How and when do you clear out your old clothes? - YouLookFab Forum

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How and when do you clear out your old clothes?

Greek Goddess

In the past I have always cleared my old clothes at the beginning and end of each season, with the odd mad purge thrown in on a whim. This year I was asked if I would like to donate my old clothes and shoes to a charity sale at the end of this month and I put some large bags in the corner of the bedroom and the ironing room. I have been adding clothes to these bags as I launder them, or try them on and realise I don't want them any more. It has worked well and my summer wardrobe is shaping up really well from the clothes I am keeping.

What about you? How and when do you sort out your closets and drawers?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Greek Goddess

Kalli

Other than doing a big purge like you have, when I realize I don't have enough room and hunt for unworn things. When I buy new things and stick to getting rid of something instead of squeezing more in.

Kristin L

Veteran

I don't really do it quite by season anymore. I keep a large bag in my closet and as I find things that look overly worn, dated or I just don't wear anymore, I put it in the bag (or toss if it's too far gone to donate). When the bag is full, I go through it one more time and donate it.

harmonica

Veteran

I do edit my closet as often as possible. That means I'm always trying to make my wardrobe leaner. I've done some major purging the last years, but now most of my pieces are in rotation, so it's just editing. I'm also trying to live by one in = one out. A charity organization comes by our house about three times a year. I have a bag where I add clothes (mine + kids) and other things they want whenever I discover something to donate.

jayne

Veteran

I keep a bag always ready for another item to donate. I just hate to put something back in my closet after discovering that it does not work for me anymore. But I do have more thoughtful purges at the END of a season when I see what I didn't wear and what I am 'over'. I try not to go too overboard though because sometimes you regret when that season rolls around again.

Isabel

Veteran

I also used to do the seasonal thing but have found I like it better ( and I do better ) when I put them aside after laundering, too. This works especially well for my children's clothes.

qfbrenda

Veteran

The timing of my purges are more likely to be based on whim than anything, but I do edit during the switching of seasons as well. Most of the stuff I pass on goes to Goodwill.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Most of my purging is done at the start and end of the season, since I have a small closet that I rotate seasonal items in and out of. I do, of course, let go of the odd items in between, particularly when there are issues of wear, or when I've purchased a replacement item.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As often as possible....

More seriously, I purge at the beginning and end of the season and whenever I feel as if an item is worn out, not serving a function for me, etc. I am deliberate at the beginning of the major seasons because I can take a few things to consignment then.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I do seasonal purges, but also keep a bag in my closet for shoving things into when they don't work like I remembered them to, or I just got really frustrated with them :p

moira

Veteran

Usually it involves a bottle of wine and an episode of Hoarders.

siniestra

in the past i used to throw it away (shame on me), then sell it, donate etc.
this year i did purge massivaly seems i have 4 to 5 year old clothing that no longer read as age apropiate and ummm bit old so i did 3 categories on my useless clothes
party dresses, preppy clothes goes to my sister in laws in mexico, edgy cool ones to my sis in LA and the ones that wont use my sister in laws nor sis in LA goes to Army Salvation

Thistle

Veteran

I usually donate between seasons, as I am moving things between summer and winter. However, I have a bag in a spare room that I put items in during the year if I find they have become dated. I usually make 2-3 donations a year. Most goes to Goodwill, but really nice workwear I donate to the women's shelter.

krishnidoux

Veteran

For me it's very biological, like I have an inner clock that suddenly says "Get rid of your old clothes!", or like I come down with an item fed-upache, then I go raid my wardrobe and purge it from everything that doesn't make me 100% happy. To help me do this, I usually put all the rejected items in blue bins in storage (basement) before finally giving the content away. Sometimes I admit I go dig back, but not that often considering.

Anonymous

@moira: that is so hysterically funny. I am often found cleaning out a drawer or closet on the commercial breaks of Hoarding: Buried Alive (American reality TV show about people who never throw ANYthing away). Those shows should be on the must watch list for anyone on a diet. Have you ever tried to eat while they're on? Impossible!

Greek Goddess, please forgive me for the threadjack! I used to do major culls in between the seasons, but now I'm attempting to do more of a one in, one out method. If I replace something I just get rid of the old one right away because I'm pared down to a pretty minimal wardrobe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I never used to purge anything. I've been roughly the same size for 25 adult years. But then I started moving coast to coast from CA snow to FL beaches. Each move would force me to bring just what I needed and liked back and forth. Now I am much more ruthless. If I wear it and it doesn't feel right, off it goes. Many a coworker is dressed in my cast-offs. It's fun to see my clothing get a second chance

Mia

Veteran

I tried the one in, one out but didn't work for me. I have a very large closet and my things are spread out so space is not an issue for me. Having said that I like to keep fairly lean and make sure I am wearing things not just storing them.

My current system is to keep a bag for things that are worn out or fit to donate that I use on ongoing basis, then I do a major closet edit before fall hits and stores and before Spring hits the stores. I then make a list and prioritize before I hit the stores.

Some of the culls are donated or demoted (to the gardening clothes drawer etc) and some go to consignment. Less is going to consignment since I started reading Angie's blog so that is great.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I started doing monthly edits about six months ago, and I love it. I keep a bag in my closet and as I find things that aren't working I add them in. I also photograph and track what I am editing out, just as I do my monthly purchases. It's not one-in, one-out, but it keeps me from letting things get out of hand, and it allows me to review why things aren't working for me.
As it turns out, I've ended up editing out a number of pieces that were purchased in the last six months; I didn't expect their shelf life to be as short as it has been. Food for thought!

Molly L-R

I have a bag at the bottom of my wardrobe and things go in item by item. When the bag is full enough, it goes to the charity shop. I'm still mostly operating a one in = one out policy at the moment and there are a few summer dresses and linen trousers that'll be going in the bag once I've found replacements for them.

Talking about recent buys that end up being edited out, for me it's mainly skirts. I've been buying a lot of skirts on eBay recently, but it turns out that midi-length is not a good look for me. I'm under 5'4" and they tend to swamp me. I don't feel bad about getting rid of them, though, as they've all been in the 99p-£4 price range. The recent buy I feel most irked about having to get rid of is an ivory victoriana top I bought online from Dorothy Perkins. I tried on my normal size in store, but it came up huge, so I ordered a smaller size online. The smallest size still didn't work for me when I got it home - still too baggy, but not long enough to tuck into trousers. I was all set to return it, but then noticed that they wouldn't accept it without the original packaging which I'd dutifully disposed of!! It wasn't very expensive, but maybe I'll sell it on eBay to recoup some of my losses.

Anonymous

I have been culling at different moments. Sometimes after doing laundry and putting clothes away, I decide if something deserves to be put away or if it is exiled to the bag. Other times just in the course of deciding what to wear I get annoyed with something or notice it has failed to make it into an outfit several times in succession. That is usually enough for me to let it go, no matter how much I liked it at the time.

I also get periodic calls from the Canadian Diabetes Association -- they will come to the house and take clothing and household items. The next time they are coming is March 22, so that gives me some time to purge.

Greek Goddess

Ceit I am doing the same thing for a charity jumble sale on 23rd March , I have even convinced my partner to sort through his clothes and old jackets and get rid of them...he is such a hoarder ....he has twice the wardrobe space I do! It's very hard to convince him to get rid of things and even harder to get him to buy new...unless its Italian shoes!

I think once the major clear out is gone at the end of the month I am going to keep a bag in the wardrobe to put stuff in as I try them on. Its easier that way I think.