Is it time for a closet clean out? If you’re ready to take out the old, make room for the new, and feel confident about every piece in your closet? Then, these tips are for you.
Closet Clean Out
When you have a closet packed with clothes that are out of style/season or don’t fit right, it’s hard to see past the mess and put on the treasures you do own. I know how hard it can be to get rid of clothes – I have a hard time doing myself! So as you begin to sort through everything, start by making four piles:
- toss
- donate/sell
- keep
- store
Keep in mind…..if it’s not a HELL YES…it’s a NO!
So go get in your closet, grab something – anything, and ask yourself these questions:
Does it actually fit?
Almost every woman I know has owned (or still owns!) a “goal outfit.” You know the one I mean – the piece that you’ll one day wear if you could only drop those last few pounds. While this isn’t necessarily a bad way to incentivize yourself, wouldn’t it be better to celebrate your healthiest self with a mini-shopping spree rather than waiting to put on something that’s been sitting in your closet for months, if not years?
Now, if you have pieces that would be perfect, save for needing a hem here or an alteration there, it’s time to decide – are you EVER actually going to take it to the tailor? If you hesitate even for a moment, it’s probably best to toss those pieces into the donate/sell pile.
Is it damaged?
If the item has been well-loved, chances are it is damaged with a hole or a stain or even something as tiny as a pull. You’ve promised yourself you’ll get it stitched up or you’ll find some great idea on Pinterest on how to remove the stain….but you never do. It’s time to be honest with yourself and toss these well-loved (but unwearable!) items in the “toss” pile. For reals.
Was it expensive?
Have you ever bought something that was a bit over your usual budget, but you just had to have it? Then, you end up NEVER wearing it because you’re afraid you’ll ruin it…..or you’re “saving” it for the right occasion that never comes along. Ha! We’ve all done that! In reality, it doesn’t matter what the dress or jacket cost, if its only purpose is now to take up space in your closet, frankly, it’s worthless. Drop it in the sell pile and trust that someone else will love on it soon enough.
Are you just being nostalgic?
Remember the suit you bought for your first job? What about the dress you bought for your friend’s wedding ten years ago? Those items can bring back a flood of memories! Just because they bring you back to the good ole days doesn’t mean they should still hold a place in your wardrobe.
Now, I’d never suggest tossing your wedding dress or something of over-the-top importance. But, there are those pieces that you KNOW need to go. Your collection of concert t-shirts are NEVER going to end up being made into a quilt, are they? I mean, if you haven’t done that by now….it’s just not happening. Hey, if you want to remember the good ole days, go back and look in your photo albums 🙂
Is it seasonal?
If you’ve gotten to this point and you’re still buried under a mountain of clothes, one thing you might consider is organizing your closet based on seasons. I’m from the Midwest so the summer styles for the hot July months are nothing like the layers we need come December. If you’re in the middle of winter right now, but a solid section of your closet is shorts and sleeveless blouses that you love, you might consider storing them for a few months. Then come summer, see if what you’ve stored away is still something you still love and you KNOW you’re going to wear, do the “seasonal switch”. Consider moving the winter items out to make room for the summer stuff – it’s a cycle that works.
Does it honestly make you smile?
I know that sounds like a “Marie Kondo” saying, but it’s TRUE. When you pick up an item and you smile because you LOVE it, well that’s a HELL YES. Chances are, you feel GREAT in that outfit and that’s really the goal, after all. We all want to look and feel our best the MOMENT we step out of our closet. What you wear on the outside should reflect (and enhance!) how you feel on the inside. Why keep pieces in your closet that don’t leave you feeling your best self? Those items are a NO.
Closet Clean Out Cheat Sheet
Hopefully by now you’re ready to take charge of your closet and create a space filled with pieces that always have you looking and feeling like your best. To help you accomplish this, I’ve created a little closet clean out cheat sheet that you can refer back to as you work through the process:
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?Send me the cheatsheet
And to help you even further with your organization, here are a few of my favorite home organizational products:Previous item
I love this beautiful black marble jewelry stand
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Need Help Getting Started?
If you want an expert eye to guide you through this closet refresh, let’s chat! If you are in Colorado, I’ll be right over. If you are anywhere else or maybe you aren’t having any visitors at home – I can “Zoom” right into your closet
When you work with me, I create a judgment-free zone that leaves you with a beautifully organized closet and a perfectly edited wardrobe. On top of that, you can actually profit from this experience!
Let’s take “Sarah” for example, a local client who spent $1400 working with me to refresh and update her closet/wardrobe. She has made more than $50,000 selling her items through The RealReal and a local consignment shop! It’s true! It’s so easy – and you too can make money by selling your items. Not only that, but by donating the pieces that you can not sell, you can receive a charitable tax deduction!
The process works!
So let’s get in that closet of yours and edit your wardrobe so that you never have to say, “I have nothing to wear”. Getting dressed should be fun – so let’s do this!
