It is very interesting, and I love hearing about the different ways people handle this. I consider myself a frequent purger also, but I don't feel a need to review every piece because some of them are so useful they get the confidence for an automatic pass, so to speak.

To answer this question briefly, I am much more likely to hang onto things of high quality or high price. I easily let go of inexpensive items from H&M, Zara, Gap, TJ Maxx. The most trying decisions involve keeping an expensive mistake. Then what I do is put it aside and see if I can sell it on eBay. If it is a sought-after brand, I can sell it. If it was expensive plus from a less well-known brand, then it takes a long time to sell. (So now I try to be more careful about brands when I spend a lot ... which just created an "aha" moment for my coat choices...)

Well, looking at it from a "how do you decide what to keep?" angle, I keep everything until I don't

I am not sure how I decide when to send something to the charity shop. But when I do, I'm kinda ruthless. Often it's like others say here: damaged, no longer fits, no longer digging the color or cut, etc. This past spring, I decided that I never ever in my life want to wear capri length pants again and all of them were gone (I'd actually made that decision the previous year in theory as I hadn't worn them in summer 2012, but they were there, mocking me. In 2013, they were sent to charity). Several years ago, I realized I hate pleated pants and they were all carted out of the house that day. I'm moving toward a major jackets purge as I am kind of tired of all of mine and want to get something new. That might be the biggest motivator: I just get tired of something and want something new. And it's way easier for me to get rid of fast-fashion purchases, like Ts from Target vs. a more spendy item.

This all reminds me of a hilarious comment Carson Kressley made once on Queer Eye. He had piled a contributor's horrible clothing into a pile marked for the garbage. When the gentleman said, "why aren't you donating these?" Carson said, "Oh honey, just because people are poor doesn't mean they cannot have style. NO ONE should ever wear this crap." I laughed out loud.

Interesting the way everyone has interpreted Shannon's original question. I'm intrigued, though, by Suz's reframing the question as to how might one go about consciously identifying an item as a keeper, even if said item languishes at the back of one's closet for a couple of years--unworn, but not purged.

I've inadvertently done this a few times in the past and, after reflecting a bit, here is my stab at why an item might survive numerous purges over several years and eventually be resurrected to become once again a functioning part of my wardrobe.

1. The item was super flattering in terms of design, color, and fit. This was the big one.
2. The quality of the item was stellar and any signs of age just improved its look instead of diminishing it.
3. I loved the way the item made me feel exactly like me whenever I wore it.
4. The item was functional. It fit my lifestyle and played nicely with other items in my closet.

So that's my criteria for keeping something in my smallish closet, even if fashion has decreed its day is done and said item might not see much daylight for a season or two. Not many items can meet all these criteria so, needless to say, the space they occupy is not that huge--a couple of hangers and a smallish storage box holds everything quite nicely.

Now I'm off to resurrect my 100% cotton, designer, baby boot-cut jeans that I bought in a small shop in London almost a decade ago. The fit was so amazing and the wash was so perfect that I couldn't bear to let them go even when skinnies ruled the roost. I suspect, though, those jeans will be seeing a lot more daylight this fall.

Great post

It's getting a lot easier for me to know what to let go of & what to keep since I realised that although I'm an eclectic there is a core or thread that runs through my clothing choices. So the first question I ask is does it fit my core style? If it doesn't then I don't want it there taking up mental & physical space.

If it does then my process is similar to the one Gaylene describes. It has to work on my body, the quality has to be the best I can afford & last but not least I have to love it. I don't tend to buy things for an imaginary lifestyle so I don't worry too much about that one.

Such a good question. My keeping is mostly emotional. Am I still loving it and does it love me back? Some things like white and black knit tops or black washable pants are not kept more than a year because they tend to look faded or yellowed and no longer pristine. Now to go back and soak in everyone's wisdom.

Shannon, my cream trench coat is in its 6th year. My black cigarette pants are 3 years old.

Suz, you are pretty spot on. We live in 1600 square feet, so although our floor plan is modern - which is why we have a walk-in wardrobe - it is very small and I share it with Greg. I keep ALL my seasons and shoes plus bags in that closet. My underwear and socks are in another place and my coats are in the coat closet. That. Is. It.

