And it always delivers as expected.
It can be difficult to clean out your closet The process of decluttering your wardrobe to create additional space can indeed feel like a daunting challenge. Not only does this endeavor consume copious amounts of time—sometimes stretching into days—but it also poses emotional hurdles when deciding what to discard from those possessions you’ve treasured, invested in, or hesitate about letting go due to uncertainty over potential future use. This hesitation is largely responsible for keeping our closets stocked with unnecessary garments; we hold onto them out of fear that someday they might become exactly what we need—a specific printed top or a twirl-worthy skirt.
I used to be someone who clung to outdated clothes, like a 10-year-old dress unseen for ages, justifying it with "What if I need it someday?" Trust me; I never did need it. Eventually, my overstuffed closet became so jam-packed that changing my approach was necessary if I wanted to add more items. This led me to develop this strategy.
The Rule of Three: What Approach Will You Use for Dressing?
When cleaning out your closet It can be challenging to avoid the thought that you might wear a particular item of clothing again someday, even if it hasn't been used for years. To counter these ideas, I implement an unwavering rule—if something does not meet this criterion, it must go without exception. This policy is known as the "Rule of 3,” with the principle being: If I can’t visualize at least three different realistic ways to wear the garment, it’s discarded.
Given that our approach to wearing garments differs, this guideline considers various ensembles or settings where an item might be used. Take a blouse as an instance; I must consider three distinct outfit combinations featuring just my current wardrobe pieces alongside that blouse. Should these not materialize into practical and genuinely wearable options, the blouse gets discarded. Similarly, regarding a dress, unless I can envision three distinctive contexts wherein I'd realistically sport it over the span of one year, it too ends up being rejected from consideration. Unless actual circumstances emerge suggesting otherwise, such items do not make the cut. actually Put on the clothes; they're outdated.
The best part of this rule is that it applies to every type of closet, regardless of whether you're a man, woman, college student, retiree, or anything else.
Related: This Is The Sole Closet Cleaning Guideline I Adhere To, And It's Simplicity Makes It Impossible to Ignore
When to Retain Unique Garment Pieces
Currently, it requires some self-confidence. I'm not permitted to deceive myself by considering three distinct outfits that I truly believe I wouldn't wear in reality. However, an uncommon exemption exists—like a black dress that suits me perfectly and which I recognize is ideal for all formal weddings, despite my lack of upcoming nuptials. This rule applies similarly to family treasures kept merely out of sentimental value. Nonetheless, certain strategies can be employed. get rid of heirlooms without guilt.
Related: 15 Top Closet Organizing Tips from an Expert
Shift Clothes into an 'Outbox'
If useful, you could initially move the unwanted clothes into a storage container or bag that gets stashed away somewhere. What some refer to as the outbox —wait a full year to ensure you don't feel the urge to use any of these things during this period. Once the year concludes, it’s time to let go. Though the rule isn't complex or mystical, I've found that it has aided me in getting rid of numerous apparel items that I might have wanted to hold onto otherwise. Moreover, I haven’t felt their absence at all.
Related: 13 Attic Shelf Designs for Neatly Storing Your Wardrobe Items
Which Things Should You Definitely Dispose Of?
Even though the "rule of three" is effective for items you’re unsure about, certain pieces of clothing may not fit this guideline perfectly. should always throw out —without any questions asked. The major category here includes clothing items that no longer fit. Should an article be either too tight or overly loose, causing discomfort, it merely occupies valuable space both in your wardrobe and mind. Get rid of such pieces.
Worn or damaged clothing items or accessories fall into this category—but with a twist. Should the damage be minimal, such as a split seam, missing buttons Once you've done that, you have the option to repair it yourself or hand it over to a tailor for an entirely fresh look. One more category of items you might consider discarding includes duplicates. Generally speaking, having multiple copies of the same object isn’t usually necessary.
Related: 5 Items to Discard Before the New Year Begins
How to Handle Cast-off Clothing
After determining which items you want to keep, it’s time to handle the clothing pieces you plan to get rid of. Bring these garments to nearby donation bins or seek out local shelters that accept apparel and accessories. Alternatively, consider reselling them through platforms like Poshmark or via listings on Facebook Marketplace, or bring them directly to secondhand stores or consignment shops. As much as possible, avoid throwing away the items; even those beyond repair might find new life, perhaps an unwearable cotton t-shirt could become useful as a cleaning cloth.
Related: 3 Simple Steps for the Tidiest Closet Ever
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