you only wear it once a year, should you just declutter it?

[@DominiqueRamseyArt]

As someone who has tried to do this I say no do not declutter it unless it does not fit, you don't like it, or it makes you uncomfortable. Ive wasted $1000+ in decluttering more than I do in buying items. Wearing it only once could mean a lot of things, but if you still like it keep it! Better in your closet than in the trash or landfill.

[@ampthemilk]

Why not donate it or give it to friends and family

[@DominiqueRamseyArt]

@@ampthemilk Donating is what I like to do, but 60% of donations to thrift stores don't make it on the sales floor...they throw it in the trash. No one else I know wears my size sadly (they're all larger than me)

[@ampthemilk]

@@DominiqueRamseyArt oh I didn’t know they throw away 60 percent of the donations… I’ll have to look into that… also cool art on your channel, it’s very unique 👍

[@FlibertyJibberty]

@@DominiqueRamseyArt Hi! Love your art!

[@yumeew8761]

This is a hoarder mindset

[@mariahlynn886]

I have a skirt I bought at goodwill for $10 that turned out to be a $600 Italian silk designer skirt. It’s a full tea length circle in gold silk with these gorgeous golden medallion details. I don’t really have many places to wear it, but I’m so glad I keep it around for the occasions it works for. I wore it for my graduation last year and pull it out for Christmas. It’s completely impractical, but I love it sooo much.

[@trueblue9898]

I understand it. I have a red velvet long sleeved dress: i wear it during Halloween or Christmas 😂 no in between but I love it so much

[@doricetimko5403]

@@mariahlynn886 it sounds gorgeous

[@AlexaSmith]

I bought a tacky christmas patterned pants/blazer combo from target like 6 years ago and when i bought it i was like im gonna get my use out of this. I only wear it once a year but every year it helps me remember to not buy new seasonal things and still gives me a fun lil holiday activity. I try to wear it in a different way every year and some years i get more wear out of it. It’s like an accomplishment to me when I can keep track of something and find fun ways to wear it every year.

[@vlogo4371]

@@AlexaSmith I have a similar thing in the form of a sweater vest and an old elf hat I've had for a long time. It's like a tradition I insist on keeping even as trends change

[@mareen7321]

Easy case... "Whenever I wear it, I feel so happy"... Keep it, and stay happy. Even if it is just two times a year.

[@Simplelivingslowliving]

Agreed.

[@shawnaripari]

totally agree!

[@ivy456]

I've regretted every single I decluttered my closet. So now I only throw out my clothes if there's whole in it or if it's uncomfortable. I'm also happy my mom kept a lot of clothes because now I wear them. I guess I'm really not into that minimalist lifestyle. I would live in regret constantly.

[@themagicknightress7132]

If you learn some basic embroidery, you could patch small holes too! :)

[@megabyte1302]

Marie Kondo's "Does This Spark Joy?" motto helps me so much with this

[@lauraann7816]

Agreed-- and my Halloween and Christmas T-shirts and Sweaters bring me joy 😊

[@themagicknightress7132]

Or the more recently popular version: if this had poop on it, would I wash it?

[@johtolaura]

I once gave away all of my ‘going out’ clothes because I was only going out like once or twice a year. I moved shortly afterwards and started going out a lot more and just had to buy a bunch of new stuff. If things fill a niche, I tend to keep them now just in case

[@andshereadstoo7809]

I did the same thing! Though a lot of them were also very worn and not my style anymore becuase I worn them in highschool and they were stuck in 2017 still xdd Some of items I regretted decluttering for the same reason and it annoyed me having to rebuy bery similar items. Im yapping but it makes sense to keep a few event dresses nice shoes and going out clothes even if you dont wear them becasue they're expensive and eventually you'll need them someday probably 🖤

[@jodiswindle338]

Yes there is nothing worse than the feeling of panic of not having anything to wear to an event or occasion. If we want to shop our closet, we have to have a variety of pieces to be able to do that.

[@maddie8415]

This is a great example of the problem with minimalist rules or guidelines for what we should keep or "declutter". And the word "declutter" is mostly just a term to make people feel better about being wasteful. Most of what is decluttered makes its way to a landfill sooner rather than later, yet minimalists want to convince people to get rid of as much as we possibly can for no logical reason. For many people this only prompts them to buy more stuff to fill the empty spaces. If you only use something occasionally there are many more questions to ask rather than jump to the conclusion that you should immediately get rid of it. Can you/would you like to use it more often? Do you value it even though you only use on the rare occasion? Do you have the space for it? There's no inherent guilt or "wrongness" in keeping something you only use occasionally, as long as you're not over-cluttered by filling your home with many, many items that you rarely use.

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

I agree, which is why I love Dana K White’s method - she gets through trash and ”obvious” stuff, but she has only one question about stuff : ”where would I look for it ?” (okay, actually two, but the second only comes up when there’s no answer to the first) No ”do I like/wear/need it”. And then she takes the stuff to said place, and if there’s room - that’s it.

