I GOT RID OF 30% OF MY SHOES | Capsule Wardrobe Declutter

[@annette6090]

Great video Gemma 😊 thanks as always!! I've taken a different approach to decluttering this season. I did my summer swap over and realise I was being very indecisive (possibly a perimenopause thing??). Anyway, I have now challenged myself to wear all the things I'm not 100% loving and having worn it for the day assess how I feel at the end of the day. Truth be known, I know deep down within a few minutes if I love it or not. I've also stopped trying super hard to make things work. If it's hard, it's now a hard pass. On top of all this, I'm on a self imposed shopping ban - 2nd month in. I have a lot to get rid of and I need to concentrate on selling on, not buying more in 😅 I'm determined to get to a good place and I feel I'm on a good path. Thanks for the continued advice and encouragement. A great wardrobe is a journey not a destination!! ❤ x

[@emmy8526]

Was going to recommend this as well. It’s a fun and useful thing to do to make yourself wear the thing out of the house to do something: a) the styling of it, b) the actual living and moving in it and being seen in it. A quarter of the time I realize it’s awesome actually and I wear it more, but most of the time it’s clear that it’s a heck no and why, e.g. uncomfortable, too short, has to be readjusted, sweaty, etc. Resell and replace several pieces with a really good one you actually need! A week of making maybe items work (including actually wearing them out) would make a great video as well.

[@gemmaamclean]

I love this challenge! It’s true, we very quickly know whether we like something or not xx

[@emmy8526]

You probably already know this, but one way of doing the capsule is to just keep the items you’re enthused about and/or wear a lot in your wardrobe. The ones you’re meh about but not ready to resell, tuck them away somewhere in a box or bag for a few months and see if you miss them. Explore how the extra space, usability and good-stuff-only vibe of your wardrobe feel. It might clarify what’s worthy of being brought back in from the less than ideal box/bag. Another video idea! I think it’s smart to keep rarely worn occasion wear out of your daily life wardrobe. If it’s a bummer that it’s so tucked away, though, you could get a small chest or ottoman, aka seating that doubles as storage, to keep it in so it feels more accessible and like the glamorous life is literally more within reach, so to speak. But also, since you’re shopping secondhand, this is all about making it work for you, not hitting some extraneous minimalism target! Don’t let Kondo unnerve you - she likes a good shop herself, I gather, and has eased up since she had kids. Looking forward to the next stage of your declutter video!

[@gemmaamclean]

I love this idea, that’s exactly what I’m trying to do now is to just keep the things I love and anything I’m a bit unsure of I’m pulling out of my wardrobe for now to see if I miss it at all. X

[@emmy8526]

I have kept a selection of 1-hour shoes (as in, that’s how long I can stand and walk in them before the pain sets in or the blisters form), but most of my shoes are now of the 3 to 8 hour variety. I like them better when they’re not limiting my range of travel or activity! Be careful with the Chanel dupes with the back ankle strap - you mentioned yourself that can be irritating. I personally find that to seriously chafe after that first hour. It’s a lot of pressure on a tiny surface area.

[@gemmaamclean]

I love the idea of “1 hour shoes”!! I’m all about comfort too so I need practicality. I hate having to bring a back up pair or have to change my shoes halfway through an event.

[@kathrynbythelake9638]

I keep thinking about decluttering some shoes but it is hard. I'm used to having them around, but I have to remember I would rather have the space.

[@gemmaamclean]

It can be hard, especially if sometimes it feels like you might need them again in the future. That’s why I like to store things out of sight for a little while to see if I e reached for it. Xx

[@ivaneteroark710]

Try to resell those items before you donate, I always struggle with the excessive amount of items I own, a huge back and forth between gratitude and guilt, best wishes

[@gemmaamclean]

I’ve resold a few now but I think anything left now I’m going to donate. Just gets it out of my space quicker and means someone else can find a nice affordable option in a charity shop, and the charity benefits too. Xx

[@louveblancheomega799]

I just decluttered my shoes today. I finally had the nerves to throw away old ass/ damaged bad quality shoes which were holding so much place for a long time. I rearranged all my shoes it was sooo overwhelming and I still am overwhelmed hours later. It looks more tidy right now and I recover a lot of space but it's just cray how much shoes I owned/own. Currently trying to sell some pairs but no one buy them x) I'm going shopping for shoes with my bestie soon because she currently really needs new shoes (which I obviously don't). I'm just a shoeholics but it was really getting out of hand this time around. Love shoes but sometimes I was buying some just for the retail therapy (only the ones I am really into though), I need to calm down in and out

[@gemmaamclean]

It can be so overwhelming! But hopefully you’re feeling the benefits now 😊

[@vintageaddict4552]

I feel the same way everything I have I really love, and I just can't get rid of it and then I still buy more but lately I been trying to wear everything and seeing if I like the fit of it which has been working alot.....Great video!!

[@gemmaamclean]

Thanks so much! That’s great that you love everything! I definitely think there are some things I just have but don’t love, so I’m hoping to identify them and stop making those purchases in the future 😊

[@sweetdistin]

I'm in the middle of getting the bedroom slowly replastered and have just been using and rewashing a laundry basket of clothes for two weeks and I'm not missing the rest of my clothes. Theres a big declutter coming once I have the new smaller wardrobe 😊

[@maryam.m]

I don't know if you ultimately decided to get rid of the metallic rose gold pair, but it really matched your skin color. Perhaps you could consider them to be a "nude" sandal and try wearing them in more outfits rather than saving them for fancy occasions where you want to opt for yellow gold.

[@gemmaamclean]

I still have them, and that’s a good point! I must try them with some less dressy outfits and see if they work x