Conscious Closet Magic: Maintaining an Intentional & Sustainable Wardrobe
Learn how mindful shopping and clothing swaps can make your closet a sacred space.
By Erin Daugherty
Over the past year or so, I have been incredibly blessed to host over fifteen clothing swaps for the local community of Southwest Florida as The Spiritual Sunflower. What began as exchanging clothes with friends, and a desire to get unworn (but loved) items to people who truly appreciate them, has turned into one of the most special parts of my life.
It’s pretty obvious that a large portion of people in the United States struggle with the desire to consume, purchase, and own material objects, even while we might not have the practical space, funds, or even use for them. Clothing swaps are one of the best ways to keep the abundance of goods circulating through the local community, while satisfying the urge for new items.
At a time when thrift stores are getting pricier than the average person can enjoy a little shopping spree at, individuals have turned to trading items with one another. Simply donating clothes doesn’t bring the same fulfillment as it used to, because many donation centers are overflowing with fabrics that will ultimately end up in landfills, rather than going to the people in communities who appreciate them most. If donations do get put on a rack to be resold, those most in need aren’t able to afford them. These circumstances created the perfect opportunity for clothing swaps and intentional closet practices to emerge.
In this blog post, I will share with you what a clothing swap is, how to conduct one, and tips and tricks to keep an intentional, sustainable closet.
Clean Out Your Closet
The best place to start building a more intentional, authentic wardrobe, is by cleaning out items that don’t express the person you are and are becoming. There are a few tricks to doing this.
One of my favorite ways to clean out my closet is actually going through all of my items, one by one, and asking myself if this is something the best version of myself would wear. In order to do this, you must first have an understanding of who the “best” version of yourself is. Learn how mindful shopping practices, intentional donations, and clothing swaps can help keep your closet a sacred space. Feel confident, comfortable, and aligned in what you wear - and how you feel.
The best version of yourself is a subjective term here. Consider your current goals, your profession (or what you desire your profession to be), and what feels the most comfortable, exciting, and expressive to wear. The goal is to dress like the version of yourself that you want to be so you can become closer to them. This is also a way of manifesting while you clean out your closet!
Any item that is not a full body, “YES!” to align with your goals and authenticity through wearing it – put that aside to be donated (or swapped).
This next tip was shared with me by another swap enthusiast, and I think it’s too genius not to share. At one of my recent swaps, Janna Sage with Soaps by Janna explained that every few months or so, she turns all of her hangers backwards in her closet. At the end of a few months, anything that has not been taken off to be worn can be donated or swapped!
This is a useful tip because it helps to take potential emotional attachments out of the decision on whether to keep or donate a piece of clothing. There is a surplus of clothes to choose from, and we really don’t need much more clothes than what gets worn once every few months (seasons depending).
The final tip to cleaning out your closet is simply asking yourself when you will wear a particular item again. If there really isn’t any occasion or activities going on in your life that it’s necessary in the foreseeable future, maybe now is a good time to part ways.
Holding on to excess material belongings can weigh on our energetic being. Even just keeping track and taking care of so many items can increase stress and strain on your mind. A great place to start releasing some of this energetic material weight is through the closet. Especially as a woman, we tend to have a surplus of clothes, for every possible occasion. But what if you only had the pieces that truly spark joy, comfort, and a feeling of being the real you?
Hopefully this concept makes you feel lighter, and excited to express your authentic self. It can be challenging to let go and give away belongings that you might value or have happy memories with. At the same time, it’s freeing and peaceful to not be flooded by so many options to answer such a simple question – “What should I wear today?”
It also helps tremendously when you know these sentimental or valuable items are being passed along to meaningful causes and those who need them most.
Donating Clothes
The simple solution for what to do with all the clothes that you don’t wear often or don’t align with your best self is donating them. While places like Plato’s Closet, Goodwill, and other large secondhand merchandise companies can be an option to make a donation, they don’t meet our intentions of giving back to the community members most in need.
As mentioned earlier, not every donation recipient will ensure that your beloved clothes get to the right places and people. Between the excess of fabric globally and overall price increases, it’s best to do a little bit of research in order to find local, non-profit organizations. A quick Google search for thrift and secondhand stores in your area should pull up some results other than the top two names we all know. This is a great opportunity to visit other local businesses, and possibly discover your new favorite secondhand shop.
There also might be non-profits in your area that will distribute your clothes directly to those who need them most. Consider reaching out to organizations that partner with churches, provide support and resources to survivors of abuse, addiction, and trafficking, or anything of that nature. Some non-profits might not have a store for you to browse, but they still accept donations.
I think we have all been there, where we put together a bag of clothes to donate, and then it sits in our home all packed up for months waiting to be delivered. When it comes to actually donating your clothes, I recommend putting them in your car (if you are able) – that way they are with you whenever you end up in the area of where you’d like to donate them to.
Clothing Swaps
You probably aren’t the only one cleaning out your closet, so why not swap some items with some friends?
Just like in any release ritual, something must be called in, in place of what is being let go of. When you are cleaning out your closet, you should think of what you would like in place of the belongings you are passing on to others.
For some people this might be more clothes. Sometimes more clothes aren’t needed, and you might choose to call in something different.
We’ve all gone shopping and purchased something new to never end up wearing it, and now it doesn’t fit, and Plato’s closet or other consignment shops won’t purchase it to resell themselves. Maybe you have a special dress with sentimental memories that you won’t wear again, and you just want to make sure that someone else will. These are the perfect items to swap with friends!
You never know what you can find at a clothing swap. There could be the perfect dress for a special occasion, new work clothes, anything for any season. And the best part – it’s all FREE!
