Adios Clothes: Cleaning Out Your Closet
This past year, I moved to London for my Sophomore year of college. For the first time in my life, there was a limit on how much clothes I could bring with me for a long period of time. I had two suitcases to fill with everything I needed and thought I couldn’t find in London. Then at the prospect of having to fill those same two suitcases at the end of my time abroad including all the knick-knacks, souvenirs, and yes, more clothes, that I had bought 8 months later, I realized I could live without quite a few pieces.
This realization, and some self-discovery/acceptance I will admit made me realize that I had so much stuff, especially clothes that I was just holding on to for no reason. This lead me to start my summer with a thorough, and surprisingly exhausting, closet clean-up. I tried on every piece of clothing I had, and if It screamed middle-school or early highschool, was something I just didn’t wear anymore, or fit my style, I said goodbye.
It was oddly harder than I expected.
Those clothes were part of my identity, or the many identities I tried out, or attempted to mold myself into growing up, when I really was only beginning to find who I was. It was good though to let go, and dare I be dramatic, free myself just a little bit. Firstly, I realized just how much I had, and still do, I'll be honest, but secondly, I feel like I came into my own a bit more, something I’ve been experiencing more often since I turned 20.
But enough of that, here’s my steps to cleaning out your closet.
Wash whatever you have in your laundry. If you’re able to see everything you have it makes the process easier.
If you can’t remember the last time you wore it, say goodbye unless you have a good reason.
If it’s a piece of clothing that doesn’t fit your current life, i.e reminds you of middle school or high school in not the best way, let it go.
If it’s just not your style anymore, don’t feel guilty or try to convince yourself you’ll wear it again, you more than likely won’t and it’s just taking up space.
If when you wear it you don’t feel great, put yourself first and toss it. There’s a reason we all know the saying “you feel good when you look good”.
Anything that’s still torn, stained, or damaged you should get rid of. You aren’t going to suddenly find the time to master diy fix-it hacks.
Remember to:
Keep your basics
Donate what you don’t keep if it’s in good condition; or if you think you can make some money selling them check out local thrift stores
Don’t donate anything in bad condition, instead recycle it. H&M gives coupons for every bag you bring into their stores, and Madewell give you a discount for bringing in your old blue jeans.
Take this opportunity to a) reflect on who you are and who you were (good or bad) and b) if there’s a piece of clothing you really liked but it needs to go, consider buying something like it in high quality so it’ll hopefully last longer and you can keep it in you closet.