Simple Decluttering Criteria for Clothes – Pt 1

Simple Decluttering Criteria for Clothes – Part 1

Make it easy (well, easier anyway) to purge your closets with our handy decluttering criteria for clothes.  Wondering why the harsh black and white rules?  Read on to find out!
A YES answer here means keep it! No means go…

1. 1. 1. 1. Does it fit now?
         2. Is it in style?
         3. Does it make you look great?
         4. Does it make you feel good when you wear it?
         5. Does it look good from the back as well as the front?
         6. Socks: Does it have a match?
         7. White clothing: is it still white?
         8. Have you worn it in the last year?

Now we get down to the nitty gritty…
Why such harsh Yes or No criteria for our clothes?  It can be difficult to give clothing a firm decision of “stay” or “go”, so we often make excuses for our clothes.  We’ll move them to a different place or pack them away to delay making a real decision.  No more!  The above rules are simple and finite, and this is why:
Does it fit now? Not five years ago, not 5 months ago, not 5 months from now after an extreme diet… right now.  If you look at it and say, “When I lose 5 more pounds it will look great,” it’s purge-worthy.  If it doesn’t fit right now, make it go away so there is room in your closet for clothes that serve you NOW.
Is it in style? If it’s not in fashion now, don’t keep it!  Limit your purchases of fashion fads to keep this from happening repeatedly.  Stick with timeless classics that never go out of style.  In the meantime, stop keeping that red leather Michael Jackson jacket and silver glittery glove in your closet!
Does it make you look great? If your clothes don’t make you look stunning, replace them with clothes that do.  Clothes that make you look good give you power, clothes that don’t erode your sense of authority and dampen your abilities in all areas.  Look great, feel great!
Does it make you feel good when you wear it? You know the answer already.  You should feel unstoppable, beautiful (or handsome) and great when you put on your clothes.  If they don’t work for you, you can’t work with them.
Does it look good from the back as well as the front? Just because you can’t see your own rear view doesn’t make it okay to wear clothes that look bad from the back! Half the world sees you coming, and the other half sees you going.  Do them a favor, and make parting a “sweet sorrow”!
Socks: Does it have a match? Come on, we all know those strays from 6 months ago really do not have a mate anymore!  Toss them out – or use them for dusting or cleaning cloths (yes, really).
White clothing: Is it still white? If it once was white but now is yellow, tan, stained, or has yellow underarms, do everyone a favor and put it in the trash. Those whites do not look fresh and springy, they just make you look dirty and unkempt.
Have you worn it in the last year? If not, you probably won’t wear it in the next year either.  Replace it with something you’ll love to wear often.  One item doesn’t need to take up that valuable space in your closet for the hope of someday being worn!
Read Part 2 of Simple Decluttering Criteria for Clothes for 8 more tips!