Big suggestion for anyone wanting to do this: PLEASE donate at the START of the season, not the end. I used to work in a thrift store and people would bring in clothes as the season was ending and a lot of it got thrown away because we simply didn't have the room and we knew they wouldn't sell for months. We need to stock the racks with clothes that fit the season, especially since low income families tend to buy in the season, not before. So if you're clearing winter clothes, either donate them at the start of winter or hang onto them until next year in a box or bag. This makes sure we can keep as much of your clothes as possible as well as making sure people who thrift will have as many options as possible.
Thank you so much for leaving this comment. I usually go through my stuff at the end, by figuring out what I wore and what I didn't wear. From now on, I will be keeping the stuff in a bag and will bring it in at the beginning of the correct season!! Thank you again.
Me too! And it's also comforting to see other people struggle with letting things go and why they struggle. It helps me process my own declutter struggles.
Same! I found myself yelling at the screen: No, you don't need a circle skirt in every color! However, I'm the same way when trying to pare down my own collection. It's like I have Spiderman hands that can't let go.
I learned from my Mum to go through my wardrobe at the beginning of spring for the year ahead. The rule of thumb was always: any garment must go with at least three other things. And a new thing in meant an old one out. Tough, but very useful once you understand your style. Love the "wider edge of my style" as a good criteria to let it go. And you were so brave in your declutter.
I follow the 3 item (at least!) rule pretty strictly and it really does prevent me from buying a lot of non-functional clutter. I wear a lot of separates so rule #1 is always "what does this go with" and I do a little mental tab through my closet.
Me, seeing the rack of clothes: oh, that’s not that many clothes if they fit all on the rack Closet Historian: “This rack is just entirely my skirts.” Me: *oh*.
One thing that I did that made my wardrobe sooo unified... All the same hangers. I gave my old ones to a family member, and got good brand black velvet (non shedding ones) hangers. They re slimmer than old plastic ones and the uniform look is so appealing. I also sorted by items type and then color, but the hangers really make my closets look beautiful 😘.
I turn all my hangers one way and, as I wear them, I turn the hangers the opposite way. Next time I go through my clothes, if any hangers have not been turned, I know I haven't worn them and can get rid of them easily.
OMG I literally JUST did this. Huge closet clean out, uniform hangers, sorted by type and color. I had quite a few of those flocked hangers but not enough...and being plus size I just got fed up with half my clothes sliding off those plastic hangers. At some point your brain just realizes: why am I putting up with this stress at least twice a day every single day?! I feel so much better going in my closet every day now.
Matching hangers are indeed the best! I have a bunch of the cheap but rather nice wood hangers from Ikea and then the rest are a soft green colored velvet ones now 😊 I just wish I could find a hanger I like for skirts too!
The way you started out, it seemed like you wouldn't be getting rid of anything. Reminds me of me. I develop such an emotional attachment to my clothing; during one purge, I felt compelled to explain to each piece how they served me well so that they wouldn't "feel" bad about being removed from my closet. Nowadays, I try to focus on how I am making room for new and wonderful clothes to come into my life, and it just puts a more positive spin on the process. But congratulations on finishing strong, you did well.
suggestion, dress for dinner ;) That'll give you use for the cocktail dresses. It's good to have a cleanout. I'm about to rage through again and ruthlessly. I'm even more clear about how I want to look now so the clearer you are, the easier it is.
The trouble is I am usually the one cooking dinner...and I am messy 🤣 So that would result in more laundry than I would want to deal with really ha! One day when I get to go out to dinner more often, or find a cute live in chef perhaps 😉
I only discovered your channel in the past couple of weeks, after having looked for videos on 1930s finger waves. I am happy to have found you. You are entertaining in a subdued, quiet kind of way and clearly are extremely knowledgeable. I like that. I especially enjoy your voiceovers as you go about your business. Thank you for sharing your passion for vintage style in a most clever way.
I find making at least 2 passes when culling the closet helps. The first is the most difficult, but then as you pass through again it gets a little easier.
Bianca dahling! THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BLACK! YOU LOOK FABULOUS IN BLACK! I LOVE BLACK! IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE COLORS! (ALONG WITH RED, BLUE, SILVER AND GOLD) IT'S A VERY STRONG, CLASSY, TIMELESS COLOR! BE IT IN MODERN STYLE OR VINTAGE!
Really like how you did this video. While I like declutter videos, I usually find myself getting bored half way through with other TH-camrs. But with yours, we got a look at each piece & your little gestures to the camera & funny narration kept it very entertaining. Brilliant! Thank you 🙂
Gonna go hecka personal now: I... struggle with knowing who I am and what I like due to abuse during my formative years. So your suggestion of just pinning everything I like and then looking for patterns/trends? It sounds terrifying on such a deep level that I realize I have to do it. Thank you for sharing this advice. 💚
"Antique book dealer who also is a Replicant in the Blade Runner universe" would also be may style, plus "red-haired River Song" hahahaha! The pinterest idea is perfect, mine also goes a bit country-chic, but that's because I was originally a country girl. Btw, I absolutely adore your vids!
I love the comment about not being able to thrift "...because, you know.....germs." Your droll nod to 'The Situation' made me laugh both times I watched it. Always enjoyable to watch and listen to, Bianca. I will be back for the next installment. :)
I'm glad you can sell these. I love sewing, but I have very few clothes, so I make clothes for my store, and that's fun! I love your videos. I'm glad I don't live in a large town or next to Denver. Wow, vintage galore!
Coming from the future 2024 to enjoy this video. Returning to a previous look in a more updated way.. or maybe down dated way ... Bringing my past forward into the present. Thank you Closet Historian!
My wife and I have the same issue with costumes that we sew (adult and junior), and dreaded having to cull them. Fortunately, our adult daughter moved out, and her bedroom is now our walk in costume closet. Issue avoided for now (the room is already nearly full)
Decluttering and pairing down your wardrobe which you've made, repurposed or bought at thrift shops is NOT "showing off." It's inspiring people to create their style through various means & budget. Then not being afraid to let go of items so others can enjoy them. You're NOT saying, "Hey! Look at all this stuff I bought on Rodeo Drive that I've never even worn." I find your videos very encouraging, and I get lots of great ideas!! ❤
Your narrative is EPIC!! Totally love it! You made me giggle multiple time. I understand completely how hard it is to "downsize" a closet....I have been putting mine off for a while now 🤣 great video! Can hardly wait for the next!
