Photo Credits: By JamesDeMers via pixabay
The Art of Closet Decluttering: Five Simple Steps to Streamline Your Wardrobe Sustainably
By Zackery Stehr
Whether fashion fanatic or not, most people get to a point where their clothes spill out of their closet, yet they feel like there’s nothing to wear. Rummaging through the wardrobe, it seems impossible not to wear the same handful of outfits. While there’s nothing wrong with repeating an outfit, there comes a time to get rid of what’s no longer adding to the wardrobe. It may be intimidating, but following these five steps can help optimize anyone’s closet sustainably.
Step 1: The Round-Up
Head to the closet, dresser, or wherever the clothes, shoes, and accessories are kept, and gather items that haven’t been worn in the last year. While there can be a few exceptions for items with specific uses, like outerwear, but be thorough in removing items that haven't been worn.
Step 2: Try On
This step is where things start to get tough. With the items gathered, it’s time to begin trying them on. With each piece ask yourself, does this still fit well?
If yes: then keep it for step 3
If no: it’s time to dump it. Even if an item is just a bit stretched out or slightly snug, unless it’s something a tailor could fix—and worth the cost—it’s better off in the let-go pile.
Step 3: Condition Check
Now that you know the item still fits, it’s time to inspect its condition. Is it stained, torn, or ripped? Is it fading, frayed, or pilling?
If no: keep it for step four.
If yes: it’s time to let it go. Again, if the item is worth getting the stain lifted or rip mended, keep it around. But if you haven't gotten it fixed yet, that might be a good reason to discard it.
If some items didn’t make it through the first three steps, but you want to keep them for lounging around the house or other reasons—that’s fine. Just limit yourself to one top and one bottom. No one needs more than a couple of worn-out shirts on hand.
Step 4: Reality Check
For the final test on whether to keep a garment around or dump it, ask yourself, would you wear it right now? What are you wearing it with? Do you have something to wear it to?
If yes: Then It’s a keeper!
If no: It’s time to say goodbye. This might seem harsh, but if the garment isn’t working for you or the rest of your wardrobe now, it’s better to clear room for pieces that will. The clothing you have should be pieces you genuinely want to wear. If not, then it’s time to replace it with something you’d enjoy wearing.
Step 5: Disposal
Now that you’ve gathered the pieces you want to get rid of, you have a few options for disposal. For lightly worn items, consider reselling. Designer and luxury items generally fetch the best prices on sites like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop. If that seems like too much hassle, some places offer same-day cash for clothes. Crossroads Trading, with 13 locations in Southern California, appraises clothing and offers 30% of the value in cash. Buffalo Exchange, with eight locations in Southern California, offers 25% cash back on appraised value. Each store has its buying guidelines, so be sure to check their criteria before making the trip.
For items that are too worn to sell, local Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other donation-based thrift stores will gladly take them. Plus, donations may be tax-deductible!
Whether a big or even small clean-out, refreshing the wardrobe can be draining, but once done it becomes clear what works for you and what to add on the next shopping trip.
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Zackery Stehr
Zackery Stehr (he/him/they), Is a print and online Journalist with a passion for telling stories that highlight underrepresented communities an other areas of culture.
Zackery was born and raised in Sacramento and currently lives in Oakland, California. While attending San Fransisco State University, Zackery worked as the Editor-In-Chief of Xpress Magazine, Campus Editor on Golden Gate Xpress and was a staff writer for Sac City Express.
In 2023, Zackery received an Honorable Mention from the Associated College Press in the Diversity in Reporting category.
In his free time, Zackery enjoys thrifting, hiking and going to the movies.
Contact
Email: zackerygstehr@gmail.com
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