Many women hang onto clothes that don’t fit them, sometimes even for decades. There is a reluctance to admit these clothes don’t fit and they are seen as an “investment” which might get used again one day.  Women, in particular, don’t know whether getting rid of the clothes that are too small will be liberating or defeating. If a woman feels like she is now officially admitting to herself that she cannot and will not lose weight, pruning through the clothes could be a depressing activity. If this is the main reason for keeping clothes that you have not worn in years, it’s a special circumstance to ponder over.

There are other reasons why you should prune out your clothes closet and those reasons can be a motivator for some when other circumstances don’t apply.

As we age, our hair color changes as well as our skin tone. I know for sure that colors which used to look good on me when I was in my 30’s and 40’s do not look good on me now decades later. For example, someone with brown hair and a medium dark complexion could look great in a bright yellow blouse, but when the hair is gray and the skin is paler, the yellow tone near the face might make a woman look sickly, with a veiny blue undertone.  This is where trained Wardrobe and Color consultants can help tremendously.  It’s not enough to like certain colors and patterns; what you like is not necessarily flattering to your own coloring and physique.   When you wear colors, patterns and styles that are flattering, you feel better and people also respond to you more positively.

Many years ago, I was taken clothes-shopping by a client of mine who is a Dating Coach and I had my mind blown when she selected out clothing for me that I would have never picked out for myself. She revealed to me that men are often attracted to different colors and styles on a woman than what she picks out for herself. I’m not referring to low-cut tops; rather, jewel tones and the colors that men notice more than women.

With an honest assessment and some professional guidance, you might be able to release a lot of clothing which no longer serves you.  An extension of this is all the comfy, clothes we actually wear all the time, but to the point where they are faded, stretched out, stained and may even have holes in them!  Everyone has their lay-around-at-home clothes or their ratty work-out clothes.  But for me personally, I can get rid of clothes I like each year when I give myself a Litmus Test: Would I be embarrassed to be seen in these clothes by anyone whose opinion of me I care about? Do you have those rags in your closet or dresser?

I have a very well-to-do friend who always looks upscale and well put together. She would not be caught dead wearing something worn out and raggy, even on a hike with her dog.  And I would not want to embarrass her by showing up for a doggie walk date wearing something faded or worn-out. She inspires me to pay more attention to look my best.

Go through your closet and hold up each piece.  Ask yourself if you would be embarrassed to be seen wearing that outfit in front of someone you could see as a romantic partner or anyone you might want to impress. What if you ran into someone who you want to do business with?  Setting the bar higher with your wardrobe could be a real eye-opener and a motivator to purge!

Another way to get a handle on your overflowing closet is to make a realistic assessment of what your lifestyle is like in current times.  Using myself as an example, there was a time in my consulting business when I had local clients 6-7 days per week.  Most of my wardrobe was “business casual.” I also had “Date Night” outfits and a few formal outfits for special occasions.  As well, I continue to live in Southern California, where it feels like spring seasonally most of the year.  Clothing appropriate for spring weather dominates my closet. What climate do you live in?

What if your lifestyle has actually changed and you have clothes that are not appropriate for how you now live and will continue to live in the foreseeable future?  In my case, I have more remote on-line clients than local clients.  I also have a dog and a cat who snags her nails on fabric. Being a pet owner influences what I buy or don’t buy. Having an on-line business allows me to wear T-shirts and jeans most of the time.  It’s no longer necessary for me to have 20 pairs of dress pants, a dozen skirts or a hundred blouses. I don’t even wear most of my dress shoes anymore. When you thin out your closet, you can actually see more of what you’ve got and not be overwhelmed every time you open the closet.

 

Author: Kartar Diamond

Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®

From the Tao of Organizing Blog Series