Spring is just around the corner and the time is ripe for that annual closet cleaning and organization – and the inevitable assessment of what to wear into next season, what to store, and what to kick your self over for having bought in the first place.

You know what to do about fashion mistakes and ill-fitting items, (you savvy reader, you), but what about clothing, jewelry and accessories that you love, or think may be valuable, but are no longer in style? Should you keep them just in case they come back around, or because your niece may want them some day? Well, that depends.

Fashion is fickle. It cycles back every twenty years or so, but with subtle changes. The decision about whether to keep things is based on many factors. If it is an item of clothing, or a shoe or a bag:

• What condition is it in? Does it look unworn, and still have its original shape and finishes?

• What material is it made of? Is it a natural fiber like wool, cotton or leather?

• Do you love it? Would you wear it right now if it weren’t completely ‘over’, if the season were appropriate, or if you had the proper occasion to attend?
  If the answer to all of these questions is ‘Yes!’, consider a few more things:

• Does it fit you? Did it ever? What is the likelihood it will ever again?

• How much room will it take to store it, in a condition that will allow for its preservation? Are we talking about a ball gown with fur trim or a pair of stiletto heels?

• Is it designer? Are we talking Prada or H&M?
  

And lastly:

• How particular are you about trends? Are you the kind of girl who is going to be thrilled to pull out your puffy-sleeved, wide-belted, mandarin-collar jacket 17 years from now when puffy-sleeved, wide-belted, peter-pan-collar jackets are in style, or are you going to feel like it’s not ‘really’ in?

If your answer to all of those questions is ‘Yes!’, keep them. Some things will always come back: Pucci prints. Cashmere cardigans. Pleated plaid skirts. Character memorabilia (Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse, to name a few). Alligator skin bags and shoes. It is true that you may never actually wear them again, but if you have ample storage space and an idea of whom you might pass these items on to, when next they are in style, by all means keep them, you may someday make a High School senior very, very happy.

For jewelry and small accessories, consider the source. Is this something you bought yourself, or was it a gift or an inheritance from someone special? Is it made of genuine material (real tortoise hair barrettes versus plastic, sterling versus silver-plate, real gold)? Is it hand crafted? And again, do you love it?

If it is monetarily valuable, but you just don’t like it, consider modifying it. Many jewelers will take pieces made of genuine materials on consignment, and almost all will be happy to re-set gemstones in a style more to your taste. Often it is possible to melt down gold and platinum settings to re-shape them, allowing you to update and personalize pieces for the price of the jeweler’s time alone.

I do hope this has been helpful.

Now, a confession. I have in my closet two items of relevance to our topic at hand:

One absolutely hideous necklace and earrings set, of gold and diamonds, circa 1964, that belonged to my very stylish grandmother and which I am sure she never wore. But my grandfather gave it to me…

And:

One pair of perfectly worn 501 jeans, with rips up the legs, and brocade patches, which my step-mother painstakingly sewed on for me many, many years ago. I CAN NOT let them go, and every once in a while, I wear them. I love them. Will I pass them on to some lucky younger woman some day? Doubtful. I may just keep them forever.

Do you have any How To suggestions? Email me at Patricia@PatriciasPicks.com