I have always been someone who has loved fashion and clothes. I love trying new trends and mixing and matching original pieces to create my own unique style. However, over the years, my wardrobe has become increasingly cluttered. Is the closet getting smaller, or is it just me?
I tend to hold on to clothes that I don’t wear anymore, thinking that I’ll eventually get around to wearing them again. This has led to my closet being crammed full of clothes, many of which I don’t even like anymore. Of course, I hold on to them, thinking that I will grow fond of them again or that they’ll come back into style. Unfortunately, this rarely happens.
Decluttering my wardrobe has been a great experience. It’s helped me to simplify my life and to focus on the clothes that I really love. I’m feeling more confident than ever wearing clothes that actually fit, and I know my closet is now filled with pieces that I’ll wear consistently.
Decluttering the clothes in your closet not only feels liberating, but it can also be a fun process. It’s also great to get all that space back! Your wardrobe should be full of pieces that you love to wear. It’s also an excellent way to simplify your life and to make getting dressed each day a lot more enjoyable. I’m all about saving an extra few minutes in the morning.
Important questions to ask when decluttering clothes:
Tip: Before asking these questions, try to make a list of all the clothes in your closet and dresser. This will give you an idea of what pieces you’re more attached to. The clothes that didn’t make the list should be candidates for declutter!
1. Do I love this piece of clothing?
There is no simple way to put this. If you don’t absolutely love a piece of clothing, get rid of it. There’s no point in keeping something that you’re not going to wear. Of course, you don’t have to wear it every single day to keep it, but if you’re not excited about wearing it, then it may be time to let it go.
2. Have I worn this clothing item in the last 12 months?
Most people ask themselves if they have worn an item in the last 6 months. I like to give a little more wiggle rooms, especially because of the seasons. I’m not going to wear my wool coat in the summer! So if you’re on the fence about an item, think about when you would realistically wear it again. If you haven’t worn the item in the last year, it may be worth getting rid of.
3. Do I feel good in this piece of clothing?
The truth is, you are less likely to wear something if you do not feel confident in it. So if you’re holding on to an item because you like the way it looks, but you don’t like the way it looks on you, it may be time to let it go. Clothing should make you feel beautiful and confident! Keep this in mind when you’re shopping for new clothes as well. Make sure that you’re buying pieces you feel are flattering for your body shape.
4. Is this piece of clothing comfortable?
Scratchy fabrics, tight waistbands, and ill-fitting clothing are not worth keeping around just because they’re in style. If an item of clothing is uncomfortable, you’re not going to reach for it in the closet. So, make sure that the clothing you keep is comfortable and easy to wear.
5. Am I holding onto this clothing for sentimental reasons?
We all have pieces in our closet that we feel attached to for one reason or another. Whether it’s the pair of pants we wore on the first date with our husband, or the scratchy sweater your great-grandmother made. But if you’re not actually wearing the clothing, it may be time to let it go. If you’re holding onto something because it was a gift from a loved one, you may try storing it in a place that isn’t your closet. Or, you can even make a quilt, pillow, or bag out of sentimental pieces.
6. Does this piece of clothing need to be dry cleaned?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t enjoy spending money on dry cleaning. So if you have an item of clothing that needs to be dry cleaned and you’re not wearing it, it may be time to get rid of it. Items that are dry clean only are better reserved for special occasion pieces that will not need frequent cleaning.
7. Is this piece of clothing stained or damaged?
If an item of clothing is stained or damaged, it may be a lost cause. If you’re not willing to put in the time or money to fix it, it’s probably not worth keeping around. Stained clothes can often make good rags for cleaning the house.
8. Do I have duplicates of this clothing item or a piece that looks similar?
Guilty! I love sweaters and I’m known to purchase some that look very similar to others I already own. If you have duplicates or pieces that are similar, it’s probably unnecessary to keep both Choose the one you love the most and get rid of the other one.
9. Do I need this piece of clothing for a specific occasion?
If you’re holding onto an item of clothing because you think you may need it for a specific event or occasion, ask yourself how likely it is that you’ll actually use it. If you’ve been holding onto something for years and you haven’t worn it yet, it’s probably not worth keeping. The truth is, we often wear the same things on special occasions. It’s better to have a small, versatile wardrobe that you love than an extensive wardrobe full of clothes you never wear.
10. Does this piece of clothing fit into my current lifestyle?
Your clothing should fit into your current lifestyle. If you’re holding onto clothes that are too dressy or too casual for your current lifestyle, it may be time to let them go. For example, if you’ve recently had a baby, you’re probably not going to need that cocktail dress soon. Or if you’ve started working from home, you may not need as many business casual clothes.
11. Would I buy this piece of clothing today?
A friend once told me she purchases nothing on sale if she wouldn’t buy it new. This also holds true for clothing you already own. If you wouldn’t buy it today, you probably don’t need it.
12. Am I keeping this piece of clothing because I hope to lose weight?
This is a tough one that is much more common than you may think. I’ve been guilty of this in the past, but it’s not worth it. If you’re not comfortable in an item of clothing, you’re better off getting rid of it. If you have goals of losing weight, you can always go shopping for new clothes when you reach your goal weight. Consider it a celebratory treat!
13. Would someone else benefit from this piece of clothing?
It’s possible a family member or friend would love to have an item of clothing you’re no longer wearing. If you think someone else would benefit from it, why not give it away? You can also search for a local clothing drive in your town. This is a great way to declutter and do some good at the same time.
14. How much space is this item taking up in my closet?
This is a good question to ask when considering any item in your home, not just clothing. If an item is taking up a lot of space, it may be time to let it go. This is especially true for larger items like winter coats and bulky sweaters.
Now that you’ve gone through your closet and answered these questions, you should have a better idea of what to keep and what to get rid of. Remember, it’s okay to get rid of clothes. You don’t have to keep everything just because you think you might need it someday. Chances are, you won’t. It’s better to have a closet full of clothes you love and actually wear than a closet full of clothes you never wear.
If you have a lot of high-end pieces in your closet, it may be worth checking out your local consignment store. This is a great way to make a little extra money while decluttering your closet. You can also sell clothes online through sites like Poshmark and eBay. Now, let me ask you, how good does it feel to get rid of all those clothes?