Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

We’re big fans of living our best minimalist life and empowering others to take steps to declutter. There are many benefits to minimizing your wardrobe:

• It makes it easier to find an outfit to wear.
• It gives you a satisfying feeling when you open up your closet to see the items that you love.
• It can relieve stress and make you feel lighter.

We’ve laid out our top four questions to ask yourself while minimizing your closet:

Do you love it? There are typically three answers to this question.

YES — If there is no question about it, keep it and keep on loving it. Even if it’s an old tee that’s seen better days, if you LOVE what you hold, keep it.

Kind of — If you’re unsure about your level of affection for something in your closet, run it through all the other questions and circle back. If it has sentimental value, spend some time with the feelings and decide if they’re something you want to keep on carrying.

No — Pass it on! Someone else might love it and wear it all the time.

When was the last time you wore it? Three months, six months, twelve months, five years? It’s up to you to decide when it’s time to say “I will probably never wear this again,” and pass it on.

Is it versatile? Can you wear it all year round? Can you dress it up or down? Count the ways you can wear it! Not everything in your closet has to be versatile, but it’s a helpful consideration in the elimination process.

Does it fit your body? Embrace the body that you have today. Love the skin you are in and don’t be afraid of changing your closet up when your body changes. It’s okay to let go of the clothes that used to fit but no longer do. Growth, baby! You’re a goddess. Rock your style and be comfortable and confident in who you are.

Another fun thing to do is to minimize your closet intuitively. Trust your gut, listen to how your body responds when you put on an outfit. Carving out a closet that contains clothing that fits your body, boosts your confidence, and expresses your personality is worth the work of purging through impulsive buys or things you’ve held on to for too long. Only you can decide what is best for you. Trust yourself! Rock your closet with confidence.

As you purge your closet, remember to do so in a sustainable way. Each city has its own regulations on how to dispose of soiled clothing. Check in with your city about the best way to get rid of clothes that shouldn’t be donated. Many thrift stores are now open with a new set of standards to follow during the pandemic. The less clothes going to the landfill, the better!

Now pardon me as I run to sort through my clothes . . .  

May you feel light, fluffy, and have fun! Stay cool and hydrated.

You might also like: The Benefits of Crafting a Capsule Wardrobe

Written By Jade Paxton for FRANC