Do you find it difficult--nay, impossible--to let go of items of clothing that have been languishing in your closet for years? Women tend to hang on to pieces that have strong sentimental value, even if they cannot (or should not) be worn today; items that they have never worn but hope to, someday, in the far-off future; and pieces that will come in handy should they lose (or gain) weight.

Decorator and designer Elizabeth Wilhide says that the most common emotion felt when looking over one's wardrobe is guilt. We might feel sorry that we spent so much money on rarely- or never-worn clothes or anxious and sad when we contemplate giving away treasured items. But if your closet is bulging with unworn items, you have not been able to close your dresser drawers since 1999, and it takes you ten minutes to find your favorite black pants each time you want to wear them, the time has come to cull your stash.

Even the most hardcore organizational expert probably would not suggest you donate or discard items that mean a lot to you. But she would tell you to remove them from your closet or dresser and put them in a special box. (Be sure that these sentimental items are washed or cleaned before putting them away. You may want to wrap light-colored or white pieces in acid-free tissue paper, and store woolens with cedar blocks or in a cedar chest.)

Once you've packed away your favorite dress from high school or the sweater you were wearing when you met your husband (twenty years ago), it's time to identify those items you have not worn in more than a year; those that need tailoring or mending before they can be worn again (or at all); those that are too big, too small, or too uncomfortable; those that are obviously out of fashion; and those that no longer suit your lifestyle or personal style.

If you have not worn a piece in over a year, are you really likely to wear it again? If it's a special-occasion dress, for example, and you're going to a holiday party in two weeks, go ahead and keep it. But if it's a pair of satin pants that looked great on you only in the store's dressing room in 2001, put them aside to be donated--to a reputable charity or to a friend or relative (who will actually wear them, of course).

Weed out anything that you do indeed like and need but that must be hemmed, taken in, let out, or repaired. Take these items to a tailor--or mend them if your sewing skills are good--stat. If you don't sew and don't feel that mending or tailoring a certain piece is worth the money, donate it if it's in decent condition overall. If it isn't, grit your teeth and toss it.

If a piece is not comfortable and never has been, it likely never will be, so as you curse yourself for having bought that blazer that restricts your movement, slip it into your donation pile. And there's no reason to keep shoes you cannot walk in. If they are in good shape, they, too, can be donated.

If you've gained or lost weight over the years, you may have hung on to clothing from your smaller or larger days. Many of us dream of regaining the svelte (or svelte-er) figure of our younger years, but if you are many sizes larger now than you were then, you may never again fit into your collection of formfitting tops. Conversely, if you have lost a significant amount of weight and have kept it off for some time, there is no need to keep too-big clothing.

It's true that fashion trends are cyclical--in recent years, we've seen the return of 1970s flared pants, the bohemian or peasant look, and preppy 1980s polo shirts--but nothing ever seems to come back precisely as it was, does it? That's why it makes little sense to hang on to items that were once wildly popular but now look terribly dated. (Going through your out-of-style items may inspire you to spend far less on trendy clothing from here on out. This is probably a good thing.) Even if just looking at that color-blocked trapeze dress you bought in 1990 embarrasses you, you can still donate it (or toss it).

Finally, if you're now a stay-at-home mom or retiree, but you have half a closet's worth of business suits, or you've just realized that navy, the dominant color in your wardrobe, does nothing for you, it's time to donate. No need to keep items that have no relevance to your current life or the image you'd like to project. (If you plan to return to work in the next few years, you may want to keep suits that are classic in style. Otherwise, suits can be given to organizations, such as Dress for Success, that provide low-income women with business wardrobes.)

You'll gain closet and drawer space after this weeding exercise, but there are two additional reasons to do the old donate-or-toss. First, charitable donations are tax-deductible, so get a receipt from the organization stating the value of your giveaways. And as you discard items for which you paid good money but rarely wore, you'll gain a better understanding of what really suits your body, your lifestyle, and your image. You'll save money--and time--if each time you shop for clothing and shoes, you remember those Ghosts of Fashion Mistakes Past.

Has the venerable plaid skirt ever really been out? Probably not, for there are few fashion classics that can be worn as well by 4-year-old girls as they are by 94-year-old women. The plaid skirt is truly an any-age piece--depending on how it is worn. Younger girls look sweet in kilts; teens have, of late, been sporting tiny plaid minis with their ever-present Ugg boots; women can inject a bright spot of color into a working wardrobe with knee-length plaid skirts.

Plaid skirts look more modern if worn fairly short--and any silhouette goes when it comes to the plaid fad. Look for A-line, straight, pleated, and gently flared skirts. And the fabric need not be a traditional tartan to qualify as plaid; checked boucle skirts are big this year, as are those in a textured tweedy plaid or houndstooth.

Take a cue from the private-school crew and keep your top simple when wearing plaid. Try a solid wool (or even velvet) blazer or a ribbed turtleneck or other plain, fitted sweater--and for an up-to-date look from the ground up, step into knee-high boots and opaque tights that complement your skirt.

