Every year, right around this time, I feel the pressure to partake in the art of “spring cleaning.” Cue the dramatic eye roll. It is an unavoidable sentiment of the season: Out of nowhere, my news and social media feeds are suddenly inundated with countless tips, hacks, and benefits in favor of a huge home decluttering—especially a closet cleanout. (Here at Vogue, I was even encouraged to “curate my clutter.”)
But here’s the thing: As a Gemini, I do not like being told what to do. And I so happened to like my chaotic overflowing closet, thank you very much!
Call it the Marie Kondo effect, but these days, so much importance has been placed onto living minimally, and ridding ourselves of the physical baggage we don’t need. Closet cleanses are all the rage; My former Vogue colleague Liana Satenstein has even made a whole business out of helping folks purge their closets. Kondo, a professional decluttering guru, argues that physical baggage can be tied to emotional baggage—and that we should only keep things that spark joy. I hear you—but what if my entire wardrobe gives me joy?
When I open the doors of my three brimming closets at home, a smile forms on my face. I love my mess! Some may see it as a mélange of excessive clothes, but what I see are the stories and memories that each piece holds. That black blazer crammed into one of my four rolling racks? I wore it to meet Lady Gaga. (No big deal.) Those Christian Louboutin red bottoms? Scored them at a sample sale—alongside Julia Roberts, who was also shopping. Call it hoarding, but my plethora of clothes are about much more than just aesthetics: they are keepsakes and mementos. Some people collect scrapbooks or fridge magnets; I collect clothes. Sue me.
And, listen: I am not a total monster. I do understand the importance and value of only keeping things that we need. If things in your wardrobe need repairing or simply do not fit anymore, it is likely time to move on. But what I do not prescribe to is the idea of discarding things simply because they are outdated at the moment. Far too many times have I purged items because they were “out of style,” only for them to come back in fashion a year later. Plus, we should wear things because we enjoy wearing them; Who cares if they are not on-trend or by the latest hot designer?
So, sorry spring cleaning advocates, but I will not be cleaning out my closet this year—not matter how hard you try and shame me into doing so. I refuse to deny myself of my gorgeous little treasures, just because I have them in abundance. My piles (and piles) of style mementos mean something to me. I will take my beloved mess over a cold, empty closet devoid of any personality any day.
