If It Doesn’t Fit… Get Rid of It

OK, if you read part one, you know you need some help. You’ve got clothing that doesn’t fit you anymore (and maybe hasn’t in YEARS), something you’ve never worn that was a gift, or something you picked out ages ago that still has tags on it, then, you need to prune your closet. Yes ladies, it’s time to say your goodbyes, but keep the memories if you want to (really—you can take a picture of you wearing the item) and let the clothes go. Don’t distress them or yourself another day. Put them in a big bag, and drop them off at your local Salvation Army or other charity of choice. Sharing is caring.

You can do a thorough reality check on your clothing by standing in front of your closet and asking yourself questions as shown below, for each article of clothing in your closet. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with this task, so you may want to take a few days for this, depending on the size of your wardrobe. It’s helpful to enlist the help of an honest, no-nonsense friend to get it done in one shot (why risk the temptation to keep hoarding, stay in denial, and prolong the pain?).

Ask Yourself…	If …	Then Do This…
1. Do I still like this item?	Yes	Proceed to the next question.
	No	Donate this item to charity or a friend who wants it.*
2. Does this item still fit me? (Keep it real—refer back to yesterday’s post.)	Yes	Proceed to the next question.
	No	Donate this item to charity or a friend who wants it.*
3. Do you receive compliments when you wear this item? Does this item make you feel good when you put it on? Is it comfortable and does it suit your body?	Yes (to all)	It’s a keeper.
	No	Donate this item to charity or a friend who wants it.*
4. Have I worn this item in the past year? Will it be in style next year? (NOTE: If you have nothing to coordinate it with, hold it in a separate “maybe” pile. Then once you finish with all the items in your closet, go back through the “maybe” pile and decide whether to donate it or make a match.)	Yes	Proceed to the next question.
	No	Try it on and see how you feel wearing it. Then start over again from question 1.

*NOTE: When it comes to a clothing swap, please… do not pass on a dud! If you really care about your friends, do not offer them something that doesn’t fit them or is otherwise unflattering.

Other people’s opinions of the way you dress should not be dismissed immediately if they are truly trying to help you better yourself. Let me be clear. I’m not talking about trying to portray a false image to impress people; I’m talking about representing the best you. Wearing clothes that help you feel confident and show off your best features tastefully will work in your favor.

What NOT to Wear

No one should care more about your appearance than you. Surely the most important opinion of your looks is your own, but first impressions DO count in many situations. Some situations this is especially called for are job interviews, meeting new people, first dates, and so on. You WILL be judged by the way you look, like it or not.

Your image really suffers when you wear clothes that don’t fit. Like it or not, we judge people based on how they look—partly because if we don’t know someone, we have to start somewhere, and it usually starts with first impressions. But even if people know you, some impressions are just not up to par with representing the image you want to portray and putting your best foot forward—especially when it comes to a job interview or a public appearance where impressions mean a lot.

You can look good no matter what size you wear—whether it’s 4 or 24. More and more clothes are being made to accommodate all kinds of sizes and shapes of girls and women. But I shake my head sometimes when I see how some people wear jeans that don’t cover their behinds (ugh—the saggy jeans!!!), or shirts that don’t cover their bellies. Please take a little pride in yourself (and everyone who you may run into in public) by acknowledging some basic principles of dressing excellence.

Your shirt is too small if:

• The buttons are holding on for dear life, pulling the sides of your shirt so far apart that you can see Os down the front of your blouse, not to mention your bra underneath.
• You can see the skin on the bottom of your stomach. Not cute. (If you have rolls or a “pooch,” don’t accentuate them with a tight shirt.)
• The armholes are rolled up in your armpits, so the entire hem of your sleeves is not visible.

Your pants/jeans do not fit if:

• You can see your ankles while you’re standing up (your pants are too short)
• You can see your crack when you’re standing or bent over (your pants are too small, or you may need a higher rise)
• You have to lie on your bed, jump up and down, or hold in your gut to zip up your pants.

 

Undergarments:

• Your bra creates breast bubbles under your shirt (your bra is too small and you probably need to go up a cup size—get a proper bra fitting in a fine department store
• You can see your bra or panty lines through your clothing (invest in Spanx or another quality shapers to smooth rolls, lift breasts, and eliminate panty lines)

 

In general, if you have to squeeze into it, it doesn’t fit.

 

If you need more help to get rid of those pesky unworn, ill-fitting items, tomorrow’s post will explain how to purge your closet.