Clean Your Closet Like A Pro

It’s that time of year! Spring is well underway and I know we are all ready for cleaning out our closets. Let me make it easy for you. Schedule out 2 hours of your time, grab a glass of your favorite drink, invite your girlfriends and make it a cleanout party. It’s nice to have encouragement and support from the ones you trust most.
 
My advice, start with what you know and do it on a positive note. I personally use the steps below when working with my clients. Let’s get started!
 
1. Keep the pieces you love
 
I think it is important to have a smaller closet with pieces you love rather than a huge designer closet filled with unworn, unflattering garments. To make this process less overwhelming and to help you discover a thing or two about your personal style, I suggest to start by finding the pieces you love!
 
WARNING: If you love it BUT it is piling, fading, too worn, or torn, it had a good life. It is in no condition to wear anymore and must be put in the good bye pile. Make sure you replace it promptly with a similar item.
 
Analyze them. Ask yourself  the following questions: What do you love about it? Is it the color, the cut, the fit or is it just easy to combine in various ways? Take note mentally or write it down.
 
 
2. Take out pieces you never liked in the first place
 
The second easiest thing, right? You know what pieces you are holding onto that you never liked in the first place. The worst thing you could do is have them hanging in your closet, take them out immediately. Are you thinking about the money you spent on it? I want you to go back remember the times you wore it and how awful you felt. Don’t try to make it work, it’s time to let go.
 
You may feel guilty about the past purchases but keep in mind that from now on you will make smarter shopping choices. 

 
Ask yourself: What you don’t like about it. Is it the color, the fit, the fabric? Again take note.
 
 
3. Take out pieces you don’t wear
 
Here are the rules:
 
If there is a memory attached, please keep! Just store it in another area away from the clothing you wear daily.
 
Is it too small? First weed through the pieces that are too small and decide whether it is dated or in bad condition. If you are trying to lose weight, put the clothing that is still wearable in a box, label it with a date a few months from now to open it. Then decide whether or not to keep it in the box longer, donate it, or take it out and wear it.
 
Don’t know how to wear it but it fits nicely and you really like it? Keep it, look through fashion magazines, department store websites, or have a personal stylist help you find multiple outfits. This is why I don’t follow the 12 month rule, it may be a great piece but you need to find the perfect way to wear it.
 
 
When you start to replenish, use the notes you took. You now know what works best and what doesn’t. Replace the pieces you took out and make smart, beautiful purchases. 

If you need help cleansing your closet for the season e-mail me at tannyab@gmail.com

"Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets."  ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960