Clothing swaps have a “take one, leave one” concept. This means for every item you bring, you can pick out an item from your friends’ closets.
It’s best to have a group of at least three or more people of similar sizes and styles to ensure a fun and successful swap. The more people you have, the more variety of sizes and styles you will likely have to choose from.
Set up a time, a place, and have everyone bring the lightly loved clothes that they don’t wear anymore. In my experience, it’s helpful to give each other little “closet tours” of what you brought to the swap. This way everyone knows what everyone brought, and you can get to swapping! You may also consider sharing the items you are looking to have in your closet with one another, either beforehand or at the clothing swap. It’s entirely possible that someone in your community has the exact item that you need and are willing to pass it on!
There are so many benefits to clothing swaps. Not only are clothes kept circulating in the community and out of landfills or for-profit companies – but you get to see where that old favorite dress of yours will be going next. You have the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of helping someone find something they need or were looking for. You get to witness the joy, excitement, and gratitude when a friend or peer’s wishes are granted, and enjoy that moment with one another.
Mindful Shopping
It feels good to have some extra space in your closet, doesn’t it?
Now we can fill that space with items that authentically express who you are, and who you want to be. Consider who that person is, and what they wear. Picture some of your “signature” pieces, what makes you stand out in the crowd, or what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Maybe there are clothes in your closet that you had to pass on due to not fitting you anymore, but you need something similar to fill the space. Think about what you actually need, and not just what you want.
The key to mindful shopping is to be grounded in knowing what you need. Shop with the intention of fulfilling your list, and not settling for anything less.
If you don’t find the exact item on the first or second or even eighth try, that doesn’t mean to purchase the cheapest and most readily available option. Unless it is a matter of life and death without that piece of clothing, try to have some patience in the process.
Shopping only for what you need also means resisting the urge to collect an abundance. It can be challenging to resist a good deal or sale, but there’s always more to come. Ask yourself if you intend on wearing that piece of clothing in the next couple weeks. It might be best to leave it be if an occasion doesn’t pop into mind.
Mindful shopping means taking the time to pause, reflect, and be present in the decisions you are making. This is not a time to be impulsive. Each and every article of clothing becomes part of your energy and your aura the moment you take it home.
Consider focusing on natural fabrics such as cotton, rayon, cashmere, and silk where you are able. These fabrics have higher energy vibrations, as well as being more comfortable and long lasting. These materials also contain less plastics and chemicals, making them healthier for your skin and the environment.
The local thrift stores that you are donating your clothes to might also be good places to browse for new clothes. There are so many hidden gems in every community. Shopping (and donating) sustainably is a wonderful opportunity to find them. There are many stores that have extra inventory or might assist you in calling around if you are in search of something specific. Some of these local stores even offer donation pick up, and delivery.
An important reminder about thrifting in my experience – is just like knowing how to find the best online sales, or become skilled in painting, finding the right thrift stores for you and the items you are looking for is also something that comes with practice. If you go to the same store two days in a row, you might notice completely new items.
Think of it like a treasure hunt, and try to genuinely enjoy the search. Peak into corners and cabinets, and venture into new spaces that you might not have visited before. The end goal of having unique, comfortable, high quality clothes that authentically express who you are is surely worth it.
Another tip to shop sustainably is creating a mood board or just a simple Pinterest board of the items and styles you are hoping to find. Even look into new items and see what you can find of similar styles in secondhand shops or at local clothing swap. The possibilities are truly endless, however they do take patience. Even purchasing higher quality clothes made out of bamboo or organic cotton is significantly more costly, but in my experience saving up for them is completely worth it. Sometimes we just need something more affordable, so check out your local thrift store or clothing swap before a large chain!
Sacred Wardrobes
Now that you’ve cleaned out your closet and found some new items, let’s keep it feeling fresh, inspiring, and magical. Just like any other sacred practice, maintaining an intentional closet requires repeated care and presence.
Every so often, check on your clothes’ condition and how they make you feel. If you are doing the “hanger method” where you have turned them backwards to identify what items you wear most, it makes it easy to pinpoint which pieces to pause on a little further.
There is no guilt in having excess clothes, or even just wanting to change up your style to express the person you are becoming. It is important to feel confident and comfortable. The goal is for each and every item in your closet to make you feel this way. So until you reach that point, don’t be afraid to let go of what does not serve it. Trust that you will find something even better, especially creating a good cycle of energy by donating or swapping those clothes.
One concern that people might have when it comes to purchasing secondhand clothes is the cleanliness – both of the item physically and energetically. I always recommend washing your items when you first bring them home from any store. You may also choose to cleanse it with herbs such as palo santo and sage, or incense. Personally, I have not had any negative energetic materials with secondhand fabrics. But that is not to say it is not a possibility. Always go with your gut. In my personal opinion though, it’s better to take the risk with nicer secondhand items than go with something new and cheaply made.
You may also choose to perform cleansing rituals on your closet regularly. But even just reorganizing it, taking clothes out, and experimenting with styling things in new ways can breathe fresh life and energy into your closet.
The most important aspect of maintaining a sacred closet is to genuinely appreciate and enjoy every piece that is a part of it. And really, why shouldn’t we? Why do we hold on to items that don’t fit us right, or make us feel uncomfortable? That’s a bigger question for another time.
You are sacred, and your closet should be, too.
Thank you for joining me in today’s discussion about closet magic and sustainable fashion. I would love to hear your thoughts and reflections –
Please reach out anytime.
Love & Light,
The Spiritual Sunflower
thespiritualsunflower@gmail.com