[@DirseCT]

I think the premise here is wrong, that being that minimalists think you should only consider the number of uses. No minimalist I know thinks that. We take into account all ways that something has value, including ways an item can detract from one's life. Most people have too much stuff that holds no value in their life. It's unused, unusable, and/or unloved. But people keep things because they don't want to be wasteful and because they feel guilt. However, letting go of these things would lift a mental weight and allow them to better use their space and appreciate what they have. These things are already "waste" as they sit in people's homes. I don't like discouraging people from decluttering. There is a real problem of overconsumption, and the solution does not lie in clinging to trash. There is also a big problem with hoarding, more than I think people realize.

[@maddie8415]

@@DirseCT I am not discouraging people from getting rid of true useless junk... I am discouraging people from getting rid of things they may have otherwise kept purely based on arbitrary rules or guidelines someone else made. I used to follow a bunch of minimalist-themed accounts on Facebook and most them would link these published articles that would list "guidelines" for "ruthless" decluttering that encouraged people to get rid of large amounts of things that they actually might want to use now or in the future...or just enjoy owning. A very common theme seems to be getting rid of things you rarely use or haven't been using, without asking any other questions. And they would rarely, if ever, talk about why people tend to be so cluttered...the obvious overconsumption problem. This keeps people in the buy and de-clutter cycle. I know that for me, personally, not having much excess space in my home for new things does deter me from overconsuming....so it's better that I don't get rid of so many things on a whim. I also think that being aware that I'm being wasteful when I do need to get rid of things is also a good deterrent to future overbuying. I realize that the approach will be different for a person who has a true hoarding disorder, but that is relatively uncommon. These are common themes I've personally seen, even though I realize it doesn't apply to all who consider themselves minimalists.

[@tinnie75]

@@DirseCT The guilt is a real one for me. I don't want to get rid of something that I didn't want to get in the first place. But it was a gift, so I kept it. I don't want to get rid of things I don't use, because then it feels like wasted money and wasted space on landfill but if I keep them then I can convince myself that I'll find use for them and then it'll be less of a waste. But if I could magic those things away without the feeling of guilt, I would.

[@maddie8415]

@@tinnie75 For me, personally, I channel the feeling of guilt into my effort to stop over consuming. Guilt is meant to motivate us to change in some way, it doesn't mean we have to beat ourselves up over it or hold onto the feeling too much. I never meant to discourage people from decluttering that they actually need or want to do by their own volition. I was meaning to discourage people from following someone else's arbitrary guidelines for what to get rid of, and many minimalists seem to publish lists of them. Most of these lists will encourage people to get rid of anything they use rarely or aren't currently using...without asking any further questions.

[@njpans]

If you enjoy it, keep it. Periodt!! Maybe style it in more casual ways since it sounded like you were wearing it for more professional purposes

[@averagerunner_]

I have a plaid jacket that I don't wear that much but also I'm not getting rid of it, because it fits, and for when I'm in the mood I need that plaid jacket. Period. 😂

[@toomanynotes1]

I’m a middle school para, and at least once a quarter there’s a spirit week with special days (i.e. tie-dye day). Participation isn’t mandatory, but it does make the week a little more fun and special, for students and staff. I have a box of “spirit wear” in my closet, now that I’ve had this job for almost 7 years. While I try to incorporate my spirit wear into my normal wardrobe as much as possible, I’m just not going to wear a tie-dye tee or superhero sweatshirt on the regular. It would be a shame to declutter my spirit stuff in the name of minimalism, and most spirit days see a lot of rotation.

[@BrigitteDiessl]

I have a black velvet full length sheath ball dress which I had made when I was about 23/24 (1993.) Balls were a really common thing back in the day to help with fund raisers, big celebrations etc. They are not so usual now but I still have it. My daughter wore it last year to a James Bond themed 30th birthday party. She looked so beautiful in it. I have room for it in my wardrobe. She is now 27. Who knows? Balls may come back. It's also the sort of thing to wear to a black tie event. She may wear it again. She may not. No one is going to buy it and it's still in great condition and definitely not the sort of thing to go to a thrift store. I also have a check blazer which my Dad bought in 1967 when he first came to New Zealand to marry my Mum. I wore that blazer for about three years from the ages of 16-19. My daughter now wears that blazer.

[@frederikac.5153]

Marie Kondo says to keep an item if it "sparks joy"! So that would apply to your pumpkin sweater and your hiking pants. I have a few classic clothing items that I only wear in December, and I've had them for a couple of years. Other items that you should never declutter ( unless they don't fit); classic trench coat or wool winter coat, basic black skirt or pants, elegant cocktail dress, black or nude pumps. I've just handed down my 22 year old London Fog trench coat to my daughter. Btw....please wear the pumpkin sweater and the hiking pants in your next video, and I'll subscribe!

[@RoseDoesIt]

My thing that I haven't worn in over 2 years (mainly because of my weight) is a flowery dress with crochet flower embellishments on the shoulders. It's got funky contrasting fabric under the arms (where it was let out due to my changing size). My mum actually handmade it about 8-10 years ago and I WON'T get rid of it - even if it never fits again! :)

[@RoseDoesIt]

P.S. I notcied earlier that you hit 40k, then came back a few hours later and it had reached 40.1k! Massive congrats! :D

[@MsSimpleMovies]

It might just be the minimalists I've heard, but they seem generally say minimalism is up to you to define. I'm a minimalist, and I allow myself a "miscellaneous" bin on my shelf that I'm ready to chuck before my next move. I hold on to the things "just in case" and it's the only spot in the whole house with stuff I can't describe off the top of my head. That's OK! I'm still a minimalist. If something feels good, and your place is functional and safe, you can hold on to it!

