Now that the holiday and solemnity is over, the parties are over, the resolutions made and possibly broken, it's time for some cleaning. Some people love cleaning out their closets (after all, if you get rid of some clothes, you have to replace them with new ones, right?), and some people hate doing it, but it has to be done.
Here are some things to keep in mind when going through your wardrobe:
- Is anything here beyond repair? This sounds like a silly question, but a number of people own and wear clothes that are way past their prime. If you want to relegate these to the "gardening-or-around-the-house" pile, that's fine. If not, you need to get rid of them.
- Do my clothes fit? Even if you are over eighteen and have finished growing, you may still find clothes in your closet that don't fit. Just this past fall, I found two things in my closet that were too small for me. If clothes are too big, get rid of them, too. Let's not forget this scenario: "I'll fix it. It fits fine here, but it's too big there." How long have you been meaning to adjust it? Probably too long. Get that done! If you have gained weight and no longer fit into some things that you want to wear, then you might keep them--- if you really think that you will fit into them again.
- Is there anything I don't wear? If so, why? If you don't like it, get rid of it. If it needs mending, get it mended. Either make it wearable, or make it disappear.
- Is anything significantly outdated? I am a great believer in the wearing of old-fashioned styles... IF they are worn tastefully and in the right setting. This is a topic that I have a lot to say on, but I will be brief. If a skirt, dress, or blouse screams 80's or 90's, you should probably get rid of it.
- Do my clothes look good on me? This one is complicated and different for each person. Basically, try on something and look at yourself in a full-length mirror. If the cut "makes you look fat," or if the color/print looks awful on you, it is not for you.
- "I can't afford to just throw stuff out and go shopping." This I sympathize with. In this instance, you have to be creative. You might try selling your old clothes; it can't hurt to try. You could also look into getting them altered. Another idea is to rearrange pieces so that the faults are hidden. A great way to do this is with accessories. At any rate, get rid of the worst things in your closet, and get one or two new things. Do things in small, affordable increments.
- Is it decent? Sometimes people decide that they just don't feel comfortable wearing a given article of clothing. Perhaps it's too tight, too revealing, draws too much attention to the body, etc. There are various ways to fix this. If it's too small, give it away. Too revealing? Try wearing it with another item. For instance, a strapless dress can be worn with a shrug, and a sheer top can be worn over an opaque one.
