Time For A Closet Clean Out

Hello, Darlings! It is Time For A Closet Clean Out. It is always good to purge your closet of clothes that you do not wear, are not in good condition, don’t work for your lifestyle anymore, or are not in colors that look good on you. This is a hard process because when you purge, you are throwing away items of value. You spent money on these clothes. But the goal is to STOP spending money on clothes you will NOT wear. Stop throwing away money.

After you take the time to “really” get your wardrobe in order and organized, seasonal closet purging is a breeze and will free up valuable real estate in your closet

Time For A Closet Clean Out

Be Honest, Be Brutal

In the last 5 years, lifestyle has really become a factor in what we wear. Let’s be honest, everything is much more casual and I don’t think we will go back. Casual equals comfort. Newer fabrics with stretch are just more comfortable. The days of heavy jeans and dry clean only fabrics are over.

If your goal is to create a capsule wardrobe, you need to really purge your closet. Because only by purging can you SEE what you have that you LOVE to wear. This purging will create what is called “AH HA” moments.

Time For Closet Clean Out- Make It A Weekend Project

This is not a quick project if you have not done this before. It is more of a Weekend Project. Many people empty the entire closet out, cleaning the shelves which probably have years’ worth of dust. You need to try on items, especially pants/jeans to see if they fit. Other items need to be separated into piles for evaluation.

As I am going thru my closet, I put items into piles: LOVE it and Wear it, LOVE it But Have Not Worn, OKay…BUT, and NEEDS TO GO.

LOVE It And Wear IT

This pile is the easiest to work with. I take very special care of these clothes. Use felt type hangers to rehang and start an organization system that will make it easy to find these items. I actually use closet organizing dividers similar to those found in stores. I make sure these items are clean and are in good condition. Hanging the same way on hangers. Making notes of any pieces I need to replace.

Now since I have my closet organized, it is so much easier to do a January Purge. This section doesn’t even need to come out. I do make quick notes if anything is soiled, torn, and needs replacing. I also go thru and make notes of “holes” in my wardrobe, which are pieces I need to purchase better utilize my current wardrobe.

LOVE IT But Have Not Worn It

These items you LOVE, they are in your BEST colors, fit your BODY TYPE. It may be that your lifestyle has changed and you need to re-evaluate them for lifestyle. Are you going to wear it anytime soon? Are you saving it for special occasions? Or have you just not had the opportunity to wear them? You may need to do a mini purge, or may not.

Once you have done a once thru with this pile, check for the fit, body type, color, and condition. Re-hang these items using your new organization system. BUT….. hang the hangers backward.Once you wear the item, hang it back correctly. Called the “Reverse Hanger ” trick, this will help you easily see what clothes you do not wear. The next round of purging will be easier and quicker.

For me, most of the pieces in this pile are “options”. I like to have color options to mix and match. This pile may also contain pieces that are “weather dependant”, such as cold-weather options.

Needs To Go

This is another pile that you can quickly go thru. You need to divide this pile into TOSS, DONATE or SELL. Items that are current, in great condition, popular brands can be sold on sites such as eBay, Poshmark, ThredsUp, or local consignment stores.

Any item that is stained or in poor repair, TOSS IT. What is left you can donate to Salvation Army, Goodwill, or local organizations that accept women’s clothing.

Okay… BUT

This is the HARDEST pile. You will need to spend some time going thru this pile. Start with a few questions:

• Is the item clean, and in good repair?
• Does this item fit my body type?
• Is this item in my color palette?
• Does this item fit my current lifestyle?
• Have I worn it in the past, if so, did I love it?
• Do I see myself wearing it in the future? List a very opportunities.
• Does this item go with other items in my closet, can I mix and match this item to complete an outfit?

If you still can not make a decision about this item, go for the “Kondo Method”. Marie Kondo is the author of the book The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up-The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing.

The idea behind the “Kondo Method” is that you ask yourself, “Does This Item Bring Me, Joy?”. But asking that question may help you to get to the “WHY” or the reason you are keeping this item. Do not let anyone guilt you into keeping an item they gave you because they did not want it! If it was a gift and you do not like it, get rid of it. Nobody is going to go thru your closet and judge you, this is a burden women put on themselves.

Finally, if you still can not make a decision on the item, take a selfie with the item on in front of a mirror, in a complete outfit, and evaluate it. If the item is a keeper, move it back into your wardrobe organization system, hanging it backward.

Contine With Shoes & Accessories

I have a terrible habit of buying shoes and never wearing them. I want colorful, fun-print shoes, but it does not work with my Petite Pear Body Type. This year I actually put a note on my shoe organizer that says, “NO MORE SHOES!”.

Accessories are where it is fun to buy for short-lived trends. This keeps your outfits current, updated, and modern. But when the trend is over, toss them out, making room for new items. I do not buy expensive trendy jewelry. This is also a great time to evaluate why you bought an item you are going to toss in the first place. Next time you see a trendy piece of jewelry you can better evaluate whether you will get the wear out of it.

Bras, Panties & PJs

Bras and panties do not last forever. They wear out quite quickly- bras stretch out, panties get worn out from washings. As for PJs, you need to LOVE them too. I am struggling to find pajamas in my BEST colors. Currently, I have one pair of pajamas that I seem to wear over and over. I need a couple of more in my wardrobe.

January is a great time to stock up/replace these items as they are usually on sale.

Finally, Remember The Goal Of A Closet Clean Out

The goal of the closet cleanout is to limit the number of clothes in our wardrobe to clothes we LOVE, will wear, fit our body correctly, work with our current lifestyle, and are in our best colors that will we can mix and match with other items in our wardrobe. Whew… that is a mouthful.

This is the FIRST STEP to creating a capsule wardrobe. Check out my latest post What Is A Capsule Wardrobe for the next step in your journey to get control of your wardrobe and spending habits.