12 Things in Your Wardrobe That Never Get Worn

Is your closet brimming with clothing and you still feel like you have nothing to wear? You might have too many pieces that are ultra-trendy, uncomfortable, or not your personal style.

In this article, we’re calling out those items in your closet that never get worn. We’ll help you figure out which clothing and accessories you should sell or donate, and we’ll offer replacement options that are timeless, high-quality, and practical (you know, those pieces you’ll actually end up wearing).

Why haven’t you gotten rid of “that piece” yet?

Every woman has something in her closet that she never wears and knows she probably should get rid of… but she just can’t part with it. There may be a few reasons you’re holding on to that piece – and a lot of those reasons are backed by psychology. Maybe it was a gift or you are emotionally attached to it, maybe you’re saving it for a special occasion, or maybe you’re waiting for that one St. Patty’s Day you might need those green leggings. Often, we also succumb to the fallacy of sunk costs; we feel like we need to keep something because we’ve spent money on it.

It's normal to get attached to the things you own. But decluttering will free your mind and your wardrobe, so you have more room for pieces you truly love and use.

How to declutter your closet

Cleaning out your closet can feel daunting, especially if you’re emotionally attached to your clothing. That’s why we’ve published a lot of resources on how to effectively declutter, organize, and clean your closet:

• The Ultimate Closet Cleanout and Checklist
• Closet Clean Out: Love Your Wardrobe and Make Money
• 9 Ways to Organize Your Closet
• Tips For After You’ve Sorted Your Clothes
• 7 Easy Tips to Sell Used Clothes Online (it’s easy to get rid of clothes you don’t want when you’re making a little money from selling them!)

Here’s an easy tip to get started. When you’re not sure whether to get rid of an item, consider the question: how much would I pay for this today if I didn’t already own it? If you would pay very little (or nothing at all), then it’s probably time to get rid of that piece. If you’d pay what it’s worth or more, then you can keep it!

So what are the 12 things in your wardrobe you’re probably never going to use or wear… and what should you replace them with?

Clutch purses

Clutch purses aren’t out of style, but they can be impractical for a lot of women. I always want to love clutches because they’re so cute, but I need the use of my hands (especially as a mom and small business owner).

If you’re like me and never actually use your clutch, swap it out for a crossbody that’s equally as chic. Choose a neutral or black crossbody that you can wear with just about any outfit. Opt for a high-quality or designer investment bag that will function just as beautifully for formal events and workwear as it does in elevating a more casual outfit.

Wedge sneakers 

Wedge sneakers were popular in the early 2010s, but they’re out of style now – and we doubt they’re coming back in style anytime soon. It’s time to stop your wedge sneakers taking up valuable space in your shoe closet.

If you have a pair of outdated sneakers – whether they are wedge sneakers, lace-less sneakers, or something else – you might want to opt for clean white keds instead. White sneakers withstand the test of time and can pair with just about any casual outfit. Learn how to keep your sneakers clean here.

Uncomfortable stilettos

Every woman has a pair of heels that she’s in love with… but she never wears them. They’re uncomfortable, they give you blisters, and you can’t actually walk in them. Unless they have sentimental value, that probably means it’s time to give up the impracticable stilettos in favor of something more sensible and comfortable like a nude pump.

It may take a little bit of searching to find your perfect nude pump, but when you do, it will completely revolutionize your outfits. Check out this guide to all things high heels to you’re your perfect shoe.

Camo or paisley

Camo and paisley were once on-trend, but they’ve since lost favor. Unless you love these prints and they fit your personal style, it’s probably best to swap them out in favor of something more timeless, like leopard print.

Although different animal prints may come in and out of style, leopard is a neutral classic that you’ll be able to wear for years to come. Learn more about how to style animal prints for every season here.

High-low dress or cut out dress

Some dress styles were trendy in the early 2000s and 2010s that we’re unlikely to see back on the scene if they haven’t already popped up in the 2022 Y2K revival. For example, a lot of high-low silhouettes and cut-out dresses aren’t as popular now.

