How to Get Rid of Clothes (Even When It’s Hard to Let Go)

I recently cleaned out my closet and took a laundry basket full of clothes to a resale shop.  I made $15.  It was barely worth the gas to and from the store!

However, I got rid of clothes I no longer wanted and felt so much lighter not having a crowded closet of items I never wore. Plus, the store donated the rejected clothes they didn’t want so…win-win!

Maybe you, too, want a cleaner, tidier closet.  You want to stop wasting time figuring out what to wear and be happy with your wardrobe.  You want to stop looking at a crowded mash-up of clothes and accessories and actually see your options. 

Why Getting Rid of Clothes Matters

There are several benefits to getting rid of clothes that don’t serve you well. Keep these benefits in the forefront as you weed out your closet and if you start to question why you are doing it in the first place.

• More space in your closet and dresser – gives breathing room to your belongings and better aesthetic, less overwhelming to look at
• You save time – less time spent looking for “what to wear”
• You save money – no more buying unnecessary duplicates or impulse shopping
• You actually enjoy what you wear – your closet is curated with clothing you love, not just own
• You have permission to dress as you truly want – not a closet filled with clothes from the past

Overcome These Mental Blocks

Before you can successfully clear out your closet, it helps to understand why you’re holding onto clothes you never wear. These mental blocks are normal – and recognizing them is the first step to moving past them. Below are common reasons why people struggle with closet cleanouts.

• You feel like you are wasting money on already purchased items
• You don’t have time to clean out your closet or start the project
• You are afraid you’ll get rid of something you’ll need later
• You feel you are “supposed” to have this type of item in your closet
• You like options – you don’t want to limit your clothing choices

You feel like you’re wasting money

Great news!  You actually save money by weeding out clothes because you stop buying duplicates or impulse shopping since you “have nothing to wear.”  

You don’t have time to clean out your closet

Yes it will take some time up front to declutter your closet, but in the long run you save valuable hours because now your wardrobe is only clothing you love and wear.  You save time getting dressed when your options are clear!

You are afraid you’ll get rid of something you’ll need later

If you follow this post’s guide to getting rid of clothes, you won’t get rid of anything useful, just what isn’t serving you well. Plus in a last case scenario, you can always replace something if absolutely necessary. Remind yourself that these are just things, not life or death items.

You are “supposed” to have this type of item in your closet

Even though the fashion world may say something is a must-have (i.e., skinny jeans or an oversized blazer), that doesn’t mean you have to own it.  Trendy fashion rules don’t apply to everyone.  Aim to build a timeless, classic wardrobe and sprinkle in trendier items that you like for a well-rounded wardrobe.

You like options 

It is easier to create options with a focused, capsule wardrobe versus having a collection of too many random items that only work with specific pieces.  A quality over quantity approach to your closet will create more options than ever. 

How to Decide What Clothes to Keep (And What to Toss)

Now that we’ve acknowledged what’s holding you back, it’s time to take action. Use these 13 simple strategies to make clear decisions about what stays and what goes. You don’t need to use all of them – start with the ones that resonate most.

1. Focus on your why and visualize your ideal closet

Visualize how you want your closet to look…what would make you happy in getting dressed every day? Stay focused on this image to keep your “why do this in the first place” in mind.

You can even jot down the benefits you’ll receive after getting rid of clothes that do not serve you well. This focused goal will help you with decisions on what to declutter.

2. Be brutally honest / gut check time

As you review your closet and consider all its contents ask yourself the questions below about each item. Be honest, go with your gut. Your instinct answer is usually the correct one!

• Do I wear this? 
• Do I really love this? 
• Does it spark joy? 
• Does it look good on me?

3. Physically touch every item  

Touch and feel each item in your wardrobe to determine how much you love it (or not) and what emotion it sparks. Not to sound too woo-woo on this, but touch is a valuable sensory experience for connecting and knowing your true feelings. Feel the fabric and know if it calls you to wear it or not.

