ASK ERIN | 10 Items to Include in Your Next Closet Clean Out
by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com
A closet clean-out starts easily enough, but can quickly turn to overwhelm when every item triggers a memory or a “what if” scenario. Knowing what to let go of, however, turns a stressful chore into a refreshing restart. Let’s begin by clearing out clothes that no longer fit, flatter, or function for the life you have now. Then you can move into what is no longer fashionable or in style. Those items are listed below.
1. Cropped/Cuffed Acid Washed Jeans. Acid washed jeans have been replaced with clean, versatile and understated options for 2026 and 2027. It is my opinion that this more modern approach will be in style for the foreseeable future.
2. Pullover Tops/Sweaters with Tie-up Detail. The tie-up detail adds unnecessary fussiness and bulk to your outfit. Current knitwear trends favor sleek, ribbed and structured shapes.
3. Waterfall Cardigans. The cascading, open front of the waterfall cardigan adds heavy bulk and hides your natural body line. Shorter, regular cardigans with clean lines look much more polished and will stand the test of time.
4. Extreme High-Low Tops (Mullet Hems.) The “mullet hem” can look dated, break up body proportions awkwardly, and were heavily overexposed during the 2010s “millennial” fashion peak. A uniform hem looks much cleaner when worn loose or partially tucked in.
5. Woven Braided Sandals. Puffy woven and braided sandals, popularized heavily a few seasons ago, have cycled out of the spotlight as fashion shifts toward sleeker, more refined, and less “pillowy” textures.
6. Leggings (Especially with a Pattern.) While basic skintight leggings have seen a decline in casual everyday wear, they remain active as functional workout gear and have evolved into specialized or styled pieces—such as flared yoga pants, stirrup leggings, capris, and matte-neutral colors paired with structured blazers or trench coats. However, I would steer clear of any legging with a pattern!
7. Any Item with Metal/Zipper Embellishments. Current styling favors clean silhouettes, hidden closures, or intentional, architectural hardware rather than loud, busy studs, chains, and unnecessary buckles. Overly embellished handbags and heavily studded trims have largely been replaced by sleek, refined lines.
8. The Paper Bag Pant. Paper bag pants are less common because fashion trends have shifted away from heavily ruffled, high-waisted cinched styles toward wide-leg, barrel-leg, and low-rise silhouettes.
9. The “Shacket.” After dominating fall and winter wardrobes for several consecutive years, this trend has reached saturation prompting designers to move on to a different silhouette.
10. Cold Shoulder Tops. After peaking heavily around 2016, the style became mass-produced and overdone, causing it to quickly look tired and uninspired. The cold-shoulder top is another example of oversaturation.
Please keep in mind that the information listed above is my opinion. One should always wear what they feel confident in!