*looks at own closet overflowing with thrifted clothes, then the full shoe rack, then the uncloseable jewelry box* Yeeeaaaah, I definitely need to slim things down, especially since I took up sewing this past year... 😬
I love your sense of humour! I really enjoy the fact that a) you love thrifting, b) if you really love something that isn’t at thrift store price, you get it anyway, c) you like what you like and don’t apologize for it!
I have opted to keep a single example of a few clothing items I never wear, simply to remind myself that I won't wear said item. I've bought vests, bolero sweaters,slouchy neck sweaters, and a few other items multiple times because I like the idea of them. Then eventually I donate it, because I never wear it and a year later I get this itch to find the perfect vest...
Okay, as the kid who was ALLOWED to be goth (and also deeply into costuming), there is no question in my mind that you're kindred. Those bangs, those casual replicant references... one of us. I never understand why people find black boring, for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Everything ELSE seems so limited, because it coordinates so narrowly.
OHMYGAWWD BIANCA!!! THAT PLAID CIRCLE SKIRT! I Used TO WEAR THAT VERY SAME TYPE OF SKIRT (MINE WAS PINK AND GREY) WITH A CUTE WHITE SHERPA VEST WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE! (SOMEBODY STOLE THAT VEST BACK THEN, SO I MADE ANOTHER ONE TWO WEEK AGO!) OOH! THAT TAKES ME BACK AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE OUTFITS TO WEAR! AND IT LOOKS ADORABLE ON YOU! ALSO, KEEP THAT RED CIRCLE SKIRT TOO!! SO CUTE AND YOU CAN WORK IT, DIVA!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I am turning 47 tomorrow, most of my closet is still black. I got married in black leather, fishnets and Vans. When I attended my niece's wedding....my sister got me navy blue fishnets so I could do my style in it's patriotic form, with white Van's, red & silver laces. I go to 2 balls a year (while not in a pandemic) and I still wear something very me....but I am known for my interesting collection of Vans, insane shoe lace patterns and fishnet stockings. You never know what color my hair will be, or if I am going to put on the false eyelashes, but I will be wearing mostly black, with some pop of color... I have worn the same gown like 6 times...but no one ever notices because I can add lace, or embroidery, metallic trim...or my hair might be blue. But everyone remembers the shoes and fishnet stockings.
Ahhh! I LOVE wool skirts. I can’t wait for you to start selling things because you have immaculate taste and I’d love to pick up some of these pieces!! ❤️❤️❤️
I always envied people like you. Because you own your style, you're totally killing it! Absolutely gorgeous! I had some rockabilly years, even had a midi cut, but somehow it wasn't me. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Eventually I relapsed back into gothic style and feel much better. Still envious, when beautiful people like you can rock vintage =)
Yes! I too am in this phase. I have all the 80s dresses I ever dreamed of and wore four of them. Time to pass them on to someone who will love them more.
As a maximalist with little room for storage, I find that f I keep my wardrobe inspiration pics at hand while sorting, I am able to more easily make decisions about what to let go of. Why trying to waffling, my brain will go back to why I liked it when I bought it and the inspo pics help me to instantly refocus and remember why I haven't reached for it. Bianca, I am so glad that you are finding your power style. On a side note, 'cause I know you don't really care about such things, your color "season" is Winter and you look fab in black and jewel tones. It's like you naturally gravitated to them.
Thank you Shea! I have definitely kept a handful of things that fall outside of my desired style range, but perhaps I will be stronger next time ha! I feel like we randomly did a style/color analyzation thing in my home economics class in high school? It was called sewing class but it was kinda just weird. I didn't remember my results, but Winter it is sure 😅 Better than summer I don't like being overheated ;)
I would love to see an updated closet tour with everything back in it's place! Yu did one last year I know, so it could just be a quick add-on or something, of course :D
I always like your closet tours and clear out videos, and this one was no exception! I especially like that you don't time-laps through to just show the end result. It's fun to hear the decision making process, and your thoughts on why you are getting rid of what you did.
This was so therapeutic to watch, especially how you have two racks to nicely go through everything, very satisfying. I love that you're going "back in black" as I like to call it - I was a goth kid and lost my way from that as I started dressing vintage and trying to find my way back to that but in a vintage way 🖤
Well I'm afraid the possibilities are endless and overlapping really, so I'm not sure they all have names or defined characteristics! But like, there's more pin-up style, more housewife-ish, a focus on art deco 20's/30's instead, more cottage core-ish stuff...the variations only ever expand!
As I have gotten older I really believe our eye color has some influence over the colors we like to wear with hair color natural or dyed being a secondary consideration. You have such a beautiful Snow White/Cleopatra look and I can see why black is one of your main go to colors. Its so beautiful on you! My grandmother loved green and her eyes were a beautiful green, my father's favorite color was brown and that was his eye color, my husband's eyes are auburn and match his hair color exactly and he really looks good in brown/amber toned clothes, my eyes are blue and I am crazy about any shade of blue. Maybe I am wrong but I really do think there is something to this.
Thank you! But alas my eyes are hazel and I don't have many brownish-green things, yet, except for that iridescent moire skirt and top set, but I do quite like those 😅
Congratulations on getting rid of 53 items! I did some basic math based on how many you kept and you can do about 20 outfits every season. Also your small gothy heart I can relate too! I love good black and blue outfits 😍. Thats why I keep coming back to your chanel because I love your embrace of gothy style 🤩
Thank you Amanda! You mean 20 outfits a season with this stuff...but what about all the other stuff...ha! Dresses and tops next and it uh, expands the selection a bit 😅
You are so delightful to watch. Be more objective. You need to part with more clothes on the rack on the right. Don’t second guess yourself. Just let go. Life is too short to be so attached to clothes. I finally purged my massive wardrobe. I had a high profile job. I gave away 200 suits and about 75 evening gowns. Don’t miss them at all. I agonized over my jeans and sweaters (pandemic clothing) but I purged them also. I gave my suits to dress for success and my evening gowns to proms for girls unable to purchase a dress. My mindset has changed. There are so many less fortunate than me. Just ONE dress or ONE suit can change a young woman’s entire attitude about her self worth or style. Be creative. Let go. Pass it forward. You will never regret it.
