Most of your wardrobe probably needs to be tossed
By Niki Sullivan
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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Some immutable facts: The size (insert impossibly small number here) jeans in the back of your closet will never again be in style — even if you do get back down to your middle-school weight.
The horrendous sweater you paid lots of good money for, then never wore because it was utterly unflattering ... well, you're never going to wear it.
And the same is true for the other 80 percent — yep, a full 80 percent — of things in your closet.
The good news is, if you get rid of the stuff you don't wear, you'll actually feel like you have more. To prove this, we talked to experts in the field: two professional organizers and a certified clothes horse.
Meet Steve Webber of Steve's Organizing LLC. His own closet is pretty basic, but he's not out to pare your closet down to two shirts and a pair of pants.
"What typically happens is you wear 20 percent of what you own. The 80 percent just sits there and collects dust and causes clutter," which only leaves you dreading getting dressed, Webber said. Identify and get rid of the clutter, and you'll feel like you've got a new wardrobe, he said.
Maggie Gardner, also a professional organizer with Simplify, believes in stocking high-quality basics that flatter, and adding seasonal pieces to accent them.
Her top rule: "If it doesn't look good or fit, it doesn't matter how much you spend on it. You need to get rid of it."
Rebecca Dashow, who owns Dame Lola clothing boutique in downtown Tacoma, Wash., estimates she has 150 pairs of shoes — but still manages to keep her closet in good shape. Dasho believes in the oft-cited golden rule of closet cleaning:
"If you've had it for more than a year and haven't put it on, get rid of it." Exceptions, however, can and should be made with coats, vintage pieces and things you'd wear only occasionally, such as cocktail dresses.
Here's our experts' advice:
An important goal for Gardner is having clothes only that are flattering to your figure.
"It starts with knowing what looks good. Ask friends about specific outfits they really like," Gardner said. She also recommends books such as "What Not to Wear" (based on the TV show of the same name). Once you do find out, she said, it's empowering.
Once you've got your goal, start editing: "When making decisions, if it doesn't support your goals, you must get rid of it," Webber said.
"Look past the emotional part and come from a functional standpoint."
You'll feel better in the end, and likely won't notice that something's gone.
Don't think you have to do it all that day: Take baby steps.
Don't keep clothes that don't fit, or use an excuse (post-baby weight ranks right up there) to avoid giving your wardrobe the attention and paring it needs. "There are pants that'll look great" for any figure, Gardner said.
If you must, there's always storage. Or, you can keep one motivational pair of pants around. Just don't abuse it!
Everyone has a different way, Webber said: "It really depends on your style of organizing."
