Everybody knows the old rule of throwing out what you don't wear after a year, but don't be too hasty. This year is one for deliberation, whether you're adding to your closet or deciding what to remove.

“;Given the state of the economy and mindset, we're conscious of what we spend, what we use and recycle,”; said Cathy Lee, president and designer for RSVPstyle (rsvpstyle.com), a company that aims to help people bring style into their lives and surroundings.

“; 'Repurposing' is a big word in home furnishing and fashion,”; she said, having recently found an Emporio Armani jacket a decade old in her own closet.

“;It was outdated, with shoulder pads, which is not what people are wearing,”; she said, but it was worth keeping because it was also a cropped style that otherwise looked current. She had the shoulder pads removed and voila! She had a “;new”; jacket that only required a small payment to a tailor.

“;It's worth considering things like that. Can you still use it, can you recycle it, donate it or repurpose something old to make it new again?”; she said. “;A couple of years ago, no one was wearing a belt over clothes, but now you can take a sweater or jacket, stick a belt over it and have it look fresh again.”;

  THE HEIGHTENED presence of recycling messages means no one wants to be wasteful by trashing unwanted, though still wearable clothing, so when you are ready to part with some of your wardrobe, several charitable organizations are equipped to help match them to a good new home:

» National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii: This is the pipeline to Savers, where donations benefit the health advocacy organization. Call 986-1900.

» Dress for Success Honolulu: Accepts career attire and accessories to help low-income women present a professional appearance at job interviews. Call 538-7061, ext. 603.

» Goodwill Inudstries of Hawaii: Accepts clothing and household goods to help provide educational and career development programs for people with disabilities and other employment barriers, including welfare dependency, resource barriers, lack of education/work experience, illiteracy and disadvantaged youth.

» Salvation Army: Accepts wearable clothing, household goods and financial donations to help fund several adult, elderly and family services programs.

Also: Many churches run small shop operations to raise funds for outreach programs. Check with those in your neighborhood. One of the bigger ones is at Central Union Church.

  If you want a small return on some of those pieces you couldn't otherwise bear to let go, check out the following consignment and resale shops. But it should be known that the game has changed. With retailers now offering up to 70 percent discounts, people are more reluctant to buy secondhand when they can buy new at similar prices, according to 26-year veteran of the consignment store, Kelsey Sears of The Ultimate You. “;They only want brand-new, never worn, or something that looks absolutely brand new,”; she said, and therefore encourages people let go sooner than they might have in the past.

“;If it leaves your home, you're already ahead of the game,”; she said. “;It's a wonderful concept of sharing, recycling and organizing.”;

Before dropping off items, make sure clothing is laundered or dry cleaned first:

» Antiques & Treasures: Designer clothing, handbags and fine jewelry on consignment, with 70 to 80 percent of sale price going to consignor. At Kailua Square, 315 Uluniu St. Call 263-1177.

» Catwalk Designer Consignment: Designer and everyday clothing, designer handbags and jewelry. Also specializes in vintage Ming's jewelry. At 45-1151 Kam Highway, Kaneohe. Call 236-0888.

» The Clothes Chick: Offers in-store credits for donations of a wide range of women's wear, covering youth to professional to designer clothing and accessories. At 2013 S. King St. Call 942-2442.

» Paris Station: Buys, sells and trades in European designer handbags. At 947 Keeaumoku St. Call 942-3000.

» Pzazz: Carries basics (Gap, Banana Republic) to designer apparel, offering 40 percent of sale to owner with 90-day hold. Pieces should be brought in on hangers. At 3057 Waialae Ave. Call 732-5900.

» Stylus: Cash or credit for youth-oriented, trendy clothing (90 percent of merchandise resold for less than $10; you do the math). Also takes vinyl and CDs. At University Square, 2615 S. King St., third floor. Call 951-4500.

» The Ultimate You: Welcomes high-end designer consignment at Hee Hing Plaza on Kapahulu Avenue, with 40 percent to consignor. Sears will be focusing more on high-end handbags and vintage to high-end jewelry, the latter a category in which consignors may receive up to 95 percent of sales price. Call 734-7724.