Having an overflowing closet and nothing to wear is a first-world-problem we’ve all faced at one point or another. A common reaction to this has been to offload everything you don’t wear to a thrift store or a hand-me-down welcoming friend, in an effort to declutter your wardrobe and consequently your mind (that’s a psychological fact, right?). In the midst of the aftermath of our forced closet clear-outs, have you ever found yourself craving an item that you formerly deemed unworthy of it’s inch of closet space it inhabited? Commonly applied to dating, but way more applicable to closet clear-outs, you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve also been known to hoard unworn clothes for way longer than I should have. It’s usually because I haven’t reached my optimum CPW (cost per wear) or I used to lovveeeee it and there will definitely be an occasion I’ll opt to wear a dress I got for my 16th birthday again… definitely.
It’s impossible to predict what’s merely in fashion limbo and what’s entering the depth off the underworld, residing with your low-rise polyester ra-ra skirts and bedazzled pink halter tops (basically, everything you wore in the 2000s). Although I’ve yet to master finding The Clash sweet spot for my clear-outs, I’ve developed a few strategies for when I’m on the fence when deciding Should You Stay or Should You Go.
If it wasn’t expensive and it’s in good condition: Give it away
If you’re not wearing an item that wasn’t very expensive, there’s no shame in donating it to your local thrift store, op shop or charity shop. If it’s in good condition then it might be the treasure that a fellow thrifter was looking for that day!
If it wasn’t expensive and it’s quite worn: Hold onto it, until you find a replacement
There’s a reason that you’ve worn it to death and if it’s on the chopping block for this reason then consider holding onto it until you’ve sourced a suitable replacement.
If it was expensive and has visible signs of wear: Sell it
A lot of expensive clothes are built to last and buyers know this. Don’t underestimate the mileage that it still has and it may have become mundane to wear for you but it’s brand new to someone else! Make sure that you are as transparent as possible in your listing, point out any damage or signs of wear that you can see so that it’s second (or third or fourth) owner isn’t disappointed.
If it was expensive and has barely been worn: Sell it
Many unworn or barely worn listings on poshmark and eBay are priced with very small deductions from their RRP. Shoppers will go to these platforms for small discounts as well as big ones so throw up a listing and see if anyone is interested. If it sells, the small economic loss will curb the buyers remorse you’re facing. If it doesn’t sell, consider taking a larger loss by taking it to a clothing exchange like Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads. They love branded clothing in perfect condition so will surely take it off your hands.
I hope that I’ve been able to relieve some of the stress from clearing out your closet. If it’s too late (or my advice did not help), what brings me comfort in this time of despair and regret is wondering who’s wearing it now, in a utopian hope that it’s found a great home.