[@olivyaaaaaa]

Honestly, I think deep down you really know when it’s time to donate/throw out a clothing item.. at least for me… I’ve never regretted getting rid of something bc I wait till I’m like “yeah time to go”

[@geekelly000]

I own a few Christmas jumpers. My work allows me to wear them throughout December and it makes a huge difference from having to wear my despised, uncomfortable uniform. Although they're seasonal I've kept them for years because of this reason.

[@20twelvevolution]

If I wear it, I'm keeping it. Even if it's once a year. I'd rather have it for once a year than have it end up in a landfill.

[@lisasoto3425]

Totally agree! I also have an interview/funeral shirt and jacket, as well as two Christmas sweaters. One concept that could apply to those is "just for when", (instead of "just in case") because they have a real, specific purpose that they do get used for. I will not be getting rid of them, because they serve those specific purposes for me and do them extremely well (I got promoted wearing those specific pieces, twice! 😊). They are still in fantastic shape, and should serve their purpose for years to come. They also work well if I drop or gain a size ❤

[@AlexaSmith]

I loveee that “just for when”

[@Squishbiscuits]

I have always been a “keep it just in case” kind of person, but my partner went on a whole Minimalism Binge last year. I let them convince me to get rid of a ton of stuff. Now, at least once every couple of weeks they ask me where X is and I remind them that we got rid of it. 🙃

[@mochiness]

Id say an item i have is a very heavy coat, its a good quality goose feather jacket, that ive only worn a handful of times. It doesnt get cold enough to snow where i live, but the few times ive used it has been a lifesaver! I think that merits it staying with me! With my closet full of jackets on the other hand....

[@toomanynotes1]

Oh yes, same! I kept my winter coat even after I moved to the Southwest US. I haven’t worn it in over 10 years, but who knows when it might come in handy. Just because I’ve never traveled to a cold place during winter in a decade doesn’t mean I’ll never do so.

[@74griffo]

If I have ever regretted decluttering something, I can’t remember it now. I have no qualms about decluttering things. I don’t like keeping things in my home that I don’t like or use regularly

[@KD-dc2fd]

I have a wig I only bring out to wear on Halloween. It was very cheap to buy. I get so much joy wearing it just for the holiday. I feel like there are certain items we keep for special occasions gain more enjoyment as we age with them. Like Christmas decorations from our childhood that mom gave us when we got out on our own. We can still get all the original feels from special items such as these to give us a sense of time and space. Love this concept.

[@kb1236]

That sweater could totally be worn more casually. Professional only is in your mind because that is what you bought it and used it for. The color is really good for you.

[@glitterberserker1029]

I know it can feel morbid but we should all try to have something to wear to a funeral. When my uncle died my family had to drive to another state and then the next day find a mall and spend several hours trying to find something they could wear to the funeral. Admittedly at the time I think I was in high school and one sister was in middle school and the other was in elementary school so it's not surprising that they didn't own an all black business casual outfit but it did make the trip more difficult than it already was.

[@angrynoodletwentyfive6463]

to be fair in my experience most funerals are no longer all black, being asked to wear black to a funeral seems to be more the exception than the norm now and more for certain religions. some even ask you specifically to not wear all black. I think most people nowadays just don't like the idea of having a funeral for themselves or their loved ones where everyone is dressed in dour black outfits. Also to be clear i'm not saying there is anything wrong with more traditional funerals with all black I just think there is a general shift in cultural attitudes towards death Where people no longer want their funerals to be dour gloomy and formal.

[@Username0467]

@@angrynoodletwentyfive6463 You don’t typically ask people to dress a certain way, it’s just expect. It’s commonly seen as classless to not dress well and not in black or dark tones.

[@shawnaripari]

Something similar also happened to me, it was not as major as driving across states but I've had enough occasions where someone died expected or unexpectedly and I did not want to shop grief stricken. Those memories have stayed with me and having something very basic is just comforting.

[@VictorianPearls88]

As someone who lives in the Midwest US, I have to justify keeping clothes I wear once a year because we have all 4 seasons. Summer clothes in the warm months, winter coats in cold/harsh temps. But I will say I’ve held onto the same coat for almost 7 years.

[@j.t.6456]

Why not wear it many times throughout fall? I think it would be cute to try and style one top in many different ways

[@mukatsa]

I’ve just rediscovered a sweater that I haven’t worn in years (i think I bought it 10 years ago or even more). I’ve thought about decluttering it several times but now I’m glad I kept it! Also my lifestyle and thus how I use my clothes has changed greatly because I’ve been working from home these past 4 years. I don’t need all my office clothes anymore but I don’t feel ok letting them go completely. There’s the occasional in person meeting with clients where I want to look decent 😅

[@Shetooktothewoods]

If you swapped “hiking” for “skiing,” would the internal discussion be different? I bet a person who skis a couple times a year doesn’t feel any guilt about keeping their ski pants. I don’t think you need to put that much thought into your hiking pants. I also have recently parted ways with professional academia. I make a point of wearing “office” clothing in my daily life. Not suits or other items that would be bizarrely overdressed while vacuuming or running errands, but tops paired with jeans rather than trousers. Trousers with a plain, long sleeved t-shirt. Lovely knitwear… My point isn’t that you *must* wear your tops, but that they don’t have to live in the category “academic work” and thus be saved for special circumstances. Wear them when you want to. I have a friend who wears the tiara from her wedding 20+ years ago while vacuuming. Do what makes you smile.

