How should I choose the clothes in my closet to get rid of and the ones to keep?

Question

I need to pare down my wardrobe for sanity's sake, and I would really appreciate some advice as to how to go about doing it effectively. :) I'm a teensy bit of a packrat, which isn't great. Thank you so much!!

Answer 1

# organization begins with an honest evaluation of your wardrobe
# you should have nothing in your closet that isn't currently wearable
# lose anything that doesn't fit or is out of style
# if you haven't worn it in a year, ask when you will wear it again
# make sure everything in your closet goes with something else
# store nostalgic clothes with memorabilia if you don't wear them

Answer 2

I recently went through this exercise for the first time in probably 10 years. I made it a goal that I would not stop until I had touched and evaluated every single piece of clothing and that it had to be done in one day so I wouldn't backtrack. I had three friends in mind to give the clothes to that I could no longer wear and went at it from that perspective. If I hadn't worn it in a year, it didn't quite fit right anymore or I was just generally ambivalent about it...away it went to a friend. It was an 8 hour, very messy exercise but my closet looks great now and I feel like my wardrobe is 10 times better since I cleaned out the clutter! Another great bonus....once you get done you have a handle on what you have vs. what you need and you spend less money because you don't buy duplicate items. Happy closet cleaning!

Answer 3

The rule of thumb is: If you haven't worn it in a year, if it doesn't fit you, if it is worn threadbare or needs mending - discard immediately. Do not keep any of these things just because you like them, or maybe they'll fit later. Keep a basic wardrobe of:
1 long skirt
1 knee length skirt
1 dressy blouse
2 white blouses
2 pair of slacks
2 pair of jeans
A blazer that has neutral tones and matches everything.
It's really, really basic, but this is what you start with.

As far as your dressers go, the discard method is the same. Also, there is absolutely no need for dozens of panties, bras, socks and pantyhose. The MAXIMUM number is 7 each. Jeez I bet they all fit in one drawer now!
Good luck! I promise you won't feel naked after you 'pare' down!

Answer 4

Gosh, you're getting good advice here. I have just a little to add:

Keep a basket in your closet or laundry room (not large, just little). Then, make a habit of looking something over critically before you hang it up. Ask yourself if you ever want to wear it again. If not, in the box (or, if it's bad, in the trash).

Then, make a quarterly trip to the thrift store or charity. Be sure you inventory what you take--you can claim the fair market value of every item, and you may be surprised at what you can claim. But, make it a habit to do it often, and then it is not overwhelming.

Also, evaluate how many similar items you're keeping--if you have 3 pairs of black shoes--ask yourself why, and see if, next time, you can buy a single pair that will do.

Answer 5

Just keep a few little things for old time's sake and keep everything you like that you have in there and that you would wear. It's as simple as that and just get rid of all the stuff thats: A: too small on you, B: old and useless now, and C: stuff you would never wear like the clothes you had from 10 years ago.

Answer 6

I have this problem sometimes, too. I try to think about the last time I wore the article of clothing. If it was more than a year, then, most likely I'll never wear it again. An exception might be some type formal attire.

Answer 7

what i do is put close i havent worn in the last 3 months in the back. I mark the rod with a ribbon. if it has been 3 more months since i wore anything from that area i donate it. besides a woman only actually wears 20% of her entire wardrobe anyway.

Answer 8

If you haven't worn it in a year, put it in a "maybe" section. More than a year, toss it. Then go through the maybe section again and reconsider those things. Perhaps since you've thrown out a few items, you might want to wear some of them.

Answer 9

You've gotten a lot of nice answers.
I do have 2 more suggestions.....

When you look at each item as a keeper it must make you smile & feel good!

Most importantly......GO DO IT!

Good luck gal...


OOPS; I forgot to tell you that you'll have room for something new & when you buy the first thing you need to replace; toss out the old ugly one.

PS: Email me back & let me know how good it feels when you're done!

Answer 10

I have one main rule that I use. If I have not worn the item in a year, it goes. You would be surprised at the result. You may not notice it but you do have a way of wearing the same things all of the time.