It seems like Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has found it’s way into everyone’s (or at least every lifestyle blogger’s home). And I am no different. A pack rat and former shopaholic like me needs guidance on what to discard. The “does it bring joy” method was super helpful. And as long as I could answer does it bring joy? with, “well…if by joy, you mean do I like putting it on after a long day, cooking in it and not caring about getting coconut oil on it,” then yes, it does. Needless to say, I was a little loose with the joy part. But if we can create joy in our lives by living on purpose, why not do the same with our wardrobes with Purposeful Dressing?

Can Purposeful Dressing Create More Joy?

During this process, I got rid of 6 large bags of clothes, (and at some point, I will write about how I did that, because straight to Goodwill is not the most eco-friendly option).

Now that my closet is organized and my drawers are (mostly) decluttered (I have been calling my underwear drawer a work of art. It is nothing short of that), I have come to a realization. I have too much. Still. Even after that huge purge, I don’t have space for everything, and I really still only wear 80% of my wardrobe. But, it is a step. And I am working toward the 30 wear goal on everything, including my dressier dresses (denim vests to dress down, the thinner/shorter ones as shirts).

I have mentioned the guilt associated with my consumption before. It is one of the things that drove me to start Future:Standard. I wanted to be able to have the clothes, without the environmental and ethical consequences (kind of like having the doughnut without the caloric guilt, right?). I know I can’t have that (a girl can only wish!), so, I realized I needed to be conscious about what I chose. And I have, in the last decade or so, for the most part, been a conscious consumer, making my choices both on style and desire as well as the ethical nature of the product.

But, after discarding so much, and tidying for days, I realized that even if every single item in my wardrobe is ethically, locally, and eco-consciously sourced, I am still consuming. And that consumption is not great on the environment. Especially if I don’t use it or wear it. In the past, I have thought, well… it is made from recycled plastic bottles, so it is ok.

Over consumption of ethical goods is still over consumption.

My mindset has shifted dramatically from, “if it is ethically sourced, I can buy it,” to “Even so, do I need it? Will I wear it enough to justify the purchase? Will it last long enough to justify the purchase?” because, besides taking better care of what I already own, the best thing I can do to build a more ethical wardrobe is to just buy less, and really love it.

Which got me thinking about Purposeful Dressing.

There is a lot of talk about creating a purposeful life and creating purpose in one’s career. I am going to take this further and talk about Purposeful Dressing. I think dressing on purpose probably means something different to everyone. For me, it means being aware of what I already have. And cherishing it. Getting the best jeans in the world fixed (rather than sitting in the “fix it drawer”), loving the clothes I already own. Marie Kondo mentions being grateful to your clothing for all they do for you. So, for me, appreciating the not-as-brand-new coat in my closet for what it is – something I wear once or twice a year at most, that keeps me warm when I travel in the winter. It means not buying a new, better more “now” coat, that I will also only wear once or twice a year. And then letting things go when their usefulness to me is done. Letting someone else enjoy the almost brand new work pants that just don’t fit quite right. It also means considering my purchases not only for the beauty, but for the sustainability and ethics. I think purposeful dressing is a big step in creating a more ethical wardrobe.

Since tidying, I have found two “new” outfits in my wardrobe. Two new combinations of clothing that I never thought to put together. I have worn two sweaters that my husband loves and has never seen before (they are OLD!). I have a necklace on today that has been only a holiday necklace in the past, but with a denim shirt is very every day. I found myself with a section in my closet that I am referring to as “novelty pants,” mostly second hand, vibrant or interesting pants, and I love it.

I have created better outfits because I know what I have.

I am organized and I am left with only things that give me joy. I am purposefully dressing.

And, I have worked on the “fix it drawer.” A stained cream silk shirt (that I love the fit, but hate the dinginess and stains), is now indigo, and I am wearing it now. I started a quilt with a ripped peplum shirt. Will I ever finish it? I am not sure, but it is a step at repurposing what I have. I stained a table with an old white t-shirt that was just taking up space, instead of buying or ruining perfectly good cleaning rags.

I expect in the coming weeks and months, my closet and drawers will loose a little of their wow factor. I also expect to discover a little more about what purposeful dressing means to me. But for now, I am appreciating what I have. I am purchasing only what makes sense and also creates additional joy. I am toying with the idea of a capsule wardrobe. I hope that not only will this help with my environmental impact, but will also create some clarity in the morning as well as help me create better, more “joyful” outfits.

What is your idea of purposeful dressing? Have you tried Tidying Up? How did it go?