"The simple test is to look at an item in your closet and gauge your gut reaction to it: If you’re not immediately filled with fondness, get rid of it."
LinkI could stand to employ this tactic.
However, I would argue that there are two types of fondness associated with getting rid of an old thrift-find, which make these decisions all the more difficult. The first is sentimental. "Oh, I remember buying that when I went to that thrift store in Columbus when I visited for an intramural soccer tournament" (GAP green corduroys, now shorts with one back pocket). The second is a fondness for the design or piece (L is going to hate that I said piece). "This Penguins shirt is a little too big on me, but it has an awesome logo and ringer sleeves!". If I am able to overcome these two emotions, I can let it go.
I recently narrowed down my dress shoe collection down to three. One black, one brown, one maroon. Obviously there are plenty of casual shoes in between, but those are actually necessary...mostly.
Over eleven years of thrifting (jesus, has it been that long?!) I have accumulated a lot of clothes. I still have some from the earlier years and those have been the hardest to get rid of. Granted, most of them are t-shirts because that was the only thing I knew how to buy. One of my best strategies is to really take a hard look at my wardrobe and decide what I can live without.
Once I've decided I can live without them, the clothes have a determined path. First, they go to Avalon to be traded in for cash/store credit. This is the first place I go, because I can replace a few nice pieces that don't fit for a great staple that helps complete my wardrobe. For example, I recently unloaded a few items I never wore (or gave me corns...fuck you, shoes!) and got a simple green/grey striped sweater that fits really well, plus some cash back. This is a win-win.
Whatever isn't taken by Avalon goes into two categories: vintage and non-vintage. Hey Beatty! and Eons get to take a look at the vintage goods (for cash) and Goodwill gets the rest.
This is always a theraputic endeavor. Coming home with a nice sweater, some extra cash (to spend on my lady) and more room in our closet for the clothes we do have is very rewarding.
Ideally, I could avoid this entire cycle by not buy this stuff in the first place! Alas, I get attached to items very easily at the thrift store. I feel that I have gotten better at making decisions at the thrift store; reasoning between price, fit, style and neccessity. I still catch myself thinking, "This is a little big...but the design is too good too pass up!". As I practice restraint, this little voice will become smaller and I will make better judgments about what to buy. Until then, I'm hanging onto to that Pens shirt.
