Spring Cleaning

by Karen Blanchard
23 March 2012

How to go from this many leather jackets to 1 or 2?


Right now I’m spring cleaning.

 Like a lot of you I have way too much stuff.  Too many dresses. Coats.  Shoes.  Bags.  Stuff!!!!!


These are (almost) all the leather jackets.  As you can see, too many are in black.  I LOVE black leather jackets just as much as the next girl,  but it’s time to weed out. To purge.  To clear out.

I have a friend coming around shortly to help decide what goes for sale and what stays.

I dream of the day of having a ‘capsule wardrobe’ of ‘the essentials.’  Don’t you love when mags say that?  Who has that anyway? Do you? Please spill on how you did it.

Ok.  I’m off to pick up the friend….

Category: black leather jacket, jacket

68 comments

  1. Emma says:

    Where are you gonna sell them Karen? I’d love to know. And I don’t have anything approaching a capsule wardrobe myself – I love lovely clothes too much and am just never drawn to ‘basics’
    Let me know how you get on.

    Emma x

    • Karen says:

      They will be sold in my online shop. The shop is under the SHOP tab at the top of the blog. Under the header pic.

    • strap jacket says:

      Such a lovely post to share.

  3. visionvenom says:

    Please make a site to sell the stuff you don’t want I would love to buy some things from you!

  4. visionvenom says:

    Please sell your clothes on a site I would love to buy some things from you!

    • Karen says:

      They will be listed in my online shop!! tab under the header

  5. Mari says:

    I just can’t do it…. Goodluck, Karen. Curious to see how this will go.

  6. Mari says:

    I just can’t do it…. Goodluck, Karen. Curious to see how this will go.

  7. Chanell Monae says:

    reading this post actually made me chuckle at the end. i’ve always wanted that “capsule wardrobe” and read about it over and over. I don’t know if any fashion lover actually has that, seems like a forlorn myth. anyways lovely coats you have good luck clearing it out. I bet you’ll feel much better once you minimize your closet. 🙂

    -Chanell monae
    youareair.blogspot.com

  8. A Stylized Hysteria says:

    Capsule wardrobes are for wimps. Go big or go home!

    • Karen says:

      omg lol

  9. Jess says:

    Capsule wardrobes are overrated, I like having too many bags/shoes to choose from.

    Jess
    Styladelica

  10. Anonymous says:

    Hey! I actually have that! A small ‘capsule’ wardrobe that I started as soon as I began working (few months ago) I am still adding essentials and occasionally get trendy items – the key is to Buy something that you absolutely KNOW is you, is in great condition (and of good quality) and would last years in your closet, because it is easily manipulated. I have now transitioned this philosophy to Bags/jewelery as well. It all started when I moved into a small apartment and hated the clutter. so I made it a mission to create that, and I think i did pretty good so far! Best thought : AS much as we love clothes (I am a designer myself) they are disposable, and you will find what you are looking for WHEN you are looking for it. I now never shop without an item in mind, makes it a lot more meaningful and personal to me all while respecting my aesthetic.

  11. Serendipity Max says:

    I do probably have what’s classed as a capsule wardrobe but not intentionally just because I clear out my clothes a lot and lack the money to buy all the new ones I want!

    xx

  14. anna says:

    when it comes to leather jackets (and shoes, as well!) I’m always like… ‘never enough’… so, I’m quite interested if you put on sale some of them!

    http://brandnewbyanna.blogspot.com

  16. Lolitta says:

    I instantly imagined the scene in the SATC movie when Carrie was moving out of her apartment and the girls came over to help her decide what to take/keep:) So, grab a couple of bottles of wine for you and your friend and have at it! Oh, and of course mood music! Something funky and upbeat! AHA!

  17. a4amazn says:

    what a lovely problem.

  18. chris koo says:

    Oh my gosh I would love to buy something from your wardrobe!
    I’m almost never able to buy it firsthand, and just knowing you wore it will inspire me to put together something unexpected/stylish.

  19. Erica says:

    haha, this is my first time commenting Karen, I just like you so much! Capsule wardrobes are hard, I think you have to be pretty ok with sticking to one aesthetic, and from what I can glean from what you post, you span many types of styles, shapes, and colors. I don’t think capsule wardrobes are for everyone, but a good spring cleaning will give you a fresh perspective on what you decide to keep. Happy Spring! – Erica

  20. Opalintheclouds says:

    DON’T SELL THEM I mean, as much as I’d love to own them for myself, you’ll end up buying more stuff to replace the old stuff, and will probably end up regretting it
    they all look BEAUTIFUL, Emily xoxo

    opalintheclouds.blogspot.com

    • Karen says:

      Unfortunately I never get round to wearing them all enough so it feels better to pare down and actually wear what’s left : )

      Thx though!!

  21. Ashlei M. says:

    I’ll take those jackets off your hands 😉 I’m going through the same thing right now, I’ve found I have way too much stuff as well. And a capsule wardrobe? Yeah, I don’t think so, haha!

