Every so often I have a closet clean out day in which I take every single item I own out of my closet and dresser and get rid of the things that I don’t wear.
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But, there are some things you should know before cleaning your wardrobe.
You can keep a few things with sentimental value. We all have those things that we can’t get rid of, so don’t make yourself! Keep the T-shirt you wore to your first concert, the dress you wore on your first date, keep those things that have happy memories! But not too many, once you have more than maybe 5, you need to re-evaluate.
Recognize what you actually wear and what you say you’ll wear. Keep things you will really wear. Don’t only keep the things you want to wear or want to wear but never will. Cool blouse but doesn’t match anything? Gotta go.
Don’t keep something as a goal item. Because it will bum you out that you can’t wear it yet. If something’s too big and you’re hoping to somehow grow into it magically, get rid of it. If something’s 4 sizes too small and you’re hoping to fit into it, maybe try for a more reachable goal and buy clothes when you reach it. (By the way, you look great how you are, you don’t need to lose weight.)
Don’t get rid of things you really don’t want to. You will regret it and you won’t be able to get it out of your mind. To ease into letting go, keep a bin in the back of your closet full of ‘maybe’ items. If you find yourself forgetting about it two weeks later, get rid of it. If you are reaching into the bin for an item, keep it around.
Don’t keep anything that doesn’t match anything you own. That one stray chartreuse top? You will never wear it, it’s time to make room for a classic piece you will get much more use out of like a white button down or a black halter top. But, there is a difference between not matching and popping. You can have a few items that aren’t identical but if there’s something that you never wear because it’s the wrong shade, let it go.
When you get rid of everything you don’t want or need, put it in a bag and drive straight over to Goodwill or a donation center for a charity that takes clothes. It feels good to give things to people who need them, a lot of us have a lot more than others and we should share the wealth! Good luck on your closet clean out!
How often do you clean house? Let me know!