But Tonight, I'm Cleaning Out My Closet
Forget Spring, I'm ready for some fall cleaning.
A couple friends and I did a fun collaboration with Uptown Cheapskate in Grandville. All the items I am wearing in these photos are from there. Such fun finds...the tassel sweater below is actually from Free People!
The store's concept is you can bring in your gently used, name brand clothing and walk away with cash. It got me thinking about the importance of regularly cleaning out your closet (even though this isn't always at the top of my list). I am sharing my process along with some general tips and tricks for this task.
PICK A FOCUS AND ZERO IN.
Sort through your clothing to identify pieces you want to keep and ones you would like to purge. If the idea of tackling your entire closet sounds too intimidating, focus on one area at a time.
Example: I had the urge to do this the other day but didn't have the time to go through my entire collection. So, I just focused on dresses. I went through and evaluated which ones were a must-keep and which ones could either be sold or donated.
Breaking this project out into manageable sections will keep you from pooping out in the middle and ending up with a bed full of clothes and accessories (what, that hasn't ever happened to me...wink).
SORT YOUR BUNS OFF IN AN ORGANIZED WAY
As I am sorting through pieces, I utilize 4 things: a clothing rack, 2 bins/laundry baskets, and a trash can.
When you find a piece that you need to keep, hang that item on the clothing rack. This not only helps you visualize what you are going to keep but also cuts down on you walking back and forth into your closet/back to your dresser.
The bins are for the items that you will be getting rid of. One should house all donation items and the other the ones you are going to sell. This keeps them contained but also organized during the process. The clothing rack comes into play again here as well. For any items that were on a hanger that are now in one of the bins, hang the hanger on the rack so you don't have one of those tangled, scary piles at the end (think the episode of Friends where Rachel works at the random fashion place and the cute old guy opens the closet and it's a mess of hangers).
The trash can is for the pieces you don't need and can't donate. While I know that a lot of thrift stores are generous, they probably don't need your stained cami from high school. My motto is to recycle/donate as much as possible, but it's also okay to draw the line on items that have just seen too many miles.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE MADNESS
Here are some tips for those of you who are sweating just thinking about this process.
I feel like most people have trouble when it comes to the actual sorting part. Good rule of thumb: if it isn't a piece that has to stay in the archives (aka vintage goodness, special event items etc.), you haven't worn it in the last few months, and can't envision a specific outfit/event to wear it to reaalllly soon, it's gone.
Try it on! More so than just looking at it, trying the clothing on might bring you to an answer more quickly. If it doesn't fit or flatter you, find the appropriate bin and send it on its way.
Bring a friend. Throw on some good music, pour a glass of wine, and make a night out of it. Not only is it a fun dress up party, they are a great second set of eyes who can give you a dose of truth if you need it.
Keep calm and sort on. Like I was saying earlier, tackle manageable sections instead of your entire wardrobe so you don't get drained half way through. Make sure to keep an eye on the progress you have made so you can use that as an encouraging marker.
Friends, I know that this might seem like a monumental task, but you will feel great when you have a more organized, paired down closet. Getting dressed and outfit planning will be so much easier when you aren't having to rifle through pieces you would never wear anyway. How often are you doing a clothing cleanse? Any fun tips and tricks you have discovered?
Thanks to Uptown Cheapskate for collaborating with me on this post! For more info here is their website and make sure to go check them out!
Sincerely,
Ashley