Thank you! I'm afraid as someone who did a university degree in fashion and has been rather obsessed with clothing from a young age, I am rather attached to things, especially as I have made most of them myself.
It’s a wonderful Sunday night. I did not die of sepsis. I’m sitting here spooning up hospital jello and watching TCH! Once you trim your wardrobe down, I highly recommend one in one out to keep it from happening again. I also allow a few sentimental or beautiful garments that don’t fit. Just think of them as pets :)
Fun video! I'm kinda motivated to look through my warmer weather clothes right now. Sometimes what gets me hung up about my clothes is the mindset of "does this say SEASON?" Who cares as long as it is wearable at that time of year but it does hinder me. I find Winter and Summer the hardest. I have to layer in winter and have found some pieces that are 3-season, well Winter isn't one of them. The Summer is an abomination. Nothing is comfortable no matter how light the layer. I could strip down to my bones and still be miserable from May to Mid-October.
It's funny here because season doesn't actually always mean that much, as we get 62 and sunny in Jan sometimes, and then it snows randomly all the way into May, so Colorado demands a varied approach!
It's really interesting watching you come to basically the same conclusion as I have come to: I'm an unrepentant lover of black, with a secondary love of jewel tones, and am vastly more interested in fabric, texture, structure and silhouette than print or pattern or, really, most colours that aren't monochrome. Other than a new but apparently here-to-stay fondness for desaturated blues, my preference for black, off-white, grey and jewel tones is apparently here to stay. Unfortunately I have the opposite problem, which is I have very, very few clothes. I've...changed size somewhat drastically of late - and completely by accident now fit off the rack clothes far far better than I did before (ie 'not even remotely'), but am really not keen to buy more pieces. I'm just sortof making do with the small number of core pieces I like with a bit of stuff that vaguely fits and basically only one pair of trousers I like for now while I get myself together to make some more things. Inconveniently I lean masculine-of-centre and while skirts work as an occasional fancy option I'm not keen on them for an everyday look, so sadly the 'quickly throw together a circle skirt' thing isn't going to work for me. Deep sigh. And can I rant for a minute about men's trouser fitting? Because oh my god, men's trouser fitting. if you buy in store it's all 'vaguely straight ill-fitting suit trousers' in exactly the same sortof terrible shape as far as the eye can see. I'm pretty sure Victorian men's fashion used to get really enthused about trouser fitting, but now all the patterns are basically the same (and the pattern shapes are super boxy and boring) so here I am going to teach myself how to tailor Victorian-style, I suppose??? Oh hell, maybe I'll just make women's trouser patterns and fuss with the hip measurements a bit. Truly 'men's' and 'women's' bodies aren't all that different around the hips; the big problem from a sewing perspective is actually bust to shoulder ratios. I bet I can make women's trouser patterns work. Gosh that was a huge ramble, but anyway, multiple people have told me I should investigate colour more and stop wearing so much black and similar, and I have decided recently that 1) but I like black, and I'll make not-black clothes when I feel the urge to, and 2) why do they care about my clothes anyway, I'm literally buying your fabric, store-person who sounded vaguely offended when I cheerily commented about how I love black and am more into texture variation than volour.
You've got to do you and what you feel best in really! Wear those black clothes! I tried a 1940's trouser pattern last year and it is now totally my favorite trouser, so much more comfortable than anything else I've found and nice sleekly chic too 🖤 The 1940's women's trousers were rather similar to the men's ones for a bit there at the start since trousers were a "mens" thing only before then for the most part 😅
@@TheClosetHistorian You know, I think I'm going to go looking for an original 1940s women's trouser pattern: the detail that really sold me was "stitch lines indicated" because I'm a net patterns devotee. 1940s trousers for all! I'm excited.
I call my style "modern Vampire" and I think having an aesthetic (even if its kinda made up) really helps with being able to narrow down and refine what you're looking for out of your wardrobe. This video was super interesting and very helpful, thanks! 😁
I think I totally relate. I haven't made anything (yet) But I have bits & bobs. Vintage brooches & other jewellery & make up & hats....however, I don't have any friends, I don't ever get to go anywhere & so I'll often stop myself. But I've started to consider maybe just becoming one of those eccentric older ladies who walks around the supermarket in a cocktail dress hahaaa. Maybe this will be my future so at least I can pretend I'm living the dream xx
Each year I turn all my hangers around so they are backwards from how one would usually insert a hanger onto a rod. When I wear something and put it back in closet I flip the hanger. Later that year whatever hasn’t been worn gets the heave-ho.
I do a clean out every few years myself! It’s so very satisfying and usually that’s enough time for my style & size to change enough that I have a bunch of items that don’t fit anymore. I’m going to need to do another one soon, but that will be more difficult as my plan is to make replacements rather than buy, and I’m not good or fast at making new items yet...
“I always curate my wardrobe for the life I want as opposed to the one I have.” I feel this at a core level. It’s what I’m struggling with the most. Too many options can be so overwhelming and I’m about to embark on this same adventure. Your tips are very helpful so thank you for that!
Thank you Morrigan! I feel like I'm luckily a very decisive person, and when choosing an outfit I tend to take the surroundings into account, which is a hold over from doing fashion blogging and outfit photos for years. So if I know I'm going to a certain restaurant or museum or something, I will plan an outfit that I feel goes with the vibe of the place I'm going to, if that makes any dang sense 😅
@@TheClosetHistorian That actually makes perfect sense to me. I think that’s actually one of the reasons I have such a difficult time letting go of stuff... “but what if *insert event/scenario* comes up? I might need this then”
I've really enjoyed this.I'm useless at sorting out,I still have things from the 70s ,the skirts wouldn't go around my arms but I like knowing their there.
I love decluttering videos but yours was especially satisfying to watch! I really love how you went about it and keeping count of how much you keep vs how much you part with! Can't wait to see the next part ;)
I would love to see a video of you dying some of the pieces that were the wrong color but great fit or material...like the silk knit that you wanted to sell or the red knit commissioned piece that you said you wished was black.
I'm in the process of cleaning out my closet. Its pretty straightforward because I'm getting rid of the things that are too big. Years ago, I did a similar clean out like your video. Amazing how much we accumulate. I'm sure that many will find your video helpful. Most of my clothes are black and at least have to double duty with quadruple being ideal, which means that I don't have much of a wardrobe. In the past, I'd remake a skirt into a pencil skirt. I still do that if I find the ideal thrift store item. If only I could let go of my blazers...
