We continue our series on fulfilling your Decluttering New Year’s Resolutions by looking at ways to downsize your clothes closet. We would love to help. Whether you hire us to work with you directly in your home or read our blog advice (or both), we are here for you.
If you are interested in professional organizing, contact us for a consultation. We offer a variety of services at different levels to suit your needs.
Before you begin, remember decluttering doesn’t mean creating waste. Before tossing anything, consider the potential value your unwanted items may still hold. Many local charities, shelters, and donation centers welcome gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories, especially those that are seasonally appropriate and in good condition. By donating, you not only refresh your space – you give your items the chance to serve someone else in a meaningful way.
TEN AREAS OF YOUR WARDROBE TO DOWNSIZE NOW:
- Impulse Buys
The items we pick up on a super discount or when we’re feeling stressed and in need of some retail therapy are often the biggest culprits of wasted space in your closet. If you haven’t worn these purchases, they need to go. Recognizing past impulse buys can help you make more intentional purchasing decisions in the future.
- Ill-fitting Clothing
Aspirational clothing may actually cause more harm than good. Seeing the tight pair of jeans every time you enter your closet can send the wrong internal message, reminding you of unmet goals. Lose the too-tight clothing and swap in more comfortable items. You deserve clothes that fit your body and make you feel good, so stop shaming yourself and let go of the clothes that no longer fit you.
- Items That Are Difficult to Maintain
If a piece of clothing requires tons of upkeep, it may not be worth holding onto. Get rid of it and consider buying more low-maintenance clothing. If you’re not an ironer, don’t buy or keep anything that requires ironing before each wear. If you don’t want to spend on dry cleaning, look for machine washables.
- Gifts That Don’t Reflect Your Style
Maybe you’ve felt inclined to keep that never-worn hand-knit sweater you got five Christmases ago out of guilt or obligation. Donating these pieces and allowing someone else to enjoy them frees up space for clothing you’re excited to wear.
- Pieces in Need of Alterations or Repair
You planned to bring those dress pants to the tailor for months, yet here they are, sitting at the bottom of your closet. Odds are, you’re not going to get around to this task anytime soon. This is a good place to purge as you don’t need items that have gone unworn.
- Sentimental Pieces
It’s fun to keep a concert or sorority t-shirt, but a pile that won’t fit on the shelf is worth decluttering. You may be able to live without these items after all. Take a photo to remember the piece before donating. If everything is special, nothing is special.
- Seasonal Clothing
When seasons change, go through your stockpile of swimsuits, winter scarves and footwear. Seasonal items stockpile each year and are rarely addressed because we only use the items for a few months. Assess these items and get rid of things you no longer need.
- Extra Shoes
If too much real estate is being taken up by footwear, it’s time to edit. Take a good look at your collection. You might find that many pairs of shoes don’t fit any longer or just don’t suit your current look. Older shoes break down over time and soles crack. Throw away any showing signs of disintegration. Once you have purged, keep your favorite shoes off the floor with a space-saving caddy or shelving.
- Formal Attire You Won’t Wear Again
There’s nothing wrong with wearing a formal outfit more than once, but if you feel you’ve been photographed in a gown one too many times, consider letting it go. Look for yearly prom dress giveaways or local charities. For high-end or designer items, you’re likely to get some money for them by selling them online or at a consignment shop.
- Cosmetics, Skin Care and other Random Goods
If it didn’t ever belong in the closet in the first place, it shouldn’t reside there now. Unless you really have the space to house bathroom products in your closet, beauty products are best left out. Keep your closet focused on shoes and clothing.
Clearing the items on this list will create space in your closet and enable you to put together outfits that reflect your style.
Stay tuned for our next blog post about clearing out your garage.
