10 Signs It’s Time to Get Rid of Your Clothes

Hello everyone,

Welcome back to my blog! Today’s post offers 10 indicators that you have some editing to do on your current wardrobe, so if your closet is bursting at the seams or you are looking to clear out your closet and are in need of some guidance on where to start, read on!

1. You have multiples of it.

I think that especially in this current era of fast fashion, where clothing is made available for very inexpensive prices, many people who find an affordable item they love buy it in every color! While the temptation to do so is real, and you may have fallen prey to this, try not to! Most times we purchase multiples or similar items to something else we already own because we found an original that was a home run, so we want to get our hands on as much of what we feel makes us look our best. Try to locate the original of what inspired the rest, and if it still fits the bit, keep that original and discard the others.

2. You never wear it.

We’ve all done it- bought something on a whim without a plan or simply because we were in a pinch. But if you haven’t worn it within the past year, move on! Donate it or sell it to someone who can put good use to the item, especially since it is no longer useful to you.

3. You hate/ are over it.

Maybe you are still holding on to an item you once loved, but now you ask yourself, What on earth was I thinking when I got this?! Whether you now hate it or are indifferent, don’t continue to hold on to the item.

4. You can’t fit it anymore/ it is unflattering on your body now.

Now this one is a toughy because almost all of us own a pair of “goal” jeans, denim we plan to wear after we lose that weight we need to. I am somewhat guilty of this myself. While I support physical motivation to reach a healthy lifestyle goal, if your body has changed in a significant way in which it will never will go back to the way it once was, i.e. your recently-acquired child bearing hips will no longer be flattered in that pair of pants, say sayonara.

5. It’s damaged beyond repair (or it’s more economical to just replace it).

Soiled, wholly, and pilled clothing is not where it’s at. If you purchased a cheaper item like a t-shirt and it now looks very worn and unwearable, go ahead and recycle it. However, if you own an investment piece that you spent more money on knowing it is a go-to classic, take it to a tailor or seamstress to repair.

6. It’s out of style, and not making a comeback.

I learned in fashion forecasting that popular styles of the day tend to cycle back to stylish about every 20 years. If you have a clothing item that’s no longer in style, but may be a beautiful vintage piece further along down the line, you could consider keeping it. But be sure to ask yourself, Is this too trendy to become a vintage keepsake? Will this piece last 20 years? Will I still be at an appropriate age to wear this by that time? If the answer is no to any of these questions, let it go.

7. It no longer is an expression of who you are now.

While an item may still be very much in-style, it may no longer express your personal style. Your wardrobe should grow and change with the person you are becoming. If you find the item is no longer expressing who you are now, pass it on.

8. You feel uncomfortable in it.

We’ve all heard the saying “beauty is pain”, and I think that, especially women, will accept undergoing a certain level of discomfort in order to look appealing. However, if your level of discomfort is so high that it results in apparent pain, don’t hold on to any item that contributes to that. Your wardrobe should allow you to look and feel your best.

9. You spent too much money on it to not keep it.

You may be reading through this post and have found that one or more of the criteria fit a more expensive item that you own. Now you’re saying, “Look, I’ve spent way too much money on this to just let it go!” Let me state for the record that I am in no way suggesting that you should recycle, throw or give away anything that is worth selling! There are so many platforms on which you can sell a higher-end item (or any item for that matter!) and get cash in your hand rather than keeping a useless item in your wardrobe.

10. It’s a one-hit wonder.

Maybe there’s an item that you wore once a long time ago, but haven’t worn it since as you don’t have an occasion to which you could wear it. If this item is just sitting in your closet and collecting dust, not to be worn again in the near future, get rid of it. Sometimes we connect clothing to fond memories; which is  understandable when you consider something like a wedding dress. Something of that caliber is definitely worth keeping in my opinion, but I’ve heard some say to take pictures of sentimental clothing to avoid too much clutter- this is a matter of preference.

So that completes my list of indicators of items that should be discarded from your closet. If there’s any main takeaway I want to leave you with in this post, it’s that if the item is no longer serving you, whether it isn’t adding any variety, it’s no longer wearable, it’s not something you absolutely love, isn’t stylish, nor an expression of your personal style, etc., that’s probably a sign to let it go. Happy editing!

Until next time,

Photo cred: Priscilla Du Preez