It’s spring and now is as good of a time as any to clean out your closet and start the season fresh! Here are some easy tips for cleaning out your closet.
A closet clean-out at least once a year makes getting dressed easier!
Today let’s talk about cleaning out your closet. It’s that job that hangs over your head but feels so good when it’s done.
But here’s why it’s worth it — when your closet has pieces you actually wear, and actually love, getting dressed becomes so much easier. It’s time to get all of those pieces out that don’t serve you, don’t fit you, don’t fit your lifestyle, or have run their course.
Here’s a fun video, sharing my closet clean out and some tips for cleaning out yours.
5 TIPS FOR CLEANING OUT YOUR CLOSET
1. Pull everything out of your closet.
Taking everything out of the closet is the best way to take inventory on what you actually have stashed in there, and makes it easier to put back in an orderly way.
PRO TIP: Usually I work in sections to keep things a little more in control. I clean out my entire pants drawer, organize, sort, put away. Then I move to my sweaters and do the same. Then on to shoes, etc.
2. Sort items into four piles.
Every item should go in one of these four piles. This keeps things as organized as possible.
- Keep pile
- Throw away pile
- Sell or donate pile
- Repair or alter
3. WHAT TO KEEP + WHAT TO TOSS
Cleaning out your closet is the way it becomes easier to get dressed in the morning. Ideally, you want your closet to be filled with things you love, things that fit you well, items that are stain-free, and items that go with lots of other pieces in your closet.
How to decide what to keep
Ask yourself these questions when you’re deciding what to keep
- Do I love it?
- Does it fit my style and lifestyle?
- Does it need any repairs or have any damage?
- Is it versatile?
- Does it fit me well?
- Is it a piece that requires more care than I want to deal with (ie. dry cleaning, delicate, etc)?
How to decide what to toss
These are some red flags that tell you it’s time to toss
- Duplicates. You probably don’t need five black blazers, or seven black v-neck t-shirts. Decide what ones you really wear and need, which ones are in the best shape, and get rid of the rest.
- Stained, ripped, damaged clothing
- Schlubby clothing — free t-shirts, saggy bottom sweats, etc. Save one set for painting your house. Toss the rest.
- Clothing you’ve never worn. Return if you can, or sell on Poshmark.
- Anything you have to change sizes to fit into. Store away, donate, or toss. There’s nothing more disheartening than a closet full of clothing you can’t wear. If you’re pregnant or recently postpartum, store it away. Even if you lost 20 lbs, you’d probably want to buy new things.
What to do if you’re pregnant or postpartum
I’ve had a lot of questions about this, so I want to address it further. As I mentioned above, if you’re pregnant or postpartum and most of your clothing doesn’t fit, I recommend storing it away. Keep the items in your closet that fit you right now. You may only have 10 pieces in your closet, but at least you know what you have and what fits.
Also, I’d recommend going to Old Navy, Target, or Aerie and finding a few inexpensive, versatile basics that will help you feel confident and put together during those months until your clothes begin to fit again. I have an entire POSTPARTUM CAPSULE WARDROBE post right HERE!
PRO TIP: Trying to decide what to do with that Donate/Sell pile? Host a clothing swap, donate to your local Donation Center, or sell your pieces on Poshmark and make a few bucks!
4. How to organize your closet
After a closet cleanout, you want it to stay clean and organized as long as possible right?
Hanging spaces:
- Organize your hanging items by category to save time when getting ready. Sort by item type first (jackets together, dresses together, t-shirts together, etc), and then sort from light to dark or by color.
Shelving areas:
- Sweaters should be folded and stored on a shelf. You can also do jeans on a shelf. If there is something you’re not interested in seeing, get baskets or bins to keep like items together and out of sight.
Drawers:
- I store jeans, pajamas, undergarments and socks, athletic clothing in my drawers. You can also find drawer dividers to help keep things organized inside your drawers.
5. Find the gaps in your wardrobe
Once you’ve sorted through everything and put it back in your closet, it’s so much easier to see what you own and recognize what pieces your closet is missing.
- Do you need a black pair of jeans?
- Are you missing a good pair of white sneakers?
- Would a denim jacket help fill in your closet?
Start a note on your phone (so it’s easily accessible) with items you’d like to add to your closet. Next time you’re shopping or your mom asks what you want for your birthday, your list will be ready.
Here’s your homework for this week:
- Follow steps 1-5 and get your closet cleaned out THIS week!
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Thanks for the tips! Speaking of being POSTPARTUM, i have two-month-old tWins, and getting dressed iS a nightmare. I’m back down to Pre-pregnancy weiGht, but My tummy is still pretty loose and my chest is huge from nursing. I feel like everything i used to wear on a daily basis is so unFlattering. Fitted things draw attention to my tummy and lOose things hang off my chest and make me look Boxy. I’ve been living in the same three pairs of compression leggings and rotating oversized sweatshirts. Im not opposed to buying some new clothes for this stage that my body is in, i Just don’t know what would work! Any Ideas?
I’d love for you to send me some pictures to help me really know what the outfits look like. Will you snap a picture of a few outfits and send them to me in my direct messages on Instagram? I’ll definitely try to help!
Hi Melissa- My body did exactly the same thing as yours post partum! I found I really liked structured button-up tops with nicer leggings/jeggings. I loved the stretch of the pants around my tender, loose middle, but the look of jeans helped me feel like I wasn’t in pajamas. I got white, chambray, and floral button ups that could work for layering after i was done nursing, and it was ok if they were a little oversized to fit my new chest/belly size. hope you find something that works for you!
Love this series! I try to clean out my closet a few times a year, but it never seems to get smaller. (whoops). I like the idea of pulling EVERYthing in one category out and doing it that way. I tend to hold onto things for years and years. Why, i have no idea. thanks for these great tips!
You’re very welcome!!
What kind of lighting do you jave in your closet? Mine is an ugly fluorescent panel hung above the door. It’s awful! Also, do you have to dust your shelves often, mine get so dusty
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Remember, a closet cleanout doesn’t have to be a one-time event. It’s a good idea to go through your closet every few months to keep it organized and clutter-free. If you need help maintaining your closet, there are plenty of professional organizing companies out there that specialize in fashion. They can help you create a system that works for you and keeps your closet looking its best.
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