Clothing to Get Rid Of Right Now

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It’s the beginning of…not just a new year, but a new decade, people. What better time is there to optimize your wardrobes? I’m super-impressed with all your sartorial New Year’s Resolutions: wear better quality; buy less crap; spend consciously on eco-friendly wardrobe pieces; support local designers.

But wait. Before you pull out your charge cards and go on a Gilt/Etsy/eBay/iDeeli spree, we have to get rid of what you don’t need. And I’ve been in enough closets to know that there’s a lot of it—trust me. Below I’ve listed everything in our closets that we all need to just let go, and what needs to take its place.

• Things that are irreparably damaged. You know I’m a hundred percent in favor of repairing and repurposing what you have. But if it’s beyond all help, you know what you need to do: let it go. It doesn’t matter if it’s cashmere; if it’s filled with moth holes or literally coming apart at the seams, there’s nothing you can do. It doesn’t matter if it’s emotionally significant; if there’s a stubborn stain in an obvious place, you’re never going to enjoy wearing it. Replace with: new or gently used items of great quality and in perfect shape.
• Things that don’t fit. If it’s not something that you can fit into between your own sewing skills and your tailor’s, there’s nothing you can do. Let’s repurpose and move on. Replace with: items that fit great—not too tight, not too short, not too ridiculously difficult to breathe [yeah, I know you've got a dress like that...we all do]. [A note on aspirational weight-loss clothing: I know you're going to lose weight. I see you going to the gym and watching your cupcake intake; but let's face it: fitting into your old prom dress or your former favorite pair of jeans is not a great weight-loss motivator. What is, however, is knowing that as soon as you drop the pounds you want to, you get to go shopping for newly-minted, up-to-date duds. Isn't that fun?! So, let's go ahead and make room in your closet, yes?]
• Things that are worse for the wear. That tank top with the stretched-out neck? The undies with practically no elastic left? The tights that are shredded not self-consciously, but accidentally, the ones you forget have a hole until someone points it out during your morning commute? Get ‘em outta there! Replace with: brand spankin’ new replacements. Get ‘em on the cheap at Daffy’s or TJ Maxx if you’re cost-conscious.
• Things that don’t fit your lifestyle. Be honest with yourself: if you wear corsets twice a year, there’s no reason to have eight of them. If you never wear heels to work, there’s no way you need twenty pairs. If you don’t attend formal-attire events, you don’t need a slew of formal gowns. If you don’t go to the gym daily, there’s no reason for seven color-coordinated workout outfits. Think about how you spend your time, and what clothing is absolutely required for doing so. Then get rid of the excess. Replace with: clothing that fits what you do, and makes you feel great doing it.
• Things you never wear. There are a ton of reasons we own clothing that we don’t wear—sentimentality, perceived thrift ["I spent a ton on this, it would be such a waste to get rid of it!"], aspiration. But habits die hard, and fashion habits are no exception. If you’ve owned it for over a year and you haven’t worn it, you’re not going to. So why not pass them along to someone who will wear them? Replace with: outfits you want to wear all the time, and do.
• Things that don’t make you feel amazing when you wear them. Know what happens to these? They become relegated to the back of the closet, worn only when laundry day is looming, and they always make you feel weird. Maybe the hem is too high; maybe the bias cut makes you feel weird about the size of your hips; maybe you love the warmth of a wool sweater but hate the itchiness. [My most embarrassing example of this: when I studied ballet, I used to have a couple of leotards that, no matter when I wore them, I danced badly. I couldn't turn, my jumps were laggy, and choreography flew right by me. I deemed them my "unlucky leotards" and only wore them when they were the only ones I had clean.] Whatever the issue, you deserve better. So let it go! Replace with: outfits that make you feel like a rocktar/ninja/badass/goddess.

What kind of excess is lurking in the back of your closet? Anyone have any other tips for getting rid of clothing that just doesn’t work? Share your experiences [and pics, if you want!] in the comments!

Related posts:

1. Things To Ask Before You Buy A Piece Of Clothing, Part 2: Aesthetic
2. Things to Ask Before You Buy a Piece of Clothing, Part 1: Economic
3. The Cost Per Wear: How Much is Your Clothing Worth to You? [Or: Are You Getting Your Money's Worth?]
4. Tutorial Roundup: 6 Great Ways to Repurpose Your Clothing
5. How to Clean Out Your Closet