[@ReturnToSenderz]

I like Dana K White’s container concept. You can keep as much as can comfortably keep in the space designated for those items. If your shirt container is your closet, and that shirt fits comfortably in there, then it’s fine. It’s like a cat in a box: if it fits, it can sits, no explanation or justification needed. 😂

[@loes6839]

Yes! Love Dana's no mess method and container concept. Both use them a lot. I also love the minimal moms "inventory" concept. If I have too much inventory, I'll forget I have it and won't use it. Because of these strategies, I've saved so much money on rebuying stuff I already own, and things going bad because I forgot about it. It also saves me money in the store, because I need to have the space to put it somewhere.

[@blank27035]

Gosh this is like therapy for me. I've used shopping at times as a mode of escapism when I'm stressed from work. I think a lot of people do this especially with high stress corporate jobs. I've made an effort more recently to stop this. This is great to keep me motivated.

[@Simbley]

i still follow the konmari method: "does this spark joy" is really all you need when youre on the fence about something

[@lauraann7816]

I couldn't spend this much time on deciding whether or not to keep an item. I would exhaust myself and give up. No offense to anyone who does; I personally couldn't do it. But other than sparking joy there is does it have a purpose. Exactly like she mentioned here I have "wake clothes " -- black slacks and a nice short sleeve shirt and a nice sweater so I am set for any time of the year. It's a difficult time when you have to go to a wake so knowing you have an outfit removes that stress.

[@Kelbel5995]

You are so, so right that we all need to take the time to determine when advice applies to us! It's like, if a random stranger came up to you on the street and told you that you should only own 33 items of clothing because it will make you feel freer, you would be rightfully wary of taking that advice. You'd think about it. But there's something about the social media space and parasocial relationships that has people skipping critical thinking. Like, as much as I might like your channel, I have to remember that I don't know you, really, and you also have no idea who I am. *I* have to be the one to decide whether I take your advice, because you don't know anything about me or my life. IMO, minimalism and other similar trends are like clothing diets for a lot of people. They don't want to think, they just want to be told what to do as a shortcut to finding personal style and having a curated, non-overwhelming wardrobe. It seems faster and easier to just follow a formula. But just like with eating, consumption and styling and wardrobe curation doesn't work that way. It's very individual. So you end up with people decluttering stuff they actually like or wear, even if only a few times a year, to get to some arbitrary number and then they miss what they decluttered, so they buy more stuff to replace it, and then they comment online about how "minimalism doesn't work." For me, I would keep the thing that you wear a few times a year, unless there are numerous other things in your wardrobe that could replace it in that category if you were to get rid of it. But again, in my individual case, I have a relatively small wardrobe with not a lot of items in any given category, and I have the physical and mental space to keep and care for the thing. Somebody else might feel differently, so they decide to declutter and rent a garment they only wear 1x a year.

[@kathleenmarie2024]

I think this is a good example of Marie Kondo's 'spark joy'. Those things clearly spark joy for you. You have room for them and you get a lot of joy and use out of them. Any 'minimalist' who judges you for that does not understand the principle of minimalism which is what works for YOU, not for someone else.

[@mrsfrappucchinoblub6005]

I love how thoughtful people phrase stuff in this comment section every time 😌 I agree that the "you need to get your wears out of stuff to keep it" isn't the only rule to go by. If you would, I'd need to get rid of the dress I wear to weddings cause I only wear it once every two or three years but obviously I am not gonna do that. So I like the approach of "does it spark joy?"

[@streetfamily6909]

I use to have one closet of clothes I loved and one small bag of makeup I loved a couple years ago and I was happy with those. Now today I have so many clothes and makeup that it’s overwhelming and it stresses me out. I had to completely unsubscribe from a lot of the people I watch on KZbin cause I realized they were not helping me to not buy buy buy they were making it worse 😂 you are one of the few that help me so much not to waste my money. Love your channel

[@MrJeromeRN]

Congratulations of 40k subscribers!

[@CyberMercy]

OMJ TY for shouting that out I didn't even notice 🎉👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@aceredacted88]

Big Halloween person here. I spent a lot of money on something I wear like max 5 times a year. But it's a high-quality costume I've started wearing yearly. It would feel wrong not to dress up on the 31st, but now, with this costume, I've saved a lot of money and still get the excitement of the holiday.

[@BunnyGxre]

I feel like a good thing to do is when you’re decluttering, put the things you plan to get rid of in a box or storage space that you won’t think about, and if you remember a piece in there that you initially thought you wanted gone and you wanna wear it again.. KEEP IT. It will help you decide because even if you’re only reaching for it occasionally, you are still using it with purpose and it’s still adding substance to your life

[@willsx2]

If I have room and I have clothing that I like and it fits but I don't wear it often I don't get rid of it. Inevitably a similar type piece I own will wear out, tear or become stained. Then that other piece will move up in rotation

[@allyberry33]

If an item gives you joy a few times a year, KEEP IT!❤ We make space for them by decluttering the truly undesirable items. Having zero things is not okay either. You clearly ❤ this shirt!

