Spring: Time to Edit your Wardrobe!
A new season is usually a great opportunity for a quick Closet Edit.
Closet editing is one of my favorite activities (I know, I know!)
It just feels so good to walk into my closet in the morning and see only the things that I truly love to wear. It’s liberating, inspiring, and a great way to start the day! Whenever I talk about my love for editing closets, I often hear people say, ‘Ah, I’d love a smaller closet but I just can’t get rid of things."
For years I struggled to edit my closet properly. I’d keep things because they were “cute”, “fun”, “expensive” or something I’d wear “one day” but really, I never wore any of them again. Meanwhile, someone else could have been enjoying it.
The truth is, whether we acknowledge it or not, we get attached to our clothes for many different reasons. Nostalgia is one of them - think about an old sweater that was knit by your aunt or a vintage t-shirt from your college years. Sometimes they represent a version of ourselves we don’t want to let go of, like a pair of tiny jeans that only really fit when you were 22. Sometimes they have explicit monetary value like a fancy bag you bought as a treat but haven’t used for years. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to let go of these things -I hear you. But they are just THINGS. And once they’re gone, 99% of the time, you won’t miss them because the rewards of a lean closet will bring you much more satisfaction than the loss of an unworn, space-stealing bag.
If you are new in the game, conducting a proper wardrobe cleanout will help you:
. See what’s really in your closet.
. Reinvest in your favorite items.
. Achieve a much clearer sense of your personal style.
. Help you to avoid adding items that won’t get worn.
. Let go of the ‘stuff’ that’s been holding you back.
Here are the 5 simple steps I believe are critical to executing a successful closet edit:
STEP 1: PREP
Start by setting a goal: Maybe it’s a specific number of items you’d like to get down to or maybe it is time to clear out your out-of-season clothing.
Keep a few keywords in mind: Having a few keywords that describe your personal style in mind while editing is very helpful to drive the edit. Mine are VERSATILE, COMFORT, EFFORTLESS UNIQUE
Make space + time: Give yourself at least an hour and some room to pull everything out and begin sorting. Set up a couple of big bags or boxes to put your unwanted items into.
STEP 2: START EDITING
. Pull one category at a time:
Category 1: Jeans, pants, shorts, and 1 piece.
Category 2: Tops that can be layered: tees, tanks, button-down shirts
Category 3: Toppers: sweaters, cardigans, blazers, jackets
Category 4: Shoes
Category 5: Outwear
Category 6: Accessories
Begin by selecting 1 item at a time. If you’re not immediately sure if you want to keep it or let it go (to one of 3 above fates) then ask yourself the following:
.Did I wear this in the last 6 months?
.Does this fit my style goals (aka those keywords you started with)?
.Am I excited to wear it again?
.Does it fit?
.Is it comfortable?
.Would I rather wear it over any of my ‘Keepers’? (Refer to those 10 gems you love.)
.Is it in good condition?
.Did I feel good the last time I wore it?
.Does it have an irreplaceable sentimental value?
.Can I wear it during the upcoming season?
.If the answer is ‘No’ to more than 1 of those questions it’s most likely time to part ways.
STEP 4: FINAL SCAN
Does anything stick out in terms of color, pattern, shape, and style? Maybe these need to be reassessed.
If you were hesitating about any potential keepers have a second look at those and do a quick gut check, asking, ‘Should this stay?’. Your instincts will answer that in a split second, just try not to ignore it.
Overwhelmed with the process? Why don’t you schedule a time to talk about how we could make this easier for you?
With Love,
Charline Z - Persoanal Stylist - Los Angeles