I’m getting ready to sort through my closet (something I do frequently because that’s my idea of a good time), and I’ve had more thoughts on this topic! If you missed my first post on this, find it here.

I originally meant clothes that don’t fit physically. But this applies to clothes that don’t fit in other ways! Maybe they no longer fit your look these days. Maybe they no longer suit your life. Maybe they no longer make you feel good for another reason, any reason. 

Anything you do not love or need should go. Anything. 

Ambivalence is not good enough. It sounds almost cliche now to talk about whether or not something sparks joy, but seriously. You only have so much space for this stuff in your closet and in your head. If it doesn’t make you happy and feel fantastic while you’re wearing it, then it had better serve a very necessary function (ie: my black puffer coat that I do not find aesthetically pleasing, but saves me from freezing). 

But if you don’t love or need it? Thank you, next!

For the going away pile:

• Friends, family, Facebook: send out texts, make a post, give people dibs!

• Free cycle: just want it gone? Offer it up in a “for free if you come get it” group!

• Donation: local thrift, some shelters (check local rules) - but don’t donate trash, it wastes their time.

• Textile recycling: make worn out clothes into rags, stuffing, or there might be a textile recycling station near you (use the google!).

• Brands: Marine Layer (old tees recycled), jeans for insulation (I think Madewell does this), I think H&M takes some old clothes.

• Consignment v selling yourself:

  • Local consignment (like Plato’s Closet or Style Encore) does the work for you, can mean cash up front, gets clothes off your hands immediately; thredup is online thrifting mixed with consignment, but they take a big cut because they do all the work.

  • When you sell: theoretically more money, but you must list, upkeep, share, ship; depop/poshmark/eBay still take a cut.

  • You will not make back your money or get what you think it’s worth; remind yourself that anything is better than nothing, and that the real value you’re getting out of this is freeing up space in your closet, sending your pieces to a new home, and being sustainable.

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If you want help sorting through your closet and dealing with the fallout, I mean, the goodbye pile, reach out! I’m here to help.

mary@yourwardrobetherapy.com

302-233-6112