Four Ways to Purge Your Closet
Cleaning out the closet is a chore, because of both the sunk-cost fallacy and the emotional ties and memories attached to clothing. So what’s the answer? There’s no one “right way” to purge, but here are four distinct methods to get you started.
The Hanger Method
A reader tipped me off to this one, but there are a couple of versions. Have two different colored hangers. (You can have more colors if you want to get complicated, but when do I want to do that?) Start all items on the same color, and as you wear and wash them, switch them to the alternate color. Whenever you want to purge your closet (every six to twelve months works best for this one, depending on your climate), find everything on the original colored hanger and get rid of it. If you haven’t worn it in six months to a year, when are you going to wear it?
Pros: There’s no emotion involved. It’s a set system that take minimal time.
Cons: It causes serious problems for closet organization, and it never ends.
The One-Year Test
This one’s easy. Toss out every item you haven’t worn in the last year.
Pros: Again, it’s black and white. There’s no emotion or guesswork.
Cons: Do you remember everything you wore in the last year? This also discounts special event wear that may not get worn often.
The “Do I Love It?” Litmus
By this method, you should eliminate everything you don’t absolutely love. The end result is a closet that should fill you with passion, creativity, and excitement.
Pros: Butterflies every time you open the closet door and a more interesting and creative wardrobe. You’re forced to wear your favorites instead of saving them for a special day that never really comes.
Cons: Nothing matches. No fall-back items. Questionable choices in pants.
The By-the-Numbers Guideline
This one is all about equations. You set a specific number for each type of item (tops, pants, skirts, blazers, etc.) and can’t go over that number.
Pros: Great for maintaining a wardrobe that’s already in good shape and eliminates the need for investment in expensive shelves, hangers, or other closet paraphernalia.
Cons: Causes some tough decisions; may force you to get rid of perfectly good clothing.
What do you do to keep your closet manageable?
photo credit: Looking Glass
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This post has 27 comments
September 9th, 2008
I don’t tend to have stacks of clothes lying about, Sara, but when I get quite ruthless, I have a good sort through.
Like most men, I think, I like to have the basics: t-shirts, shirts, casual tops etc. Most of my clothes don’t really go out of fashion, so I don’t worry about sorting through it with that criteria.
I do, however, follow your ‘One Year’ rule. If it’s hardly been on in a year, it usually gets given away.
September 9th, 2008
I definitely follow the 1 year rule. If it hasn’t been worn, it’s donated, with the exception of formal evening wear. It’s not worn often, but it’s classic, so I keep it for a while. I don’t have emotional ties to my clothes and I find it easy to donate them.
I actually use that rule when cleaning out anything in my house, and unless broken, torn or stained, I donate rather than throw away.
September 9th, 2008
this is one of the hardest things for me with my simplifying goals. In fact, I think I could claim that my home and life are pretty simple until I open the closet door.
Especially now that I’m not doing anything very glamorous – just sitting in a library and reading all day – the fabulous pieces- scarves and flouncy skirts and shoes with eye-catching buckles- have fallen out of use. I know i don’t need them anymore, I’ve kind of lost my penchant for dressing up every day – but I can’t bear to part with them.
Maybe the next time we move the prospect of schlepping the contents of the closet will inspire a purge. It’s going to take some willpower
September 9th, 2008
The “Do I love it” method is what works for me. Otherwise it goes. Do I match? Hey, I try…but sometimes, I’ve been told…I’m off a little. I can live with that…
September 9th, 2008
I had to purge my closet after having two babies. Post pregnancy clothes were too big and pre-pregnancy clothes were too old. Now I’m starting from scratch and I’m very aware of what I buy and what goes into my closet. There is something very refreshing about starting from scratch.