[@Karmadelica]

I too have a dedicated funeral outfit - I don't wear black or grey much but I have one outfit I keep clean and pressed just in case. It's sad but it comes in handy.

[@bianca_gayle]

If you declutter it, you might deeply miss it next fall. I say keep it! Pair it with the cargo pants you just showed, tuck in, and push up the sleeves. A cute casual fall outfit! Loving your content. Congrats on 40k 🎉

[@stylesandsmarts]

It really is on a case-by-case basis. I live in an area where the weather can be quite volatile, so I have a little bit of everything but not everything gets worn each season. Last winter wasn't as harsh/cold so my heavier sweaters and boots didn't get worn. This winter is supposed to be colder so now those clothes will get worn quite often. I also started a new job this year with a different dress code than my last job, so items are going to be used in different frequencies now.

[@kathym.9140]

I have to say that you look amazing in your white striped sweater. White shirts or sweaters will often make me look washed-out, but you look fantastic. That sweater is a winner.

[@aw6356]

Thank you for making a clothes and fashion nerding space - I don’t have any people like this IRL! Capsules for events, places, weeks, seasons and feelings is so fun for me!

[@reinadellasschizas]

I try to have the realistic approach when it comes to decluttering. I didn’t get rid of my son’s baby clothes as we plan to have another baby. I mostly declutter clothes which are too small for me now, and try not buy new clothes much. When I buy something new (new for me, usually try to buy second hand), I am very mindful about it. Thanks to the hybrid work, I don’t need much stuff. Tbh I wear the same 3-4 outfits when I go to the office.

[@amandalh60]

Agree! I have items that I really like (and fit etc) but not reaching for often so I put them out of sight and pull out the next appropriate season. Am often excited to bring them back into my wardrobe.

[@lauraangelicaochoa6435]

Precisely for this I abandoned the idea of being a Minimalist in the “social media way” years ago, back on 2017, I saw several unhinged videos. Sometimes you need the extra stuff, or you can just consume what you already have, use it, instead of just threw this stuff away, is more sustainable, and economically responsible. I remember watching a video from one of those minimalist girlies. She decluttered a highlighter box. She said that she used highlighters a lot since she was a reader, but she only kept one because she wanted to see the shelf empty, so she threw the others perfectly useable highlighters on the declutter bin. This was uncanny for my, because I do highlight a lot, I buy a box since it’s cheaper, I use one until is dry, then another, and then another. I remember she said something like they would be dry by the time she gets to use them. First, those highlighters don’t dry that fast, but more importantly, this bit of video gave the ick. I remember another youtuber recognizing minimalism on the “social media way” was not for her, since she had to buy a lot of the things she threw away, for example, decluttered her tool box because I didn’t match her decoration and she didn’t use it that much, and then, she had to bought another one. It seems so impractical to live like this, throwing stuff and then having to buy new because, at the end of the day, you need some extra stuff. Of course, there is stuff you should declutter, like broken, stained, unusable stuff, but in real life those arbitrary rules are not that practical, sometimes you need extra stuff you are not using all the time, like an extra towel or an extra set o linens.

[@morganhough1022]

I am currently on a decluttering / minimalism journey and I think that for each season of life we have to ask if our stuff is enriching our lives and serving us or if were are serving our stuff. If an item brings more stress than usefulness or joy - maybe it’s time for that item to leave. However, if you have the physical space and the mental bandwidth to hold onto more items- then enjoy those consciously 😉

[@candibee8918]

Oh my gosh, thank you for summarizing this sentiment (the one about keeping the PSL video sweater). This makes me feel so much relief about wanting to keep things such as my orange shirt day shirts, my Halloween sweaters and more. I’ve never seen it put more succinctly!

[@emilycurtis4398]

I have a Festivus sweater and a cute Mrs Claus sweater that I adore. Most of my items I wear throughout the year but those two pieces give me so much joy. I'm normally a Grinch around Christmas so anything that puts a smile on my face is worth it.

[@marty5281]

Instead of just throwing away/donating clothes, I actually start using them as much as I possibly can at home, and this way, over the past 4 years, I finally only have clothes that I like and have thrown out so many shirts and socks especially from my teen years, and all because of unpatchable holes in them

[@olenabi]

I’ve recently had a similar fashion moment. We had to attend a funeral and I had this lightweight long sleeve black viscose top that I used to wear out and refused to declutter. I paired it with loose black pants and it all fit perfectly for the occasion. Maybe a week before that I’d watched a video from one of my fav minimalists. She was mentioning a similar story and said she didn’t have a classic “black dress” for the occasion, so she just wore some black shirt and black jeans, emphasising that her presence and support were more important than her looks. I agreed, but at the same time I felt really comfortable and appropriate at this event. I’m happy I kept the top. Once me and my husband have more free time, we could go out more frequently and I could pair it with any jeans. Black is basic, but really goes with anything.

