20 Types of Clothes to Get Rid of Right Now

Do you want to feel liberated? Then start making room in your closet and get rid of some clothes right now! Having the urge to get organized is a good feeling.

If you are trying to adopt a more minimalist approach to fashion, congratulations! You are going to have a great time cleaning your wardrobe.

But how do you begin? How do you know what clothes to keep or to get rid of? What are the essentials for your fashion style? And are you going to regret anything afterward?

With the following suggestions, you can get an idea of the types of clothes to get rid of right now. Trust me, you will definitely feel better afterward.

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How to Get Rid of Clothes

I know the feeling. Being tired of an encumbered wardrobe is very common. You maybe have lots of items but nothing to wear. Then it's a sign that it's time to make room in your closet. To find out your best and favorite pieces and get rid of the rest.

But getting rid of clothes is hard. You think you are going to miss something eventually. A good trick is to keep a bag or a suitcase away from your closet and fill it with clothes you don't wear. If you are missing a piece, go back to the bag and pull it out. When the bag gets full, it's finally time to get rid of all of it.

What to Do With The Clothes You Don't Wear

After taking the time to distill everything, you can donate clothes, sell them or recycle them. Don't feel bad about it and try not to regret it. Once you are done, you will have a good reason to purchase something new!

You will probably be in a good mood, being able to pull better outfits from your closet. Keeping only the best items makes every piece in your wardrobe a winner. The best pieces are the ones you wear all the time, that also look amazing on you and make you feel comfortable.

What to Do After Getting Rid of Clothes

Don't worry that you only have a few pieces left. Nobody will notice that you wear them frequently. The items you kept are you fashion staples, classic and basic pieces that you can easily combine into many different outfits. It will look good on you!

Because you've just removed everything bad from your wardrobe, you can now identify your best style. You will have an easier time when out shopping to find clothes that match what you already have.

Finding your personal style is probably something you had difficulty with before. Now you know what to get and how to avoid the shopping mistakes you made in the past. That will save you time, stress and money!

Am I going To Miss Anything?

Just ask yourself why exactly are you holding on the items you don't wear. Take good care of and love your clothes but get emotionally attached to them. Think about the good you are doing by donating or selling them.

Trendy and expensive items that don't fit aren't offering you anything. Maybe it's time to donate them! You will feel happier and proud after the donation. Letting go isn't that painful. Don't be afraid. It might be a new experience and difficult at first. But soon, you will start to enjoy the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe!

If you have asked yourself in the past why you have so many clothes and nothing to wear, it is very unlikely that you will miss the clothes you get rid of. And you will have no trouble finding the basic pieces again in stores.

But you probably don't need more clothing. You need less. It is better to keep only what you actually need and want to wear. Just get rid of the excess. Shopping is the last thing you should right now.

Instead, get tough and honest with yourself. It will be easier for you to separate what to keep from what to throw away. You will feel better having more room in your closet. Let's find the pieces that don't deserve a place in your wardrobe anymore.

If you are like me, you may even have set the resolution to shop more consciously. I am getting only timeless pieces that I know I am going to wear for a long time. I am not waiting anymore to clean my closet.

What Clothes to Get Rid of Right Now

Here are the 20 types of clothes to get rid of right now.

1. Anything that doesn't fit you anymore.

Go through all your clothes: leggings and pants, underwear, swimwear, loungewear, shorts and skirts, shirts, tees, jackets and hoodies, shoes, hats, jumpsuits. Take them out of your closet, try them on and test them. If it's one size too big or too small, get rid of it. You only want to keep clothes that make it easy for you to breathe, to move, and fit you perfectly. It is the way to go.

If you don't, you will feel uncomfortable if you wear pieces that don't fit, and they are taking space in your closet for no reason. Don't live in the past with regrets and with expectations for the future. Enjoy the present moment!

2. Anything that is broken and can't be repaired.

This also includes bags and jewelry. If something broke in the past and you don't have solid plans to repair it in the future, it's time to let it go. If you think someone else could repair the item, then you can try to donate or sell it. If not, don't throw it in the trash! Look for an easy way to recycle or re-purpose into cleaning rags for example.

