6 Types of Clothes to Get Rid of ASAP, According to Pro Organizers

Simply put, if you don't wear it, remove it from your closet. Find a new home for clothing that is "itchy, uncomfortable or evokes a negative memory," says professional organizer Bohne Leah, founder of the Be Organized Method.

For clothes that fall into a middle category, reflect on which pieces you no longer feel happy wearing versus which pieces may be worth keeping if they come back in style. "I believe it’s important to maintain a wardrobe filled with pieces that you love," says Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour.

If you have items that you want to keep but they don't fit well, consider getting them tailored, suggests Seymour. For less than the price of buying something new, you can renew something you already have and love.

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After years of hanging onto questionable socks and faded t-shirts, I've finally learned to toss white tees and undershirts that have underarm stains and any item that has a hole in it that can't be fixed.

Getting rid of clothes that "have holes, stains, or are simply past their prime" will help you "free up valuable closet space," explains Leah. Damaged items are no longer useful, explains Phillip. Instead, it's more useful to recycle these unwearable items and have more room to store items you actually wear.

If you are unsure if an item in your closet is truly irreparable, ask a tailor.

You probably have more than one item in your closet that you bought for a singular, special occasion. Whether it's a bridesmaid dress, Halloween costume, prom outfit or tutu from a dance recital, these items are easy to locate and are at the top of the list of clothes you should get rid of. While a bridesmaid dress may be able to be repurposed for a future formal event, donating old costumes is an easy way to clear up space in your closet. Trust me, my mom and I gave away over a decade's worth of dance costumes, and it made our storage space a whole lot roomier.

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I once bought the same v-neck t-shirt in four different colors because I initially liked how it fit. Over the years, I wore these tees less and less and only kept one of the more neutral colors. "If we discover too many similar items, I recommend clients keep their favorites and say goodbye to the rest," says Leah. This mindset may even help you while shopping for new items. I try to keep stock of how many pieces I have for a certain category to help decide whether I should splurge on a new midi dress or turtleneck sweater.

Deciding on whether to keep or toss sentimental pieces can be tough. Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté, for example, tends to keep sentimental clothing even if she doesn't wear it, whereas Phillips recommends culling. Leah suggests taking a photo of sentimental items before you store or donate them.

Another option: "If an item is strictly memorable and is never worn, consider moving it to a storage area with your other memorabilia," recommends Phillip. Similarly, Leah keeps a collection of favorite shirts and sweatshirts in a box she doesn't store in the closet. "This compromise allows me to hold onto what I love while keeping my space functional," she says.

Forté points out that while clothes can take up space in your closet, so can shoes. "I would recommend purging shoes that don’t fit well or hurt, are falling apart or damaged beyond repair," says Forté. While you may be able to restyle or repurpose clothing that still fits but you don't wear as often, that is harder to do with shoes.