In my ongoing 2019 project of being more organized, I’ve started to look toward my wardrobe and realized it’s time, once again, for a clothing purge. For this year’s closet cleanout, I’m evaluating my style in terms of what is and is not age appropriate. My early 30s style-wise weren’t all that different from my 20s, but now that I’m north of 35, there are things that I just can’t wear anymore, and styles that I simply don’t want to wear anymore. Of course, every woman has a different aesthetic, body shape, and clothing preferences, but, in general, I think the following items can be left behind to the girl that you were in your 20s.

First on the chopping block are ultra-skinny skinny jeans. Really any jean that is skintight and/or revealing should be ditched if you’re over 30. And, if you’re over 30, you probably remember back in the early aughts when low-rise jeans were the must-have denim trend. If you do, and you still have a pair, it’s time to let them go. Instead, opt for jeans with a mid-to-high rise that are a little roomier. You don’t have to go full on ‘mom jeans’ — a straight leg skinny jean is still appropriate for the over 30 set.

Speaking of jeans, those cutoffs with the pocket lining peeking from the hem that you rocked every summer in your 20s need to exit your closet stage left. Personally, I no longer feel comfortable in short-shorts. These days you’ll find me in a tailored trouser or Bermuda shorts. Don’t get me wrong, you can still wear cutoffs over 30, but like the revealing jeans above, opt for a more modest pair with at least a 3-5” inseam.

Next up, ironic graphic t-shirts. When I was in my 20s I had a variety of what I’ll call “drinking” shirts with sayings such as “Beer Makes me Awesome” or “Trust Me I’m a Ninja.” Well, my pub-crawling days are long gone and, quite frankly, I don’t need people reading my chest. Humorous tees are best left to ladies in their 20s or octogenarians. So, yes, you could just hang onto those ironic shirts for the next fifty years, but I wouldn’t advise it. Instead, go for striped tees, shirts with geometric logos, marled, or heather-effect tops. Event tees, like “Walking for the Cure” or freebie shirts for volunteering, sure keep one or two to wear for yard work and other types of chores, but you don’t need a bundle of “fun run” tops taking up drawer space. On the flip side, keep band t-shirts. While you may not wear them, they can live on as a memento from your concert-going days.

Besides jeans and t-shirts, think about the fabrics you have outgrown. Material like tulle and fast-fashion poly mixes do not age well, both in terms of durability and style-wise for women in their 30s. I’m no longer willing to put up with itchy or odd-feeling material on my skin. I want soft cotton and smooth silk, fabric that looks good, feels good and needs little maintenance. So, it’s goodbye to wrinkly satins and dry-cleans only scratchy wools.

You can also bid farewell to garments that no longer serve your needs. In my 20s I “made do” with the clothing that I could afford. Now that I’m older and wiser, I know that it’s better to spend a bit more for pieces that give me function in addition to fashion. My biggest functional need is pockets. I’ve been on a personal boycott of dresses without pockets. I know that not all silhouettes lend themselves to have pockets, but the basic cuts like shifts, wraps, and A-lines can handle them. And don’t even get me started on pants without pockets. Talk about a tool of the devil. Worse yet are trousers with faux or mini-pockets. Give me side-seam and back pockets big enough for my phone or give me death! Yes, I’m very passionate about pockets.

As I press on with my closet purge, I’m also looking to clear out overly embellished items, like glittery sneakers, and heavily-sequined shirts. The former is a bit too juvenile, while the latter can be rough to wear. Those trendy tight dresses from my 20’s are more cringe-worthy now that I’m in my 30s. Instead, I’m opting for frocks that skim instead of hug, and shoes that support my feet rather than kill them.

The words “need” and “function” and “support” keep coming up in this rundown for a reason. Thirty-something ladies do not have time for pieces that do not serve their needs. And those needs run the gamut of practical—hello pockets— to emotional, like feeling confident in what you’re wearing. So, as you commence with your closet cleanout, ask yourself: “How is this dress/blouse/shoe serving me?” If the answer is “it’s not” then chuck it, because you are over 30 and you don’t have time to suffer fools, both in life and in your wardrobe.