Quick Closet Edit: 5 Things to Detox from your Wardrobe Today (Video!)

Is your closet a hot mess? You don’t even know half of what’s in there, but you don’t have the time, or the energy, to do a full-on closet detox? In this video, I’ll give you 5 things to ditch from your closet right now.

Has your closet has gotten a little out of control, and really, who’s hasn’t? Even my closet needs a regular pruning. In fact, I advise my clients to do a closet cleanse at least twice a year. If it’s been a while since you’ve gone through your closet, I can pretty much guarantee you that there are some items hiding in there that you can get rid of immediately. 

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If you’re new here, I’m Missy of Simplified Wardrobe, an Ethical Personal Stylist & Capsule Wardrobe Curator. I help ambitious and eco-conscious womxn who want to look great, feel confident, and simplify their lives.

Find more information about personal style, capsule wardrobes, and color analysis over on Instagram. You can also download my free 10-page Guide to Defining your Personal Style.

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Number 1: Anything stained or ripped beyond repair.

I started with an easy one. If you have clothes you never wear because they’re irreparably broken, it’s time to get them out of your wardrobe. If it’s something like a missing button that you’ve been meaning to get fixed, then fix it. Be honest with yourself. If you’ve never sewn a button on in your life and you don’t even own a needle and thread, either take it to a tailor, invest in your domestic education, or accept that this item is no longer functional for you. Sometimes my clients will have torn jeans, and not in a cool way that they promise they only wear around the house, but a) what if someone comes over unexpectedly and you have on your crotchless jeans? And b) you want to feel good in your clothes all the time, even if no one else can see you, and I promise that old clothing that’s literally falling apart at the seams isn’t making anyone feel good.

Number 2: Gifted clothing.

This doesn’t mean that jacket you asked for for Christmas and love. This is that sweatshirt your mom bought because she thought it was cute but it’s definitely made for someone 15 years younger, or older, than you. This is that graphic tee your friend bought because she thought it was funny, but it’s really not your taste and you’ve never worn it. Get that stuff out. Here’s a little secret: no one cares if you get rid of their gifts. Their joy was in the gift giving. They certainly don’t expect you to keep everything you’ve ever received as a gift until the day you die. They probably don’t even remember it, and if they do, they’re not going to ask you to prove you still own it. It’s okay to let it go.

Number 3: Stuff that doesn’t fit.

Almost all of my clients have clothing in their closets that they haven’t worn in years because it no longer zips, but these “goal” items stick around, making them feel bad about their bodies every time they look at them. On the other hand, they might have clothes left over from when they were a larger size, which somehow also makes them feel bad about their bodies. Enough of that! Can we all agree that bodies are beautiful in whatever size they are right now. Get rid of the clothes you can’t wear now and invest in clothes that are both comfortable and flattering to your body as it is, not as it was. If there are items that could be tailored to fit you, then get them tailored. But again, be honest. Are you really going to do that? If you know deep down that you’ll never actually run that errand, say bye bye.

Number 4: Sentimental items.

This one can be difficult. Many of us hold on to clothes that remind us of a certain time in our lives, a memorable event, or a special trip. That said, if these aren’t things we’re actively wearing, they’re just taking up space in our closets and minds. Instead, get a photo printed and framed of you wearing the item so you can keep the memory but not the fabric. If it’s old college t-shirts, you can make a blanket or, truly, just say goodbye. No one needs 20 t-shirts with the same college logo in different colors, trust me. Keep your one favorite, and then ditch the rest. 

Number 5: Items with tags.

Okay, we started on easy mode, and have leveled up every time. This category is often the most difficult for us to part with. Unworn clothes make us feel bad. We feel stupid for wasting money or annoyed that we haven’t worn it yet. The truth is, if it’s been sitting in your closet for an entire appropriate season, and you never wore it, you’re likely never going to wear it. Think about it. You had 3 months, that’s at least 90 days, when you could have worn this item, and chose not to. It could be helpful to consider why you never wore it before discarding it. Maybe the occasion didn’t come up; say it’s a cocktail dress and you weren’t invited to any cocktail parties. Consider if this is normal for your life--you don’t usually go to cocktail parties--or if this is a fluke and normally you’re going to cocktail parties at least once a month. If it’s just not your lifestyle, give up the item. Now maybe you didn’t wear it because you didn’t have anything to wear with it, or you didn’t know how to match it. That’s a different story. That tells you that you have a larger closet issue to deal with. If you still love the item, brainstorm ways you could wear it or what you’d need to go with it and if that item would work well in your wardrobe. If yes, then add it to your shopping list and the unworn items gets to live another day.

So there you go. 5 items you cat ditch from your closet right now: Anything broken beyond your capability to repair, gifted items you don’t actually like, clothes that just don’t fit, sentinel clothing, and anything you haven’t worn for an entire season. 

If you’re ready to do a full-blown wardrobe edit, I created The Ultimate Closet Detox Guide (in collaboration with professional organizer Carly of Tidy Revival), a free guide that walks you through the whole process of editing and organizing your closet (featuring all real tips and strategies with use with clients!) Get your free guide here.

Of course, if you’d like some more serious help, you can hire me for a virtual closet edit. We’ll discover your personal style, edit your wardrobe, and create a list of items you need to fill in any gaps. Learn more about my personal styling services.

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