[@BadNessie]

When it comes to decluttering clothing specifically, for me it doesn't matter how often I wear a piece. It matters how functional it is regarding its purpose, if it still fits me, if it's intact and if it's my authentic self who wears it whenever it's worn. Basically the same as Shawna described it. Apart from the obvious (broken / wrong size / bad fit) I try to sort out the fantasy self items, and those that I may have unnecessary excess of. And more importantly: by doing that I'm getting better at not bringing in more 'stupid buys' that would just end up the same way.

[@happytofu5]

I do seasonal capsule wardrobes and also have a few items that I only wear a couple of times in the year, mainly because it only fits a certain temperature range. I put the rest of the wardrobe away and only have my seasonal items present in the closet.

[@amandabranum2626]

Coats. So many coats! But they all get used & worn throughout the year and keep me comfortable once the weather starts getting cold & colder

[@missybiblio4673]

Snow pants, and high heels

[@lauraann7816]

Now worn together that would be some sight 😂

[@missybiblio4673]

@@lauraann7816 ya that's the look I keep them for 😂

[@shawnaripari]

I cracked up picturing it!!

[@insidiouschaos812]

i’ve gotten rid of a lot of things in the last couple years, and almost of them are clothes - i gained a lot of weight in the last twelve years - about 100 pounds - and i’ve had to buy a lot to keep up with the size changes as they’ve happened. but im on a new medication and im finally losing weight and now i have a good job that pays well and i can afford to get rid of the cheap goodwill stuff that never fit well and buy things that *fit* and *will fit* for a while, even as i lose weight! but that’s not minimalism, that’s just getting rid of what doesnt serve you. i just got married, and i bought a couple of outfits for wedding related events, but i know i bought them to be able to be reused for more needs down the line! i already have reused one dress for a work event, bc its an appropriate dress for warm weather cocktail events! i try to buy only what is needed when i know im going to be using it shortly and also later - i can and do borrow one off needs from my mom bc we are similar sizes, and live near to each other, and it makes life *so much easier* - honestly the biggest problem is having to constantly replace bras bc they are *expensive* and *finicky* when it comes to fitting at all

[@aims2350]

I went through an intenseeeee overspending/shopping phase for 3 years and I bought SO many quality timeless pieces. So while I might have an excess of clothes that I don’t necessarily ~need~ I already spent the money and they’re nice, timeless pieces. It wouldn’t make sense for me to get rid of any of them.

[@coolchameleon21]

i feel like the only things you should keep if you only wear them once are year are seasonal wear (like a christmas sweater or vest) or formal wear (for weddings or other “special” events). but maybe that’s just because having a bunch of random stuff that i don’t really use or need stresses me out

[@torhildsagenghansen6074]

The fall colored shirt really looks good on you, you should definately keep it!

[@monicagambino318]

I have a H&M Christmas sweater that I wear around Christmas only, I love it and I’m keeping it

[@lissaharned6859]

I have a black and gold sparkly sweater dress. It's such a specific balance of fancy and casual that I have only worn it a couple times. To a wedding rehearsal dinner and a Christmas party. Sure, I only wear it maybe once a year, but when those occasions do present themselves, I love getting to wear it because its so cute and looks great on me. And it's stretchy so it fits even when my weight flutchates one way or the other.

[@aquamar1003]

Thank you for this video Shawna ! You are making great points here. I can tell you I decluttered things two or three times to make space and feel lighter just to feel bored again. It just fed into the shop-declutter cycle. Now I’ll hold onto my stuff as long as I like it! Maybe my life will change a bit so that I will use those things more. And tools! You don’t need them that often but when you need them it’s great to have. So would not declutter tools.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I think it depends on what it is and how much closet space you have. I have several wool sweaters that I rarely wear because of our climate but I love them, so I keep them. I especially like having them when I travel somewhere that has snow. I have other things that I never wear and probably won't be wearing them again. I've put them in my donate or refashion box.

[@enoradesmots3544]

The times I have "decluttered" my closet I can count on one hand, usually when I was moving or I was merging two closets (the one I kept at my parents and the one in my studio), and I have kept things that I wear only a few times a year. The questions I keep in mind when decluttering are : does it fit me? Do I have several of the same kind? If yes, is there a good reason for it? And would I have worn it at least once before the same time next year for sure? And if my answer to those questions is leading me toward not keeping it but I've thought of at least three reasons to keep it, I keep it for now and reevalue if I keep it or not in a few month I am also in the habit of wearing something nice when I'm not planning of spending the day as a vegetable on the couch, even if it's just to do some cleaning, it is something I have done to help me get out of depression and burn out and works great for me edit:grammar

[@lajordinimo]

For me it’s holiday shirts. I have a couple Christmas and 4th of July shirts that I only wear a couple times a year.

[@joanne6408]

I recently lost a fair amount of weight, and did a huge declutter of the clothes that no longer fit. There are, however, some items that I’ve had for 20 years or more, that I kept even though they were too small and never used. These include a couple of very dressy good quality outfits that would be perfect for a special occasion, such as a wedding. They now fit me again, and I’m glad I kept them “just in case”.

