1 Clean Out Your Closet
Having a simplified, versatile closet starts with eliminating excessive clothing pieces. We may not notice it, but too much apparel can sneak up on us with impulse buys piling up from the past. Closets can be hoarded with buyers remorse, pieces we hope to wear but never get to, and pieces that were on sale and we didn’t want to miss out on the great deal. Most clothes just don’t work, don’t fit, and need to go. Truly, I only wear a fraction of what I own. Each morning, I repeatedly try on clothing and end up with a pile of misfits on my bed. I feel exasperated with how much time I have to get ready and feel like I never have anything to wear. This is where we must clean out our closet to throw away the excess and reconnect with the clothes you own.
Most may advise to toss your old clothes in the trash, however, we still want to be conscious fashionistas. Most of all clothes are reusable or recyclable. This is the first step in creating an eco-friendly wardrobe and narrowing down your closet to key pieces that fit together.
Guidelines in Cleaning Excess
Purge by season. Focus on in-season clothes because it’s easier to make clear decisions about pieces you’re currently wearing. Additionally, in-season used clothes are in high demand, whether you’re selling, swapping, or donating. Making decisions about a smaller volume will keep you from getting overwhelmed and give your clothes a better chance of finding a new owner.
If you adore it, keep it. Keep the pieces that flatter you and make yourself feel confident. It’s alright to keep pieces that you may think are “unethical”, or maybe made in a sweatshop. Creating a conscious closet starts with greater awareness and you can practice this on the next garment you buy, not by feeling guilty about the ones you already own. Not to mention, the most sustainable clothes are the ones you already own and want to keep wearing.
Ignore cost. Try not to worry about how much money was spent. If the garment was pricey, yet you don’t wear it or like it, there’s no point in hanging onto it. You can always resell it to recoup some of that money back.
Pay attention to what you wear most. Use the cleanout to get re-acquainted with what you’ve got and understand your own personal style. Notice what your favorite pieces are and consider why they make you happy. Is it the silhouette, the fit, or the fabric? By understanding your own style, you can rebuild your wardrobe with clothes that make you feel happy all the time.
What Needs to Go
Now that we’ve sized down your wardrobe, the next step is deciding on what to cut. There are obvious things to get rid of, including items that haven’t fit in a decade. For tougher choices, always think how each piece works with your wardrobe as a whole. At this point, we’re whacking the weeds to reveal the foundation of a functional wardrobe and personal style. Here are key tips in how to go about it.
Aim for balance. A curated wardrobe means you have an appropriate ratio between tops and bottoms and when your colors, silhouettes, and styles go together. I would own five times as many tops as I do bottoms. It was clear I needed to cut back on tops and add more bottoms, especially neutral colored bottoms to be versatile with any top. Cut where you have excess and bring your wardrobe back to balance.
Rid the trendy stuff. Cut back on the number of trendy pieces and keep onlythose that reflect your personal style or that blend well with other items. If you’re a “style seeker,” you might want to keep more of your trendy pieces, but if you’ve got stylish items you’re no longer wearing, they might be good pieces to sell.
Purge basics. Worn-out underwear, socks, and basic lingerie long past their expiration date and create clutter. Keep what’s in great condition. Buy fewer basics like tank tops, leggings, tights, and plain t-shirts moving forward. You really don’t need so many, and they have no resale value, wear out quickly, and take up space that could be used for more dynamic clothes.
Kick out bad fabrics and poorly performing brands. If a piece looks worn-out before its time, it needs to go. Make note to notice both the brand and the fabric before you do so. This was where I got fed up with clearance items and fast-fashion brands. I was tired of faded colors, pilled-up sweaters, and accessories that broke after a few uses. At the same time, notice what fabrics make you feel comfortable and confident. Notice what brands make the clothes that will look great after seasons of wear.
You’re now finished with the cleaning phase. Perhaps you’re seeing your closet floor for the first time and have a handful of bare hangars. Your wardrobe must feel a tad lighter and freer. Now that you have a pile of unwanted apparel, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of them and how to do so consciously. We will review a reuse and resell process to send these pieces to new owners.