do love it.
spk_0
I think it would look great under a blazer.
spk_0
There are other ways that I can style it up.
spk_0
That is probably my one fantasy life piece that I'm not quite ready to let go of.
spk_0
But if you have a whole closet full of those pieces, things that you are just never going
spk_0
to touch again, we might need to talk.
spk_0
The last question is, do you regularly struggle to create outfits with what you own?
spk_0
So if you answered yes to any or all of those questions, then you might need to do a wardrobe
spk_0
overhaul or a more complete edit.
spk_0
So you might need to completely revamp what you have if nothing is working for you that
spk_0
would put you in the overhaul category, or you might need to do a full edit and just
spk_0
audit everything, make sure that you're clearing out some space for what you love and to make
spk_0
way for new pieces.
spk_0
And if not, if you answered no to those questions, then you're probably ready for maintenance,
spk_0
which is often a faster and easier path forward.
spk_0
And if you're not feeling the need for a full closet audit right now, then here's what
spk_0
I'd recommend that you do instead.
spk_0
The first thing is what I just talked about, it's identifying your gaps, noticing where
spk_0
you feel limited, where is it hardest to get dressed and to feel your best, to feel
spk_0
most like yourself, to feel like you love what you have for that category of your clothing
spk_0
or that particular activity.
spk_0
Maybe you've got plenty of jeans, but you're always struggling with tops or maybe you're
spk_0
missing some good outerwear.
spk_0
Now that I'm thinking of it, I also could maybe use one new jacket.
spk_0
I got a full length coat last year, but I might want to do some kind of winter jacket this
spk_0
season.
spk_0
I'm not sure.
spk_0
I will think about that and get back to you.
spk_0
But maybe you just need some comfortable shoes that can also look professional for the
spk_0
office.
spk_0
Whatever it is, I want you to write those down.
spk_0
You might even find that you forgot something like I did.
spk_0
Then the next thing that you're going to do is add in missing items strategically.
spk_0
I want you to consider what your budget is, allocated according to your priority.
spk_0
Hunt, don't browse for the pieces that you're really missing.
spk_0
I remember that a little bit goes a long way.
spk_0
If you can really just focus in on the couple of things that are going to make the biggest
spk_0
difference in your wardrobe, that is so much better than spending a whole afternoon clearing
spk_0
out a bunch of pieces from your closet that you really just want to keep anyway.
spk_0
So it's using your time and your resources wisely.
spk_0
And then the last thing is to style up what you already own.
spk_0
So if you are craving something new, maybe like myself, you don't need to buy a lot of
spk_0
things.
spk_0
It's more about taking that time to pull together some fresh outfit combinations with
spk_0
what's already in your closet.
spk_0
I know for me, instead of taking two to three hours to go through all my pieces this
spk_0
weekend, it would have served me better to just take two to three hours to try to make
spk_0
some new outfits.
spk_0
So you could pair up your items in different ways, try adding and removing accessories,
spk_0
or challenge yourself to wear that one piece that you've been ignoring.
spk_0
Sometimes creativity, not more clothes, is the refresh that you really need.
spk_0
So my goal this season is to challenge myself to wear everything that I own.
spk_0
And if I can't figure out a way to style something in a way that makes me feel amazing
spk_0
and excited to go about my day, then I will get rid of it.
spk_0
I'm not going to do a big audit going in.
spk_0
I'm just going to audit a little bit as I go.
spk_0
It's going to be so much easier for me.
spk_0
Now to be clear, if I didn't already make this point earlier, sometimes an edit really
spk_0
is necessary.
spk_0
I don't think it's a bad idea to pause and reflect on this every season.
spk_0
Even if you find that you don't actually need to do the whole thing, if you are feeling
spk_0
completely overwhelmed when you open your closet, if you're constantly pushing past clothes
spk_0
that don't fit or flatter you, or if clutter is keeping you stuck, then yes, a big audit
spk_0
can be the best next step for you.
spk_0
But I want you to just notice the difference.
spk_0
You're doing it to solve an actual problem that you have, not just because it's what you're
spk_0
supposed to do when a new season rolls around.
spk_0
And that's really the heart of today's message.
spk_0
There's not one size fits all for your wardrobe process.
spk_0
Your next step depends on your life, your style, and what's currently in your closet.
spk_0
So maybe you do need to do a full edit this season.
spk_0
Maybe you just need to fill some gaps.
