6 Pieces in Your Closet To Get Rid of (And 3 To Keep) 

The urge to clean can strike at any moment, especially if you live in a smaller space where things tend to accumulate quickly. An organized space is good for your mental health, and donating or recycling textiles can make you feel better about having a few too many pairs of jeans. After all, recent documentaries such as HBO’s Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion have many of us rethinking our sustainability choices. 

If you need help figuring out where to start when it comes to cleaning out your closet (and how to bring new life to older items!), we tapped British fashion stylist and sustainable style expert Rebekah Roy. She knows how we feel. “I find it really hard to let go of clothes,” Roy says. “So when I do let something go, I want to make sure that it goes to a great home. If I have a friend who might be the perfect person for that outfit or garment, then I offer it to them. If not, I'll send it to the charity shop.” Here are Roy’s top picks for pieces to get rid of, what to keep, and how to repurpose items you already have.

What To Get Rid Of

1. Pants That Don’t Fit

The ’90s called and they want to remind you that toxic diet culture is never good for your mental health. “We all have that one pair of jeans that we love but they just don't fit anymore,” Roy says. But she hates the phrase: If I only lose a few pounds… 

“If you say this phrase to yourself even once, it's time to give up those jeans or trousers,” Roy says. “Tailoring is an option, but if the fit is beyond adjustment, it’s best to part with them. Clothes are meant to build self-esteem, joy, and confidence — not to defeat you. No matter how much those jeans cost, and sometimes they can cost a lot, it's not worth the price.”

2. Shoes That Hurt

The biggest lie of Sex and the City is that ordinary people wear heels to pound the pavement on New York City streets. No matter how cute your shoes are, if they hurt when you wear them once, you’re not likely to pick them up ever again.

“Don't buy shoes if they hurt your feet when you first tried them on,” Roy says. “It's not going to get any better.” She adds that fashion should never be painful, despite what popular TV shows and movies want you to believe. Of course, not all your shoes are going to be as comfortable as sneakers, but none of your shoes should cause you real pain. 

3. Old Undergarments

Roy says there are a few telltale signs that it’s time to toss a pair of undies. “If the elasticity is gone, and when no one's looking you're always giving your underwear a bit of a tug, that's a sign it's time to get rid of those knickers,” she says. “Turn them into a rag, do what you will, but stop wearing [them].” This goes for shapewear and bras that don’t fit, too. Used undies usually need to be trashed, but there are places you can donate new and gently used bras (including sports bras and bralettes), such as The Bra Recyclers. We also love posting donations on our local Buy Nothing Facebook group to ensure those pricey, unworn undergarments go to a good home.

4. Outdated Trends

One of the reasons fast fashion has become so popular is the emergence of constant microtrends, thanks, in part, to social media. Some recent examples include the revival of Y2K fashion, bubble skirts, and cheetah print. Roy recommends avoiding purchasing trends that seem cool at the moment and instead trying to look for items with potential longevity. That way you won’t need to clean out your closet quite as often, because you’ll still want to wear the same pieces year after year.  

“These pieces that were once trendy but now seem outdated might no longer align with your current style,” Roy says. “So now it's time to let them go and give it to someone who is experiencing the trend for the first time.” 

5. Multiples of the Same Item 

“We tend to buy the same thing over and over again — the same style, the same color — and then when we look at our wardrobe, we don't have anything to wear,” Roy says. “If you have multiples of the same item, consider whether you need them all. Try them on, choose which ones you like best. Keeping just one or two of your favorite versions can free up space and make your wardrobe more manageable.”

6. Gifts 

If a friend or a loved one gave you a sweater you didn’t like a few years ago, chances are you’re holding onto it out of, well, guilt. And while the sentiment is there, all it’s doing now is taking up space in your closet. Donate it and let the guilt go; you’ll be happy when it finds a good home. Chances are, your loved one won’t even remember giving it to you in the first place. 

What To Keep

1. Slightly Big Underwear

Roy actually tells her clients to buy underwear a size up, especially if it's made out of 100% cotton. It’s likely going to shrink in the wash, so sizing up can help you feel more comfortable in your undies and wear them for longer.

2. Special-Occasion Favorites 

If you have a superspecial dress, a bold suit, or a sequined skirt that you only wear once in a while, you have our permission to keep it. It’s helpful to have a few special items in your closet for when a big event comes up and you don’t have the time or budget to buy something new. Just make sure it’s something you love and you’ll be happy to wear it again and again.

3. Items You Feel Good In 

Who cares if that one pair of distressed jeans isn’t totally practical? If you put them on and feel good in the mirror, hold onto them. You’ll end up finding a reason to wear them if you love the way you feel in them.