One thing I do when I sort through my clothes is I choose what I want to keep is I do the initial sort like you do then sort by type. Then sort out duplicate colors and styles, like only one grey pencil skirt. The finally I reduce that number by half. I have never regretted this. Also it leaves me more room to add new items without having to remove more for at least a while.
Wowsa! You did a great job. Letting go of stuff is hard! I've also been paring my wardrobe back further and further over the years (after a decade of working in fashion I had accumulated quite the collection). Thankfully, most of what I like to wear is black, so everything kind of goes with everything else which makes outfit combos pretty easy (I've never grown out of my goth phase tbh). And yes to accessories! They are invaulable in creating different looks, especially when you have a smaller wardrobe. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
The running conversation was super helpful. I have a closet culling in my future and I think actually talking about why I want to keep something will help versus me just staring at the thing for an hour and thinking about it.
How exciting!!! Thanks for sharing the process ...love that idea of dressing for the job you want x Great tip about looking through vision board/albums xx
The prospect of moving all my crap to a diff state made me purge ~75% of my clothes and shoes (>100 pairs). It was honestly so cathartic! Huge weight off my shoulders, and way more in line with the eco-conscious, minimalist I've become in adulthood.
This is the most interesting clearout I have seen in ages! I like to hear your thoughts and you make it in a very visually clear way too. I did my first clear out two years ago and another this autumn. That other one was really necessary, I did not get rid of as much stuff as in the first, but my style has become more clear to me in that time and some stuff was easier to let go of when doing the second time. 40 % is a good number! (I did 33% the first time and 17% the second) Same as you I got rid of a lot of colourful stuff. I am not as bright coloured as I think I am. And black is a really nice colour.
I don't know how you got rid of so many quality, one of a kind, self made pieces to begin with. It's like shedding a past version of yourself. I totally don't judge anyone having a hard time with that.
Thank you Natalia! It's true they are quite hard to part with, the only saving grace of it is when I get a message back or see photos of people wearing the things I've made and then my heart goes all warm and fuzzy and it feels right again 😅
I'm so excited to see you zeroing in on your flavor of vintage. The Father Brown tv show had a bunch of really great variations on everyday 1950s styles that are really inspiring.
I love that you focus on finding your own style within the broader category of vintage. I also love vintage dressing, but my "niche" is quite different from yours. I love circle skirts, and I don't really like pencil skirts, and I am less Morticia Addams and more Christian Dior's New Look, but it is still vintage all the same.
I liked this video! can't wait to see the next one! I heard a tip for those who have a hard time letting go of clothes: imagine you spilled red wine on it: would you trouble yourself to clean it or not? that's another way to tell if you should keep something or not. ;p
Big suggestion for anyone wanting to do this: PLEASE donate at the START of the season, not the end. I used to work in a thrift store and people would bring in clothes as the season was ending and a lot of it got thrown away because we simply didn't have the room and we knew they wouldn't sell for months. We need to stock the racks with clothes that fit the season, especially since low income families tend to buy in the season, not before. So if you're clearing winter clothes, either donate them at the start of winter or hang onto them until next year in a box or bag. This makes sure we can keep as much of your clothes as possible as well as making sure people who thrift will have as many options as possible.
That's a really good tip!. Thank you. I hate to think of my donations going straight to land fill. Argh!
Thank you for that great information!
Thank you for this information. I never thought of that. I will definitely keep this in mind when I donate next time.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I donate but never thought of this.
Thank you so much for leaving this comment. I usually go through my stuff at the end, by figuring out what I wore and what I didn't wear. From now on, I will be keeping the stuff in a bag and will bring it in at the beginning of the correct season!! Thank you again.
"antique book dealer who also is a replicant in the blade runner universe" YES GIRL!!!
Yes, Bianca, you summed up your style perfectly and eloquently.
I came down here to make the exact same comment 😂❤️
If I'm being honest I love these videos because I'm nosy as hell but the decluttering is also very satisfying.
Me too! And it's also comforting to see other people struggle with letting things go and why they struggle. It helps me process my own declutter struggles.
@@brookeg5979 Same!
Same! I found myself yelling at the screen: No, you don't need a circle skirt in every color!
However, I'm the same way when trying to pare down my own collection. It's like I have Spiderman hands that can't let go.
"I was never allowed to be a goth as a kid, but I sure wanted to be"
I felt that so hard...
The Pinterest curating tip is GENIUS.
i agree, but what else is Pinterest for?
My pinning is way too eclectic. I like all the things ☺
@@TheRossspija My pinterest is entirely recipes. I never think to pin outfits!
I learned from my Mum to go through my wardrobe at the beginning of spring for the year ahead. The rule of thumb was always: any garment must go with at least three other things. And a new thing in meant an old one out. Tough, but very useful once you understand your style.
Love the "wider edge of my style" as a good criteria to let it go.
And you were so brave in your declutter.
The "have to go with 3+ other things" is such a clever rule!
Great rules!
I follow the 3 item (at least!) rule pretty strictly and it really does prevent me from buying a lot of non-functional clutter. I wear a lot of separates so rule #1 is always "what does this go with" and I do a little mental tab through my closet.
Thank you Kaytie! Luckily if most things are black then everything matches ha!
Me, seeing the rack of clothes: oh, that’s not that many clothes if they fit all on the rack
Closet Historian: “This rack is just entirely my skirts.”
Me: *oh*.
😅 You see the problem now lol
@@TheClosetHistorian you enjoy yourself with your fashion!! There isn’t a problem at all. Just amassed a large collection over the years 🤷♂️
I love the cool aunt energy of this video
Goals tbh so thank you 😅
One thing that I did that made my wardrobe sooo unified... All the same hangers. I gave my old ones to a family member, and got good brand black velvet (non shedding ones) hangers. They re slimmer than old plastic ones and the uniform look is so appealing.
I also sorted by items type and then color, but the hangers really make my closets look beautiful 😘.
I turn all my hangers one way and, as I wear them, I turn the hangers the opposite way. Next time I go through my clothes, if any hangers have not been turned, I know I haven't worn them and can get rid of them easily.
I did the same thing, I LOVE the flock velvet hangers! I got them in two colours and divided them into seasons, it made sorting so much easier!