[@anastasiacaamano479]

I have a pair of gray fleece leggings with a black zig zag pattern on them, that I have contemplated decluttering for years. They are super warm, but the design isn’t my style and I do not find them very flattering on their own. I keep them around because they are perfect for layering if I go out in the snow or skiing. Granted that isn’t super often, but I do feel like they occupy that space for me. I saw a makeup video years ago that helped me understand that you will have your everyday basics, items you rotate seasonally or regularly, and special occasion items. For some reason it’s harder for me with clothes. Just because you use it a few times a year or less doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a purpose in your home (even though I wish I didn’t have to store those items lol)

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I have things that I only wear during the Christmas season, and I love those things, and I've had them for years. I'd feel lost without them.😊

[@smilereem]

This has been something I have been thinking about a lot recently. I am currently breastfeeding and my size has fluctuated a lot over the last 12 months so there is a chunk of my wardrobe that is impractical to wear currently (due to size or feeding access) and I have mixed feelings about it. I usually will declutter a piece if I have not worn it in 12 months and cannot see myself wearing it in the upcoming season but this would mean that I would declutter at least half of my wardrobe and I have been feeling guilty for storing these pieces but I know that I would feel wasteful decluttering some of these pieces only to want to buy them (or something similar) again later on. Strangely, I do not feel the same about my small handful of more novelty holiday pieces that I may wear only once or twice a year but bring me joy to see and re-wear them each year.

[@MerlynBarkhuizen]

I have a small capsule in my wardrobe for Occasional Wear which are only worn “per occasion” which I will never get rid of😊

[@TheGoodMan211]

This is so funny because I’m the type of person to not wear xyz for years but to keep it bc I know the perfect thing will come along to make it stand out. I also actually really do think it’s super weird how “minimalist” encourage so much decluttering as sustainable when it’s anything but? Also the whole outfit for an event thing is so fair, I let my grandmother buy me a dress I kinda hate but I’m pretty sure my current fashion (think prairie dresses) was actively making people not want to invite me to weddings because I’d out dress the bride, so dress pants, jeans, dress shirts, sandals, shorts, etc might not fit your aesthetic and you might not like seeing them but you’re not going to care when they’re serving their function, (like letting me see my family in my case) so just keep them.

[@GelaMarie83]

I have a Christmas dress that I wear on Christmas day only. I also have a Christmas tshirt that I wear a few times a year. But I look forward to wearing them in December.

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

Regarding your last question : I still have my wedding dress. I don’t think I’ll ever wear it again, but I do have the room. Also, less unlikely to be worn, even though the occasions are few and far between: a handful of party/evening dresses. And fancy hats.

[@carris2scents57]

When I declutter my closet I just put everything in a big trash bag and keep it for a year lol If I don’t go digging for something I get rid of it.

[@gwenmph]

I have a shirt from a concert I went to in 2012 with one of my high school friends. She unfortunately passed away about 5 years ago and so it reminds me of her and a really good time we had. The shirt doesn’t really even fit anymore but I can’t get rid of it.

[@buffoello]

i definitely have fallen into the minimalism trap of "if you dont use it toss/give/etc it", but when i do i always find myself thinking about that piece if it isnt completely unwearable. and another thing: you can easily repair clothes, it just takes time and a bit of hand sewing knowledge (for most things). i think repair should be added to the motto "reduce, reuse, recycle". great vid as always shawna 💖

[@Tha_G0at]

Clothes is my one thing that I won't be a minimalist with lol I enjoy having all my different clothes too much. I am decluttering everything else in my house though

[@rodemates]

My weight fluctuates a lot. I wish I never listened to people who said to declutter clothes that don't fit. I wasted so much money rebuying larger and smaller clothes

[@booksandbargains]

Ok I am so so so glad I was suggested this video. As someone who is trying to become a more conscious consumer, I have been having similar dilemmas about a dress that is in my mind summer material but fall pattern and I literally wear it two or three times a year so I have been wondering if I should declutter it, but the joy I get when I wear it makes its worth its weight in gold in my wardrobe and I know If I was to declutter it, I would be searching for something else to fill its gap

[@fashionmakiroll]

One other thought! Since fashion is cyclical, if you have something that you feel like looks dated or your not interested in wearing right now but still love it, keep it for when it comes back in style! (If you have space).

[@francescagreetham1804]

I love love love jumpers - especially Christmas jumpers. Yes in theory I can only wear those one month of the year but my god do I wear them! Also my bf is great at decluttering his clothes, but it’s made me realise men don’t have a lot of variety in clothes so if he donates a shirt, he has many others than fit the same. Women’s clothes are always quite varied in shape, material, fit, pattern, style. I have no double ups in my wardrobe but probably three times the clothes he does. But I’m unlikely to ever find those items again if i get rid of them.

[@jodiswindle338]

Because of my wfh lifestyle there are many pieces in my closet that might only get worn a couple of times per year. But I have the space and if I didn’t I would be more likely to fill the space (probably with items I let go due to not wearing). So it’s better for me to keep them if I love them. I have a gut feeling when I’m done with a piece.