I always have enough space because I purchase fewer pieces and follow the one-in-one out principle. That is the long and short of it. I would never purchase 10 pieces at once. I purchase a few at a time. NAS time I come home with a whopping 6 items at once - which is out of character for me. The only time that ever happens. I went to Japan - shopping paradise for me - and came home with 3 pieces. A suit and a pair of shoes.

• I hold onto items that make me happy but I don't wear often - if at all. I never wear my huge collection of pearl necklaces anymore (I used to three years ago), but I love looking at them in my closet. I have a 12 year old vintage tomato red dress that I haven't worn in years but I love it. I am not parting with it.

• I get rid of items that are damaged and worn, and items that I am sick of. My body shape does not change so it's not a question of bad fit - unless they shrunk or stretched out over time.

• I keep some items for many years and others for a season.

I love to reinvent old items with trendy pieces - like today's outfit post. Old pants and trench with an on trend support act.

Unlike others, I take great pride in saying that I've had something for years, take care of it, and still love it and wear it. It's in line with my core values and makes me appreciate the items I bought even more.

Anyway, I'm not sure I answered your question, Shannon.

This is a good question, and no doubt a great discussion (I am yet to read all the responses). I have become quite a ruthless purger. I used to develop a very strong emotional attachment to my clothes and found it really hard to part with them, but YLF has taught me to take a slightly more practical approach. I think for me the bottom line is simply that I move things on that no longer make me feel fab.

This can be for a number of reasons. It no longer reflects my style preferences, is worn out and looking to shabby, fit issues (I may have lost or put on weight), to my eye looks dated or I might have found a replacement piece that is of a better quality.

Certainly there are some items that I place into a small holding zone but I am doing this more infrequently. I find that once I stop wearing something that usually signifies the end of the realtionship, that is with the exception of what I consider 'staple' items like for example my wide leg black pants. I haven't worn them this year but they are in great condition and they tend to have seasons of wear... they are so simple in design that they will be very slow to date (IMHO).

Having discovered the wonders of Ebay has been helpful also. When I feel it's time to move on a garment that is of good quality, known label, etc I can usually sell it on Ebay knowing that the money I get for it can go to a new fab garment

In the 2.5 years since being part of YLF, I can honestly say I have not regretted purging any of the items I have chosen to passed on:)

I'm super busy tonight but will pop in tomorrow with a more detailed reply. Thank you all for your thoughtful responses

I tend to keep things that are really well made, comfortable, and which seem to be a superlative example of what that thing is. For example i have an old pair of COH bootlegs that I keep because they are the best bootlegs I had. The rest are gone.

I do find that I have a contrarian impulse to get rid of things I have paid a (relative) lot of money for and keep things I got for ridiculously low prices. I can always buy another expensive pair of boots, but when will I find another pair this nice for $5 sort of thinking. I am working on it. Sort of

I've noticed that Angie has such a heightened awareness about her feelings about her clothing items. I'm not sure I'll ever come close having that sort of understanding. She seems to have a really clear grasp on when she's just tired of something, but still loves it and when she's done with an item. For the rest of us mere mortals I don't know that we have the clothing emotional awareness to make that distinction. I noticed this when she was putting away her beloved skirts last year and remarked that she loved them, but wasn't feeling them, and then they came back out a while later and she was so happy to see them again. I think that sort of "I love you, but don't want to wear you right now" mentality is important to be able to keep the right things.

Also, for me personally if my body shape was consistent it would be a whole new world when it comes to closet harmony.

I've read about half the thread, but want to share some thoughts before I go back and finish the rest.

I keep an item if it has gone unworn if it is high quality, in good condition, and -- my key qualification -- unique enough that I'm not likely to find it again. I can purge basic tees with wild abandon, but I have a hard time giving up the cornflower blue leather jacket that is somewhere between dated and vintage (I posted that for review a few months back). Well-fitting trousers also fall in this category -- I don't wear them often, but I'm glad the ones I have survived my recent purges, because one pair of them was perfect for a recent outfit I wore for a friend's funeral.