September 9th, 2008
I have usually seen a different variation of “The Hanger Method” in which you hang all your clothes with the hangers backwards (open end facing you as opposed to into the closet). Whenever you hang your clothes, you hang it as you normally would. At the end of 6 months everything with the hanger backwards is stuff you don’t wear (at that point I subject it to the special occasion / love it test, but if I haven’t worn it in six months, I probably don’t love it)
I also try to “cycle” my clothes. I try to wear clothes that is all the way on the right end of my closet, and as I hang clothes up again, I hang it all the way on the left side of the closet. so as a wear my clothes (usually dress / business shirts) they move across my closet from left to right as the clothes I wear comes of the left onto the right. I find that the items I never wear tend to linger on the right side of the closet after a while, pretty easy to identify. (this also has the added bonus of making sure I dont wear my favorite shirts too much)
September 9th, 2008
I learned a different hanger method. Take all the hangers in your closet and put them on the rod backwards, hooking from the back of the closet to the front. Then, as you wear things you’ll naturally hang them up normally, and after a set period of time you can get rid of the stuff that’s still on the rod backwards.
You don’t have to buy more hangers that way, and you don’t have to remember anything like the proper color hanger.
September 9th, 2008
Every 4 years, unless it’s something I really like, or is a classic ensemble, everything gets hauled out and dumped on GoodWill. And I start from scratch.
September 9th, 2008
What perfect timing. “We just moved cross country and downsized our home. I just got done organizing my closet. Like Stacey, I have had 2 babies in the past 2 years but unlike her I think I am too attached to a lot of my pre-pregnancy clothes
My rules:
1. My husband and I decided we would have just the clothes that fit into our respective closets (very comfortably, no stuffing;)). Rest went to goodwill.
2. If we buy one piece, we purge at least one (two would be better).
3. We each keep a plastic storage box in our closets. Things that seem unfit at any time go right in there and not back into the closet. That way we do not have the “we haven’t had time to organize/purge” excuse. Keeps us on the path of continuous improvement.
If our closets get larger at some point then we introduce artificial space limits.
September 9th, 2008
Honest…I was going to purge my closet this weekend but after reading your post, i think I’m going to do it tonight.
September 9th, 2008
I do a variation of the colored hanger, except I don’t need colored hangers. Clothes going into the closet are hung on the extreme left of the closet rod. Eventually the frequently worn clothes will migrate to the left and the unworn will be on the right. If your closet is organized by color or by use (dress, work, play), apply the “rule” to each section, it will still work.
September 9th, 2008
This can make life easier, great manual!
September 9th, 2008
Scott: So does having a more basic wardrobe make it easier or harder to get rid of stuff? Glad to hear you can ruthless. It can be kind of fun!
Stacey: I would have a lot less dishes if I followed the one-year in the rest of my house. I don’t think I’ve ever used the gravy boat. And good for you for not having emotional ties to your clothes. Sadly, I’m not there yet. I still see some items and flash back to a special moment. Someday, right?
NeimanMarxist: I know exactly what you’re talking about, and I’m still trying to navigate the balance between being fabulous and being appropriate for my actual life. Let me know if you come up with any inspired ideas on this front!
Lance: You can absolutely get away with near-matches with just a little bit of confidence.
Stacey: That does sound refreshing! You’re still you, but you get to decide what the outside will look like. Have fun and be picky!
Elliot, Brian, and Bob: The backwards hanger method is probably better for most people. After all, there’s nothing to buy. I’m really glad each of you added to this! But for me, I just can’t take the mix of forward and backward facing clothing, and I love to have things sorted by color. It’s a personal tic. The front to back /left to right idea might be a good compromise for purgers who aren’t as anal as I am.
Jrandom42: It must be refreshing to start over. It’s like a clean slate, and keeps you from getting attached to clothing.
Maya: I really like the storage box idea. It gives you breathing room for weight fluctuations and sentiment. It also gives you a realistic sense of what you have. Nice!
Chris: Woo-hoo! Go crazy!
Bob: In addition to the response above, I wanted to add a thanks for noting that there’s a color-specific way to tackle this. I love having my colors together!
AxeCity: Thanks so much!
September 9th, 2008
I’m kinda faced with this dilemma now since i’m going to have to swap closet space of summer stuff and winter stuff. If I haven’t worn it once when it was in season, it’s out the door.
September 10th, 2008
Al: Seasonal changes are a great time to purge. You get to see things with fresh eyes. I think you’re approach is perfect–good luck!
September 10th, 2008
I keep a donation basket in my closet for anything I happen across that’s doesn’t fit or hasn’t been worn in a long time.
