5 Easy Ideas for Cleaning Out & Organizing Your Closet

2. Letting Go

If you experience a ping of sadness when you’re putting your college tees into the donate bag, you’re not alone. While some view clothes as just things, the truth is that they’re linked to a moment in time and often have stories attached to them. It’s natural to feel a bit nostalgic, and it’s okay to set a few pieces aside to keep. Minimizing your wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything that brings you happiness. Even if you haven’t worn something in a few years, if it puts a smile on your face, it’s worth holding on to. Set these pieces aside in a box and reach for it any time you need a walk down memory lane.

3. Seasonal Organization

Whew! The hard part is officially over. Now it’s time to sort your clothing seasonally. Before you get started, keep in mind that there should be a few staple pieces that have a spot in your closet year-round. The best part about organizing seasonally is that it’s an opportunity to assess anything you might have missed during the decluttering. It’s also the perfect time to do any dry-cleaning and tidy your space by vacuuming and dusting. If sturdy hangers aren’t something you’ve already invested in, now’s the time. Swap out your wire hangers for slim and durable hangers to create more space in your closet. Once you’re finished, decide which pieces you won’t be wearing for the next few months and store them in a clear container for an easy swap in the future.

4. Assess the Holes in Your Wardrobe

Now that you have a clean slate, it’s time to figure out what’s missing. During the decluttering process, you probably got rid of pieces that no longer fit or are worn out and need replacing. Knowing your personal style is beneficial in helping you realize what you’ll need to purchase. A great rule of thumb is starting with the pieces make you look and feel your best during your day-to-day routine. If you’re still not sure where to start, our lovely Stylists are here to help! Plus, they’ve rounded up a list of the style essentials every woman needs in her wardrobe (thank you, next).

5. Stock Your Closet With the Essentials

While each wardrobe will vary from person to person, there a few essentials that should be in every lady’s closet. The fail-proof, time-defying pieces that solve your what-to-wear woes on those nothing-to-wear days. Versatility is key when creating the foundation for your wardrobe. With these staples, you’ll be able to create an endless amount of outfits for a wide variety of occasions.

premium denim: Get yourself a perfectly fitting pair of jeans in a dark wash. A dark wash is easy to keep clean and will pair with just about everything. While you may need to invest more to get the perfect pair, they’ll last for years to come, making them worth every penny.

a plain white tee and/or button down: We’d argue that no closet is complete without a plain white tee or button down. They are must-have pieces no matter your individual style and will always be an easy fallback piece if you’re not sure what to put on for the day.

a little black dress: The LBD is truly a blank slate when it comes to styling. You can add accessories or shoes to give it some flair, or you can wear it on its own and it will still be a standout piece.

a sharp blazer: A blazer (patterned or solid) has become a closet chameleon. A blazer is perfect for the office and looks equally amazing with jeans and a timeless tee.

black trousers: If you’re starting to sense a theme here, you’re 100% right. A black trouser is undeniably versatile. No matter the silhouette you choose, you’ll be able to wear these throughout the workweek or to your next weekend brunch.

Images by Lindsey Cole Photography