So You’re Doing a Closet Cleanse…
So you’re finally getting around to cleaning out your closet. Good for you! You may have your own system or maybe you’re following the advice of another style blogger. There’s definitely no shortage of advice. But, there is a specific closet cleanse dilemma that I seldom see addressed thoroughly. What to do with clothes that don’t fit.
We’ve all been there, I’m sure. There’s that dress or those jeans that once fit like a glove, but because of the baby or covid, you’ve put on a few pounds and that garment doesn’t quite fit. Or, maybe you were going through an illness or other significant weight loss and some of your clothes are now too big. So, the question becomes: Do I keep it or get rid of it?
Consider the Impact on Your Mindset
Keeping something in your closet that doesn’t fit can have a significant impact on your outlook. For some, it can be motivational. As in, “my goal is to fit back into those jeans in 2 months.” But for others, it can have the opposite effect. As in, “I’ll probably never fit into those again but I’ll keep them just in case.” It’s helpful to get in touch with which camp you fall into before attempting to do a closet cleanse. If you approach this with a few simple tactics in mind, you’ll not only feel great about the clothes that you end up keeping in your closet, but you’ll make peace with those that you decide to let go of.
Start with an Aspirational Box
In a previous post, I went over what to do with the items you are cleansing from your closet. You can check that out HERE but if you don’t want to read the whole blog, the short version is: donate, sell, swap, recycle. Recently I thought of an additional option, what I call an “Aspirational Box” or you may have seen some call it a goal box. Use whatever euphemism works for you. But, essentially this box is for items that don’t currently fit (either too big or too small) but you still like think you would like to wear again.
Pro Tip! – Use a clear storage bin in a conspicuous area so you don’t forget about it entirely. Or, if the space in your closet permits, section off a portion of your closet for your aspirational items. Plan to revisit that bin about once a month.
When creating this box, keep the following in mind:
1. How likely is it that the item will fit in the future?
Be honest with yourself. Is the change in your body that caused those clothes to not fit temporary or not? If you are confident that the answer is “yes” this will fit me again, put the garment in your aspirational box.
2. Is the quality high enough to justify alteration?
Even if the answer to the above question is “no” you may still have a use for that garment. A high-quality wool dress might benefit from being taken in, or even let out if there is enough fabric to work with. Iif that’s the case, put it in your aspirational box for alteration in the future. If an item is a fast-fashion piece that you paid $10 for. Just donate it. Chances are you won’t miss it and it will cost you more to alter it than it’s worth.
3. Does it still match your style?
Sometimes we hang onto something that we once loved for so long that it no longer matches our style or even anything resembling a current trend. I had this pantsuit that I used to love but after baby #2 in 2009 it was harder to fit into the pants. But I kept hanging onto it thinking….someday maybe. Fast forward to 2020 when I no longer had a corporate job that required anything resembling a pant suit. Why did I still have that thing? I donated the pants and put the jacket in the aspirational box/section of my closet. I tried wearing it once or twice and realized it just wasn’t my style anymore. So, I decided to sell it.
You can use a clear storage bin like this one for your aspirational box. It’s important that it be clear so you can see what is there and as a reminder to check back with your aspirational items every month or so.
The jacket that was part of the pantsuit I mentioned above is still available for sale! (As of this writing)
Check in With Your Aspirational Box
Every month or so, check in with your box or section of your closet and re-evaluate each item. Will you put it back in the box and try again next month? Are you going to alter it? Are you finally ready to let it go? Don’t just dump stuff in there and forget it. Set a reminder on your calendar or plan to do it on the first of the month. If a different frequency works better for you, say every 2 months, that’s okay too. The goal is to NOT forget about the box but we also DO NOT want it to be a demotivator.
Now What Will You Wear?
Doing a closet cleanse can be very rewarding and it’s a great way to get in touch with the clothes that you really DO love to wear. Just picture your closet after a cleanse. All that old stuff no longer nagging at you. But you actually have a closet full of things you love to wear. The best part? You didn’t have to spend any money to do it!
After doing a cleanse, I like to challenge myself to create new outfits with the items that I have left. If you’d like help in this area, I have two resources that you might like.
6 Ways to Shop Your Closet Guide
Drop a comment below and let me know how your conscious closet cleanse is going. Are there any other challenges you’re up against when trying to create a more conscious wardrobe? Leave a comment or email me and let me know. I’d love to hear from you!