3 signs you need to get rid of those clothes

How do you know when to pull the trigger, and make the hard decision of whether to cut our ties with a long beloved piece?

Parting Ways

During my big post-college declutter, I realized I have a very hard time saying goodbye to my clothes. I used to think it was just an emotional attachment problem, but the separation anxiety is there even if I've barely ever worn them!

I took the matters into my own hands and did a Googled things like "How do you know when to get rid of your shoes and clothes." From my intensive research, I've compiled a list of 3 Signs when you should just donate those away.

1. You no longer feel good in it.

2. It's played out or broken irreparably.

3. It doesn't pass the 20-minute test.

1. You no longer feel good in it

This one might seem obvious at first, but it's also possible to overlook this when making decisions in a rush. We get attached to shoes for all kinds of reasons, not just for being comfortable in them: emotional attachment to a memory, an unfulfilled wish of wearing it with a certain outfit... I mean, who doesn't have at least one outfit that they never actually wear?

Personally, I have carried around unused clothing just "in case..." many times before.

• In case there's a huge sophisticated casino night in town,

• In case my cousin sees and compliments it again,

• In case my gothic phase is back one day...

But regardless of our unlived plans and wishful dreams, some boots are not made for walkin'. Immediately feeling uncomfortable upon putting something on is a huge sign that you will never wear it. You might feel guilty about never wearing them (maybe they were a gift, or you've overspent for them) and this might delay your ultimate separation. The sooner you cut it off from your sight, the less time you have to feel bad about it.

Just do yourself the favor and donate those 8th grade graduation pumps away already...

2. It's played out or broken irreparably

Sometimes you have to toss an item because you never use it. Other times, it's just the opposite. Anything that gets popular too quick will suffer an eventual decline. Maybe you've loved and cherished this item most of its life. Maybe you used to never take it off. But let's face it: Your once favorite sweater has a (hole in the back, stain on the front, ripped stitches, etc) .

There are times when you know something is played out and you instinctively know that you're done with it. It's simply served it's purpose. You both decided it would be better in the long run if you go your separate ways. Bye, cozy sweater from 4th grade that I only ever wore everywhere.

It's always dramatic to donate something, say, your grandma has made. But you also can't keep all of them: so think about how someone else will keep using it and loving it after you. You can repurpose your closet and do good both for someone and our environment at no cost to you at all but the small effort of donating instead of throwing away.

3. It doesn't pass the 20-minute test

Another seemingly obvious one, but be honest, have you ever really tried it? Sometimes, a simple test of taking a 20 minute milk-run with the shoes or garment in question will reveal a lot more than intended. Suddenly, we remember why we had an uneasy gut feeling about these items. A pair of jeans that look good on the shelf may start to hinge at the waist after 15 minutes of sitting. A pair of sandals may start cutting our foot, and so on and so on.

If all else fails, this is the simplest metric for deciding whether to keep a fashion piece. Will you be able to use it for longer than 20 minutes? Will it start falling apart or making you feel itchy? Does it make you sweat too much (synthetic fibers such as polyester usually do)? Can you walk in those heels for a reasonable while?

Your closet should feel abundant and fresh, instead of old and weirdly uncomfortable. Emotional meanings matter, but ultimately, our closet should consist mostly of items we could wear any day proudly. It should make us look and feel great about our outfit, or bring a certain ideation in disguise. Don't forget to refresh your style and try on new aesthetics every now and then. Stay chic.