I LOVE organizing. I love sorting through closets and tossing out things I haven’t worn in a while. For me it’s super cathartic and leaves me feeling light and renewed. I’m also super cut throat and borderline aggressive when it comes to closet cleaning.
I have a friend that has t-shirts from when she ran track in the 9th grade. She’s 24 now, and for some reason thinks the 5 months she actually ran track is enough to merit her 9 year attachment. It’s not. Throw it away.
Julia (beauty/fashion contributor and professional stylist) has similar feelings when it comes to spring cleaning, so we’ve teamed up to give you 6 simple steps to cleaning your closet and updating your wardrobe
1. Try Everything On
Seriously. Try every piece of clothing you own on. All the way from your socks to any cocktail attire. Grab an honest, unbiased and stylish friend who has your best interests at heart to help you out, and slowly work your way through your closet.
Try everything on in categories so you don’t get overwhelmed. Start with shirts and wear a basic pair of jeans to try them all on with. Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, doesn’t look good or anything you don’t like.
Julia also suggests to have a “replacement pile” for things you love and have worn to death, but need a good replacement for. This helps minimize the amount of stains, rips and any pilling that you have in your current wardrobe.
2. Replace. Keep. Donate. Tailor
Make piles to help you figure out what you’re keeping verses tossing and so forth. Especially a pile for items that need to be tailored. because I know at least for me I have items in my closet that I love, but just don’t wear because something about them doesn’t fit me right. This is why tailors exist. Spend the $20 to get the right fit verses going out a buying a more expensive piece to replace something you already love.
3. Organize
Put the clothes you’re keeping in a way that makes the most sense for your closet. Hang anything that wrinkles, fold shirts and pants, and make sure everything you’re keeping is visible. You just went through all the effort to clean out your closet, so you want to make sure you actually wear all the items you’re keeping and don’t forget them because they’ve gotten lost in the black hole that is the back of your closet.
If you live in a place with seasons make sure you create a space to store the items that aren’t in season.
4. Invest in Good Closet Accessories
The thin, velvet non-slip hangers literally changed my life, and freed up some much needed closet space without the bulky plastic hangers. I also store my shoes in clear plastic bins so that I can see what I’m looking for, and don’t have to worry about digging through a pile of shoes each time I get dressed in the morning.
5. Develop your Personal Style
This is a constantly changing and evolving piece, but it’s nice when your whole wardrobe feels cohesive.
After going through your closet you should be left with pieces you can make outfits with and any missing pieces will be more obvious. Make a list as you’re going through your clothes of items you need, and items you’d like to have.
Like if you have a great figure flattering top, but no bottoms to wear with it, add it to your list. Julia suggest going simple, so you can maximize your wardrobe.
6. Go Shopping
Now that you’ve taken the time to go through you closet, it’s time to find the missing pieces and maybe even splurge on some new fabulous things.
More thoughts and Tips from Juila
– Once you get through all your clothes, go through your pajamas, underwear, socks, shoes, bags, etc. a cleanse is a cleanse and if you’re not going to do it completely why do it at all!? Again, TRY ON EVERYTHING YOU OWN
-If something is sentimental but you’ll never wear it, thank it for being a part of your life and working for you, then put it in the donate pile. You don’t need it! TAKE A PICTURE IF YOU HAVE TO. Also clothes that belonged to your ex need to be donated, unless they died while you were still together, if not, sorry it’s gone.
-Finally, donate the clothes you’re getting rid of ASAP. I try to always do this at the end of the day because it feels amazing to part ways with that shit and makes you feel so accomplished.
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