Decluttering special occasion and seasonal clothes can be tricky. We don’t use them often, they accumulate, they might be expensive, but yet we don’t really need to use them often. So they accumulate and grow without being looked at with the excuse of ‘might need someday.’
Are you saving a bundle of clothes ‘just in case’? Are some of them seasonal wear for certain seasons or do you have special occassion cloths that only come out of the closet once a year?
These types of items can pile up on us because we may eventually need them. However, we usually have many more of these than necessary. Even if you truly feel you may have occassion to wear those formal dresses, unless you’re going to a lot of events that require them, consider just keeping the ‘best’ of a type of clothes.
Decluttering Special Occasion Wear
Ask yourself the following questions to help when considering purging these items:
- Does this still fit?
- Is it still in style?
- Do I still like this?
- Do I live where the season to use this exists?
- Does this work with a role of mine?
- Will I ever have occasion to wear this?
- How likely is it I will wear or need this?
- How soon will I need this?
- Do I really need it?
- Is there something else I have that I could use instead of keeping this or these items?
- Could it benefit others more than me at this time?
- Can I replace this if I was in a jam and needed to without too much cost or issues?
- Would I rather use this space for something else?
- Could I just keep one of these types of clothes and let the rest go?
Remember Why You’re Decluttering
If you’re at the point where you’re reviewing your special occasion, seasonal, or ‘just in case’ clothes, its likely you’ve already been through your everyday clothing. So by now, you’ve probably built up your scrutinizing decluttering muscle.
Think about how far you’ve come in your decluttering process. Whether or not you’ve pared down hardcore down to a minimalist capsule or just exposed your clothes to some air and hanging space, surely you’ve already experienced the benefit of having less clothes.
When you pare down and realize how nice it can be to have less, you’re much more likely to be able to see the benefits and let more go.
- Has it made it easier to get ready in the morning?
- Is it easier to care for your wardrobe?
- Is it great to not have to rotate your clothes in and out of storage areas?
- Have you saved money not having or buying as much clothing?
Organizing vs. Decluttering
You may be tempted just to sort your clothes based on seasons and develop some method by which you move items around the house at these times. Personally, I think a key to decluttering and the freedom it brings, is having valuable open space and not having to play games like this in the first place.
Challenge yourself to see if really can pare down to make things fit before coming up with an elaborate plan like this. It can save you time and money in the long run and won’t be a hindrance overall with having to remember where things are stored at what times and where.
Special Considerations
Sentimental Items
If you have an article of clothes you keep for sentimental reasons, store that in another location. Consider whether or not a photograph of it would be sufficient instead of keeping the item. Also, if it helps you to let things go, you may want to consider whether or not the item may be of more sure use to someone in need. I know it always helps me to let things go when I think someone else will probably get use out of something just collecting dust in my closet!
Temporary Size Difference/Maternity Wear
If the situation is one that is temporary, like you’re currently in maternity clothes and one the baby is born, you’ll be back into those clothes, then you’ll probably want to consider keeping them.
Temporary Job Change
If the situation is more vague and iffy, like you’re keeping professional clothes but work in a casual environment now, you may wish to move forward and let those items go.
Be Sure to Include Shoes and Accessories
Initially, you may only consider clothing when going through this type of decluttering. Remember your seasonal and special occasion purses and shoes. Sometimes these can be an easy win to work through first, plus it helps to know what accessories you have when moving on to pare down the clothes. That way, you’ll know what will match something to put together an entire outfit.
