What are your guidelines/tips for cleaning out your closet?

[elizat]

Any advice re: shoes? Im looking at some Frye knee high leather boots that are comfortable, broken in, and fit well. I stopped wearing them when ankle boots became a thing. Are knee high boots coming back?

If you like them, wear them! I don't think they ever really went out, just became less popular.

 

[elizat]

I go through and donate a few times a year. I have a bag I keep around as others do. If I don't wear something at least once a year, it's usually gone. Or if it's not comfortable. I am not trendy at all, so I don't go by what's popular. I like dresses, cardigans, comfortable pants- think Eileen Fisher - with a sweater or other top. I hate jeans.

 

[KaeKae]

At least once a year I turn all the hangars in the closet backward. As I wear then clean an item, it gets hung up the usual way. By the end of the year or season it's clear what I haven't worn and I most likely will get rid if it

Exceptions are made for dressy clothes that can still be worn when the right event comes up, and a few other things that I just don't want to say goodbye to yet

Items in the dresser or on shelves are also watched for wearing its just not as easy to see as the Hangar method

 

[LilAlex]

If you are doing it after a long hiatus, I recommend cleaning it out a second time the following year. Seriously. There were a surprising number of things that I was on the fence with after a decade but the following year it was like "Oh no, not this thing again -- out!"

 

[Tonks]

I go through and donate a few times a year. I have a bag I keep around as others do. If I don't wear something at least once a year, it's usually gone. Or if it's not comfortable. I am not trendy at all, so I don't go by what's popular. I like dresses, cardigans, comfortable pants- think Eileen Fisher - with a sweater or other top. I hate jeans.

I basically did this by accident this time. Found a bag I’d set aside last time. It was SO EASY to just toss it. So I’m definitely going to start incorporating this practice!!!!

 

[Tonks]

At least once a year I turn all the hangars in the closet backward. As I wear then clean an item, it gets hung up the usual way. By the end of the year or season it's clear what I haven't worn and I most likely will get rid if it

Exceptions are made for dressy clothes that can still be worn when the right event comes up, and a few other things that I just don't want to say goodbye to yet

Items in the dresser or on shelves are also watched for wearing its just not as easy to see as the Hangar method

I have seen this recommendation. Seriously contemplating it, because it makes sense.

If you are doing it after a long hiatus, I recommend cleaning it out a second time the following year. Seriously. There were a surprising number of things that I was on the fence with after a decade but the following year it was like "Oh no, not this thing again -- out!"

I can already tell this will be necessary. Especially because my look probably needs updating. Found a Reddit post about how to update your closet, and I basically hit all the points of “what not to wear.”

 

[Tonks]

Here’s the Reddit post for those interested.

https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/11cp9nb

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I just took 11 dressy pieces to my fav consignment shop. I have no problems getting rid of stuff! Sadly my DH cannot get rid of anything ...so I have to do it for him. LOL. He isn't always grateful for my "help", but the Goodwill store is!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

years ago when i briefly cared about such things i brought a style book by Nina Garcia as an aid of trying to form a classic aggless wardrobe
it may have been this ?

i only knew of Nina because she was a judge of project runway which i used to love
anyway 2 other Nina Garcia books latter in about as many years and she was controdicting her own advice

its all BS

i think one thing about getting older is you get the confidence not to care what others think about what you are wearing
if it fits and i like it wear it is my number one rule
i wish i could go back in time and tell my 14 year old self this

i would also say do not throw out well made out accessories

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I am very good at this. DH and I plus two kiddos and two kitties and a doggo (and a hamster) live in 700sq ft. If it's day to day wear and I didn't wear it in the last year, it's gone. If it's formal wear and I didn't wear it in the last 3 years it's gone. I only keep up to 7ish formal wear pieces. If a new one comes in, the least favorite goes out. That's that. DH and I share one 6ft closet 50/50. If it fits, it fits, if it doesn't, it's time to purge. It's the same for the kid clothes. As they outgrow, it's gone. We don't keep more than they really need. We do our laundry 1-2x weekly and everything is well worn.