I can only think of one item I regret purging over the last couple of years. It fell into this category, but I had lost weight and it felt a little big on me. Well, now fits are loosening up and I wish I had that darn shirt now.

My criteria for keeping things are:

- is it still in good condition? (i.e. not stained, torn or generally worn out)
- does the fit flatter my figure?
- does the colour flatter me?
- *if it's for work* is this classic enough to last at least a couple of years?
- *if it's for fun* does it have enough pattern/texture/embellishment to make me feel like me?

Pattern is a big thing for me. I only just realised this year how important it is in making me feel fab. Tartan is my all time favourite. However, I'm just about to let a tartan dress go. Why? The pattern is to my taste and the fall colours really suit my colouring. But the fit is just too frumpy. It is a size too big and originally fell to mid calf. I shortened it to just below knee length and have been cinching it in with a belt to try and make it fit better. But I've seen photos of myself in it and it's just doing nothing for me. The last couple of times I wore it I got a sinking feeling. I've only kept it this long because I didn't have a replacement for it. I've bought a different dress on eBay and, if it works for me, it'll be buh-bye tartan dress.

Finally back to this thread after reading all of your thought provoking responses. So much great info and wisdom here!

Angie - if I may ask you a personal shopping question: when you apply your one-in-one-out rule, do you go shopping knowing which item you are looking to replace? Or do you find something that you fall in love with and then have to decide which item will leave your closet to make room for your new love?

Traci - your reply really resonated with me and I think you've articulated what I was wondering about: I think that sort of "I love you, but don't want to wear you right now" mentality is important to be able to keep the right things. That's what I don't have - the emotional awareness. I would have just donated the item to make room in my tiny closet and then 2 months later realize I wish I still had it.

I love this thread. Thank you for the great topic Shannon! So many insightful comments.

I keep the things:

That I love...
.
and that give me great happiness...

and that I feel beautiful in...

and that fit my lifestyle... and sometimes my fantasy life.

... and are in good shape.

And then I try and make sure I get around to wearing them!

Keeping is easy. I think about the reason I bought the items (their intended purpose) and if they still fufill that purpose-- i.e. are in still good enough shape, have partners, ect. If they aren't in good shape, they go. If they don't have partners but they are something I use or WANT to wear, I give them one year to find a partner. I ask if they fell down on the job, or performed brilliantly, how they fit, ect. I also ask if my life is the same as when I bought and if I still need them. Things I am excited to wear next year, things that feel like old friends, and things that are workhorses stay. Anything that doesn't work for my body, life, or comfort goes. Anything that failed me goes.

Shannon, this post will answer those question:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/08/.....principle/\

Furthermore, I don't necessarily replace an item with the same wardrobe item. It all depends on my style preferences for that season - and which looks I am going for. My only restriction is the space in my wardrobe. I never, ever overfill it and store items elsewhere. I am only allowed to have that much closet space to work with at once. Keeps things simple and makes me WEAR THE HECK OUT OF MY CLOTHES. So I spend more on an item, which means fewer pieces to I stay within my budget. That works ideally for me. And, I can have frivolous fashion fun at Zara too. I love having hi-low style for this reason.

Traci, you are astute. I do have a heightened emotional awareness for my possessions. I think this comes with practice. That's all.

Shevia, you are truly one of a kind.

This is such an interesting thread! I am another slow closet purger and it took me years to purge my wardrobe from over 300 items to around 150 right now. And I am a 4 season climate. I think deciding what stays and goes depends on how much variety you like in your wardrobe, how often you personally are comfortable sporting an item (or not) in a given season, and how much home space you wish to dedicate to your wardrobe.

For myself, my goals are, to wear the bulk (>90%) of my wardrobe that fits that season during that season and to always keep my wardrobe small enough to fit all 4 seasons in my walk in closet. When I overhauled my fall/winter wardrobe during NAS, every single new item, meant I had to purge an older item. I ended up returning a few pieces because I ran out of items that I wanted to purge, despite how much I loved the new pieces. Eventually I had items next to each other and had to ask myself "do I really like this new piece MORE than this older one?" Surprisingly the answer wasn't always yes.