Think of shoe bases falling out, zippers that snags and broken buckles. If you have no plan to repair them in the very near future, get rid of it. If you don't, it's going to stay in your closet for ages and occupy precious room you could use for a better purpose.

3. Anything overused, faded or worn-out.

Especially shoes, coats, jackets, and pullovers. These might be some of your favorites but if it's starting to fall apart, then get rid of it. I know it may be hard to say goodbye to a piece you love and enjoy wearing for so long. But it's time to make room for something new that you might even like better!

Invest in something durable, high quality that will last. Don't keep and wear pieces that are pilling out. If any item has ripped seems, is stained or threadbare, you have to throw it away.

4. Clothes that aren't your style anymore.

If you can't think of any situation where you would wear it, then you don't need it! It is the same if you have nothing to wear it with. Something totally not your style should not stay in your wardrobe. Time to make a place for a piece that is more valuable. Don't worry it is completely normal.

Tastes and styles change and evolve over time. Make a conscious effort to get rid of the pieces that no longer do it for you. If you are trying a more minimalist approach to fashion, you want to keep classic pieces that you can combine easily to make different outfits.

Everything else doesn't have its place in your closet. Now you will have an easier time picking an outfit and getting dressed in the morning. Less stress, less frustration, and that is a good thing!

5. Uncomfortable shoes, boots, and heels.

Don't wait until you get blisters to stop wearing these! If you get blisters, remember to not puncture it unless it is very large and painful. Let it be to prevent infections and heal quickly. Enough damage was already done to your skin. And most blisters heal on their own within a few days.

If the shoes are still in good shape, give them away. Sometimes it can take a few days for a new pair to adapt and fit your feet perfectly. But if you've been wearing them consistently and they didn't start to feel better while walking, it is a bad sign. Just invest in a brand-new pair.

6. Clothes making you feel uncomfortable.

You should be able to feel your best in every situation, not thinking twice about what you are wearing. You want to radiate confidence and go out without worrying about your clothes.

If any item is coming up too short, then stop wearing it and give it away. It is better to make space for something you will enjoy wearing a lot more.

7. Anything you wouldn't buy again.

Look at each item you own. Then ask yourself, if you didn't already own it, would you buy it again right now? If the answer is no, then you already know what to do. Look at your closet like you are out shopping. You would never buy your prom dress again or a faded hoodie.

Why not donate? These are items you'll never wear again anyway. So it is time to part ways. Only keep the pieces you are ready to invest a lot into.

7. Year old underwear.

This is a general rule you have to keep in mind. Your underwear assortment should be refreshed every six months. Bras tend to lose their shape just after a few wears.

So if you still have underwear older than that, toss it out! However, you may want to consider how many pairs you own and how quickly you rotate through them.

You can keep underwear that still functions properly until it falls apart. But undergarments need to be washed after every wear. So they lose shape very quickly.

9. Clothes unworn for a year.

If you didn't find any proper time to wear an item during the past year, it is time to get rid of it. It might be a difficulty to overcome, the fear of missing out. But trust me on this, you feel better afterward. This type of clothes isn't part of your wardrobe. It is just taking up space in your closet for no apparent reason.

If you feel that you are going to have regrets, make sure to reflect for a long time on a situation where you would wear the item. If you can't find any coming up in the near future, then your best bet is to throw it away.

10. Anything out of trend.

Trends change rapidly. If you have something you used to wear but now never, then toss it out. It may be completely outdated or not cute anymore. Like anything with shoulder pads or some prints. It is just taking up space in your wardrobe. Consider replacing it with something better.

In the future, prefer classic pieces that don't go out of style. Ever. Then you won't have to face this kind of problem again.

11. Clothes that don't flatter your figure.

You want to dress for your body shape at all times. It is very important to keep only the clothes that are flattering to your body proportions.

Everyone has a specific body type. We all come in all shapes and sizes. Learn to flatter your figure! I know finding the best look for your body can be tough. Look for pieces that add to the definition of your body.

