10 things to delete from your closet right now
What clothing skeletons do you have hiding in your closet? Is it the too-small jeans or the blouse that still has the tags on? We all have 'em sister. And I'm about to give you my checklist of the worst offenders. Let's start organizing and detoxing your closet.
Clothing that's too small
Let me ask you a question: Do you want to feel more confident? Yes? Great, we're on the same page. One more question: Do you feel confident when you struggle into your jeans or stare into your closet half full of too-small clothes? No? Didn't think so. Gosh, do I know how hard it is to cleanse yourself of things that no longer fit. It's tough, sis. Real tough. But this idea that looking at our "skinny" jeans everyday will somehow motivate us is complete malarkey. I'll give you two options. One, make your peace with those clothes and then sell and/or donate them. Or two, if you must, pack them away if you honest to goodness think this is safe for your mental health.
Your sea of black
Ah, yes, everyone's favorite accessory: black with a side of black. What I find funny about black is that so many of us tend to think of it as a "safe" color when, in reality, it's a super harsh color on a majority of the population. True fact. Black isn't most people's best color and it's even harder to pull off in the daytime. In fact, if you follow the color theory I do, winter is the only season that can wear true black against their face and still feel their optimal best. #sorrynotsorry. If you're wondering what your color palette is, I'm giving you a free sample of my ebook (say what?!).
Costumes
No, I don't mean your Super Woman getup or that giant banana suit. I mean the clothing you buy because "that's what a fill-in-the-blank would wear." This usually rears its head when you're wondering how to dress for work. These are things you don't actually like, but since you're a teacher you have to buy things you believe a teacher would wear. Or because you're in banking you have to wear what you think a banker would wear. When you dress based on what you think someone else would wear without identifying your own criteria for what YOU would wear, this is not an outfit, this is a costume.
Cold shoulder tops and tie-front shirts
Or, basically, any fad that is flattering on approximately no one. While I totally understand the desire to experiment with fads and feel current, proceed with caution. These types of fashion statements usually happen with complete disregard to what's actually flattering on the average human. And, if we're being honest, usually get worn once or twice (v unsustainable) before they are discarded and can often make you look/feel somewhat juvenile. (You're a cool mom. We get it.)
Anything with tags
Raise your hand if you have something hanging in your closet right now with the tags still on it. I'll wait. This is such a shocking phenomenon to me. The majority of my style coaching clients end up purging items that still have the freaking tags on. If this is you, stop waiting for the right time to wear that thing that's been sadly gathering dust in the back of your closet. Return it if you still can or try to sell it.
Clothing you bought solely because it was on sale
Let me tell you a secret. If you buy something half off for $25 and you never wear it, you did not save 50%. You lost $25. The sale rack is often just full of broken dreams. I'll tell you one more secret, because we're friends like that: You're worth investing in and so are your clothes.
Gifts or souvenirs
I'm going to give you permission right now to stop hanging on to things out of obligation. Just because your aunt got you that sweater or you bought that heinous poncho on vacation does not mean you have to continue to let them take up space in your closet. Frame a photo from your trip to Hawaii instead of holding on to that hibiscus-patterned dress.
Anything you wouldn't miss if it disappeared to the bottom of your hamper
This is my true litmus test during a detox. If you are hemming and hawing about whether to keep something just ask yourself: If the laundry ate this, would I even notice?
Anything you'd be embarrassed to be wearing if you bumped into a client or customer
Depending on your personal vices, this can run the gamut from old yoga pants that shouldn't see the light of day to scandalous dresses that have never seen the light of day. If you'd feel the need to explain yourself to someone who gives you money, it's probably a no-go.
Anything CEO You wouldn't wear. Whenever I'm feeling insecure or facing a big decision, I ask myself: Self, what would CEO Daniella do? I'm not suggesting that you should wear a suit and heels every day, but this is a great question to give yourself some perspective on things that you've been holding on to for too long or don't support your goals.