There are several reasons you might hold on to clothes, according to wardrobe expert and fashion
stylist Eleanor Estes:
Guilt: You remember how much you paid and how little you've worn
it.
Sentimental attachment: The item makes you fondly recall certain
people, places, or dress sizes.
You don't realize they need to be replaced: The wear and tear is
there, but you don't see it.
There's an off chance they'll come back: Will leg warmers make
their way into the limelight again?
No time: It takes hours and energy to concentrate on getting rid
of clothes.
Devote a whole day to the deed and grab a friend who is honest and
whose personal style you admire. Using your partner as a
consultant is not a good idea. "It's like teaching your spouse
tennis," says Estes. "You are bound to get into an argument."
You'll need to try things on, so wear shorts or pants that are
easy to shed, and a tank so you can try on tops over it.
Start by pulling out anything that's dirty, stained, wrinkled, or
in need of repair. Do you look at these items longingly, wishing
you could wear them right away? Or have you not tended to them
because you have no inclination to wear them? If it's the latter,
they're ready to retire.
Now look through the rest of your clothes and ask yourself the
following:
1. Have you worn it in the last year? If you can't remember the
last time your wore it, weed it out.
2. Does it fit perfectly? "If you keep stuff that doesn't fit you,
it will terrorize you," says Estes. She says many of her clients
have a collection of "thin clothes." Like the no-carb diet, they
should be abandoned.
3. Do you feel good when you wear it? Abel has a brown suit with
white piping. "When I put it on, I hope I don't bump into people I
know," Abel says. Estes quarantines it immediately.
4. For each item, touch the fabric. Does it fall well?
5. Scrutinize the style, too. Is it classic or current?
6. Look at the cut. Does it enhance your figure?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, chuck it. Don't
hesitate to make a huge pile of rejects — you can always show mercy
at the end.
