Finally, we have started to make our way towards Spring. The leaves are starting to bloom, mother nature is taunting us with weather just a few degrees higher, and our heavy coats are being slowly transitioned out in favor of lighter jackets and sweaters. 

The sun is setting later, thank goodness, and the seasonal depression is waning. 

With Spring comes a new chapter, and in a new chapter, it can be good to start fresh. 

We have all heard of Spring cleaning, but it can be hard to follow through. However, giving away/selling some of your not-so-favored pieces might be the key to fine-tuning your personal style. 

Having too many clothes (yes, that is possible) can actually hinder your ability to dress the way you want. I know it can be hard to let go of that ironic t-shirt you might possibly wear to a theme party in three years, but the truth is, decluttering is good for us.

Now, I’m not saying it has to be an ‘everything must go’ situation. You can certainly keep things you don’t wear often but serve a specific purpose or have sentimental value. 

There is psychology behind a full clean-out of your closet, and there is no better time to do it than in the season for blooming and new beginnings. According to Dignity Health, Spring cleaning lightens your mood, improves your health, and increases productivity. 

And if that isn’t enough, it frees up space for you to buy things you really will wear. 

But here are some tips to determine what you should keep and what should go, along with what to do with it all. 

A Spring Clean Out Must: Ghost of Trends Past

When looking at your closet, there are things that have stayed well past their welcome. A sequin skirt that hasn’t seen the light of day since 2019 or a cheetah print top you wore once and can’t bring yourself to wear again. 

A good way to determine if it’s something you will actually wear later versus something you pretend you might wear later just to rationalize not parting ways with it is if you have even considered wearing it in the past year. 

I find the “If you haven’t worn it in 12 months, toss it” rule a bit harsh, because there are some important dresses and tops I know I will wear again, I just haven’t had the occasion come about again. But there are also things, such as a see-through, cropped long sleeve that I haven’t looked at since sophomore year of college, that I will never feel the need to wear again, but I still have it. 

Trends are fun, but their remnants sometimes take up valuable space. So, when you start to go through your closet, try to distance yourself from the attachment to the time in your life, and think about if the item will ever serve a purpose in your life again. Like in relationships, if you can’t think of a couple reasons for it to stay, that is reason enough for it to go. 

A Spring Clean Out Must: It’s Cute, But is it Comfortable?

Anything you have that you refuse to wear because of how uncomfortable it makes you has to go. Donate it, sell it, throw it away. This one is hard, especially if you paid your hard-earned money for it. 

Like with Monica Geller in Friends, the idea of great boots might be better than the follow-through. An itchy as all-get-out sweater that you refuse to put on, an ill-fitting pair of jeans that have been ‘ill-fitting’ for years, or a pair of shoes you really can’t stomach wearing ever again, even if just for the pictures. Nothing you hate wearing, that makes you feel bad, has a place in your closet. 

I’m all for the beauty=pain mentality, especially since heels look good with almost everything, but some things take it too far. 

A Spring Clean Out Must: It’s Seen Better Days

“I’ll sew it later!” “I’ll take it to the cleaners to get fixed.” 

Great plans, and it works out if you do it. But for the things with massive holes or that are likely un-fixable, these words mean nothing, because that item will probably end up in the back of your closet (or in under-the-bed storage), never to be seen (or fixed) again. Time for it to retire to the bin. 

This also applies to things that are simply worn out. If you look at it and think it’s on its last legs, part ways with it and save yourself the trouble of feeling like a mess when you try to wear it out. 

The sweater with threads coming out all over it, or the pants that are so stretched out they look like an entirely different pair than the originals. Get rid of it and replace it! 

Not everything that you get rid of in Spring cleaning is retired in favor of pursuing a new look or changing your style. Some of it is just too old to save, and that’s okay. This gives you an opportunity to see what you wear and then go out and buy your essentials. 

What to Do With It All

After looking at your closet, I suggest making multiple piles. One for selling, one for giving away, and one for throwing away. 

If it’s heavily stained or pretty unwearable, throw it away. Goodwill and the Salvation Army don’t want that either! 

If you aren’t big on listing things online or bringing to places like Plato’s Closet or a local Consignment store (both great options), look up local donation places to pick up your well-loved goods. 

And if you want to make a little money to put back into rebuilding some of your wardrobe, there are so many ways to give your items a new home! 

Some great sites include Poshmark, eBay, Depop, The RealReal, and Vestiaire Collective! 

Regardless of how you do it, starting fresh for a new season will elevate your look.