Have you ever gone to your closet to put together a trendy outfit, only to find that it was so jam packed you couldn’t locate a single thing? Somewhere between the formal you wore to your sorority outing and the pair of jeans you haven’t been able to squeeze into for years are outfits that scream fashionista, but you cannot find them. That happened to me this week, and it has pushed me into purge mode! As I prepare to purge, here are some tips I am going to use.

How to Decide What to Lose

The hardest part about this project is going to be choosing what to keep and what to purge. After all, trendy girls clothing and outfits can often be created with old pieces if you know what you are doing, so it’s not always obvious which pieces should be purged. So, I have set up some basic ground rules. First, if I haven’t worn it in a year, it gets tossed. Also, if it is too small or too big, I am purging it. Finally, if it is damaged beyond a simple button, it goes.

How to Decide What to Keep

Now, what will I keep? I am looking for pieces that have character or are obviously trendy. Unique fabrics, basic solids for layering and slacks and skirts that fit well have to stay. Since bold colors are in this year, bright pieces will be keepers. Also, sweaters and jackets will stay, unless they are way too outdated, because these can dress up a simple outfit quickly. Finally, I plan to keep a few dresses, preferably those in the hot maxi or above-the-knee lengths. Once I am done, I will make a list of the pieces of girls clothing I need to buy to complete my trendy wardrobe.

What to Do with the Purged Items

Next, I need a plan for my purged items. Instead of just tossing them, I’m going to donate them. I know you can just dump a bag at the local Salvation Army, but I want to go above and beyond. After all, it feels good to have the opportunity to help people who are in need. To make this happen, I plan to talk to some friends who are also purging, or who need a little push to purge, and organize a clothing drive. We will partner with a local charity organization that needs the clothes and uses them to help local families directly, so we can be certain our items are getting the most use. We will collect items from our friends and offer one big donation to the charity organization of our choice.

I am looking forward to being able to open my closet and clearly see the outfits available to wear, without having to dig through my old college sweatshirt and the t-shirt from my high school senior trip. This plan is exciting to me because not only will I have an easier time picking a trendy outfit, but I am also going to be able to help the community at the same time. This has turned a boring chore into something I am actually looking forward to doing.

Lindsey is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area and she writes on behalf of Sears and other deserving brands. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree