Fashion

[freakygirl]

the only thing i ask myself is, is it still me? that usually gets me to donate it. if i'm not sure about an item, i just keep it in my closet until my next donation. luckily there's a goodwill store nearby. there are some pieces though that i donated years ago, and up to now still regret doing so. but at the time, i really felt it was no longer me. 

[jackthebear]

1. Does the item fit?
2. Do I like the way I look in it?
3. Do I like the way I FEEL in it?
4. Have I worn it at any time in the last couple of years (or longer)?
5. Does the item look dated?
6. Is this item simply taking up space in the closet?
7. What are the chances of me wearing this again?
8. Would I buy this piece again if I had the opportunity?

I found this somewhere and saved it 

[2blonde]

I have an "in and out" rule.  Whenever I buy something new, I  have to look in my closet (or drawer) for something to take out before I can add the new piece.  I have a dresser in the spare bedroom where I can put the old piece. (kind of a transitional place).  Then when the dresser is getting full I set up a date with Purple Heart.  If I find anything that I don't think anyone would want, then I just pitch it.

[TY]

Does it fit and is it comfortable? Am I figiting in this?

I just went through some layering camisoles and tanks and donated nice ones seldom worn as I was constantly adjusting the straps or they were riding up because they were too snug at the bottom. If they didn't totally cover my bra, they were donated. I have enough nice ones that fit well that the ones that didn't just were taking up valuable drawer space. I also bought some new well fitting and inexpensive nylon and lycra microfiber camisoles and tanks from Walmart - their George house brand in a size XXL as they run snug otherwise so I sized up on them. They are knit on a Santoni machine and don't have side seams so they are not pokey.

[forest4thetrees]

I like this easy variation on the "hanger method."    Place all your hangers with the hook facing from the back to the front over the rod.  As you wear an item of clothing (or put it back after laundering) place the hook the regular way---hook on the back-side of the rod. 

At the end of the season (or a month, or whatever time limit you give yourself), you immediately can see which items have never been removed from the closet.  Those items now get removed to a different room and examined---why wasn't it worn (seasonally inappropriate doesn't count).  Too small, just don't care for it----put immediately into the donate bin.  Too big (lucky you!!) -- if you can sew yourself to make the alternation put the item by the machine with a note what you need to do.  If you don't sew, decide then and there is it worth it to pay someone else to alter.  If yes, get to it.  If not, the item immediately goes into the donate bin.  If none of the decision categories fit this item---then you have to figure out why has "X" amount of time gone by without you even pulling it out.  If you don't have an acceptable answer for yourself---then into the donate bin it goes!!

If the item is something with sentimental value only you can decide if it's time to take a picture of the thing -- keep the picture for the memories -- and let someone else use, enjoy, and love the item.

In this area we have a "women helping women" group that takes business-wear and then provides the items -- free of charge -- to women of limited means who need professional clothing to begin a career.  Usually these women have escaped from an absive relationship, or are just re-starting their life after a bad divorce.  So this is an extra impetus to clean/manage the closet overpopulation.

[LTT1]

@Julie_23

yes - using the question "does it bring me joy?"

[Peaches McPhee]

I once kept, for years,  a pink sweater with beading that I never wore and probably would never wear again, just because I LOVED it.  So pretty.  But, even so, one day I just bite the bullet and donated it.  It's not like I ever saw it, it was buried under sweaters I did wear.

[hummermom]

Something that's worked for me is to ask myself: "Is this gonna end up in the donation bin in 6 months to a year?"  If so, I put it back on the rack.

Sometimes I seem to try to justify a purchase, and this method helps to avoid those items.

I'm retired now, and I just don't need too many clothes (or shoes).

[ROMARY]

I'm one who, more or less, keeps many  clothes.  When I feel like it, I wear older 'retro' items and the younger generations seem to like that style.  ( No wide bell bottoms for me, though.)   I sometimes just feel like 'shopping my closet'; but when I finally get around to it, I'm going to store a few more items in new bins and keep them on my shelves in the basement.  I label the bins, so it's easy to 'shop my bins'.   

[ms traditional]

i have accumulated quite a collection over decades of working. now i am semi-retired. i still like to look spiffy.  i started weeding out when i flipped my closets seasonally - but that really wasn't dramatic enough.   i am now going through the drawers, shelves, closets and either it sets my heart a-flutter because i can hardly wait to wear it, or it is a backbone item (black skirts/slacks, e.g.). i bought some things that were marginal at the time - and those are easy to donate.    and still there are a few which i know i won't wear but am not ready to let go.  what i wasn't able to let go of the last time around i am this time.  when i am done i will still have too much -  but that's just the way i like it.  putting on a nice outfit has always been fun -  and i'm all for having fun!  the best thing is that Goodwill can resell these and help someone build a wardrobe for virtually nothing.  yay!