How to do the Closet Cleanse

Following my previous post on purging unused clothes and shoes, I was asked numerous times for some tips on how to go about getting rid of the unwanted. Many women fear giving away their clothes. They rationalize keeping the old items around like a no-good boyfriend by asking, “What if it comes back in style? What if I lose weight and can fit into it again? What if I need it for a Halloween costume?”

Gals (and guys), let me put it to you plain and simple: If you haven’t worn it or thought about wearing it in over 8 months- GET RID OF IT. It’s just taking up space.

Another trick—if you have the space—is to toss your unused items into a black plastic bag and store it for two months. If you don’t think about tearing into the bag for that long or can’t even remember what was in there to begin with, then just drop it off at a donation location and use it as a tax write-off. (Yes! You can write off donated clothes!)

Some more suggestions:
1. If you wore it once, decided it didn’t fit right, and haven’t worn it since, then consider taking it to be altered or dyed. If neither of those options work, toss it.
2. If you hate wearing it because the wool is too itchy, the color washes out your face, or it makes you uncomfortable in any other way, toss it. Why put yourself through the misery?
3. If there are non-repairable holes, defects, stains, or other damages, toss it.
4. If you forgot that you even owned a piece, chances are that it’s not a very memorable piece in general. Your clothes should make a statement and not be forgettable.
5. If it reminds you of an ex-significant other, toss it.
6. There is no sense in keeping an item if you’re afraid the style will return and you’ll need the item again. Unless the piece is spectacular or of really superior quality, then it just takes up space. It’s not worth keeping around on the off chance you’ll ever wear it again.
7. Losing weight? If you just had a baby and you are considering another, then keep your maternity clothes. But if you are losing significant amounts of weight, toss the clothes that have become too big for you. It will act as an incentive to keep those pesky pounds off.
8. If you have closets, upon closets of items, try setting small goals for yourself. Determine that you are going to condense 4 closets into one, and you’ll realize quite quickly what you love and what you must have.

Having said this, I would really encourage you to only buy items that are significant building blocks to your wardrobe. It’s not necessary to wear a new or different outfit everyday. Wearing a new article of clothing to match each passing fad only hinders the definition of your personal style.

I also advise that you don’t bother with the over-the-top, flashy items that will likely be out of style in 8 months. Invest in articles that will last a long time and are of a classic taste that you will want to hold onto forever.