I do have some items that are rarely worn, these pieces have sentimental value (especially from trips) that I cannot purchase again. Others were workhorse items for me in the past, and are the usual (fit well, nice condition, ideal color for me) keep reasons, so they sit on the sidelines, but I keep that overall amount small. I cannot have a lot of holiding zone items and keep a smaller sized wardrobe. And I do think it is easiest to know what to keep and how long to keep when you limit your closet space. Sooner or later you run out of storage room and have to start making decisions.

I don't generally regret a purge, because the items I've kept I am really happy with.

Great hearing everyone's responses. I actually just did a purge yesterday. I too have a tiny walk in closet...even tinier because I get half and share with the hubs. I hate being *forced* to purge because he thinks I have too many things/the closet is small. So I think by nature, I have held onto things just to have...well THINGS.

Since being more active here, I am starting to realize that some things are in the closet simply as space fillers, things I liked at one point or another, yet havent worn for years. Yesterday, while trying to cram yet one more thing into the closet that I've reconfigured and smushed up a hundred times...I got fed up. I went to the "Save zone" and started bagging things I knew deep down I'd never wear again. It was hard, but necessary. I filled two bags for donations. I streamlined my skirts and blazers, and tonight I go in for the shirts. I'm only keeping what looks great and fits well. No room in my closet for ill fits.

And here's a funny thing that happened, I discovered my *favorite* pair of faux leather pants from at least 15 years ago. I had turned them inside out and put them on the hanger, vowing to one day fit into them again (you know...the games we play with ourselves!). So, I pulled them out and checked the size, I should finally fit! I put them on and they fit with room. Then I noticed a weird wear spot on the front, and before my eyes, the pants started to shred ALL OVER. It was as if I was in the MJ Thriller video!!! They were obviously not meant to hold onto more than a year or two! So I'll say this...no more keeping things that might not make the long haul!!

I've always been a slow purger. 1 for 1, 2 for 1, and then I got bit by the small closet bug. I used the criteria of would I buy it now? to decide what to keep. It was really helpful.

Wow, what insightful answers! I'll have to go back and read everything more thoroughly. This is a topic that I've been pondering, as it's moving time again (sometime in the next 6-9 weeks). My wardrobe is being split into 3 parts: Take to Scotland (where it's winter), Keep/Store in Australia and retrieve next March, and Deposit for Storage in the US. Here's my approach (for now):

1. Do I love it?
2. Did I wear it frequently over its last appropriate season? If not, why not? (i.e., the winter was too warm for heavy coats, but I will need them)
3. Does it fit? If not, is it likely to fit soon? Or would getting rid of it leave a major wardrobe hole? I might keep an item, but flag it for replacement and purge once I've found something that suits better.
4. Is this item helping to throw off the balance of my wardrobe? Because I'm forced into being a minimalist, I don't have room for 20 toppers and 15 pairs of winter shoes (even though I want them). I have room for 4-5. That puts the entire group of items up for review for purging.
5. Is this item similar to other things in my wardrobe? If yes, it may not earn a way into the keep pile. (right now I have 6 skirts. 3 are black, one is gray. This balance irritates me.)
6. Is this item sentimental/valuable/unusual colour and I'm just tired of it? Ship to store in the US. (Navy blue Fluevogs, I'm looking at you)
7. How would getting rid of it throw off the balance of other things in my wardrobe? Is it needed to make something else work? (for capsules, it can stay. otherwise, maybe not.)

Depending on the answers to these questions, things are being sorted into their appropriate piles. And I think I'm actually leaving Aus. with fewer clothes than I arrived. The balance has certainly shifted.

Goodness, Von! I kinda wish you happened to have a video of that -- a very dramatic example of when it's time for something to go!

My default mode is "keep", even if that means cramming things into suitcases under the bed. I have things there that in my heart of hearts I know I will never wear again but I haven't been able to admit to myself that I will probably never be that size again.

Now that I have everything out of the closet and strewn around the room I think I will try harder to put back only the things that are truly worth the closet space. It needs more thought but I might actually try to come up with some formal criteria for deciding what to keep and post it on the wall of my newly remodelled space. Perhaps in a frame.