OMG I literally JUST did this. Huge closet clean out, uniform hangers, sorted by type and color. I had quite a few of those flocked hangers but not enough...and being plus size I just got fed up with half my clothes sliding off those plastic hangers. At some point your brain just realizes: why am I putting up with this stress at least twice a day every single day?! I feel so much better going in my closet every day now.
Matching hangers are indeed the best! I have a bunch of the cheap but rather nice wood hangers from Ikea and then the rest are a soft green colored velvet ones now 😊 I just wish I could find a hanger I like for skirts too!
Brb borrowing this whole aesthetic
hey, getting rid of 40% is a great job! you reduced by almost half! ^5!
Thank you! I tried to take it very seriously this time!!
Black is the freakin' best colour! I'm with you on the "Morticia is a fashion genius"-club
Strong agree 🖤🕸🦇
The way you started out, it seemed like you wouldn't be getting rid of anything. Reminds me of me. I develop such an emotional attachment to my clothing; during one purge, I felt compelled to explain to each piece how they served me well so that they wouldn't "feel" bad about being removed from my closet. Nowadays, I try to focus on how I am making room for new and wonderful clothes to come into my life, and it just puts a more positive spin on the process. But congratulations on finishing strong, you did well.
Thank you! It can be challenging to let go of things for sure, I struggle with it!
suggestion, dress for dinner ;) That'll give you use for the cocktail dresses. It's good to have a cleanout. I'm about to rage through again and ruthlessly. I'm even more clear about how I want to look now so the clearer you are, the easier it is.
The trouble is I am usually the one cooking dinner...and I am messy 🤣 So that would result in more laundry than I would want to deal with really ha! One day when I get to go out to dinner more often, or find a cute live in chef perhaps 😉
I only discovered your channel in the past couple of weeks, after having looked for videos on 1930s finger waves. I am happy to have found you. You are entertaining in a subdued, quiet kind of way and clearly are extremely knowledgeable. I like that. I especially enjoy your voiceovers as you go about your business. Thank you for sharing your passion for vintage style in a most clever way.
Thank you Penny!
I always thought I wanted my style to be like your Pinterest board... but as it happens, apparently I’m a trouser girl.
Very valid! I want to use the same 40's pattern I've fallen for to make black velvet evening trousers this year 🖤
I love how you said " I live at home" and I instantly knew that you mean you lived in your childhood home.
The last part was kind of like one of those elimination reality shows. "This has been the hardest decision of my LIFE, but I have to let you go..."
I find making at least 2 passes when culling the closet helps. The first is the most difficult, but then as you pass through again it gets a little easier.
The voice overs for all of ur videos always seem so? Relaxing and calming to me ? Love it !
Thank you!
I love that this is voice over style. Enjoyed the humor of you interpreting your own thoughts and actions.
This! It was as if we were listening to her mental process live... Very cleverly done.
Bianca dahling! THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BLACK! YOU LOOK FABULOUS IN BLACK! I LOVE BLACK! IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE COLORS! (ALONG WITH RED, BLUE, SILVER AND GOLD) IT'S A VERY STRONG, CLASSY, TIMELESS COLOR! BE IT IN MODERN STYLE OR VINTAGE!
Really like how you did this video. While I like declutter videos, I usually find myself getting bored half way through with other TH-camrs. But with yours, we got a look at each piece & your little gestures to the camera & funny narration kept it very entertaining. Brilliant! Thank you 🙂
Thank you Kelly!
Oh my goodness that yellow plaid skirt is gorgeous, its like a vintage Clueless skirt!!
I found it out at an antique mall...back when I got to go haunt antique malls 😩 I miss days out thrifting!
I very like your sense of humor! It is so calming and so funny.
Thank you Juanita!
Gonna go hecka personal now: I... struggle with knowing who I am and what I like due to abuse during my formative years. So your suggestion of just pinning everything I like and then looking for patterns/trends? It sounds terrifying on such a deep level that I realize I have to do it. Thank you for sharing this advice. 💚
I hope it can be helpful, but if it is not for you that's okay too ❤❤❤
@@TheClosetHistorian It sounds terrifying and fun to do at the same time! Still, thank you for the reassurance as well. 💚💚💚
Try doing it with a friend that has strict instructions to support you and not express any opinions at all
I realized last spring that my ideal style is “oldey timey lady archaeologist” and that was a super helpful discovery.
"Antique book dealer who also is a Replicant in the Blade Runner universe" would also be may style, plus "red-haired River Song" hahahaha! The pinterest idea is perfect, mine also goes a bit country-chic, but that's because I was originally a country girl. Btw, I absolutely adore your vids!
I was laughing thru the whole intro...she's so funny 🤣
Thank you Maellen!
I love the comment about not being able to thrift "...because, you know.....germs." Your droll nod to 'The Situation' made me laugh both times I watched it.
Always enjoyable to watch and listen to, Bianca. I will be back for the next installment. :)
Thank you Ann!
I'm glad you can sell these. I love sewing, but I have very few clothes, so I make clothes for my store, and that's fun! I love your videos. I'm glad I don't live in a large town or next to Denver. Wow, vintage galore!
Thank you!
those shorts are so cute! I feel you with the body insecurity thing. I've only started wearing shorts when I was 19 and got into vintage fashion!
Coming from the future 2024 to enjoy this video. Returning to a previous look in a more updated way.. or maybe down dated way ... Bringing my past forward into the present. Thank you Closet Historian!
My wife and I have the same issue with costumes that we sew (adult and junior), and dreaded having to cull them. Fortunately, our adult daughter moved out, and her bedroom is now our walk in costume closet. Issue avoided for now (the room is already nearly full)
Decluttering and pairing down your wardrobe which you've made, repurposed or bought at thrift shops is NOT "showing off." It's inspiring people to create their style through various means & budget. Then not being afraid to let go of items so others can enjoy them. You're NOT saying, "Hey! Look at all this stuff I bought on Rodeo Drive that I've never even worn." I find your videos very encouraging, and I get lots of great ideas!! ❤
Thank you!
Really enjoy the decluttering videos with commentary about *why* you don't like/use the item. -40% is amazing!
Your narrative is EPIC!! Totally love it! You made me giggle multiple time. I understand completely how hard it is to "downsize" a closet....I have been putting mine off for a while now 🤣 great video! Can hardly wait for the next!