If you're a fan of verdant tones like forest green and the now-trendy kelly green, how about trying on something teal? Like deep red, jade and emerald green, and royal blue or purple, teal's a jewel tone-- but with a twist. It is not quite dark green and not quite dark blue--but it is one of those rare colors that flatters women of every hair color and skin shade. Cosmopolitan recommends it particularly for women with darker eyes (deep blue, brown, or hazel); an olive, peachy, or warm beige or brown complexion; and hair with golden or reddish highlights.

The hue hasn't been particularly fashionable in recent years--until this fall--but it's a well-liked color and is associated with high social standing. Toby Fischer- Mirkin, a fashion writer, says that teal "symbolizes prestige, financial success, and good breeding." You may think, then, that teal is a tone with "snob appeal," but its allure runs deeper. Looking at the color is said to slow the heart rate and calm the viewer. And its wearer may be perceived, says Fischer-Mirkin, as compassionate and nurturing--and as stable, intelligent, and worthy of respect. (She writes that teal is a particularly good color to wear if you are interacting with other women, applying for a loan or discussing a financial venture, or attending a board meeting.)

Like other jewel tones, teal is lush and rich-looking, and thus is best suited to luxurious, wintry fabrics like velvet, velour, taffeta, silk and raw silk, cashmere, and wool. A teal velvet jacket or silky sleeveless top or camisole are perfect for a casual holiday party. How about a raw silk suit or gown in teal for a more formal fete? And a tee or turtleneck in teal velour or a soft blue-green twinset in angora or cashmere would make a pretty addition to your workday wardrobe when paired with basic black or charcoal gray. (Try pairing it with khaki, too.)

Ahh, the round-toed shoe--a more comfortable, yet still stylish, alternative to the popular pointy-toed stiletto. (Those of us who have, well, round toes and wider-than-narrow feet never stopped wearing round-toed shoes.) While those pointy stilettos, with their elongated toes, scream "glam" and are at least slightly intimidating, round-toed shoes, flat or heeled, are sweetly feminine.

Rounded ballet flats have been back on the scene for some time, but if you'd like to add height without cramming all five toes into a space designed for two, now is the time to snatch up a pair of round-toed pumps. T-straps look wonderful if you have longer legs, while a slip-on style or Mary Jane with the strap placed low on the vamp will elongate your legs, if you plan to wear the shoes with a skirt or dress.

Because they hearken back to the days of jazz and swing, rounded pumps would look wonderful with a demure, below-the-knee 40s-inspired frock, but you can easily incorporate them into your everyday wardrobe, too. They'll add a girlish element to your ensemble when worn with a fitted jacket or blouse and dark, flared jeans, or with a ribbed turtleneck and wide-legged, pinstriped pants. And they're a darling complement to a graceful gored skirt.

Many women would like slimmer hips--or at least would like their clothing to make their hips appear smaller! Here's how to minimize this common trouble spot:

• To balance out your lower body, you must emphasize your waist and visually broaden your shoulders. Shoulder pads are best left in the late 1980s where they belong, so how's a girl supposed to make her shoulders look a bit larger? Fitted, longer jackets and blazers will give your shoulders a squarer look. Jackets and blazers should taper at the waist, flare very slightly below it, and be long enough to hit below the midpoint of the hip. A safari- or military- style jacket with lots of pockets will draw the eye upward.
• When choosing pants, do not select ones with very wide legs or with tapered legs. Go for legs that are fairly narrow to the knee and flare to at least a boot-cut width, and pick pants with discreet side- seam pockets.
• Wear boots or shoes with a moderate, square heel.
• A-line or flared skirts are not your best bet. Try a very straight or modified pencil skirt. Pleated skirts can work if the pleats are stitched down and lie flat (without flaring) below the stitching.

• Take the time to find one pair of jeans that REALLY fits you.
• Go color-crazy by layering a soft, fitted long- sleeved tee over a contrasting tank. Juicy tones like turquoise, hot pink, and violet will brighten the grayest winter day.
• Splurge on a pair of shoes in a luxury fabric like satin or velvet.
• Pair your fancy footwear with your best jeans, a tank, and a simple cardigan.
• Add some sparkle to your wardrobe with a glittering or iridescent bag or top--fun for Valentine's Day!
• Pamper yourself with something--anything-- cashmere, even if it's just a pair of gloves.
• Adorn your wool coat with a big flower pin.
• Warm up a silky short skirt with a loose, cozy cardigan.
• Layer pattern upon pattern: Wear a solid (or plaid, if you dare) boucle skirt with ribbed or patterned tights and tweed shoes.
• Get girly with a ruffle- or bow-embellished accessory: flats, evening sandals, a clutch purse, a capelet.
• Tie a large square scarf to the strap of your purse, and use it as a quick head covering in light rain or snow.