Make Space, Not Excuses
Cleaning out your closet? We get it: sometimes it can be hard choosing which items stay and which ones go. But if you truly want to declutter and make space, there are some essential questions you should ask yourself to make the process more efficient—and we're help get you started. Here are 20 questions to think about when decluttering your closet.
1. Does It Fit?
The first question you should ask yourself when decluttering any item from your closet is: Does it fit? Can you wear it comfortably and confidently, or is it a piece you're constantly passing over because it doesn't look like how it used to on your body? Unless you're willing to lose or gain weight to wear it again, you should probably toss it out.
2. Do You Still Wear It?
Ask yourself honestly: Do you still wear it? Would you still wear it? If you need to make excuses for why you would, but you'll still skip it in favor of wearing other pieces, that's a telling sign that the item likely doesn't speak to you the same way it used to.
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3. Does This Fit My Current Style?
Unless your fashion style has remained unchanged since the day you bought the item, you might find that certain pieces in your closet don't match your current aesthetic. For example, graphic tees might have been your closet staples before, but you're now more into plain, no-pattern shirts. If so, it's probably time to retire these outdated pieces.
4. Would I Buy This Again Today?
If you saw the same (or similar) piece in stores today, would you still gravitate towards it? Would you still be willing to spend your hard-earned money on it? If your answer is no, that likely means your fashion taste has changed—and the item should go in the donate pile.
5. Do I Have Something Similar?
If you have several pieces that look the same or give off the same style, choose the one you reach for most, then toss out the rest. There's rarely ever a reason to own more than one clothing item that has a twin, as it would only take up valuable space in your closet.
6. Does It Match with Your Other Pieces?
How many outfits can you make with this item? Does it have to be worn with something specific, like wide-legged jeans or leggings? If it's a piece you wouldn't get much wear out of were it not for something else that enhances it, that might indicate you're better off without it.
7. Does It Need Altering?
Another question you must ask when decluttering your closet is if there are any pieces that are damaged beyond repair. Those should immediately go in the toss pile. If it needs altering, it's worth asking this follow-up question: Would you put in the time and effort to fix it, and even if you did, would you wear it?
8. Is This Item Out of Season or Trend?
Even if a piece is out of season or trend, you might still opt to keep it because the item still speaks to you and matches your current style. However, if you only bought it because it was in trend and now it's no longer popular, it might be time to retire it and toss it in the donate pile.
9. Am I Keeping It Out of Guilt?
Was the item a gift? If your only reason for not throwing it out is because you'd feel guilty for doing so, question whether the giver even knows you still own it, and if that sense of guilt will push you to wear it. You might also be reluctant to toss out something you paid for, but again, ask yourself whether that convinces you to reach for the item next time you're heading out. If you're still leaning toward no, give it up.
10. Does This Color Suit My Style?
Similar to questioning whether the item suits other pieces in your closet and is versatile enough to make different outfits with, you should also ask if the color suits you, your style, and the rest of your clothes. If it clashes and you need to wear it with specific pieces, it might be time to donate it.
11. Am I Keeping It for Nostalgic or Sentimental Reasons?
Sometimes, it's not just guilt that holds you back from tossing out an item—it's nostalgia. Maybe there are strong memories associated with the piece, like a gift from someone you once loved. But keeping it in your closet isn't doing it any favors, either. For a decluttering tip, take a photo of the item, then send it on its merry way.
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12. Do You Only Wear It for Special or Certain Occasions?
If it's an outfit you'll only dig up to wear for special events, and even then, you don't always reach for it, it's probably time to place it in the donate pile. This doesn't mean you have to retire all your fancy suits and gowns, but it also means you shouldn't need to keep more than one or two in your closet if they're not versatile enough to wear for other occasions.
13. What's Your Gut Telling You?
Try asking your gut. When holding up a piece, take note of how you feel or react when putting it in the keep versus donate or toss pile. While this method might not work for items that hold sentimental value, it should for everything else.
14. Does Wearing It Flatter Your Shape?
Even if an item fits you, does it flatter your body type? It's worth asking again if wearing it makes you feel confident about yourself. If the answer to both questions is no, then it might be better to give the piece up to make more space for clothes that you do feel comfortable in.
15. If Someone Offered Money for It, Would I Say Yes?
If someone offered you money to buy the item off you, would you say yes? If you're willing to give it away, that's probably a clear indicator that you don't feel too strongly about keeping it. In this case, try selling it online, giving it away to a friend or family member, or donating it.
16. Would I Pack This When Traveling?
Is the item something you would pack in your suitcase when traveling? If you consistently choose other pieces over it, that's a sign that you're probably better without it taking up space in your closet. Place it in the donate pile.
17. Would I Notice If It Went Missing from My Closet?
Be honest: did you still remember you owned this piece before you started decluttering your closet? If it's gone unnoticed for months, it probably means you wouldn't even realize if it were to suddenly go missing. And that's telling enough—go ahead and donate it.
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18. Has It Served Its Purpose?
If you bought the item for a specific purpose, like for prom or a wedding, and you know you won't wear it anymore, pass it down to your family members or donate it. If it was an expensive investment, you can also try reselling it online.
19. What's Keeping You from Tossing It?
Ask yourself what else is truly holding you back from giving it away or tossing the item out—then question whether that reason is a good enough excuse to keep it. More often than not, you'll realize later on that it probably wasn't.
20. Do You Need to Justify Why You Should Keep It?
Following up with the last question, if you ever need to justify why you should keep an item ("It technically still fits..."; "I'd feel bad for throwing it away..."; "It might look good if I wore it with this..."), that probably means you shouldn't keep it. You should never have to make an excuse to keep something you actually want.
