What to Keep & What to Toss as We Dive into Spring Cleaning

Elizabeth Street

This polar vortex of a winter is finally starting to thaw out, which means only one thing: Spring cleaning is upon us. As we get ready to deep clean our homes and reorganize our garages, it's time to consider your wardrobe. Your closet--probably overflowing with clothes you no longer wear--needs to be cleaned out. Clearing our your wardrobe can be a daunting task, usually causing anxiety about what to keep and what to toss.

When it comes time to editing your wardrobe, it can be difficult to part with particular pieces. If you haven't worn an item in a number of months or it doesn't fit, a good solution to tossing is to consign items. Who doesn't love the idea of putting a little cash back in your wallet while making room for fabulous new pieces?

Check out these 11 tips that will help alleviate the stress of spring cleaning and make room for those fresh pieces your wardrobe desperately needs. It's time to shake off those winter coats and shimmy into some spring dresses.

KEEP: Motorcycle Boots. Those fabulous motorcycle boots will never go out of fashion. To make sure the leather looks as good as new, wipe it down with a damp, cold cloth. Any staining should be done professionally.

TOSS: Hole-y Sweaters. As much as we love worn-in, baggy sweaters, too many moth holes are never chic. Time to toss!

KEEP: Peacoat. The toppers will always be timeless (thank Audrey Hepburn for that!). Dry clean and store properly between seasons to ensure longevity.
TOSS: Bare Threads. If you are down to the bare threads, its time to toss. This goes for shirts, socks, scarves, gloves and more. It's time to be whole again with fresh, new items.

KEEP: "Distressed" Jeans. We love a good pair of "distressed" jeans, but make sure if they do have holes in them, that they are not too big and in appropriate spots.

FIX: Sole-less Shoes. Our shoes go through a lot of wear and tear. Instead of tossing due to sole wear, give them a second life by having the soles replaced professionally.

TOSS: Bathing Suits. Swimsuits are not made of the hardiest material, so they tend to wear pretty quickly. If you've had a suit for longer than 2 to 3 seasons, time to toss!

KEEP: Trendy Items. This is a tricky one. We all get swept away every once in a while by what's trendy at the moment. Keep these items if you genuinely gravitated towards them in the first place. After all, you never know when fashion history will repeat itself.

KEEP: Handbags. If the hardware--handles, zippers and snaps--are in need of a little pick-me-up, take them in to be professionally replaced. A good handbag is worth its weight in gold.

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