Remember that you should feel confident and comfortable with everything you are wearing. It is not about looking thin or make your figure look better than it is. You want to keep the outfits that look great on you and get rid of the clothes that don't.

12. Gifts that you don't wear.

Don't worry about what people think. It is better to donate than to keep something that doesn't make you happy. A clustered closet does nothing for your peace of mind. If you have no intention to wear a gift, then let the person know, and donate. It is a tragic situation but doesn't feel bad or guilty.

You are not the only one in this situation. It is totally normal. There is no point anyway to keep what you don't need.

13. Anything you bought making a mistake.

It's ok, it happens to all of us. Everybody buys something accidentally at some point. Maybe you thought you would want to wear it. But in fact, you can't find the will to wear it and just want to ignore it forever.

Then be honest with yourself and replace it with something else. Donate, donate, donate. You'll be much happier when you do.

14. Clothes you bought for one special occasion.

You can get rid of any formal outfit you bought for one special occasion. It very likely you won't have any other occasion to wear it soon enough to justify keeping it in your closet. You are better off throwing it away.

Don't get attached to old clothes that serve no purpose in your wardrobe. Instead, find the courage to make room for something new. Thank me later!

15. Clothes you are saving for someone else.

Especially if you are keeping items for your children, don't. It is very likely that it will be out of style and they won't wear it. The person you are saving for will be much happier making their own choice for clothing they want to wear.

Don't fill your closet with stuff for others. Instead donate the clothes right now, because someone else needs them.

16. Any piece of clothing from past relationships.

You absolutely don't want to keep anything that is reminding you of an ex. If any dress makes you think of a particular date, or if an ex used to own your sweater, you are better off without it. You don't need to be constantly reminded of the past. You deserve to be happier in the present.

Throw away the extra baggage and don't let it bring your mood down. Any sentimental item that makes you sad doesn't deserve a place in your closet.

17. See-through pieces.

Especially leggings and workout pants. Your clothes should make you feel confident and not worry about your undergarments showing.

When squatting at the gym or in a yoga class, you don't want to wear a pair of pants that show your underwear. Just skip it completely. Only wear items that make you feel comfortable. There is no point keeping it in your closet.

It is the same for any top that exposes your bra straps and needs lots of boob tape. Toss it out and get something better. Some fabrics are just too thin and low quality. They don't have a place in your wardrobe.

18. Trendy expensive clothes.

An item is expensive doesn't mean that you need it. If it's in your closet, you should be able to wear comfortably and have no trouble styling it. If you have to force yourself to wear it, then it's a bad match.

Don't feel any regret or guilt. It was just a mistake or a poor decision. It happens so stop punishing yourself. Maybe the item was fine for some time but you grew out of it. Whatever it is, just stay away now. Donate it.

If can't find anything to wear it properly with, then it's time to say goodbye. Instead get something else in your budget that fits your own personal style perfectly. There are pieces that don't work with anything, others that do.

19. Anything that isn't you anymore.

Maybe you did wear it once and saw it wasn't a good fit. Or maybe you were completely obsessed with it in the past and now you can't even remember why. Remember it's ok and completely normal. Don't worry about it. Just allow yourself to admit it and move on. Donate the clothes or sell them.

The pieces you keep in your closet should be the ones that bring you joy. Probably someone else will get more joy than you out of it. We are constantly changing and growing as human beings. It is fine if an item doesn't fit your lifestyle anymore. It is no longer relevant to you and you shouldn't keep it.

It is time to replace it with another piece. Get something that makes you feel special wearing it at the current moment. You should feel beautiful and not bored in any of your outfits. If you think you can do better, then you can. Only wear things that excite you.

20. Any multiples.

You definitely don't need every color of the same piece of clothing. Take the duplicates out of your closet and make an effort to choose. If you love one style in particular, it is understandable why you have many duplicates of it.

Only keep the best ones and throw away what is worst. You probably don't wear all of them often anyway. Only keep the styles that you prefer.

I hope these tips will be helpful to you. Now it is time to put them into practice. Please let me know how it goes. Share your experiences and any other tip you may have in the comments below.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.