Cleaning out the closet: 5 items to remove today

There are various articles in magazines and on blogs that focus on the top five pieces every woman should have in her closet. What is being forgotten, of course, is that many women, myself included, have a difficult time removing items from the closet in order to make room for the influx of new stuff each season. Do I really need that neon yellow cable knit sweater I got for Christmas five years ago? Do I still wear those high-waisted jeans that were so in for a season? Instead of focusing on bringing more into the closet, women should take a good look at what they already have and get rid of these five things.

Jeans that don't fit

Yes, I too hold dreams of losing thirty pounds and fitting into those jeans I bought when I started grad school. But even if that did happen, are those jeans even flattering anymore? Are they in style? Probably not. Instead of holding on to eight pairs of jeans in a size six, consign them, especially if they're brand name. Make a few bucks off something that was clogging up your closet and then buy a pair that fits now.

Babydoll dresses

Yes, I'm guilty of this one. They're so comfortable! But I'm not a teenager anymore, and I definitely don't have the figure for them anymore (if I ever did). Get rid of the adolescent clothes, again, consign, and then add back in a few pieces that are more flattering to who you currently are.

Stained dress shirts

I happen to sweat a lot, even though as women we don't like to admit these things. So I know for a fact that white dress shirts just don't last six years for me. So why do I still have so many of them hanging, unworn, in my closet? If they're so stained that oxyclean can't help and they're not being worn because they're so stained, free up that valuable closet space, and get rid of them.

Too-trendy pieces

I'm more of a classic dresser, but I like to add in trendy pieces here and there. I don't remember when men's wear vests were in, but I certainly couldn't pull that off even then, and I don't need that silly thing in my closet now when I know better. What pieces are in your closet that you bought because they were in but never wore? Purge them.

Uncomfortable shoes

I don't mean throw away all of your high heels and only wear flats or sneakers. But I know that I have at least five pairs of shoes that I will never wear because they mercilessly hurt my feet. One pair was an unexpected splurge from my husband-red 4" heeled patent loafers from White House Black Market. I have worn them twice, and by the end of the day, I was literally hobbling. Why do I keep them? Can shoes really have sentimental value? Instead of hoarding unworn shoes, especially ones that are in excellent shape, I now trade with friends, consign them, or donate them.

Every closet has pieces that are unworn and are unlikely to ever be worn. Why take up so much space with something so pointless? Remove those items and replace them, or just enjoy the extra space between hangers.

More from this contributor:

Five Fashion Finds Under Fifty Dollars

The Change in Girls' Fashion

Men's Summer Fashion