I like to get up early to get a nice start on my day. So, what did I do with my extensive morning time on Tuesday, you ask? Cleaned out my closet and organized it! (Bet you didn't see that one coming!)
I have always loved cleaning up my closet, just ask my mom. As a kid, she'd tell me to go clean my room and I'd run upstairs and... organize my closet. I'd hang outfits together, I'd hang my clothes in ROYGBIV order, and one time I even organized it by brand! Probably not normal kid behavior. Needless to say, I've never had a problem editing my closet. I'm constantly going through and weeding out pieces I don't love anymore, which I then sell to a consignment store, sell online, or donate.
So in this two-day series, I'd like to share with you just what happened Tuesday morning. Today, we'll start with cleaning out the closet.
Here are some questions I've come to ask myself when deciding what stays and goes:
Do I love this? We all want to look a feel our best right? This can only be accomplished by keep the things we love and love on ourselves in constant rotation in our closet. This is the most important question the the clearing out process.
Does it fit? Unless you are pregnant, don't keep things in your closet that don't fit!
Can I think of at least 5 ways to wear it? Simple: if you can't automatically come up with ways to pair something, than it's really not helping your closet function. The exception to this would obviously be those special occasion pieces, but those default back to the question, do you love it?
Can I wear at least 5 Premier necklaces with it? This is a factor for me, since I'm always marketing myself and my jewelry company. While I let a top or dress slide here or there that does't reach the count, it is important that the necklines and colors of my clothes can pair well with the current jewelry line. This question can be adapted to fit your specific work wardrobe needs.
When was the last time I wore it? We all have those impulse shopping regrets, or the one top with love the idea of but never end up actually wearing outside the closet. If I can't remember wearing it recently, I reconsider it's place in my wardrobe. I actually love asking this question on a weekly basis, come laundry day. I look at what is still handing when my laundry bin is at full capacity, and think about what's left. Obviously one can't wear everything they love within a week or so, but assessing your left behinds now gives you a better idea of what maybe isn't loved as much.
And here are some tips for having a great closet-clean out session:
Make piles as you go! Keep, Sell, Donate, and a Dry Clean/repair pile.
Take a picture. I do this when I'm shopping for clothes too, but taking a picture of your outfit and seeing what it looks like through a lens can be very helpful in getting a sort of outside perspective on whether or not the item should stay or go. ("That's what I look like in this?! Eeek!")
Do it in small pieces. After too long, you start to give in easier, and "likes" become "loves". This is why I try to always asses the items in my closet, because after too long I lose the harsh focus and drive necessary to get down to the "loves". (For example: I had already set aside a small pile of clothes I no longer wanted a couple days prior, although I certainly added to it Tuesday morning!) For you, this might mean taking a snack or lunch break, or checking your emails before getting back to the task at hand.
Gain inspiration from the internet! Reading articles or posts like this give inspiration and drive to even the most seasoned closet cleaner. Pinterest can be a great source for this, which is where I found this great blog post and the following picture.
I hope you find these tips & tricks useful! Check back tomorrow for the organization tricks I use in my closet.
--Caroline