Thank you! Part 2 coming soon 🥰
*looks at own closet overflowing with thrifted clothes, then the full shoe rack, then the uncloseable jewelry box*
Yeeeaaaah, I definitely need to slim things down, especially since I took up sewing this past year... 😬
It's those darn great thrift bargains!!
This is the BEST closet clear out content I have ever seen. This is just what I need. Thank you once again for the excellent video!
Thank you Katherine!
omg! That sequin bolero looked SO good on you!
This was really fun to watch. Between your commentary and seeing your wardrobe mmm chefs kiss
Thank you Geri!
I love your sense of humour! I really enjoy the fact that a) you love thrifting, b) if you really love something that isn’t at thrift store price, you get it anyway, c) you like what you like and don’t apologize for it!
Thank you Leah!
This video just makes me want more skirts...
I have opted to keep a single example of a few clothing items I never wear, simply to remind myself that I won't wear said item.
I've bought vests, bolero sweaters,slouchy neck sweaters, and a few other items multiple times because I like the idea of them. Then eventually I donate it, because I never wear it and a year later I get this itch to find the perfect vest...
Okay, as the kid who was ALLOWED to be goth (and also deeply into costuming), there is no question in my mind that you're kindred. Those bangs, those casual replicant references... one of us.
I never understand why people find black boring, for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Everything ELSE seems so limited, because it coordinates so narrowly.
OHMYGAWWD BIANCA!!! THAT PLAID CIRCLE SKIRT! I Used TO WEAR THAT VERY SAME TYPE OF SKIRT (MINE WAS PINK AND GREY) WITH A CUTE WHITE SHERPA VEST WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE! (SOMEBODY STOLE THAT VEST BACK THEN, SO I MADE ANOTHER ONE TWO WEEK AGO!) OOH! THAT TAKES ME BACK AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE OUTFITS TO WEAR! AND IT LOOKS ADORABLE ON YOU! ALSO, KEEP THAT RED CIRCLE SKIRT TOO!! SO CUTE AND YOU CAN WORK IT, DIVA!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I love multigenerational households! My mom lives with my kids and I. 💗💗💗
I am turning 47 tomorrow, most of my closet is still black. I got married in black leather, fishnets and Vans. When I attended my niece's wedding....my sister got me navy blue fishnets so I could do my style in it's patriotic form, with white Van's, red & silver laces. I go to 2 balls a year (while not in a pandemic) and I still wear something very me....but I am known for my interesting collection of Vans, insane shoe lace patterns and fishnet stockings. You never know what color my hair will be, or if I am going to put on the false eyelashes, but I will be wearing mostly black, with some pop of color... I have worn the same gown like 6 times...but no one ever notices because I can add lace, or embroidery, metallic trim...or my hair might be blue. But everyone remembers the shoes and fishnet stockings.
Ahhh! I LOVE wool skirts. I can’t wait for you to start selling things because you have immaculate taste and I’d love to pick up some of these pieces!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Sydney!
I always envied people like you. Because you own your style, you're totally killing it! Absolutely gorgeous!
I had some rockabilly years, even had a midi cut, but somehow it wasn't me. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
Eventually I relapsed back into gothic style and feel much better. Still envious, when beautiful people like you can rock vintage =)
Thank you! Gothic is good in my book of course 🖤🕸🦇
Yes! I too am in this phase. I have all the 80s dresses I ever dreamed of and wore four of them. Time to pass them on to someone who will love them more.
"Lounge Goth" I need more of this! I adore your vintage looks... but lounge goth is more my style and I would enjoy seeing your version of it!
As a maximalist with little room for storage, I find that f I keep my wardrobe inspiration pics at hand while sorting, I am able to more easily make decisions about what to let go of. Why trying to waffling, my brain will go back to why I liked it when I bought it and the inspo pics help me to instantly refocus and remember why I haven't reached for it. Bianca, I am so glad that you are finding your power style. On a side note, 'cause I know you don't really care about such things, your color "season" is Winter and you look fab in black and jewel tones. It's like you naturally gravitated to them.
Thank you Shea! I have definitely kept a handful of things that fall outside of my desired style range, but perhaps I will be stronger next time ha! I feel like we randomly did a style/color analyzation thing in my home economics class in high school? It was called sewing class but it was kinda just weird. I didn't remember my results, but Winter it is sure 😅 Better than summer I don't like being overheated ;)
I would love to see an updated closet tour with everything back in it's place! Yu did one last year I know, so it could just be a quick add-on or something, of course :D
Thanks Katherine! I did include a bit of a tour in the second part of this clear out here th-cam.com/video/WMXwmwR4gsc/w-d-xo.html
@@TheClosetHistorian Thanks! I just watched it! 👏👏👏
I always like your closet tours and clear out videos, and this one was no exception! I especially like that you don't time-laps through to just show the end result. It's fun to hear the decision making process, and your thoughts on why you are getting rid of what you did.
Thank you Madison! At some point decluttering can feel like watching someone sort their laundry, and that's just less entertaining I agree ha!
This was so therapeutic to watch, especially how you have two racks to nicely go through everything, very satisfying. I love that you're going "back in black" as I like to call it - I was a goth kid and lost my way from that as I started dressing vintage and trying to find my way back to that but in a vintage way 🖤
Thank you Lindsay!
I love the idea of a dedicated video to the different niche aesthetics under the vintage umbrella! Sounds so fascinating!!!
Well I'm afraid the possibilities are endless and overlapping really, so I'm not sure they all have names or defined characteristics! But like, there's more pin-up style, more housewife-ish, a focus on art deco 20's/30's instead, more cottage core-ish stuff...the variations only ever expand!
As I have gotten older I really believe our eye color has some influence over the colors we like to wear with hair color natural or dyed being a secondary consideration. You have such a beautiful Snow White/Cleopatra look and I can see why black is one of your main go to colors. Its so beautiful on you!
My grandmother loved green and her eyes were a beautiful green, my father's favorite color was brown and that was his eye color, my husband's eyes are auburn and match his hair color exactly and he really looks good in brown/amber toned clothes, my eyes are blue and I am crazy about any shade of blue. Maybe I am wrong but I really do think there is something to this.
