Top Tips: DIY Closet Cleanup

My Closet Cleanup remains the most popular service I offer, for many reasons...

Living among clutter leads to a cluttered mind, and your closet is no exception. The average woman wears 20% of her clothes, 80% of the time. I encourage my clients to have fewer, well-selected pieces that work beautifully for their body types rather than a closet full of clothes that don't work.

Organizational experts say that everything in our lives should be beautiful or useful. And getting dressed is SO much easier when your closet is pared down to just the garments that make you look and feel great!!

Many women keep clothing from years ago that may no longer fit or reflect their current style. The key is to honor who you are right now - not who you were 10 years or 10 pounds ago.

In your closet, as in life, you need to get rid of the bad in order to make room for the good. Your wardrobe should always reflect who you are and where you want to go. Ill-fitting, unflattering, guilt-inducing garments do not deserve valuable real estate in your closet.

YOU get to decide how you want to feel each morning when you open those closet doors.

Take a look at the contents of your closet. How do you feel when you see all your clothes? Overwhelmed? Guilty? Uninspired? Dated? Cluttered?

Would you prefer to feel at ease, inspired, stylish, and uniquely you?

In order to create a relaxed environment from which to select your clothes, you must pare down and get rid of everything that isn't making you feel happy and confident.

Your goal is to make room for a closet full of clothes that you will wear ALL the time.

Want to DIY a Closet Cleanup? Here are my tips...

To get started, set up 4 piles: one for donations, one for alterations, one for trash (underwear, socks with holes, etc.), and one for sentimental items that aren't worn regularly but you may want to keep (to be stored elsewhere!) Next, take everything out of your closet by genre (pants, tops, dresses, etc.)

Then, ask yourself the following questions:

Does it fit me?

If you haven't worn it in the last 3-6 months, you must try it on. We are not here to guess on fit, we are here to know for sure. If the garment fits, it makes it through to the next question. If it doesn't fit, consider whether it can be tailored, and if that cost is worth it. For example, a hem is a cheap alteration, but if pants are a size too big, that is a more expensive one.

Does it flatter me?

Many a pair of pants will fit you but not flatter you. As a client of mine used to say, "they go on". Just because pants "go on" your body does not mean they make you look good. Let's raise the bar of expectations for your clothes! They should be working for you and your body.

Does it make me feel fabulous?

Hopefully if something fits and flatters you, it will also make you feel fab. However, certain garments may be outdated or just no longer reflect your current look. Too many women keep clothing from years ago that may no longer fit or suit their evolved style.

Would I buy it again if I saw it in a store today?

This is my favorite question to ask clients when they are having trouble making a decision. It reminds them to let go of the past and honor their present size, shape, and style.

If you answer no to any of the above questions, donate, alter, or trash the item.

(If you personally would not want the item due to substantial tears, stains, or scuffs, throw it in the trash pile.)

If you must hold on to some garments that have sentimental value, pack them safely into a bin that can be stored elsewhere. The idea is to create an active closet, one that is full of clothes you wear all the time.

WHEN YOU'RE DONE:

> Put everything you are keeping back in your closet according to category (shirts, pants, dresses, etc.)

> Simplify your "getting ready process" by organizing by color within each category. This will make your closet look more like a boutique, and changing the way you arrange your clothes will also help you notice garments you would normally pass by.

> Take all garments out of their dry cleaning bags (they deprive your clothes of oxygen and can cause the fabric to deteriorate).

> Hang up as much as possible so you can "shop" your closet with most items in the same place

> Get rid of wire hangers. They damage your clothes, create shoulder puckers, etc. I recommend velvet covered hangers like Huggable Hangers.

> Use matching hangers and hang everything in one direction.

Need some help or want to book a shopping trip? Contact me!