    ~Ashlei

    kinksarethenewpink.blogspot.com

  23. Annie says:

    haha I can’t get rid of things I like. it super hard I can totally relate to that. and who doenst love black leather jackets? 🙂

    X, Annie
    anniewear.de

  24. Monique Cheney says:

    My b/f would love for me to have a capsule closet…just ain’t happening. I had to get rid of a lot of stuff when I moved to a smaller apt with smaller closets but I still manage to still have a good amount of clothes, shoes, and bags. I just had to be creative with how I stored the stuff. I basically put all my winter stuff under the bed until it got cold and since I live in Texas I left all my spring/summer stuff out because its worn year around. I just spring cleaned for the 3rd time since moving to my apt and got rid of 3-4 bags of stuff and stilllllll have a lot of clothes. I really do have a problem…lol

  25. msjaneistrouble says:

    ok you definitely need to keep the Zara one with the short little collar. But you probably don’t need to keep all of those black biker jackets 🙂

  26. msjaneistrouble says:

    ok you definitely need to keep the Zara one with the short little collar. But you probably don’t need to keep all of those black biker jackets 🙂

  28. Nina Morena says:

    i would never be able to get rid of my clothes haha! the more the better!

    but good luck 🙂

    xoxonina.com

  29. stylish with a budget says:

    for me….i keep certain amount of hangers in my closet…so if i buy new clothes..some old clothes need to come out. i don’t have big space in my studio apt. so i have to use this policy to keep my apt organized. plus…when i have too many clothes…i can’t utilize them as much as they should.
    pls keep us posted.

  31. Francesca Felix says:

    haha Love the way you write. I wish i had that many leather jackets! shit

  32. Lolita in the Mix says:

    I am not one of those where mags talk about. I love my huge collection. I still wear stuff I bought years ago with tags on them… So that works for me 😉

    Xoxo

    Lolitainthemix.blogspot.com

  33. K says:

    I am such a pack rat! I keep every little piece of clothing that I think I might wear even once! I really need to clean out my closet! Lol Check out my blog! http://nailpolishfantasy.blogspot.com/

  34. Dawn Michelle @ Minimalist Beauty says:

    Hi Karen,

    You are truly inspiring, and I love love love your blog! I am also so excited for you with all of the many new projects and opportunities that have come your way since starting this blog. Congrats on all of it!

    I don’t exactly have a capsule wardrobe, yet I’ve been downsizing my wardrobe for the past two years. I stopped buying one time wear items, or disposable trendy pieces. I absolutely love vintage and quality pieces, and base my entire wardrobe around it. You may like the article I wrote on my wardrobe checklist. I was thinking that I could narrow my wardrobe down to exactly what was on that list, yet that hasn’t happened yet. Specialty pieces create so much flair than fantastic basics alone.

    http://www.minimalistbeauty.com/my-wardrobe-checklist

    Best Wishes,
    Dawn Michelle

  35. Monica R says:

    GIVEAWAY!!!
    dibs on the white leather jacket 🙂

    • Karen says:

      LOL!!

  36. luvvleighb says:

    Love leather jackets! I bought my first one this winter! You can just send those all my way :)))

  37. Lammode says:

    Just stumbled upon your blog and love your first post already! I just purchased my 1st leather jacket and you’re here with 10+ leather jackets. I agree with the others … GIVEAWAY!!! lol

  38. Taylor Sheeran says:

    I do have a few essential pieces (leather jacket, good fitting jeans, white tees, pencil skirts), but, being 25 – I feel my wardrobe can be more sporadic & crazy than essential. I also work at a great thrift store, so my wardrobe can quickly get too big & be all over the place. I figure I can always add essentials when I get older! 😀

  40. Anonymous says:

    I OWN 15 and counting why would you want to geT riD oF thEM. That’s. Just craZy!

    • Karen says:

      Just too many. I’ve already weeded out a small few to list for sale and feel better already : )

  41. SailorChic says:

    Hah, mags and the essentials.. If you end up with only essentials, you have the most boring closet ;D

  42. Katya says:

    so nice♥

  43. HUMANITYISBEAUTIFUL says:

    clutter creeps me out so i get rid of stuff as much as i can but a capsule wardrobe probably only works for those who stick to one aesthetic and (happily) you don’t :)))

  44. British Belle says:

    I really need to do a spring clean in my closet, I have so many clothes that I don’t wear or remember I have! …love your style babe!

    If you have time I’d love if you could check out my blog

    Charlee Dee
    british-belle.blogspot.co.uk

    • Karen says:

      That’s what happens to all of us! We forget what we have. Ugh!

  45. Anonymous says:

    I’ll never have a small capsule of antyhing. LOL. I love clothes now and forever. I have always loved clothes. I kept my two bedroom apartment when I got married for my collection of clothes. When I lost my job in 2005 I turned my apartment into a small boutique for friends, family and former coworkers. That apartment pays for itself each month and my clients love what I find thrifting and yard sale shopping while they are working during the week. There will always be money in reselling clothes. It’s what I do on a full-time basis and I love every second of it. What doesn’t sell from year to year I store away, My main concentration is vintage fashion so donating items to thrift stores is never an option. It appreciates and gets better over time.

    Good luck purging but my best advice is to store what you don’t sell. Selling online is a good option, flea markets are the best option for a quick turnover with little overhead and maintenance and consigning is always something to conside

    • Karen says:

      Thats such a good idea to turn your place into a boutique. Really. Get’s me thinking!

      Thx for the tips

  47. Anonymous says:

    That classic ZARA jacket I have it in beige brand new and I Would Love if You Agreed to sWap it aGainTs your kids trash and vaudeville kids leather biker… I am based in LONDON let me know ASAP

    • Karen says:

      Sorry!

  48. Rudy says:

    Gorgeous ! Nice outfit !thanks for sharing us.I’ll be glad If you visit this website true religion store .

  49. Saint-Tropez Villa Rentals says:

    I love your black leather jackets, very classy. You have such a lovely blog, I like the name of your blog.

    Thanks for sharing your review, keep going with your blog.

    • Karen says:

      OMG LMAO!!! I don’t miss what I sell so I’m ok with purging duplicates on jackets.

  52. Roseanne says:

    woahhhhh.so many leather jackets.im very jealous.very

  53. Buy Online Leather Shop says:

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