Organizing Your Wardrobe: Deciding What to Retain, Discard, or Give Away
Is your wardrobe so cluttered that it's challenging to locate essential items like blazers or jeans? Are you frequently searching for missing items and have no idea where they vanished? It might be time to declutter. However, deciding what to discard can be a challenge. It's hard to part ways with items that you've spent money on or once considered wardrobe staples. Here's how to decide which clothes to toss, donate, or keep.
Items with Holes: Discard, Mend, or Repurpose
Discovering a hole in your clothes can be as discouraging as finding a major issue. It could be a snag from a nail, a moth infestation, or simply a hole that appeared out of nowhere. If multiple holes exist in an item, it's likely best to dispose of it. Many clothing donation centers will not accept items with holes, so they might end up in the trash anyway. However, if you wish to reduce waste, look for textile recycling companies and organizations that will accept your worn-out clothing and repurpose the fabric.
Ripped Clothing: Discard, Mend, or Repurpose
Clothes with rips follow the same advice. If the tear makes an item unwearable and you're unable to mend it, dispose of it. But there's an exception to the rule. If the rip is on the seam, a skilled tailor may be able to fix it. While it might not be worthwhile for an item like a T-shirt, it's an excellent way to save pricier items, such as slacks or blazers.
Clothing that's Too Large: Donate
If your body has undergone significant changes, you may have clothes that are too large. If something fits a size or two larger, that's one thing, but if a pair of pants falls off when you put them on, those need to be donated. And if a clothing item is too large in a way that you no longer find it flattering, then you'll probably never wear it, so it's best to donate it.
Clothing that's Too Small: Donate
Bodies change, and what fits at one point in your life may not fit now. Seeing these items in your closet may even trigger unpleasant feelings. Instead of holding on to a lot of clothing in case it may fit again someday, give it a second life and donate it.
Old Shoes: Discard, Mend, or Donate
Worn-out shoes that are uncomfortable or no longer supportive may lead to foot pain or other issues. So, go ahead and dispose of them.
If your shoes are still in good condition but the heels or soles are worn, it may be worth having them repaired by a cobbler. Keep in mind that this can be expensive, so it's best for your more expensive or favorite pairs.
On the other hand, if you have a pair of shoes that you only wore a few times and found them uncomfortable or unappealing, donating them is always better than letting them gather dust in your closet.
Items You Rarely Wear: Keep or Donate
We all have clothes that we rarely wear, like that chunky wool sweater you only bring out during sub-zero weather. However, if you have a use for it year after year, it's good to keep it on hand. Even if it's only useful for a week in frigid weather or every time you go on a ski trip, it's better to have it than to have to buy something new every time.
On the other hand, if you have multiple thick wool sweaters and you live in a warm climate, donate three and keep one.
Old Formal Wear: Donate
If you don't attend many formal events or affairs, do you actually need more than one or two black-tie dresses? The same rule applies to all those bridesmaid dresses. Are you ever going to wear a long purple gown again? Probably not. It's best to donate these excess items.
Items that Are No Longer Your Style: Keep or Donate
Since fashion trends change so quickly, this one can go either way. For example, we've probably all gotten rid of an item that went out of style, only to regret it later when it started trending again. Holding on to a few of these things-like a pair of jeans you love that just aren't quite in vogue-doesn't hurt and can even save you money in the long run.
This is also true for items that were more of a splurge or investment. Maybe you wore something so much that you grew tired of it, but after a little while, you may be especially glad to have it back in your closet.
On the other hand, it's probably better to donate fast fashion items or items you bought based on a micro-trend that's long gone. If the items don't have timeless appeal, you probably won't miss them.
If your style has simply changed and you don't see yourself wearing something ever again in the future, then go ahead and donate it, too.
After decluttering your wardrobe, consider organizing your closet using storage solutions from RealSimple. This can help you easily locate items like blazers and jeans, reducing the frustration of searching for missing clothes. Additionally, a well-organized closet can inspire you to wear items that may have been hidden away due to the clutter.
