Fashion Resolutions: Cleaning out Your Closet

Letting go of things may or may not come easily to you.

Many of us tend to hold onto things for far too long, outfits included! We keep some outfits because they have favorite memories associated with them, and some because they’ve been worn to special events –like that bridesmaid dress from a few years ago that’s still taking up residency in the back somewhere!

But as tempting as is to hold onto stuff, the fact is that sometimes it really is time to let it go. And having a clean closet, that’s organized and full of things that you actually want to wear –makes all that hard work worth it.

With the new year upon us, now is a perfect time to make the resolution to clean out that closet. Not only will it make choosing the outfit of the day much easier, it will also open the door for you to make room for new fashion items for 2015. Perfect!

On that note, let’s look at a few tips for cleaning out the closet. Here’s how you can get the job done as quickly as possible.

Clear It Out

Start by pulling everything out of your closet. Take everything out and lay things flat so you can get a full look at everything you own. You might be surprised at how many unwanted clothes are in your closet –just taking up space.

Sort It Out

Once everything is out of your closet, it’s time to sort through the clothes and decide which items you want to keep, and which ones you no longer want.

To help you decide whether to keep an item, or lose it –ask yourself a few helpful questions:

Have I worn it in the last year?

Am I likely to ever wear it again? (Be honest!)

Is it still my style?

If the answer to any of the above is “no,” then chances are the item is one that’s suitable for the donation pile.

Get Organized

Finding a way to keep organized with a system that works is the best way to keep your closet cleaner for longer. Some prefer to arrange items by color, while others choose a season, or garment type. Find what works for you. One handy tip is to start by turning all of the hangers backwards, and after washing the clothes that you’ve worn, place the hangers the correct direction. When it comes time to organize, you’ll easily be able to tell if an outfit is one that you’ve worn recently, or one that you haven’t touched in the last year.

You may want to consider having a big clear out once, or twice per year –just to keep things neat. If you change your wardrobe seasonally, organizing twice a year is a great opportunity to clean things out and get a fresh start.

With a clean and tidy closet, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more room you have, and how easy it is to find something to wear!

What about you? How do you keep your closet organized? Share with us in the comments!