each piece, asking questions such as: “Do I like this?
Does it fit? How long has it been since I’ve worn it?”
Then act accordingly.
Stifle sentimentality as you sort. Some items in your
closet need to hit the dumpster, and you need to be
ok with that! Take for instance your favorite jean skirt;
the one that fits like none other but has grass stains
and rips zig-zagged shut. It’s served its purpose; now
gently lay it to rest. Other articles of clothing are too
nice to throw away, but no longer fit or are your style.
Resist the urge to keep that little black dress in the
hopes that this will be the year you lose enough weight
to fit into it. Get rid of it. People like us keep Goodwill
in business; donate with pride. Extra nice items can be
turned into cash from your local consignment store.
I’ve tried to abide by the principle that clothing was
meant to be worn, not hoarded away. Stockpiling
clothing is materialistic, a violation of its purpose to
be used and enjoyed. In my personal experience,
getting rid of stuff is worth the satisfaction of opening
a closet that contains only those items that I love and
regularly wear.
Practical Tip: If you’re having trouble getting rid of
stuff, invite a friend to observe you modeling the
items in question. Find someone who won’t side with
your sentimentality, but will objectively tell you if your
beloved corduroy jacket or bejeweled first-date heels
need to hit the junk pile.
CHOOSE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
I routinely find great clothes at extremely affordable
prices. The problem, however, is that I end up with
piles of cheap clothes I don’t regularly wear, and
much of the time, don’t even really like. I’ve decided
that this approach shows just as much lack of restraint
as spending beyond my means would.
I’m still learning the discipline of quality over quantity.
I recommend saving up for one well-made item,
rather than 10 cheap ones. In this spring’s closet
cleanse I decided it was time to raid my collection of
winter coats. I was embarrassed at how many I had,
and for the most part it was an easy decision which to
discard. There was one coat I labored over, however
- a fur-lined job I bought for 25 cents five years ago. It
only cost a quarter! I rationalized, How can I get rid of
it? I felt genuine anxiety over this decision, every frugal
bone in my body screaming, “Keep it!” Eventually I
realized that, 1. I don’t really even like the coat, and
2. My boyfriend just bought me two brand-new ones.
The 25 cent coat now calls a Goodwill rack home,
and my coat collection is reduced to the number I
actually need: two.
STICK TO YOUR STYLE. Purge out items that
no longer fit in your style wheelhouse. Don’t apologize
for loving maxi skirts while the rest of your friends rave
about leggings and knee-high boots. If you prefer
solid neutrals over chevron, then closet cleanse
accordingly. Remember, the goal is to end up with
items you personally enjoy and will wear regularly.
Bear in mind that personal tastes change over the
years; the frilly formal you loved a few years ago
may no longer match your professional aspirations
of today. Feel no grief about throwing it out.
Compulsively altering one’s style to gain admiration
from the in-crowd is not healthy, but recognizing the
gradual matur