Thank you! But alas my eyes are hazel and I don't have many brownish-green things, yet, except for that iridescent moire skirt and top set, but I do quite like those 😅
You are a true lady with all those skirts & dresses.💕
I love organization and vintage fashion and goth, this video was made for me. Loved the editing with the outfit pictures.
Thank you!
Congratulations on getting rid of 53 items! I did some basic math based on how many you kept and you can do about 20 outfits every season. Also your small gothy heart I can relate too! I love good black and blue outfits 😍. Thats why I keep coming back to your chanel because I love your embrace of gothy style 🤩
Thank you Amanda! You mean 20 outfits a season with this stuff...but what about all the other stuff...ha! Dresses and tops next and it uh, expands the selection a bit 😅
You are so delightful to watch. Be more objective. You need to part with more clothes on the rack on the right. Don’t second guess yourself. Just let go. Life is too short to be so attached to clothes. I finally purged my massive wardrobe. I had a high profile job. I gave away 200 suits and about 75 evening gowns. Don’t miss them at all. I agonized over my jeans and sweaters (pandemic clothing) but I purged them also. I gave my suits to dress for success and my evening gowns to proms for girls unable to purchase a dress. My mindset has changed. There are so many less fortunate than me. Just ONE dress or ONE suit can change a young woman’s entire attitude about her self worth or style. Be creative. Let go. Pass it forward. You will never regret it.
Thank you! I'm afraid as someone who did a university degree in fashion and has been rather obsessed with clothing from a young age, I am rather attached to things, especially as I have made most of them myself.
It’s a wonderful Sunday night. I did not die of sepsis. I’m sitting here spooning up hospital jello and watching TCH! Once you trim your wardrobe down, I highly recommend one in one out to keep it from happening again. I also allow a few sentimental or beautiful garments that don’t fit. Just think of them as pets :)
Get well soon!!
Black, monochrome, textures (over prints), hats! I love your style so much ❤️
I love black, its so classic and has so many subtle nuances
Fun video! I'm kinda motivated to look through my warmer weather clothes right now. Sometimes what gets me hung up about my clothes is the mindset of "does this say SEASON?" Who cares as long as it is wearable at that time of year but it does hinder me. I find Winter and Summer the hardest. I have to layer in winter and have found some pieces that are 3-season, well Winter isn't one of them. The Summer is an abomination. Nothing is comfortable no matter how light the layer. I could strip down to my bones and still be miserable from May to Mid-October.
It's funny here because season doesn't actually always mean that much, as we get 62 and sunny in Jan sometimes, and then it snows randomly all the way into May, so Colorado demands a varied approach!
It's really interesting watching you come to basically the same conclusion as I have come to: I'm an unrepentant lover of black, with a secondary love of jewel tones, and am vastly more interested in fabric, texture, structure and silhouette than print or pattern or, really, most colours that aren't monochrome. Other than a new but apparently here-to-stay fondness for desaturated blues, my preference for black, off-white, grey and jewel tones is apparently here to stay.
Unfortunately I have the opposite problem, which is I have very, very few clothes. I've...changed size somewhat drastically of late - and completely by accident now fit off the rack clothes far far better than I did before (ie 'not even remotely'), but am really not keen to buy more pieces. I'm just sortof making do with the small number of core pieces I like with a bit of stuff that vaguely fits and basically only one pair of trousers I like for now while I get myself together to make some more things.
Inconveniently I lean masculine-of-centre and while skirts work as an occasional fancy option I'm not keen on them for an everyday look, so sadly the 'quickly throw together a circle skirt' thing isn't going to work for me. Deep sigh. And can I rant for a minute about men's trouser fitting? Because oh my god, men's trouser fitting. if you buy in store it's all 'vaguely straight ill-fitting suit trousers' in exactly the same sortof terrible shape as far as the eye can see. I'm pretty sure Victorian men's fashion used to get really enthused about trouser fitting, but now all the patterns are basically the same (and the pattern shapes are super boxy and boring) so here I am going to teach myself how to tailor Victorian-style, I suppose???
Oh hell, maybe I'll just make women's trouser patterns and fuss with the hip measurements a bit. Truly 'men's' and 'women's' bodies aren't all that different around the hips; the big problem from a sewing perspective is actually bust to shoulder ratios. I bet I can make women's trouser patterns work.
Gosh that was a huge ramble, but anyway, multiple people have told me I should investigate colour more and stop wearing so much black and similar, and I have decided recently that 1) but I like black, and I'll make not-black clothes when I feel the urge to, and 2) why do they care about my clothes anyway, I'm literally buying your fabric, store-person who sounded vaguely offended when I cheerily commented about how I love black and am more into texture variation than volour.
You've got to do you and what you feel best in really! Wear those black clothes! I tried a 1940's trouser pattern last year and it is now totally my favorite trouser, so much more comfortable than anything else I've found and nice sleekly chic too 🖤 The 1940's women's trousers were rather similar to the men's ones for a bit there at the start since trousers were a "mens" thing only before then for the most part 😅
@@TheClosetHistorian You know, I think I'm going to go looking for an original 1940s women's trouser pattern: the detail that really sold me was "stitch lines indicated" because I'm a net patterns devotee. 1940s trousers for all! I'm excited.
I call my style "modern Vampire" and I think having an aesthetic (even if its kinda made up) really helps with being able to narrow down and refine what you're looking for out of your wardrobe. This video was super interesting and very helpful, thanks! 😁
I think I totally relate. I haven't made anything (yet) But I have bits & bobs. Vintage brooches & other jewellery & make up & hats....however, I don't have any friends, I don't ever get to go anywhere & so I'll often stop myself. But I've started to consider maybe just becoming one of those eccentric older ladies who walks around the supermarket in a cocktail dress hahaaa. Maybe this will be my future so at least I can pretend I'm living the dream xx
I am the town eccentric and I can highly recommend it 😂
Each year I turn all my hangers around so they are backwards from how one would usually insert a hanger onto a rod. When I wear something and put it back in closet I flip the hanger. Later that year whatever hasn’t been worn gets the heave-ho.
I do a clean out every few years myself! It’s so very satisfying and usually that’s enough time for my style & size to change enough that I have a bunch of items that don’t fit anymore. I’m going to need to do another one soon, but that will be more difficult as my plan is to make replacements rather than buy, and I’m not good or fast at making new items yet...
But the more you do make the easier it will become, at least in my experience! ❤
“I always curate my wardrobe for the life I want as opposed to the one I have.”
