11 Things You Can Purge From Your Closet Right Now (and Not Miss)
Ready for a wardrobe purge? Start with the items on this list and you’ll be feeling clutter-free and organized in no time.
From the super-low-rise jeans you haven't worn in years to those old college T-shirts taking up space on the shelves, your closet is probably cluttered with clothing you can get rid of today and never miss. Don't know where to start? Begin with the list of 11 items below, including those socks with holes and those regrettable bridesmaid dresses. The best part: once you donate or toss everything on this list, you'll be surprised how much more spacious your closet feels and how much more room you have for clothing you actually wear.
1
Hopelessly Outdated Trends
We’re looking at you, velour track suits. And while the style (like most others) will likely come back again one day, there's no need to clutter your closet with these out-of-style items in the meantime.
2
Knock-Offs
Buying copycat fashion at a fraction of the price of the original designer piece is certainly tempting, but it comes with a host of sociological concerns, not least of which is the conditions workers making those fake goods endure. Clean your closet and your conscience by getting rid of anything in this category, and decide against buying knock-offs in the future.
3
Cheap Halloween Costumes
You probably won’t want to pass that $15 “sexy police officer” costume down to your grandkids. Go ahead and toss out or donate all of the gear from Halloweens past.
4
Bad Bridesmaid Dresses
Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones with a friend that has amazing taste and picked out a bridesmaid dress that you have actually worn since her wedding and will wear again. For all the others, it’s totally fine to let go of a dress you'll never wear again. Even better: donate it to Goodwill or a similar organization so the dress you have no need for can benefit someone else.
5
Socks and Underwear With Holes
Many of us are probably hanging onto some socks or undergarments that are showing signs of wear. Now's the time to weed out these threadbare items, take stock of what you have, and decide if you need to refresh your collection.
6
Mismatched Socks
Everyone has a drawer or a bag of these somewhere. If the matching sock hasn’t turned up within a few months, it probably never will. Get rid of any longstanding singles (or give them a new use).
7
Anything That Doesn’t Fit and Isn’t Worth Tailoring
If something fits you so poorly the alterations are going to cost more than the garment’s original value, let it find a home elsewhere. Consider donating these items, or if they're in good condition, you can sell them on sites like Poshmark.
RELATED: The Best Places to Sell the Clothes You KonMari’d From Your Home
8
Painful Heels
It doesn’t matter how pretty (or expensive) they are. If a pair of pumps is so uncomfortable you always change out of them before you even leave the house, they’re just taking up space.
9
“Motivational” Clothing
Many women keep too-small clothing around as an incentive to lose weight, but doing so can actually be discouraging and takes up space that could be filled with clothes you'll actually wear. Get rid of the "one day" clothing and build a wardrobe that flatters you and that you feel confident wearing now.