Downsizing your wardrobe

With the exception of the stubborn Northeastern United States, Spring has sprung and I know that all of you are turning over your closets -- moving your winter clothes into spare closets, and bringing out the spring and summer clothes.   This is the perfect time to clean out your closets and drawers as well, because let's face it, we all have more than we can honestly wear.  I clean out my wardrobe at least twice and year and it always amazes me how much I am able to give away. 

And trust me when I tell you that there's nothing to make you go "ahhhhhh . . ." like getting rid of the excess from your closets, drawers, or wherever else you store your clothes.  Most importantly, there are so many others in your communities who desperately need the clothes that you no longer need, so look at it as an opportunity to earn some good karma, while simplifying your life and de-cluttering at the same time.

Here are my rules of thumb for cleaning out old clothes:

1.   If I haven't had it on my body in the last 365 days, it's time to give it away.   I make rare exceptions for sentimental reasons (ie, the dress I was wearing when my husband proposed to me, or the vintage sweater that my father bought my mother God-only-knows how many years ago), but if you're making more than 1 exception per cleaning cycle, then you're making too many exceptions!

2.  No matter how much I love the piece of clothing, if there is any sort of stain, rip, tear, snag, or other imperfection, out it goes.  That's nature's way of telling you it's time to go.  (These items, by the way, shouldn't be donated -- even low-income people deserve in-tact and clean clothing.)

3.  If I've got more than a 2-week rotation of any one category of clothing, it's time to pare down the herd.  For example, in any given season I don't need more than 14 pairs of work-appropriate pants, nor do I need more than 14 blouses, or 14 sweaters, or 14 skirts.  (And honestly, even this is too much, but I do like to have options.)  You get the idea.   Now, I know that 14 might not be the right number for some of you and for some items, but the point isn't necessarily the 14, but instead to seriously think about how much you actually need, and then to take steps to reduce your wardrobe to that level.   Remember, there are plenty of folks out there who could really benefit from your donations.

Give it a try -- if you're not used to regularly cleaning out your closets and drawers, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how liberating this is!