This is part of my Swift Decluttering For Clothes.

One reader asked:

My weight fluctuates a lot. Should I get rid of clothes and re-buy them later?

This is a common struggle and something that millions of people deal with. And there’s no one-size-fits-all answer because people’s situations vary a lot.

With that said, here are the swift decluttering guidelines, practices, and considerations for keeping these clothes.

Guidelines

  1. Don’t keep things that haven’t fit for 3+ years.
  2. Don’t keep things that are stained or need mending.
  3. Only keep things you love. Ask, “Would I buy this in the store today?”

Practices

  1. Your bedroom closet is for clothes that fit and are ready to wear. Clothes that don’t fit belong elsewhere.
  2. Limit your containers for storing clothes that don’t fit. Maybe that’s three plastic bins or the closet in the spare bedroom.
  3. Go through these containers every year. Get rid of everything you’re not excited to wear or things that haven’t fit for 3+ years.

Considerations

  1. How much money do you have? If money is tight, keep more clothes.
  2. How much does your weight fluctuate? The more it fluctuates, the more clothes you should keep.
  3. How much space do you have? If space is tight, keep fewer clothes.
  4. Is it hard to find clothes for your body shape/size? If so, keep more clothes.
  5. Do you need different kinds of clothes, e.g., work and exercise? The more types of clothes you need, the more you should store.
  6. Do you have the skills to mend clothes? Do you have the time? If so, give yourself a week to mend clothes before getting rid of them.

More Decluttering Questions:

I need a plan

Dealing with guilt

Which clothes to keep

Selling clothes