[@PGOuma]

I have no choice but to get rid of most of my closet as I've gained a lot of weight recently due to the medication I'm on as well as bulking up due to my training so... 😅

[@luvleeaddi]

It's so funny, you pulled out the green cargo pants and I was like, those look just like my hiking pants 🤣

[@grandy_rho]

I have a corset from when I did reenactments that I kept when I stopped, not really sure I'd ever use it again, but it was just too pretty to get rid of. Now I'm glad I kept it, as it makes an excellent back brace for my healing T8

[@geniej2378]

I have a few pieces I only wear in specific circumstances. They give me different looks and that’s worth it to me

[@olenabi]

The brown sweater issue. 1) you like it 2) it makes you happy 3) you already own it 4) it creates the autumn mood and keeps you from buying more 5) it looks timeless My opinion - keep it.

[@withyoctopus]

I keep everything that's wearable. I also mend, repair and re-dye clothing. If it's worn out, I toss it or make something out of it. I don't need to donate it because it's done. I don't need to buy new clothes often. There's still a lot I can go through.

[@tinnie75]

I really feel some of your points in this video. I have some items of clothing I may not wear regularly because they're not something for everyday wear. But even if they're once a year type item, that's still one time a year I need something like that. So why get rid of it if it could then need to be replaced by something? I don't like how certain things take up space when I rarely wear them but I like the idea of getting rid of something that still looks good even more, unless I know it's going directly to someone who wants it.

[@insidiouschaos812]

also my wedding dress is my favorite dress out of anything i’ve ever worn so im keeping it and having it tailored to just below the knee so i have a fancy cocktail dress! it’s going to look very 1950s and im extremely excited, and the extra cut off fabric is going to be stored for repairs and needed fabric for the future (i know im going to need it i just don’t know when, but there’s no point in throwing away fancy fabrics yknow?)

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

I have some long sleeve crop tops that I barely wear because either my arms are too hot or my belly gets cold lol I do still wear them in rare occasions so I'm keeping them

[@emilycarnes3162]

In yoga teacher training, we talked about yoga clothing as a tool to get into the head space for practice. Not to wear to the grocery store or a childs teacher conference. You spoke about clothes like your joggers and orange sweeter in this way. America's have gotten away from appropriate clothing to convey to others and themselves what activity or outcome they are participating in. Whatever happened to dress for success? Children wearing p j's to school. People wearing house shoes outside of the house to the courthouse.....on and on.

[@Shirumoon]

Talking about yoga clothing is so ironic since our modern, western, yoga gear has nothign to do with what was worn traditionally. Also "dress to success" for a long time meant forcing women to wear uncomfortable stockings and heels that are proven to cause foot damage. I'm not saying we should all wear pyjamas all the time but I feel like there's a healthy balance and it's a good thing that everyone can decide for themselves. Maybe meditate on why it's bothering you so much what other people are doing, there is some room to be more chill about that.

[@moime8486]

For me, minimalism isn't about throwing all my stuff out, it's about buying less things. Be that clothes or anything else. So, no, I wouldn't throw it out unless it is damaged beyond repair or there is a valid reason for never wanting to wear it again.

[@Shirumoon]

Exactly! I think so many critics of minimalism exist though because of sensationalist social media "minimalism" where it's all about decluttering and flauting your empty apartment. The thing is, you can't film yourself buying nothing lol, that doesn't work as content so some people genuinely believe minimalism is what is shown to us on youtube and social media.

[@TheMeganExperience]

Pretty much every time I've decluttered clothes- I've regretted it sorely! The most recent time; last year, I had slowly been gaining weight over the prior two years and had decided I was going to "accept" my new body by decluttering the smaller clothing. What happened? I ended up getting incredibly sick in January of this year (actually related to that weight gain!) lost 30lbs and unfortunately had to buy new clothing because I had donated all those carefully curated items from before :( I still miss some of those items like the perfect comfy denim shorts from 10 years ago that are made of a higher quality denim than those made today. I work in a professional setting where I have to wear suits so I am now paying to take in all of the suits I purchased last year which in some cases costs more than the suit itself -would not have had to do that if I hadn't donated my old suiting. The reality is, our bodies change over the years - if the weight gain has plateaued and you've stayed at the same weight for a couple of years then it's safe to declutter but if your weight change is recent (within the past 2-3 years) and you're still not steady, I would say DO NOT DECLUTTER, especially if you have the space to store.

[@jendavis5672]

I own a full-length formal dress that I've now worn to 3 weddings and 2 black tie affairs. I've had this dress for probably 10 years now, but I will keep it until I can no longer fit into it because there is no reason to buy a new dress for these events.

[@fashionmakiroll]

I don't think there is any problem at all with keeping things that you only wear occasionally. If you have seasonal things like the fall sweater, you can keep them in a box when they are out of season. Then it's super fun to pull out your fall sweaters each year and it actually makes me feel like shopping less because I feel like I'm shopping things I already own. I keep my event wear and dressier things separate from my everyday clothes so I don't get overwhelmed on a daily basis when I'm trying to get dressed. But if I need a dress or an interview outfit, I look through my nicer clothes and pick something out. If you don't have space for a box or extra closet space you can create sections in your closet so your not picking from all your clothes.

[@Red_death13]

I still miss my lacesleeved white shirt. I wore it so much that I got sick of it and decluttered it and I regretted it already a month later. It's been 4 years and I still miss think about it. And that's the case for most of the items I decluttered.