spk_0
Maybe you just need to experiment more with what you already own.
spk_0
But I do want you to stop and ask yourself that question, what do you need right now?
spk_0
When you stop forcing yourself into those unnecessary steps, you will save tons of time.
spk_0
Obviously, you're going to save yourself some energy, and you're going to make space
spk_0
for what's actually going to give you the results that you want.
spk_0
So let's talk about what you can gain when you don't force yourself into a big closet
spk_0
project unnecessarily.
spk_0
Obviously, instead of hours sorting, you could just do a quick 15 minute gap assessment.
spk_0
Just see where the holes are in your wardrobe.
spk_0
Look at your calendar or think about what activities you have coming up.
spk_0
And as I said, what's going to be the most difficult to get dressed for?
spk_0
And save yourself some time.
spk_0
Don't do the full audit.
spk_0
Just pinpoint whatever gaps you might currently have.
spk_0
You're also going to have so much less guilt because you're not pressuring yourself to
spk_0
donate things that you might actually still use.
spk_0
I hear this all the time from women.
spk_0
They don't want to get rid of stuff that's perfectly good and that they might actually
spk_0
want to wear again.
spk_0
Even if it's a situation where maybe it doesn't fit you right now, but you're hoping it
spk_0
will pack it away.
spk_0
You don't have to get rid of it.
spk_0
Just put it in a box or in a bin, set it aside, and set a date to come back and see if
spk_0
it's going to work for you at that goal time.
spk_0
So maybe you want to give yourself three months, then reassess, see how it's working for
spk_0
you, come back and make a more final decision at that point.
spk_0
And then the last thing is that it's going to give you a lot more clarity because you're
spk_0
going to be able to really think about what matters for you now, like filling gaps, upgrading
spk_0
your essentials, or maybe it's experimenting with a couple of the new trends.
spk_0
Whatever feels right for you right now, that is going to help to keep your wardrobe
spk_0
sustainable instead of putting you into this endless cycle of upheaval.
spk_0
Building a wardrobe that works isn't about doing a dramatic seasonal purge.
spk_0
Two times a year, four times a year, whatever you're currently doing, it's more about knowing
spk_0
where you are in the cycle, whether you need to do a full overhaul, a thorough edit, or if
spk_0
you're just in that glorious maintenance mode and giving yourself permission to respond and
spk_0
act accordingly.
spk_0
So again, for me, this fall, it's about maintenance.
spk_0
For you, it might be an edit.
spk_0
Either way, the goal is progress, not perfection.
spk_0
So, friend, before you dive into a big closet edit, I want you to pause and ask yourself,
spk_0
do I actually need this right now?
spk_0
Is this the best use of my time?
spk_0
Or would it be better spent identifying those gaps and making my shopping list, filling
spk_0
them strategically, taking some time to actually budget this season, or playing with some new
spk_0
alpha combinations and see how I can work better with what I already have?
spk_0
That one question, or I guess that series of questions, but the one question of, do I
spk_0
actually need this right now, can really save you hours of frustration and help you focus
spk_0
on the steps that truly matter?
spk_0
If you'd love somehow customizing this process for yourself, whether that means editing,
spk_0
just filling those gaps strategically, or building confidence and styling what you already
spk_0
own in better ways, then I would love for you to come join us inside Her Style Collective.
spk_0
That's my 90-day group coaching program where I walk you step-by-step through building
spk_0
a wardrobe that actually works for you in the way that works best for you.
spk_0
You can learn more and join us at herstyle LLC.com slash collective.
spk_0
Thank you so much for spending this time with me today for rolling with it as I put this
spk_0
out a little bit late in the day and deviated from my planned topic.
spk_0
I do hope that you walk away with some relief and encouragement that you don't have to do
spk_0
it all every single season, instead focus on what matters and I promise the rest will
spk_0
fall into place.
spk_0
Thank you for listening to today's episode.
spk_0
If you want to stop copying everyone else's style and start dialing in your own spoon-worthy
spk_0
signature look, head over to take my free 5-minute personal style quiz, which you can find
spk_0
at the link in the show notes.
spk_0
If you've enjoyed our time together, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to
spk_0
Her Style Podcast so you never miss an episode.
spk_0
Finally, I invite you to make this a two-way conversation and send me a DM over on Instagram
spk_0
at Heather Riggs Style to let me know how I can best support you on your style journey.
spk_0
I'm always here for you in style and service.
spk_0
Until next time.