I feel this at a core level. It’s what I’m struggling with the most. Too many options can be so overwhelming and I’m about to embark on this same adventure. Your tips are very helpful so thank you for that!
Thank you Morrigan! I feel like I'm luckily a very decisive person, and when choosing an outfit I tend to take the surroundings into account, which is a hold over from doing fashion blogging and outfit photos for years. So if I know I'm going to a certain restaurant or museum or something, I will plan an outfit that I feel goes with the vibe of the place I'm going to, if that makes any dang sense 😅
@@TheClosetHistorian That actually makes perfect sense to me. I think that’s actually one of the reasons I have such a difficult time letting go of stuff... “but what if *insert event/scenario* comes up? I might need this then”
I live for chic black vintage outfits. Vintage goth for the win! I love this direction for your wardrobe.
Thanks Deva! I'm working on it ha! 🖤
rocking that elizabeth taylor cleopatra look!
Thank you!
I've really enjoyed this.I'm useless at sorting out,I still have things from the 70s ,the skirts wouldn't go around my arms but I like knowing their there.
Thank you Maureen! If they still bring you joy to know they are there, then keep them there I say!
I love decluttering videos but yours was especially satisfying to watch! I really love how you went about it and keeping count of how much you keep vs how much you part with! Can't wait to see the next part ;)
Thank you Agnès! I really wanted to know how much I had managed to eliminate!
Yessssss! I need to go through my wardrobe, toooooo. You’re inspiring me!
I would love to see a video of you dying some of the pieces that were the wrong color but great fit or material...like the silk knit that you wanted to sell or the red knit commissioned piece that you said you wished was black.
Alas this would mean I would have to know how to dye things, which I don't unfortunately 😅 I'll be too scared to try it for a while yet I'm afraid!
I'm in the process of cleaning out my closet. Its pretty straightforward because I'm getting rid of the things that are too big. Years ago, I did a similar clean out like your video. Amazing how much we accumulate. I'm sure that many will find your video helpful.
Most of my clothes are black and at least have to double duty with quadruple being ideal, which means that I don't have much of a wardrobe. In the past, I'd remake a skirt into a pencil skirt. I still do that if I find the ideal thrift store item. If only I could let go of my blazers...
One thing I do when I sort through my clothes is I choose what I want to keep is I do the initial sort like you do then sort by type. Then sort out duplicate colors and styles, like only one grey pencil skirt. The finally I reduce that number by half. I have never regretted this. Also it leaves me more room to add new items without having to remove more for at least a while.
Wowsa! You did a great job. Letting go of stuff is hard!
I've also been paring my wardrobe back further and further over the years (after a decade of working in fashion I had accumulated quite the collection). Thankfully, most of what I like to wear is black, so everything kind of goes with everything else which makes outfit combos pretty easy (I've never grown out of my goth phase tbh). And yes to accessories! They are invaulable in creating different looks, especially when you have a smaller wardrobe.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you Kelly! I could/perhaps should go even harder here, but maybe that can wait for when I finally move one day...a girl can dream!
Omg all your knits and skirts!! *swoon*
Loved hanging out with you during this video, can’t wait for part two 🥰 💜 🖤
Thank you! Coming very soon and it is even longer because...dresses 😅
Lol I love how you're giving yourself pep talks. Good job! That looked really hard, because you have so many cool items in your wardrobe. ❤
Thank you Reina! I certainly find it even harder to let go of things I have made eek!
The running conversation was super helpful. I have a closet culling in my future and I think actually talking about why I want to keep something will help versus me just staring at the thing for an hour and thinking about it.
How exciting!!! Thanks for sharing the process ...love that idea of dressing for the job you want x Great tip about looking through vision board/albums xx
Love this can’t wait for more!
Thank you!
I found out how to organize my closet from a Clueless book, Cher's Guide to Whatever. I still set everything up like that.
Got some good tips from this so thank you for taking us along on the emotional rollercoaster that is de-stashing!
The prospect of moving all my crap to a diff state made me purge ~75% of my clothes and shoes (>100 pairs). It was honestly so cathartic! Huge weight off my shoulders, and way more in line with the eco-conscious, minimalist I've become in adulthood.
This is the most interesting clearout I have seen in ages! I like to hear your thoughts and you make it in a very visually clear way too.
I did my first clear out two years ago and another this autumn. That other one was really necessary, I did not get rid of as much stuff as in the first, but my style has become more clear to me in that time and some stuff was easier to let go of when doing the second time. 40 % is a good number! (I did 33% the first time and 17% the second)
Same as you I got rid of a lot of colourful stuff. I am not as bright coloured as I think I am. And black is a really nice colour.
Thank you Meamela! Could not agree with your statements more, I am definitely less colorful in reality than I sometimes think I am apparently 😅
You’ve inspired me to go through my closet again.
Your description of your aesthetic was hilarious, and also provided an incredibly accurate picture.
I don't know how you got rid of so many quality, one of a kind, self made pieces to begin with. It's like shedding a past version of yourself. I totally don't judge anyone having a hard time with that.
Thank you Natalia! It's true they are quite hard to part with, the only saving grace of it is when I get a message back or see photos of people wearing the things I've made and then my heart goes all warm and fuzzy and it feels right again 😅
I'm so excited to see you zeroing in on your flavor of vintage. The Father Brown tv show had a bunch of really great variations on everyday 1950s styles that are really inspiring.
I love that you focus on finding your own style within the broader category of vintage. I also love vintage dressing, but my "niche" is quite different from yours. I love circle skirts, and I don't really like pencil skirts, and I am less Morticia Addams and more Christian Dior's New Look, but it is still vintage all the same.
Thanks Ilse! Lots of vintage styles out there to play with indeed!
This video was lovely, thank you. I could listen to you forever 💕
Thank you Alisa!
I liked this video! can't wait to see the next one!
I heard a tip for those who have a hard time letting go of clothes: imagine you spilled red wine on it: would you trouble yourself to clean it or not? that's another way to tell if you should keep something or not. ;p
Thank you!
Love this video! The voice over of your thought process was perfect.
Thank you!
That is fantastic progress! Well done you.
Thank you!
I love how you did this decluttering video! Everything is so easy to see and orderly!! Also, beautiful clothing items!
Thank you Kathleen!
@@TheClosetHistorian you’re welcome!