Usually I have no problem being honest with myself about what I don’t want/need.
It helps not having enough hangers – sorting usually happens when I’m in the middle of laundry and need more. I *know* the clothes I’ve just washed are getting worn on the regular, so I store the out-of-season and donate the offending items that are using up my hanger space.
My recomendation – throw away some hangers! lol
September 10th, 2008
I like all the hanger examples here. I’m going to choose one that suits me. What an excellent post and timely too!! My closet is already bursting!!
Thanks to all for sharing on this!
Evelyn
September 10th, 2008
Over the past few years, losing weight has helped me get rid of clothes regardless if I wanted to or not, especially when its too big to even have altered.
I follow the one year rule loosely. For instance, I have a vintage ’50s French cocktail dress that I love to death. I wore it twice last year: To a reception party and X-mas party. I may not wear it this year especially to the same X-Mas party where there are photos of me in that dress floating around in the group, LOL. Should I get rid of it just because I wont wear it this year? NO!
I *loosely* followed the “French 5 piece wardrobe”: Have five quality pieces that are timeless, not trendy and won’t fall apart after three washings. Then build around it with accessories and more seasonal items. I may have a few pieces from a place like H&M or Zara but I won’t build my entire closet around it. Right now, I have too many cheaper poor quality clothing that has stretched out of shape, faded, piled, worn out, etc that I can only wear around the house. I’m trying to change that trend.
12 years ago, I spent $500 on a coat that I wore year after year until two years ago. It still looks brand new. I only stopped wearing it because its too big. I have other coats that I spend less for but didnt last a good two years.
September 10th, 2008
djinn: “Throw away some hangers.” Ha! What an elegantly simple solution. And you know what? It really would work.
Evelyn: Thanks for taking what works for you. That’s exactly what I hope readers do: take what works, and forget the rest. Good luck on the closet!
Carla: I’m absolutely on board with your approach. I hadn’t head of the 5-piece wardrobe idea, but it represents the kind of balance that real-world solutions require. And in regards to the fab ’50s dress, I’m with you in that purging should be about getting rid of the junk to leave only the stuff you love. Getting rid of the stuff you love wouldn’t make you any happier. Loved your ideas!
September 11th, 2008
Great tips! I follow my own rule which is give away/throw (if no one wants it) a wardrobe before buying a new one. We have very limited closet space!
September 11th, 2008
Sandier Pastures: Limited closet space can be a blessing in disguise. I know I sure as heck don’t dress any better for having a bigger closet.
September 12th, 2008
Not sure if someone already mentioned this in the comments, but instead of using different colored hangers, I just turn the hanger around so it’s backwards. Once it’s been worn, it can go facing in the correct way.
September 13th, 2008
re the hangers. The clothes can hang facing either way on a hanger, and only the hanger needs to be backwards.
If it’s about physically putting the clothes on the hanger “oddly”, remember that you only have to hang them on the hangers opposite your usual way once, when you start the reverse hanging system, and then afterwards it doesn’t matter, as long as the _hanger_ goes back the usual way.
September 14th, 2008
I made a pact with myself that I will buy no more hangers. Now when I get something new I have to purge something right then and there so I can hang up the new item. I also just started the turn-the-hangers-around thing so I guess I will have to donate the clothes AND the hangers that I decide to purge in 6 mos.
September 14th, 2008
Kacie: Thanks for the tip!
Dawn: Good point, Dawn. I was taking it too literally.
Michelle: That’s a pretty foolproof system. It takes willpower out of the equation, which can be a very good thing.
May 10th, 2009
I like the first idea.
I usually go by the “if I only have a vague memory of it” maxim.
::shrugs:: works for me. I’m down to one single small wardrobe and a single chest of drawers – a good feat for a 16yo girl.
blufindrs last blog post..ZOMG
October 19th, 2009
Instead of using different colored hangers, once a year I turn all of my hangers around so they’re hanging backward. When I hang something back up after wearing it and/or washing it, I turn the hanger around to hang normally. At the end of the year, I look at the clothes that are still hung on backward hangers and evaluate whether I should keep them. It really helps me to be realistic about what I do and don’t wear!
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