Wardrobe decluttering is hard. Yes, it is very painful to let go of your clothes. You might need a shoulder to cry on or a glass of wine afterward to soothe the pain. And yes, I am dead serious!
But apart from all the pain you are carrying, you might even feel guilty too. Maybe it was an expensive piece you never wore or a gift from a loved one. Maybe you feel you will regret it later or feel bad about the pollution you are causing. Whatever it is, you feel the GUILT.
But let me tell you something. There is a solution for that. I have realized that having an excellent reason can make the entire process way less painful. So what are those reasons?
1. It Doesn’t Fit!
There is zero point in holding on to clothes that don’t fit anymore. When we wear clothes that are too big or too small, it will not flatter our body and it won’t make us feel confident either, despite the hefty price we might have paid for it. It’s brutal, I know!
So instead of keeping all those clothes at the back of your wardrobe, face them and be honest with yourself. Go in front of the mirror, look at yourself, and think of the following.
- What is my size?
- How long did I hold this size for?
- Do I have any (real) plans to change it soon?
- If so, is it realistic based on my lifestyle?
Now it’s time to look at those pieces that don’t fit anymore and decide whether they should stay based on your answers or if it’s time to let them go.
2. It’s torn, worn out
Come on, this one shouldn’t be that hard. I am not talking about a broken zipper that you can fix easily. I’m talking about the pieces that lost the look and texture. Those that are unwearable.
You should not wear them anymore. Why?
Because you:
- Wore it enough.
- Got the value for what you paid for.
- Did your part as an ethical person by consuming what you had.
- And it’s time to toss it or replace it. You earned it!
The most likely reason for overusing a piece might be its fabric. If that’s the case, look at the tag, see what material /brand it is. Check them out. You might find a similar item that can replace your old one.
3. It was a gift
We can’t always get the right stuff for ourselves, let alone others. I mean, how many times have you had to put up on a fake smile as you were unwrapping a gift? It happens, and if you can’t communicate your tastes with friends and family, it happens even more. So for gifts, you can do as below.
If there is an emotional value with it, but no actual use, try to store it with your other sentimental gifts and not right next to your functional clothes. This will empty up some space in your closet and might make your decision easier next time you are wondering what to wear.
4. It doesn’t fit your style anymore
Lifestyle, The Fashion Industry, and so many other things affect your style. If you haven’t gone through your wardrobe for quite some time, you might find pieces that are not really your style anymore and do not represent your image. That pumpkin can be your face when you go through your stuff! lol
5. It’s a random piece
That second thought haunted me for years. It was my excuse for many years, even now sometimes, to be honest. You might have those pieces that match with nothing and sits in your wardrobe with the tag on it, you want to get something to match with it, but it never happens. If that’s the case be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself :
- Is it worth it to invest in garments that go with the piece?
- Is it worth your time?
- Even if you put the effort and money to create styles with it, would that represent you? Would you feel confident in it? Or is it just the regret that keeps you from tossing it out?
Final thoughts
There you go! Remember, there is no point in keeping clothes you are not using. If you shopped it yourself try to be more mindful of your action and think about them in the long-run.
If you keep your clothes in good condition, the next best thing to do is donating them. Someone else might enjoy wearing them and put them to actual use.
If they have lost their ability to be worn, lookup ways to recycle them properly. Do what you can and don’t be hard on yourself. 🙂
