*Recognize the problem.
Does a piece of clothing really belong in your closet? Take this test with
each item you own:
1) Has it been worn in the last six months?
2) Do you have at least two other items to wear it with?
3) Do you LIKE wearing it?
4) Does it fit you really well?
5) Is it a wearable color and style for the season?
6) Does the fabric feel good and fall well?
Any piece of clothing that gets a NO for any of those questions is a
definite toss. Separate out every single one of these. Don't worry,
they're not all going in the dustbin.
*Sentimentality.
It's hard to let go of clothes that have a sentimental value. You know you
won't wear them anymore, but you want to keep them. Maybe you're hoping
your daughter will one day wear your old prom dress or your grandchild
will wear your son's baby clothes. Maybe those torn socks mean something
to you. Maybe you're hoping hoop skirts will come back.
Whatever it is, label it. For example, "I want to keep this dress because
I wore it on my first date with my husband." If it still sounds like you
want to keep it, put it in a suitcase or a box. Let it stay there, and you
can go poking around if you like later.
*I would wear this if I...
Sometimes we hold on to clothes because we think, "Well, I might lose ten
pounds and then this would look great on me." Maybe your wore it a long
time ago. Are you really going to lose ten pounds now? Maybe. Maybe
not. Try these alternatives:
Give yourself an incentive. If you REALLY want to keep it, tell yourself
you'll wear it again. Force yourself to fit into it, or just wear it
outside, in public. If it doesn't feel right, ditch it.
Find something else similar. It's better to replace sometimes. If you find
something else you love just as much but which fits better, why keep it
anymore?
Take a picture. Photograph your beloved dress by itself or take a picture
of yourself wearing it. It will make the parting easier.
*It would look great if it were...
Clothes don't usually change. People do. But your clothes might, after
years. Maybe they have holes or stains or something. Try to fix them (see
last issue's stain guide or this one's update guide) - you can clean up stains and repair some
holes. You can alter clothes to fit and even dye them.
But sometimes they just can't be saved...
*Say Goodbye
Goodbyes are hard. Take a picture of what you're giving away. Wear it a
few times before it goes.
Then give it to someone who loves it. Give it to someone without clothing
and who looks great in it and whose longing eyes are filled with joy when
they see it. How could you possibly keep your dear clothes from someone
who gives them so much use and so much love?