STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Purging/Closet clean-out question

Kelly · Hermes

I don't have any rules set in stone. I keep a big trash bag in my closet. If I ever put something on and discover that I don't like it and I don't feel good in it (whether it shrunk, I'm tired of the style, it's not as flattering as I'd thought, etc) I stuff it in the trash bag. When the bag is full, I donate to charity. That's it! I don't see the appeal behind paring a wardrobe down just for the sake of having a smaller one, just as I don't see the logic of building a big wardrobe full of stuff you don't need. I like and wear almost everything in my wardrobe pretty regularly, so I don't ever get rid of stuff just for the sake of it.

Of course, I don't really have space issues. My closet is going to take up just as much room whether it's full of clothes or not, so I don't feel guilty adding a piece to my wardrobe. If space ever were an issue, maybe I'd have to come up with some rules for myself.

Suasoria · Chanel

Basically the same as Ttara- I have a charity box in the closet, and I put things in it that I don't want to wear anymore. Sometimes it's because I've replaced or upgraded an item - I'll get rid of the dingy old white cardigan when I get a new white cardigan - or sometimes I'm just sick of looking at it, like a top bought on sale that never fit right so is never worn. If something makes me feel guilty, out it goes - such as gifts I never liked.

I'm more likely to do a sizable purge once every few years. Two summers ago I tossed about a third of my closet and DH tossed almost as much. Then not too long ago I did a shoe purge and got rid of about 10 pairs I had no reason to keep.

Someone who is space-challenged is probably wise to be more "rulesy" about this, or perhaps have rules about buying and about purging.

Kitty · Hermes

See, I have an entire BEDROOM that I"ve converted into a closet. The issue is that even that is becoming full to the brim and I don't have space in there for anymore. I just have too much stuff..like to the point that I can't even see everything I have and/or possibly wear everything in a given a year. So, yeah, I need to start enforcing some rules.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I use the 6 month rule - if I have not worn it in 6 months or longer than it has to go. My exception is if it is a formal dress or a very expensive item.

I do a variety of things, my favorite is to give to a local resale shop that gives me instant cash for the items. Then I dont have to bother with ebay hassels. whatever the resale shop does not take I give to goodwill. I also always give my sisters first dibs on anything I plan to get rid of.

I much prefer an edited closet myself - holding on to stuff forever isnt really good for me because I end up never wearing it and loosing space.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I'm trying to get better about recognizing and not buying faulty items in the first place.

I purge whenever I feel like I need to. Unfortunately, that often means it's an emotional, angry purge.

I'll be going along just fine, and then one piece of clothing will piss me off (usually, it is one that resists my months or years-long efforts to make work). Then I'll be, like, "I hate this shirt, this skirt, these pants, that scarf. Out! Out! Out!"

I've never missed anything I got rid of in this manner. It's not pretty, but it works.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I like going through my stuff every 3 to 6 months or so. I sort thing in to "re-sale" piles and "charity" piles. The re-sale stuff I take to Buffalo Exchange or somewhere similar that gives instant cash. The only problem with that is you can only bring in-season stuff (so no winter stuff in summer). I tend to accumulate some pretty large bags waiting for the right season to come along. I try to be as brutal as possible when going through my clothes - I try not to hold on to things for sentimental value, or because I think I might fit into it again at some point. I think the 6 month rule is a good one to go by.

Elle · Hermes

I don't follow a hard and fast schedule, but I usually end up weeding out my wardrobe as the weather cools in the fall or warms in the spring as I reorganize my closet. If you have space, I'd keep anything that you really like, that fits you well, and is well made. For the future, I try to avoid buying anything that doesn't fit that criteria as well. Most of the things I purge are items purchased for the wrong reasons in the first place, so I tend to send things to charity. I have a bag in my closet as well for nicer items to take to consignment - when it's full I take it to the 'half-way house' in the spare bedroom closet, and if I haven't rescued anything out of it in a month or two I send it away.

I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with having a large wardrobe if you have the space and aren't holding onto items that don't fit, are cheaply made, are terribly inappropriate for your age/life, etc. Once you've sorted things out, maybe focusing on organizing the things you're keeping in an efficient and visually pleasing way would help?