Rather than purchasing trendy dresses that quickly lose their cool factor, go for a classic silhouette little black dress that you can wear and re-wear for years to come.

Itchy sweater

Say goodbye to that sweater that makes you itchy and uncomfortable. I know it’s cute, but if you don’t feel good in it, it will impact your confidence – and confidence is the key to fashion.

Swap out your itchy sweater for a classic cashmere sweater. Cashmere is ultra-soft and cozy, and it’s more sustainable than synthetic materials. I also love the way cashmere gives a soft, feminine silhouette that pairs beautifully with jeans, skirts, or even joggers!

Stained tee shirt

Get rid of those stained tees. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get rid of those stains (or holes or yellow deodorant marks), it’s time to ditch or donate your old t-shirts.

Replace them with a high-quality, crisp white tee that will last you a lot longer than a low-quality one might. Even though t-shirts are more casual, quality still matters.

Button-down tank top

Sleeveless or short-sleeve button-downs are not as popular as long-sleeve button-downs. If you’re looking for an elevated alternative to a button-down tank top, try a silk slip top instead. These offer a feminine silhouette that you can easily dress up with a pencil skirt for work or dress down with jeans for a day on the town.

Tight blazers

Do you hate putting on your work blazer because it’s tight and constricting? The good news is you don’t have to squeeze into a tight blazer to look professional. A looser, unstructured blazer can be equally (if not more) professional.

You should always pair an oversized piece (like an unstructured blazer) with a tighter bottom, like structured pants or a pencil skirt. This gives the outfit a sense of balance that will always look chic.

Bedazzled denim jacket

The bedazzled denim jacket has a time and place, and unfortunately, that time may be in the past. Any jackets in your closet that you haven’t worn in the past year should be donated.

Instead, fill your coat closet with a plain denim jacket in a medium or dark wash. I’m also a huge fan of the go-to black leather jacket, which is effortlessly timeless and looks purposeful with every outfit.

Low-quality jewelry

Is your jewelry turning you green? Do your earlobes hurt every time you put in a pair of costume earrings? Then it’s time for you to swap out those lower-quality pieces in favor of high-quality and designer gems.

Having one piece of high-quality, classic jewelry like pearl or diamond studs is much better than a jewelry case filled with low-quality pieces that oxidize easily, hurt your skin, and don’t add anything to your outfit. Check out our current selection of high-quality jewelry here to start stocking your closet with pieces you will love.

Fast fashion

Most of the fast fashion in your closet is already out of style. Fast fashion is made to be fast – which means those pieces go in and out of fashion quickly. They’re low-quality and cheap, which is why they tend to rip, pull, stain, and degrade a lot faster than higher-quality pieces.

Instead of a closet filled with fast fashion, choose sustainable fashion and timeless pieces that will last in your closet for years to come. Check out these 7 trends in sustainable fashion in 2022 and 2023 to learn the benefits of filling your wardrobe with quality, sustainable pieces.

Which pieces in your closet never get worn, and what are some classic alternatives you want to try out instead? Let us know your thoughts by DMing us at @currentboutique!

Photo Sources

• Crossbody: https://chictalkch.com/2020/12/how-to-dress-up-your-loungewear.html
• White sneakers: https://www.collegefashionista.com/outfits-with-white-sneakers/
• Nude pump: https://loverlygrey.com/work-wear-wednesday-2/
• Leopard print: https://rachelscraftedlife.com/pin-spired-thrifted-outfits-october/
• LBD: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/390405861461286289/
• Cashmere sweater: https://fashionjackson.com/celine-mini-belt-bag-review/
• White tee: https://www.oolhaisso.com/21-looks-com-tenis-estilo-e-conforto/
• Silk top: https://jennycipoletti.com/secret-clinical-strength-deodorant/
• Unstructured blazer: https://effortlesstyle.com/blazers-and-jeans/
• Black leather jacket: https://www.brooklynblonde.com/2017/10/closet-essentials-fall#_a5y_p=6542583
• Jewelry: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3307399718713696/
• Sustainable fashion: https://www.shopjennlee.com/pages/about-us