Closet Envy

One day, about 15 years ago, I came home from work to find one of the most delightful surprises. My daughter, Kelly, was bored and found a project to amuse herself during her summer vacation. She wandered into my walk-in closet, and created smart outfits for me.

She made a week’s worth of outfits, complete with jewelry, one outfit per hanger

The most precious part was the post-it note that came with each outfit. One outfit was for “coffee or brunch with the girls.” I remember this one! She took a pale pink polo shirt with a Paris themed print, popped the collar and paired it with a black pleated skirt from Gap. I was to wear a longish black bead necklace, black D’Orsay flats and a black bag. It was a pretty savvy combo for a 15-year-old. It was also something I never would have paired. But believe me...I waited for the chance to wear it. I took it shopping and for lunch at the Leesburg Outlets and felt very French. Ooh-La-La!

I have begged her for more than a decade to set me up again...and she remains resolute and denies me!

Here it is 2020, and in the first time in 15 years, I once again have a walk-in closet like the one that inspired my daughter.

If you have been there, you know how difficult it is to live with a closet with sagging bars, poor lighting and sliding doors. In the ensuing 15 years, I once had a closet so tiny that I had to buy all new hangers that were much smaller - and still was unable to close the door due to its narrow depth. Granted, that closet was built in a 1930’s home, and wasn’t ready for the likes of me.

My off-season clothes lived in Rubbermaid tubs along with all those things I wished still fit me. In truth over the last 15 years I have become a frequent thrift store and yard sale shopper and gone up and down the scale over 4 sizes. I have a lot of clothes.

My new space is well lit. There is plenty of bar space, both high and low. I have a built-in bookcase in corner for shoes and 2 additional shoe cubbies from Amazon. There is room for accessories, as I do own an abnormal amount of scarves, necklaces and earrings. In other words…it’s perfect. And it still doesn’t hold all my clothes.

I do purge my closet. I am regular donor to several Frederick nonprofits that sell or give away clothing. I’m now used to paying 95% or more off retail, so I don’t check myself if I see something I like. This leads to things I bought for a dollar winding up in a donation bag, or going into a Rubbermaid tub for another season, or for 10 pounds from now. The ability to see all my clothes in one place reinforces that I need to find some hobbies that don’t include shopping!

This new reality is also leading to my finding new clothing combinations. I bought hangers that can hold both tops and a coordinating skirt or pants. I have 10 of these hangers and I am matching up items I have never worn together before. I am still hoping that once she sees my new setup, Kelly might be inspired to help her mother again…