For many people, the start of spring represents a time for rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings. Flowers bloom, animals awaken, and the earth comes alive again. When it seems as if everything is gaining a fresh start this season, shouldn’t you give your closet the same treatment?

If yes, then cleaning out your wardrobe is a perfect idea to not only get into the spring spirit but to tackle those old clothes that have been piled up in your closet as well.

Clearing out your closet has even become a popular trend on major platforms such as YouTube and TikTok with fashion influencers from Emma Chamberlain, Ashley aka “best dressed,” and Avrey Ovard creating videos showing how they declutter their wardrobes to their millions of followers.

One of the many people inspired by these videos is Marlee Montgomery, a junior who is a captain on varsity dance and the vice president of the fashion club at RCHS. Montgomery believes a closet check-up is important once in a while to make sure overconsumption isn’t affecting your wardrobe. “We often have way more items than what we need or even wear,” said Montgomery.

She said that the main goal of cleaning out your closet is to bring your wardrobe to only contain the clothes that you actually enjoy wearing. “A rule of thumb to use is if you haven’t worn an item in the past year, you are likely not going to wear it ever, so get rid of it,” said Montgomery.

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding how to clear out your wardrobe is sustainability. Becoming sustainable and environmentally aware has also gained popularity throughout the last couple of years, as it seems as more people would rather shop at their local thrift store than at fast-fashion retailers such as Forever 21, H&M, and Zara.

As for getting rid of worn-out clothes while still staying ethical, Montgomery recommends donating old clothes to increase sustainability as they can be reused and recycled. “Donating to thrift stores such as Salvation Army are great options!” said Montgomery.

And if earning a profit has your attention, donating at consignment shops or reselling on shopping apps like Instagram and Depop may be the way to go. For RCHS senior and member of TV Bulletin Ever Cook, her method to earn extra cash from her unwanted clothes was creating a yard sale. “A couple of my friends and I had a collective yard sale, and we each made $50+ profits,” said Cook.

With clothes gone and hangers left unused, some recommend bringing in new pieces to your wardrobe. Looking for inspiration from fashion magazines, to sharing apps such as Pinterest is best to give you a sense of what exactly you need and don’t need to revamp your closet.

“First, keep in mind the style you’re going for, and then go search for it. If you’re on a budget, getting clothes via thrift stores, yard sales, or Instagram shops is your best bet,” advised Cook.

So whether you choose to sell, donate, alter, or throw out your clothes entirely, the decision to clean out the spaces you surround yourself in is a productive one. Plus, it means you don’t have to worry about wasting time digging in your closet for what to wear in the morning, which is a bonus for anyone who is heading back to school.