Have you ever stood in front of a full closet and still felt like you had nothing to wear? Wardrobe simplicity eliminates hurry and restores peace by removing unnecessary decisions from your day. In this arti, I’ll share insights from John Mark Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (Amazon affiliate link), four crucial questions to ask before any purchase, and a practical challenge to build your own two favorite outfits.
The Paradox of Excess
Have you noticed what I have about wardrobes? That is, when the size of a wardrobe gets too big, it actually makes it harder to create outfits. I’ve been known to have five or six “almost right” garments that could be replaced by one perfect piece.
Do you have any of these:
- the piece requiring special undergarments?
- something with a small defect (that can be hidden if you combine it with the right piece)?
- too many things that feel just a little too dressy or casual?
- garments that, if you’re honest, are past their prime (but maybe still a favorite)?
- stuff that doesn’t actually fit comfortably?
There’s another thing: American culture expects women to rarely repeat outfits. But what if wearing something “right” matters more than wearing something “different”?
Four Questions Wardrobe Simplicity Invites Us to Ask
Before adding to your wardrobe, consider these questions:
- What is the true cost of this item?
- Look beyond the price tag to hidden costs
- Consider special care requirements
- Ask if you can truly be yourself while wearing it
- By buying this, am I oppressing the poor?
- Remember clothing is still sewn by human hands
- How much can they be paying the person who made that $4 t-shirt?
- By buying this, am I harming the earth?
- Polyester garments are non-biodegradable
- Items in landfills remain indefinitely
- About half of donated clothing doesn’t sell in U.S. thrift stores
- Many end up shipped to developing countries
- Does this align with my commitment to simplicity or other important values?
JMC’s Wardrobe Simplicity Approach
The other day I was talking to someone who said she could happily get by with twelve outfits. To me, that seems really reasonable. JMC was much more radical!
- Initially, he created six outfits per season . “One for every day of the week, with Sunday as a choose-your-own-adventure day”.
- Over time, he reduced to three outfits per season.
- He finally made it down to just two outfits, alternating days.
He reports loving this system! Each outfit is ethically made, eliminating environmental or social guilt.
In a previous podcast episode, “From One Dress Challenge to Capsule Wardrobe,” I shared seven strategies. Comer’s approach takes simplicity even further, adding an eighth.
You might wonder how to work this out with your laundry. That’s where The Wardrobe Pyramid comes in. Download it to determine exactly how many clothes you need based on your laundry routine.
Your Challenge This Week
Create your two favorite outfits for the current season. Choose pieces that make you feel completely yourself.
Finding what’s “right” for you is crucial to making a simplified wardrobe work. My Essential Signature Style Guide is designed precisely for this purpose – helping identify silhouettes, themes, and styling details that harmonize with your essence. When every piece is absolutely right for you, you need far fewer options.