So you want to clean out and organize your closet? But you’re not sure how to stop repeating the same mistakes that lead you back to the messy, unorganized closet full of clothes you don’t wear? I’m here to help!
I recently helped a friend, virtually, go through her closet. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. You see, as a kid, I was the one who helped their friends organize their room and go through their things. I love to organize and I love to get rid of other people’s things. My stuff? Sometimes it’s tough. It’s not always easy, I get it. It’s nice to have an objective view of your things sometimes. It helps you be ruthless and actually part with things you don’t need or are really not serving you.
Here are my tips for organizing and curating your clothing and learning to pick items that will serve you for years to come and not repeat the same mistakes you’ve been making.
Evaluate the Pieces You Are Buying and How They Look On You
In the past year, I became sick of buying clothes only for them not to last as long as I hoped. I started paying attention to what the items I purchased were made of and if they would stand the test of time. I also started paying attention to what colors I was wearing that I got the most compliments of. For me, it was jewel tones. I began buying more of those and less of the dual colors that may wash me out or not look as good on me.
Four Season Color Analysis
If you get a chance to have yourself color analyzed, do it! Your hair and eye color and skin tone play a big part in what colors help make you look your best. You can try this quick analysis although it probably shouldn’t be used as a super accurate substitute. It will give you a good jump in the right direction. I’ve narrowed it down to Summer tones for me. Check out ‘Cardigan Empire‘ on Pinterest for tips and tricks on finding out what yours is!
If you want to go even more into the reason why color typing is important check this blog post out.
There is also the option of ‘Capsule Wardrobe’. It is a small, curated, styled, comfortable closet. I can’t do this in its entirety. I like variety, but Erin from CottonStem Blog whom I follow on Instagram, has written many blog posts on this subject and for different seasons. Here’s a link to her capsule wardrobe posts.
I usually go through and see what I haven’t worn much of the season before and toss those out. You can do the ‘spark joy’ thing if you want. You do you. It doesn’t work for me with my clothing because I go through my stuff often.
Something questions to ask yourself when going through your clothing:
- Have I worn it in the last season? If not toss it.
- Does it fit my body now? If not toss it.
- Does it make me feel good? If not toss it.
- Is it wearing well?
- Is it still in style?
- Is it classic?
- Is it the right color for me?
- Does it go with a lot of my other pieces?
I determine what I’m going to list on Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace and what I am just going to donate. I put them on piles accordingly. If you have not signed up for Poshmark yet, you can use my referral code ‘REALTORSWIFETK‘ and get a $10 credit! Also, if you are new to Poshmark check out my blog post about my Poshmark experience!
Next, I analyze at how my pieces are looking/wearing. Are some of them pilly? faded? look a bit shrunk/shorter? I try to get the pills off with my sweater shaver and if that doesn’t work I get rid of it.
I even switch out my shoes. I am crazy and before I put them into the shoe boxes I store them in (I hate when they get dusty if I don’t) I clean/disinfect them with wipes 🤪 Look at them for wear and tear and see which you should replace as well.
I make a list of items I need to replace or items I don’t have but should look for in my ‘Notes’ app on my phone.
Now that everything is out of your closet, take this time to dust and vacuum. Now step back and see how nice and clean and clear it is…
Ok, now put everything back…
Again, I have a small but normal 1980s builder grade size. When I go to put everything back, I put like items with like and arrange by color of the rainbow. I put skirts together by length and color. I start light from left and go to dark right. White and cream is always first for me then reds/pinks and down to black then I do stripes and prints. I tend to keep my pants and skirts on the left. Skirts first then pants. Then in the summer I do sleeveless down to cardigans and light jackets that I wear inside.
I understand if you are not use to doing this, how daunting it can be. Some people it takes half a day to go through this process. But honestly, now that I do this every Fall and Spring, it takes me, maybe a half hour.
So why not get yourself ready for Summer and go through your closet…
Hopefully this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!
Have a great weekend and stay safe,
