The new year is just a few days away and I'm already thinking up resolutions and ways to improve myself and my life. One resolution I'm starting early is decluttering and organizing my wardrobe. It's something that needed to be done for practical reasons, but it's also something I'm doing for myself. I love fashion and I have so many favorite pieces that have special memories attached to them. Recently, those special pieces, my everyday pieces, and items that shouldn't be in my wardrobe anymore had all gotten thrown and stuffed in bins, drawers, suitcases, etc. and my actual closet became so overflowing, I could hardly move the hangers to look through my options. Things needed to change.
I've always had an extensive closet, but in the past, I'd always been good about keeping it organized and not having more clothes than I could manage. The issue started when I was pregnant with my first baby. Rather than periodically purging my wardrobe of things I no longer liked or that were worn out or didn't fit, I started to just pack it all away.
I didn't know what would fit after the baby so I just held on to all my options. When I did start to wear my old clothes again, I was just too preoccupied with first-time-new-mom life to go through it all. Now that baby number two is here, it's time to take stock of what I have, what I need, and what needs to go.
My Method for Closet Purging
Take it in sections
Go drawer by drawer, bin by bin, one end of the closet to the other, etc. This will allow you to take breaks periodically and come back to exactly where you left off and the process wont be so overwhelming.
Make piles
You should have a trash pile for things that are worn out, a donate pile for things you are choosing to part with, but that are still in good shape, and a maybe pile. I revisit my maybe pile when I'm further along in the process and start to feel good about letting things go. It makes it easier to part with the items I know I should.
Get it out!
Once you've finished going through everything, throw the trash pile away and box up the donate pile and put it in your trunk. (AND DONATE IT THAT SAME WEEK!) If you let it sit around your house, you'll probably start pulling things back out of it.
When did you buy it?
One trick I use when I'm having trouble parting with things is thinking of when I bought a specific article of clothing. If it was more than four years ago, I try to objectively consider if it's still in style. This keeps my wardrobe from becoming too large or dated. It's totally fine to have older items in your wardrobe and I do keep things that are more than four, five, ten years old. Just make sure each item in your wardrobe is there because you've decided it deserves a place there.
Would you buy it again?
Another trick I use is asking myself, "If I saw this specific shirt, dress, etc. in a store, would I buy it?" If you wouldn't purchase said item again, it probably doesn't belong in your closet anymore.
Purge Periodically
Going through your closet often will help keep everything organized and manageable. If I go on a shopping spree and add a decent amount of new things to my wardrobe, I'll quickly look through and take out a few older pieces. When I switch out my wardrobe seasonally, I try to be conscious of the things I'm putting away and if I'll still want to wear them next year.
Once I decluttered and downsized, it was time to organize. I could've just stuffed it all back into my closet, but I wanted to create a space in my home that was all mine and dedicated to the things I enjoy. I found this amazing freestanding wardrobe and matching shoe shelf from Honey-Can-Do and knew it would be absolutely perfect for what I was trying to achieve.
They were super easy to assemble and the quality feels great, but most importantly, I've had so much fun styling my favorite pieces on them. So many of my favorite items have been stored away for so long and it feels good to not only bring them out again, but to display them prominently. Everything I hang in my standing wardrobe looks 10 times better than it does in my closet and it makes me feel like I'm stopping by a stylish boutique where everything is my size to pick out my outfit each morning!
Since I'm still transitioning back into my pre-baby clothes from my second baby, my plan is to use this standing closet as a quick way to decide what to wear each day. No more rifling through my closet trying to find an outfit that fits, goes together, is warm enough, etc. All my winter favorites will be displayed beautifully and ready to go in my standing closet!
I am so thrilled with how this closet makeover has turned out! Not only has it helped simplify and streamline my morning routine, but I've been able to enjoy my wardrobe again. Getting ready in the morning isn't so much of a chore. I look forward to "shopping" my closet each day, picking out accessories, and styling my own little in-house boutique!
