Which Items Are Playing For Keeps?

The Problem...

“I never meant to make you cry, but tonight I'm cleaning out my closet” comes into my head every time I try to part ways with various pieces of clothing in my closet. I can never decide whether the items are something I actually wear, or just something I think I wear. They say if you don’t wear something within a year, you will never wear it. As a New Englander, in a twelve-month period you will have covered every season and every opportunity to wear the item. However, in the back of my mind I have this feeling that the day after I throw something out (or give it away) I will miss it. Crazy, I know... 

It was not until this happened, that I decided enough was enough. 

Similar to interviewing for a job, each item of clothing should fill certain requirements in order to earn its stay (or get the job).

Say goodbye if...

• you love the item on the hanger, but not on your body.
•  it is a fashion piece that you wore five years ago. It is now terribly out of style and there is no need for it.
• you don’t love it. You will always choose something else to wear instead.
• the item does not match with anything else in your closet. Either buy something to match it, or toss it.
• you are keeping it because it is meaningful to you, but you never actually wear it. Take a picture of it or frame it, but it is only occupying valuable space in your closet.
• you run out of hangers. Don't you dare buy more hangers... get rid of old clothing!
• you feel uncomfortable wearing it. Whether this is because of the item's texture, style, or fit, it must GO. You want to look and feel your best in your clothing.
• you are keeping it only because you splurged on it. You can't feel guilty now... your credit card is already paid off. 
• people are embarrassed by your outfit.
• you have multiples of something and you only wear a few of the colors. Get rid of the others that are just taking up space!
• Old Navy flip flops, pashminas, and the 300 college tee-shirts that are just sitting in your drawer

An Easy Solution...

Here is a really easy way to find out whether you “think” you actually wear something versus if you actually do. Turn all of the hangers in your closet the opposite way (so that they are pointing towards you. After washing the items that you have already worn, hang them on the hanger the proper way (facing away from you). This way after a few weeks you will begin to notice which items you are choosing to wear again before you wear the items still facing the opposite way. If you never choose the items on the hangers facing towards you, it is time to part ways. You clearly like many other articles of clothing more than you like those ones. By doing this method, you realize which pieces you never wear, and you can now weed them out of your closet a few at a time... for good.