4. Try on “maybes”  

Instead of creating a “maybe” pile, try any “maybe” clothes on straight away. Determine if it fits, is in good condition and you like how you feel/look. This is not an exercise in the middle-ground: either you want to keep this article or clothing or not.

5. Own your personal style and day-to-day lifestyle  

If you no longer work in an office and don’t need black and navy pantsuits, then get rid of them.  If you never dress up why have multiple dresses and frilly blouses in your closet? Consider your fashion style and the functionality you need day-to-day. If items in your closet don’t fit this profile, get rid of them. Start fresh with an honest approach to how you like to dress.

6. Avoid duplicates  

There is no need to own six versions of a white blouse or dozens of pairs of jeans. Pare down your duplicated items and keep only one (or two if you must) of what you love. Find the best version of items you wear and stick to those, not second-rate dupes.

7. Be honest about fit  

Our bodies change. I know mine certainly has (does)! If you haven’t worn something in awhile, try it on, be certain it fits properly. Anything that doesn’t fit well should be removed.

8. What’s the maintenance?

If a fancy skirt causes you anxiety about spilling on it and not keeping it in perfect condition, get rid of it (I think of Cindy Mancini’s suede skirt and top in the 1987 movie, Can’t Buy Me Love – red wine on white suede is never a good look!).

If clothing maintenance is too stressful or time consuming, it may not be worth having. Know your bandwidth for how much laundry or dry cleaning you can manage and limit high-maintenance items.

9. What’s the frequency of wear?

If the item in question is not something you wear on the regular, then likely it isn’t necessary to have.  Yes, there are clothes we only need sometimes (coats, swimwear, seasonal items) but the majority of your closet should be filled with clothing you wear and get use out of often.

10. Flip the script  

Instead of deciding what you don’t like, think about what you do. As you review the contents of your closet and dresser, hold on to items you love and would never consider getting rid of. This mindset will help set criteria for what you should keep.

11. Aim for a capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is the ideal strategy for wearing clothes as it allows you to get the most use out of the fewest pieces. Essentially, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing that is composed of interchangeable items only, to maximize the number of outfits that can be created. Get rid of one-off or random items that don’t “work” with anything else in your closet. The goal is to be able to mix and match most clothing in your closet for maximum wear.

Tip → For help with creating a capsule wardrobe I highly recommend the book, The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas by Alison Lumbatis.

12. Trendy vs. timeless  

It’s okay to have a handful of trendier items in your closet but stick with timeless pieces for a truly functional wardrobe.  Get rid of dated looks or too many of one trend. These items overcrowd your closet and don’t have as much value as timeless pieces.

13. Go for comfort

What do you wear that you can’t wait to take off?  An itchy sweater?  Stretched out leggings?  Too-tight jeans?  Get rid of clothes that cause discomfort.  Even for dressier items, you can find the right fit and fabric that works for you without sacrificing comfort. Declutter clothes that don’t feel good on your body — this criteria alone can eliminate a lot!

My Favorite Closet Organizing Tools

• Fabric Storage Bins – these are excellent for keeping accessories, hose, belts, small handbags, scarves, workout wear loosely folded and contained
• Clear Shelf Dividers – use these to separate folded items or keep purses vertical
• Thin Velvet Hangers – hang all items on the same type and color of hanger for easy viewing and aesthetic – this simple adjustment makes such a difference
• Over-The-Door-Organizer – you can use this item for just about anything: hosiery, tights, swimwear, socks, soft shoes, undergarments, workout gear

Keep Your Closet Clutter-Free

Getting rid of clothes can be challenging and not just a “one and done” project – it’s an ongoing practice. But taking the action steps listed above will help you create the right wardrobe for saving time, money, space and stress. Review your closet seasonally, and be honest about what you actually reach for versus what just takes up space. A closet full of clothes you love and wear regularly will always feel better than one packed with “maybe someday” items.