It might still be hotter than you know where into early September, but before long we’ll be changing out our closets to fall and winter clothes. And with any will power at all, we’ll make decisions about what to keep, what to donate and what to toss out. This seasonal job is for all closets, but generally speaking women have the toughest assignment.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed just thinking about it, so it’s important to come up with a plan. But first it helps to have motivation.
Ruthie Williams, retired professional, went to a color and style consultant. She was amazed how many of the things she had bought but had never worn were not on her color chart or were not a style that was flattering. Williams said that definitely helped her know what could exit her crowded closet and never be missed.
Next, she took a 12-week online course on decluttering your home. When she got to the section on clothes closets, she went to work separating everything, including accessories and workout clothes, into categories.
With each item she asked herself:
Have I worn this in the past year?
Is it the right style and the right color?
Does it fit well?
If the answer to any of these questions was no, she knew it should be discarded.
“It makes it so much easier to see what you have in the closet when it’s not crowded. And it’s easier to decide what to wear,” she said.
Beth Golay, director of marketing and digital content at KMUW radio, texted friends a photo of a neat pile of clothes showing she had started the culling process.
Like Williams, Golay is taking the process by sections and blocking out time so it’s not so overwhelming. Like many people, she says she has been saving garments to wear when she loses weight or thinks, “I might need that.”
Experts say the thing to ask yourself is, “Will I honestly ever reach for that, put it on, and wear it?”
Another suggestion is to have a brutally honest friend help you by encouraging you to get rid of things that need to go. Or do what some women are doing and ask ChatGPT.
But the job isn’t over when your closet looks spectacular. What to do with all the rejects?
Williams says she first thinks of someone who might want some of the pieces then asks them over to take a look.
Some women enjoy a clothing swap where they trade clothes and accessories. You take something you don’t want anymore and go home with something you will actually wear.
Other women price their clothes and have a private sale. Some add clothing items to a garage sale.
You can also take nice pieces to consignment shops that take items. When the item is sold, you’ll receive a percentage of the price that can vary from shop to shop.
And there are many charitable organizations you can donate women’s, men’s, children’s and baby clothes to in Wichita.
Goodwill has eight stores that accept drop-ff donations in Wichita plus others in Andover, Derby, Newton and El Dorado.
Here are a few that have one location:
Assistance League Thrift Store, 2431 E. Douglas.
Helping Hands, 1441 E. 37th St. N.
AbleLight Thrift Shop, 2523 S. Seneca.
Thrift for a Cause, 767 N. West St.
The Tree House (for baby clothes), 151 N. Volutsia
Most thrift shops can’t make use of stained, torn or otherwise damaged garments, so unless you’ve been told otherwise, dispose of them yourself and save the shop the trouble.
Regardless of where you decide to get rid of your rejects, do get rid of them right away. That’s when you get to pat yourself on the back.
Reach Bonnie Bing at bingbylines@gmail.com
