Lumpy, Dumpy, and Frumpy

Lumpy, Dumpy and Frumpy are not the three dwarfs that Disney left behind. Lumpy, dumpy, and frumpy are looks that nobody should be wearing.

Are you aware that the majority of people wear only twenty percent of their clothes eighty percent of the time? That means that you could easily pare down your present wardrobe drastically. Imagine using one fifth of the space for your new stylized wardrobe.

But, what to keep? What to let go?

There is one closet cleaning technique that any person can do on their own. Turn all of your hangers with the open side of the hook facing you. It makes the first time you use the item a little bothersome. However, when that item goes back in the closet the hanger is hung properly. At the end of a 12 month cycle any hooks that are backwards are unused/unworn clothes.

Have a personal attachment to the clothing? Take a picture of it and write a little note about what it meant to you. Pictures take up much less space than a full garment.

I am not suggesting that you take a picture of your tuxedo, one good outfit, or wedding gown. These things can be quantified as keepers.

As for the over-full dresser drawers. Take everything out and put them in clear bins. Every time you use need an item take it from the bin. When you do laundry - return that item to a drawer. Just like the closet cleaning, at the end of the year the items still in the bins are unused/unworn.

The wait and see method is well tested and used by many. But, who wants to wait a year for results? There is more clothes than the closets, dressers, and laundry room can handle now.

Here is where Lumpy, Dumpy, and Frumpy come into play.

Here are the things you will need: At least one person that will NOT lie to you, all your clothes out in the open, all your shoes and accessories, really good lighting, a good chunk of time.

The goal here is to couple up closet cleaning, home organization, an afternoon with good company and some self improvement thrown in.

Have your friends join in by bringing their clothes, too.

If serving food and beverage - keep it to finger foods that don't stain. And, try to keep alcohol consumption down you will need unimpaired judgement.

Next step is to put on a bathing suit, or your best set of underwear.

You will now model all your clothes.

Be on the look out for lumpy, dumpy, frumpy clothes. Do not keep clothes that make your skin look sickly. Do not keep clothes that make a part of your body that you're trying to hide or not accent stand out like a sore thumb.

Do keep the clothes that people always compliment you on. Do keep clothes that hide or play down imperfections. Do keep clothes that make you look lean, sleek, stylized, and sophisticated.

There is a metaphysical saying that states: "as without so within". I do not advocate being model perfect. I advocate being at your best for yourself. If you look great on the outside it shows. And, that great feeling is reflected back by others. So, take a little pride in your clothes and enjoy the benefits.

Okay, let's talk a bit about under garments. Please, ladies make sure that you have proper support. Without proper support the outer clothes can look like crud. Weight and age fluctuations effect your bra size.

There are stores that have fitting services. And, there are companies that have in home parties. A brassiere party would have a professional fitter and under garments for purchase. Either way you really should go and get a professional fitting. If not for the fit of your clothing for the health of your back and shoulders. Undergarments should not ride up, dig in, hang loose, or be uncomfortable.

Any and all clothes that have shot elastic, rips, tears, bleach spots, large stains, are too big, are more than 2 sizes too small, are out dated should be let go. Be cut throat about it. Remember you can take pictures of the clothes you'll miss.

What to do with all the clothes that are not going back into the closet. Separate it into three groups: Garbage, Donate, Consignment. Garbage items are unwearable items. Donate are clothes that are out of date, wearable, have no major label. Consignment items have a label name, leather, furs, are classic and/or have style.

An extra green tip: in lieu of throwing your clothes in the garbage check your local area for fabric artists with an ad on Craigslist or FreeCycle.

When making a clothing donation make a conscious decision of where they go. You can choose a larger organization with pick up services, a church, homeless shelter, women and children's home, or a charity dear to your heart.

If your closet cleaning takes you to the linen closet - sheets, towels, and blankets are accepted by most local animal shelters.

Now, doesn't that feel better? Nice to have more space. Great to feel so put together.