The one question I ask while cleaning my closet
A framework called the Vacation Clothes Theory.
I’ve tried all the closet clean-out methods. I switched the direction of my hangers to better see what I actually wear, piled everything onto my bed (regret always followed), and held frilly white tops close as I whispered, “Does this spark joy?”
Yet I’d always end up in the same boat: a closet (semi) full of clothes, and nothing to wear.
I bet this sounds familiar. You have plenty in your closet, but somehow, you’re still missing the things you actually want. (More on that next week.) And the ones you do like—at least in theory—never seem to work the way you hoped.
Eventually, I realized the problem wasn’t how I was cleaning out my closet—it was what I was asking myself while I did it.
That’s when I came up with a new framework I like to call the Vacation Clothes Theory:
If you were going on vacation, and the vacation called for this piece, would you bring it?
If the answer is no, you toss.
This stuck because packing forces you to be decisive. It reveals what you really like, what flatters, and what earns a spot in your carry-on.
And why not make every wardrobe decision with that kind of clarity?
Of course, not everything in your closet is meant for vacation. Most of our day-to-day lives look nothing like our Euro summers. The point is the energy behind the question—whether our clothes are worth the literal or mental space.
For example, I’m not packing jeans for our fall trip to Japan. But if I wanted to (as the forecast certainly calls for it), I can confidently say that if David threw any pair I own into my suitcase without asking, I’d be happy with the choice.
That’s the bar.
If you’re not ready to commit to the toss, try the trunk test. Put your maybes in a bag and leave them in the trunk of your car. You want them out of the house, far enough away that you nearly forget about them. If a few weeks go by and you haven’t missed anything, well, that tells you everything you need to know.
The Vacation Clothes Theory is strict, but it’s helped me edit with ruthless intention and get clearer about what’s worth keeping or buying.
So next time you’re staring at your closet, overwhelmed, start here:
Would I pack this?
I have things that bring me joy but I’d never travel with them! As soon as I saw your question, I immediately thought of some jackets and tops that just take up space yet I’m hesitant to part with them…they get worn maybe once a year? Going to try your approach and give myself a little tough love to clean out the closet!
My problem is yes! I would pack and then not wear it, take back home and unload and wash it again. I guess my question should be, am I willing to cart this to Philly or xyz and back without wearing it, for a chance to wear it? Lol! Such a fantastic perspective you’ve brought to my attention and I will be applying it!