So, it’s time for that dreaded activity – cleaning out your closet. Maybe you’re trying to do some spring cleaning. Maybe you’re like me, and you’re downsizing in preparation for moving. Maybe you’re just sick of your old fashion taste staring daggers at you, and you want to make room for the new you. Whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.
Letting go of your clothes is always difficult. Whether you have fond memories of them, spent a lot of money on them, or any other potential reason, it’s never fun. However, we’ve come up with a simple three-step plan to help you along:
- Evaluate what you have
- Decide what stays (and what to do with everything else)
- Plan for the future
With this streamlined process, not only will you have an easier time detoxing your wardrobe, but you’ll also find real opportunity for growth and reflection.
Step 1 – Evaluate Your Wardrobe
What’s In That Closet Of Yours, Anyway?
By the end of this step, you should have a few different piles of clothes. We recommend five: a pile for for-sure keeps, a pile for clothes that don’t fit, a pile for nostalgic clothes you no longer wear, a pile for damaged clothes that are still wearable, and a pile for damaged clothes that aren’t wearable. You’ll be consolidating these soon, don’t worry.
To begin this process, find a quiet hour of the day, shut your door, and if it helps you focus, turn on some music. Then get to work. Take a step back – and then take all the hangers out of your closet.
This is important. You’ll feel messy at first, but it’s better to get a bird’s eye view of your wardrobe, to understand what you’re working with. If you’re just eyeballing it from the hanger, it’s easy for a single piece of clothing to blend in with everything else, and you might not notice damage or get a good look at the full design.
Now, ask yourself a few questions.
Start With the Obvious – What’s Damaged?
That shirt has some bleach discoloration. This one’s missing a button. The soles of those shoes have worn down. Figure out what can be fixed – and if it’s worth fixing. Try not to fall into the sunk-cost fallacy, either. If something is made of cheap material and routinely falls apart, it’s less expensive in the long run to save up for a higher quality version. Natural materials, while more expensive, often tend to be more biodegradable, making them better for the environment.
What Doesn’t Fit?
We’re all human. We gain weight, we lose weight. Those pants that fit you perfectly a year or two ago are now just a little too snug at the hips. It’s tempting to hold onto those clothes for when you hit your ideal weight, but hitting your ideal weight can take a long time, and you deserve to have clothes that fit the you you are now – you’ll look and feel better wearing clothes that are actually meant for your current body type.
How Often Do You Wear It?
You love that dress, but you’ve been saving it for a special occasion… and so it’s been gathering dust for years now. Or maybe that jacket was a staple part of your look, but you haven’t worn it in ages. For clothes you don’t wear regularly, set them aside in a designated pile for now.
Step 2 – Make A Decision
“Toss” or “Keep” Aren’t Your Only Options
Those clothes you already put in your “keep” pile – the ones you love, you wear frequently, and still fit well – those can go right back in your closet. Great work! Now to decide what to do with the rest of your wardrobe.
Let’s start with the damaged clothes. Right away, you can toss the clothes that are damaged beyond repair – it might hurt, but they’re only taking up space, and they’re not suitable for donation. If you feel guilty, try thanking your old clothes. It might feel a little silly, but it really does help alleviate some of that guilt. Your clothes did their job, and now it’s time to let them rest.
Now you can take a look at the clothes that are damaged, but still wearable. Some of them might have simple fixes, like sewing up a small rip or sewing a button back on. In that case, if you’re feeling crafty and you’re certain you’ll keep wearing them, feel free to set them aside for repairs.
With those out of the way, it’s time to address everything you’re not sure about – maybe they’re damaged, but you don’t want to go through the effort. Maybe they don’t fit. Maybe you just never wear them anymore.
Rather than trashing them, there are a few things you can do:
Donate To Those In Need
Your favorite old sweater might become someone’s new favorite, and there are many charities that donate clothes to those in need. Knowing you’re helping someone else can make parting with your clutter a lot easier.
If you go the donation route, make sure to research what your charity of choice is accepting right now – and make sure the clothes you donate are fit to be worn.
Commission (Or Make) a T-Shirt Quilt
Growing up, my grandmother had all her grandkids save their favorite old shirts over the years, and crafted them into t-shirt quilts she gifted each of us after high school graduation. This is a great way to hold onto some memories, and support local artists (and get a very unique blanket out of it).
Dress Up Some Stuffed Animals
What’s cuter than a stuffed animal with a little shirt on it? Absolutely nothing.
If you’re a parent trying to get your kids to clear out their wardrobes, this can be a perfect opportunity to let your child flex their creativity. Adults may have trouble fitting larger clothes on any stuffed animals they own (unless you have a Djungelskog – then your clothes just might fit it perfectly), but it’s worth seeing how your childhood stuffed bunny might look swimming in your old prom tux.
Sell or Give Them Away
In addition to charities, you can give them directly to people – list them on EBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc. If you’re looking to turn a small profit, the option is often there, but you could also consider holding a small giveaway over social media, or offering them up on a “Buy Nothing” Facebook group. Options like this can help take the sting out of the original cost you paid, and you may feel reassured knowing exactly where your beloved old clothes are going.
Take A Look At What’s Left
Hopefully some of these more forgiving options made it easier to let some of your collection go – if you have some clothes you don’t wear but still can’t bear to part with, don’t beat yourself up about it. Wardrobe detoxes aren’t a punishment, but an opportunity for growth, and growth is never linear.
If nothing else, this gives you the opportunity to bring some old favorites back into rotation, or even experiment a little with your look. That beautiful dress you never wear? Wear it out, for any reason. Go to a movie, the pharmacy, or, heck, wear it on your walk to the library. Let it see the sun, and give yourself that confidence boost at the same time.
Step 3 – Thinking About the Future
What’s Next For Your Wardrobe?
Now’s a great time to think about what your future clothes shopping habits will look like. Now that you’ve gone through your clothes, you hopefully still remember what you have, and can avoid accidentally buying unnecessary duplicates.
Additionally, you can evaluate who you might buy from in the future – while fast fashion is easy and convenient, as we mentioned before, cheaply made clothes often fall apart faster and aren’t very biodegradable, making them wreak havoc on the environment. Fast fashion also often relies on labor outsourced from other, often developing countries, and the workers are often subject to inhumane conditions.
Some of the particularly egregious culprits are Zara, H&M, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Shein, Mango, and ASOS, but they aren’t the only fast fashion companies out there – it’s worth doing a little bit of research into the companies you buy from to understand their impact on the environment and on workers.
The price tag on buying sustainable clothing can feel daunting, but it’s low in comparison to what you might spend repeatedly buying new shoes or new pants, and goes a long way toward making life just a bit better for everyone. If you’re on a tighter budget, thrifting from local stores is a great way to save money without supporting fast fashion brands, and there are often a surprising amount of hidden beauties just waiting to be discovered. Slow fashion can also make sure your current wardrobe lasts. And don’t guilt yourself for any fast fashion you might have bought before – you’re growing.
And with that…
Your Wardrobe Detox Is Now Complete!
Congrats! You did great. Now that your hard work is over, take a moment to breathe and unwind. Bask in your newly organized space, and feel at peace knowing you did the best thing for you (and everyone else).
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