**Full disclosure, this is NOT MY CLOSET! Oh how I wish! I could just sit and stare at it, it’s so pretty, right?! I wanted you to know that I used a stock photo off the internet for this header image, as my closet here in Dubai is literally, unphotographable! (Hmm, word?) So in order to give you a good visual, I googled “closet organization” and picked this one!**
IT’S CLOSET SORTING TIME!
Closet Cleanout!! A new season is around the corner and I’m going to give you the top 5 ways to sort out your closet! What I’m sharing always helps me be organized for the season. Not only that; but helps me prepare my intentional shopping list for what I need to fill any style gaps!
WHAT WE WANT IN OUR CLOSET
An organized space, where everything is hung up and waiting in gloriously paired looks that are effortless to find, put on, and feel fabulous in.
WHAT IS IN OUR CLOSET
Not that! Well, maybe we get ambitious and clean it up; but we’ve all got “the basket” or “the chair” or, well, the floor. You know….where all the items that we tried, but didn’t like on us, live for a while.
We’ve got a closet full of clothes; but nothing to wear! Clothing; but no outfits. Is that you? You aren’t alone, and it doesn’t have to stay that way! Here’s my top 5 tips you can read, and take action on RIGHT NOW, to get your closet space organized.
STEP 1 – DIVIDE YOUR CLOTHING INTO SEASONS
If everything for the whole year, is all mixed together, no wonder it looks like you’ve got a lot of options. Truth is, you don’t, so organize for what you are able to wear by Spring / Summer, and Fall / Winter. Even if you live in a climate that feels like perpetual summer or winter, dividing up what you have for those other seasons will help you streamline your options.
Remember, certain colors, textures and cuts are intended for different seasons. It may not always “work” to put summer and winter clothes together to create a new look. AND, the more wear and tear an item gets, the faster it will need to be rotated out.
STEP 2 – TRY IT ON
Gear down and plan to try on each article. You may have changed over the past year, so before you have to wear anything to an event, let’s be proactive and make sure it still fits you properly! If it doesn’t, set it aside. I’m not saying you have to get rid of it (right this second); but if it’s not something you can wear NOW, so get it out of the “options” section.
STEP 3 – QUALITY MATTERS
Has that top been washed too many times and seen better days? Is the color faded, material pilling, or seams running crooked because it’s shape is distorted? Might be time to send that one to the jammie drawer or hug it, thank it for all it’s hard work, and say buh bye. Here’s the key to this step….if the item is something you want to replace, START YOUR LIST of what you need.
STEP 4 – DO THE COLOR TEST
We all know that skin tones have colors that look best while others can wash us out. Don’t you want to only wear clothes that compliment you, give you that fresh look and maybe elude that you’ve had a full nights sleep?! If you are a mom, you are nodding Y E S. Here’s a great article I found to help you find out what your tones are. You might be surprised!
STEP 5 – THE LIST
Remember that list I mentioned in Step 3? It’s important. When we create a list of the items we NEED to round out our wardrobe, or also WANT in order to change up our style, it’s a game changer! Not only for your wallet; but for your precious time!
Clothing purchases shouldn’t always be impulsive. OH, it easily can be; but if we know what we are looking for before hitting the mall or going online, we can focus on getting the “right stuff” the first time, avoid buyer remorse, and best of all, be REALLY savvy with our Style Dollars!
BONUS POINT!
If you are moving out of a corporate setting and working from, or staying at home, which means a a major wardrobe shift, consider this:
Put all your clean, wearable and undamaged work appropriate clothes in one pile (ie: trousers, blouses, suits, heels) and find an organization that helps women dress for success. Women who are new to the workplace, and have no budget to spare on a wardrobe, have the opportunity to use these services, which allows them to stand tall in their new role.
You could easily be paying it forward to a woman living in a shelter, starting out a new life to support her family. Let’s say thank you to those clothes for serving us, and now give HER the opportunity to “dress for the job she wants, not the one she has” and give her confidence as she starts something new! What is a better gift that that?!
Anything else, take to a consignment store or find an organization that can use them. I will be honest, I would discourage you from throwing things in the trash. While I love fashion more than almost anything, I am well aware that it is a very wasteful industry, leaving a huge amount of fabric and products in landfills. Let’s do what we can to minimize that in our footprint on the world!
Happy Closet Organizing!
xo Taryn