Closet Makeover with Wayfair and My Closet Clean out Rules

If you have been following for a while, you know that I am constantly cleaning out my closet. My go-to rule, and what I will tell complete strangers is this:

• If you forgot you have it, or haven’t worn it in 6 months, get rid of it!

Now, obviously, there are some exceptions to the rule.

1. If you live in a place with extreme climate. To me, living in San Diego, this means any place that has more than a 30 degree change between summer and winter. Obvisouly, if you live somewhere that has been having a mild winter or cooler summer, and you didn’t wear you layers as much, hold on to them.
2. Specialty items. Things that have meaning to you. Have I worn my engagement party dress once since that gorgeous July night in 2010? NO. I had big plans to dye it navy and wear it to any and everything, but I didn’t. Will I wear it again? Maybe, maybe not. But I am not parting with it.
3. Things that make you happy. I have a handbag addiction. It is sad for my bank account {and my husband} but it is true. There are some purses in my closet that I haven’t worn in a while, that won’t be going anywhere. Like the red Louis Vuitton {my one and only LV in my closet}, that my father in law gave me one Christmas. Or my mom’s vintage Chanel from the 80s that is so dated it doesn’t even hold a cellphone. A tweed J.Crew jacket that looks so Chanel that my mom gasped when she saw we wear it. It doesn’t get a bunch of wear, but I enjoy seeing it hanging in my closet on a daily basis. These are some examples of reasons to keep items that don’t follow THE rule.

What to Do With the Clothes???

When I do said closet purges, if the item is in good condition or a designer item, I will resell on Poshmark. If it is in good condition, but not worth reselling {less expensive brands, out of date style} I donate to AM Vets. If it has holes and stains, I take it in to H&M to donate.

Donation of Wearable Clothing

I schedule a monthly pick up with AM Vets. I leave boxes in the driveway and they come collect, no questions asked. Not only is this good for household items and old kids things, but they will give you a tax deduction. I have an ongoing shopping bag of items I am donating in my closet and office. When it gets a little full, I bring it to the garage {my husband’s side. Duh!} for the pile to be easily moved to the driveway on pick up day.

Google “Veterans Pick Up {your city name here}” to find where to schedule this in your area.

Donation of Unwearable Clothing

Items that are stained, not wearable, ripped, etc. I bring to H&M. They are trying to “close the gap” on their clothing, meaning they hope to decrease the need for new materials to make their fast fashion by this year. {read more about it HERE}. They take your old clothing and break it down to make new items. When you bring in to donate, they give you a 15% off coupon to use on your purchase. You can’t use it online, but bring it back with you when you shop, or take a spin around the store when you drop off!