13 Types of Clothing You Might Regret Giving Away

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There’s something so satisfying about sorting through piles of clothes and coming away with an organized closet that doesn’t just make you happy, but doesn’t also fall down on you when you open the door. However, in the heat of the moment, we often let go of things we would have appreciated having later.

If you’ve ever looked back wistfully to that one shirt you donated five years ago, you’re not alone. So in this post, I want to talk about the kinds of clothes you might not want to part ways with, so that you can avoid some heartache in the future. Sit by your now organized closet, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started.

Special Occasion Outfits

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You probably think of prom dresses, tuxedos, or even that quirky bridesmaid dress you swore you’d never wear again. These outfits hold memories that no photo album could hold. Yeah, they take up room, but you never know, one day you may look back and be glad you had that fab gown to show your kids or maybe even repurpose into a trendy vintage style. What’s more, fashion has this weird tendency of returning when you least expect it.

Sentimental T-Shirts

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There’s the trusty college tee or the one you got at that band’s show. These are milestones and adventures. At least they might be just fabric, but they hold the stories of your past. Give them away and you may find yourself once again scrolling through old photos, longing to feel the soft cotton of nostalgia again.

Perfectly Broken-In Jeans

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Jeans are almost as temperamental as a cat, they take forever to warm up to you. If you finally find a pair that fits like a second skin, hold tightly to them! If you give that one pair of jeans away that makes you feel invincible, you may regret. And believe me, it’s not easy to find a replacement.

Quality Leather Jackets

Good leather jackets are just like a fine wine…they gets better with age. A quality jacket is hard to replace, whether it’s buttery soft or rugged and edgy. Well cared for leather clothing can last for decades. Consider this a long term relationship, not a fling.

Heirloom Pieces

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Dad’s vintage flannel or Grandma’s cardigan might not feel trendy now, but they’re irreplaceable. These things have a story and a tie to your family. It might feel freeing to toss them out, but that tangible reminder of your roots might be something you wish you hadn’t let go of down the line.

Costume Pieces

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You may laugh at that pirate costume from Halloween 2015, but you never know where you’ll need those weird little pieces for a themed party, school play, or even an impromptu TikTok. You can end up feeling a little bit regretful when you realize that all you needed was a little bit of creative flair.

Tailored Suits

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A gem in your wardrobe is a well fitted suit. These pieces are worth holding onto even if you think you’ll never wear it again. Finding a suit that fits just right feels like winning the lottery and tailoring is expensive. A great suit isn’t just an outfit … it’s a statement.

Seasonal Favorites

Ever donated a winter coat in the summer and shiver through the next December, wishing you hadn’t? It’s easy to think of seasonal clothes as disposable when the weather does change, but those high quality pieces can be expensive to replace.

Retro and Vintage Items

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Sometimes, what feels outdated today will be tomorrow’s hottest trend. Think about how bell bottoms resurfaced. Keep those one of a kind finds in your closet and they just may make you the trendsetter in the future.

Work Uniforms

They may just be old uniforms, but they tell a story of your life. If you’ve worked in fast food, at your first job flipping burgers, or in a corporate office, these pieces can help you reminisce about your hard work and growth. And who doesn’t enjoy some reminiscing?

Designer Pieces

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If you’ve ever paid a premium for a designer bag, or jacket, or dress, think twice about giving it away. These items often keep their value, or even appreciate. A Chanel jacket you gave away in a fit of spring cleaning may end up being worth a small fortune.

Hard-to-Find Basics

It may be easy to replace the perfect white T-shirt or black turtleneck, but not all basics can be easily replaced. It’s worth holding onto like your favorite playlist, once you find one that fits well, doesn’t shrink, and goes with everything.

Travel Souvenirs

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Clothing from trips abroad often means the remnants of things you picked up from people, the culture, and the adventures you went through. It’s not as if you need that embroidered scarf from Italy or the handwoven poncho from Peru right now, but someday you will be more than happy to have them.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.