It's that time of the year when many of us rotate our closet from summer to fall (if you haven't already). A closet rotation is the perfect moment to do some purging. It's easy to get carried away, but you have to be careful not to do too much. The last thing you want to have is remorse after purging an item down the line. Here's you guide to a seamless closet cleanout.
Don't hold onto clothes that do not fit
We all have pieces in our closet that are either too big or too small. It does not hurt to have something that is one size up or down from you are now, but anything more than one size is not worth keeping. Unless it has sentimental value, there's no reason hold onto an item that does not fit. It takes up valuable real estate!
Get rid of damaged pieces
Don't purge something with a missing button that can easily be replaced, but do get rid of anything with serious damage, stains, or discoloration. This also applies to items that can be fixed with professional help. If you have an action plan to actually get the piece repaired then no need to purge. If it's been sitting in your closet for six months with the damage, please get rid of it.
Let go of trendy fast fashion pieces that have gone out style
That super trendy piece you bought from a fast fashion store because everyone and their mother was wearing it has not stood the test of time. While trends are an orbit that always make their way back around, this does not mean that you need to hold onto every trendy piece. Also, many times when trends make a comeback it's different from the way it was done before.
Keep classic items that are in good condition
In one of my purges I got rid of a good chunk of my blazers. Blazers in perfect condition. Why? I honestly do not even remember. Blazer are the exact item you should NOT purge. They're timeless and classic. In addition to blazers, keep staples such as little black dresses and enduring blouses.
All shoes should stay
I should say all shoes in good condition should stay. When I was in college I purged all of my single sole shoes because platforms were the thing. I didn't miss them for years, but when single sole shoes made a triumphant comeback I had a quite a few pairs I wish I had kept. Right now, it is a little easier because every style of shoe is in. Pointed, round, and square toe. Platform or single sole. Kitten or sky high heel. So, only purge shoes if they are damaged beyond repair or worn out.
Archive unique pieces rather than purge.
We all have interesting pieces that are not in our everyday rotation. For example, a striped sequin skirt that I wore for fashion week one season. To open some space in your closet, try putting those pieces in storage. Note, this can also apply to shoes. Be sure to store in garment bags or shoe boxes to protect your pieces.
Donate or sell - do not throw away.
This probably goes without saying, but do not throw away clothes. Donate your items or sell them. If you're looking to sell pieces in good to like new condition I would recommend ThredUp or Poshmark. Choosing between the two really depends on the level of work you're willing to put in. With Poshmark you're really doing all of heavy lifting while ThredUP takes over selling and shipping your items. The earning potential with Poshmark is definitely greater.
