During a recent warm spell (unfortunately, it was short), I decided to clean out my bedroom closet.
Since I don't have many clothes the process only took an hour.
One-by-one, I removed garments and set them on the bed.
When I had finished sorting, I folded the give-away items and put them in a box for the church rummage sale.
How did I decided what to keep and what to give away? You might think fashion was at the top of my list, but it wasn't.
Fashion was at the bottom.
The sorting criteria I used were based on my lifestyle and travel plans.
These criteria may help you with your sorting.
1.
Two year rule.
Years ago, I read an article that said if you hadn't worn a garment in two years you didn't need it.
I've found this to be true.
Several items in my closet hadn't been worn in two years and I didn't plan to wear them.
They went into the give-away pile immediately.
2.
Basic wardrobe color.
Because I have blue eyes and fair skin, I tend to wear blue: light blue, royal blue, ink blue, greenish blue, and other variations of the color.
My coordinating garments are colors that go with blue.
As I often do, I checked on which items went with others, and the total number of outfits they made.
Items that didn't fit with my basic wardrobe color went into the "maybe" pile.
3.
Weight loss.
In the past several months I have lost 12-15 pounds.
If my memory is correct, five pounds separate one size from another.
Most of my slacks didn't fit any more because of my weight loss.
In fact, they were almost falling off me.
I took these slacks out of the closet and put them in the give-away pile.
4.
Cost of alterations.
Instead of buying new slacks, I figured it would be cheaper to have my slacks altered.
However, I was very surprised when I went to a local tailor and learned the cost of altering one pair of slacks would be $30 or more.
If I watched for sales, I could buy a new pair of slacks for the same money.
5.
Travel plans.
In the next three months I'm slated to speak at three conferences.
I planned to take one roll-aboard suitcase only and no more.
With this thought in mind, I checked my wardrobe, identified items I no longer needed, and two wardrobe gaps.
I went to the mall and bought the two tops I needed.
Thanks to a coupon, I was able to buy a white t-shirt with a fancy neckline for $10.
6.
Fashion trends.
Because I prefer classic clothing fashion trends rarely affect me.
Still, I want to look like I'm "with it.
" A sweater set (the old-fashioned term) sounds like it would always be in style, but this wasn't true.
My royal blue set had never fit right and I didn't like the cut of the neckline.
Off to the give-away pile.
When it comes to giving away clothing you have many options: rummage sales, your garage sale, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and online organizations.
Check the Internet and you'll see that some organizations will even come to the door and pick up your donations.
Cleaning out your closet makes it easier to find things, keeps your clothes from getting wrinkled, and creates more usable space.
Get to it! Copyright 2013 by Harriet Hodgson