With a new year, there really is no better time to clean out the closet. I think any time is a good time to do a closet cleanout. Early on in the pandemic, it seemed with all the extra time there was an influx of people cleaning out their closets, donating items, and even opening online boutiques to resell their no longer loved items. I spent the last couple of weeks tearing my closet, dressers, and seasonal bins apart getting rid of everything I just don’t need anymore. While cleaning out the closet can be a difficult process, getting rid of things can be cathartic. I realized I had held on to dresses and tops I don’t wear anymore just based on sentimentality and other ones were tied to such bad memories I was wondering why they were still even laying around. Over the past couple of years, my style has changed - not just because of the pandemic. After all that change, or glow up if you will, I wanted to give more space to the pieces and items that not only make me feel good but are worthy of being there. After making sure the others went to good homes where they could take on fashionable second lives, I added a couple of new things to my winter wardrobe.

Keep scrolling to see what I got rid of and the type of new things I added- with a few select picks I love!

DRESSES

Many, oh so many, of my dresses were bought for special occasions. I’m talking weddings, holidays, important nights out - the whole bit. When I got to this section, I was instantly reminded of the not-so-great memories these dresses brought along. Not only did a few of them have bad memories, but a lot of them just no longer fit. Not only have I had a style glow-up in recent years but a big of a significant weight loss as well. My number one clothing rule is being able to wear something multiple places and at different times. The stark realization that only a couple of these had actually met that criteria was a bummer and so it was time for them to move on.

If your closet is littered with old bridesmaids’ dresses, wedding guest dresses, or just aren’t your style anymore, it’s time for them to go.

BLOUSES

Remember going to the office? That is where my blouse collection stems from. Don’t get me wrong, blouses are incredible wardrobe items. I consider them essentials really and wear them with everything from shorts to skirts and even tailored work pants. But with the lack of going to the office, do I really need all of these sitting around? I can’t remember the last time I wore many of them, and the ones I do wear have always been the ones I wear religiously and always grab when I need one. Do I really need two silky striped button-down blouses? No. So it’s time they go to new homes that get better use out of them like women’s organizations that help women dress for success.

ILL-FITTING SWEATERS

This one felt a little weird at first, but this fall when the temperatures started to dip and I was pulling out my sweaters, I realized so many of them no longer fit right or at all. Good quality sweaters typically launder well over time, but others really lose their quality. Some of my beloved sweaters just aren’t in style anymore, don’t fit my current style, or are just not in great shape. While preparing for the season I took the opportunity to take stock of what I had, was likely to wear, and got rid of anything else. Oversized sweaters are one thing, but ill-fitting? Now that is a sad story.

THE MAYBE SOMEDAY ITEMS

This is one of my biggest problems! Saving items for the maybe someday I’ll wear them. The tops I love, the clothes that just don’t fit right yet but maybe a couple more pounds of weight loss and I’ll be swimming, it just needs the perfect event, or like I said the sentimental items that have stuck around for years. Of course, there are some deeply sentimental items I will never get rid of like my grandfather’s mickey mouse bomber jacket. Other items are just taking up space. Even while cleaning out my closet I had a “maybe pile.” The Maybe Pile was all of the clothes that I was unsure about getting rid of. This pile is always the biggest battle for me because I can always come up with a billion reasons why I need to keep them. But let me just say, if you have a Maybe Pile - let it go!

OLD HOODIES & SWEATSHIRTS

This one goes the way of old free t-shirts I have no intention of ever wearing. Hoodies and sweatshirts are absolutely necessary when it comes to loungewear, the gym, or just hanging around the house. But truly, how many of these do I need? Whether they are missing their ties, are just brands or slogans I don’t even recognize, or have just become as ill-fitting as some sweaters, they needed to go. Hoodies and sweatshirts are bulky items that are just taking up lucrative space on a shelf in the closet or a seasonal bin.

4 THINGS I ADDED (SO FAR!)

CARDIGANS

I love cardigans of all types. They are awesome to wear alone with leggings or to throw on at home when the weather is chillier. Chunkier ones are my favorite right now for their added warmth.

COLOR!

This one even came as a surprise to me. As someone whose closet is mostly monochrome and neutral, adding a whole bunch of pink, red, and blue among other colors was a BIG step - but I’m happy I did it.

CHIC SWEATERS

Remember all the sweaters I got rid of earlier? Well, of course, they need much better replacements!

OUTERWEAR

I just can’t say no to new outerwear in the colder months. Plus, I donated a coat that has been my lifeline for so many years so it needed an upgraded replacement.