I Tried the Closet Hanger Trick—Here's What I Wore the Most and What I Ditched

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(Image credit: @michaela_bee)

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When I first saw the below hanger-method video for cleaning out your closet, I honestly felt shocked. First of all, what a genius idea. Second of all, why didn't I think of this before? I knew I was in need of a closet purge because it had been quite a while since I sold or donated anything, but I didn't realize how badly until I tried this life-changing hack.

Here's how it works: Make sure all of your hangers are in the same direction to start and after you wear something, simply hang it back up facing the opposite direction. I did this for about six months and realized there were so many items I didn't touch. Some were occasion-based pieces, like wedding guest dresses that understandably went unworn, but a lot were items I simply don't have much use for anymore. Here's what I discovered I wore the most in 2020 and which items are getting the boot.

@whowhatwear

The hanger hack for knowing what to clear from your closet #closetorganization #wardrobe #learnontiktok #tiktokpartner

♬ Dance - ESG

Ditching: Crop Tops

Wearing: Ribbed Tanks

My "going-out" days have been over for a minute now, and it turns out, for better or for worse, my crop top days are, too. I guess that's the result of entering my late twenties (sigh). They noticeably were replaced with a plethora of ribbed tanks last year, and I can't say I'm mad about it.

Ditching: Rompers

Wearing: House Dresses

I didn't wear a single romper last year (and maybe even the one before), so I think it's time to part with the style altogether. Instead, I wore tons of comfortable house dresses. You know, the slightly oversize ones that almost resemble pajamas.

Ditching: Silky Blouses

Wearing: Cozy Knits

The thought of wearing a silky blouse—or worse, a silky button-down—has me spiraling. I can't imagine wearing a fabric like that now that I'm so used to comfy clothes. Cozy knits, especially cardigans, are my new go-to, and I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon.

Ditching: Denim shorts

Wearing: Jeans

I know; I know. It's not that I didn't wear plenty of leggings or sweatpants this past year, but somehow I found myself getting "dressed up" in my favorite pairs of jeans, too. I was, however, surprised to see that not a single pair of denim shorts got any use—not even on warm days.

Ditching: Bomber Jackets

Wearing: Elevated Sweatshirts

My outerwear situation took an interesting turn during 2020 mostly because I moved from New York to Los Angeles. One category of jackets that I not only didn't wear in LA but also know I wouldn't have reached for on the East Coast were bomber jackets. The trend had its moment, and that moment has passed (for me!). Unsurprisingly, I wore sweatshirts like my life depended on it.

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Associate Fashion Director, Branded Content

Michaela Bushkin is the associate fashion director on the branded content team. She is based in Los Angeles and is going on her sixth year at Who What Wear. Michaela has always worked in the content world, previously at Whalerock and The Zoe Report. Her current role involves executing content, photo shoots, and events for fashion brands from retailers to luxury designers and everything in between. She spends her free time online shopping (or "researching" as she likes to call it), reading at the beach, and trying as many new restaurants in L.A. as possible.