I NEED A Clothes Closet Intervention…STAT! (Or Spring Cleaning Your Closet)

Every year about this time I try to do some spring cleaning and purging. I’m pretty efficient when it comes to kitchen cabinets, junk drawers, and my stacks of papers and magazines that seem to accumulate at a pretty fast rate. But my closet? Not so much. Oh I keep it pretty organized and will weed through it a bit, pulling clothes out that are stained or don’t fit, but it’s been a very long time since I did a really good purge. And because I amass clothing items quicker than I get rid of them, my closet is, quite frankly, out of control with the amount of what I own.

• I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put something on, taken it off because I just didn’t like it, and hung it back in my closet, only to repeat the process a few weeks later…with the same item. What a waste of my time and space!

A BIT ABOUT MY “CLOSET”

About six years ago my husband and I converted one of our extra bedrooms and created a closet for me instead. We have a room for overnight company and certainly didn’t need two since we don’t have tons of friends or family who stay the night. And let me tell you, it’s been fabulous! But as with a large purse, I have a tendency to add more and somehow, over the years, I added things. And added things. And I now currently have over 800 items of clothing in my now-bursting at the seams closet. (It’s only because I buy the majority of my clothes at consignment shops and thrift stores that I own that much. The average price of things I buy is probably about $7.00 – just saying!)

Knowing how to organize your closet and actually doing it can be overwhelming. I’ve always kept my wardrobe sorted by like items and colors but again, I have challenges when it comes to getting rid of clothes. And because I’ve worn the same size for over fourteen years, I just keep hanging on to everything.

Last week I bought a few “new” dresses at Goodwill and realized as I tried to hang them up, that the clothing rod I use for dresses was packed. There was not room for one more single item. Not one. So I counted how many dresses I owned and was quite literally surprised and a bit ashamed at the excess. There were 161 dresses hanging on that rod and I knew at that moment, I needed an intervention! 

BEFORE YOU START – FIND AN HONEST FRIEND TO HELP

Because I knew that everything in my closet was in good condition and pretty much fit, I wasn’t going to get rid of much if I just pulled those items out. I needed to really weed and purge. So I called my good friend Ashley, who owns a local consignment store (Ashley’s Attic www.facebook.com/ashleysatticcoloradosprings/ ) and cried “Help!” Not only is she one of the most fashionable women I know, she also kind of contributed to the amount of clothes I own because I buy from her shop and she’s also my Goodwill shopping buddy. I figured in some way, she was partly responsible…ha!

Finding an honest friend to help you clean out your closet is one of the top suggestions professional organizing sites suggest. 

Ashley told me she also always offers this advice of snagging a friend to help you. She said you want that honest and sincere friend who will give you her or his opinion on what needs to be ditched. And of course you want it to be a friend whose opinion you trust. Ashley also suggests offering coffee, wine, and or snacks since this could take a while! 

Ashley and I scheduled a day for her to come over and help me start the process of tackling my closet and she gave me a homework assignment to complete before we met. And that was to assess my wardrobe needs.

ASSESS YOUR WARDROBE NEEDS –

Before you start pulling and sorting there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself.

1. What is your lifestyle? Think about your average week and what you do. What are your clothing requirements? (Business, casual, exercise, sports, formal events, etc.)
2. What is the climate like in your area? If you only have a few weeks of really cold temperatures, you don’t need very many sweaters or bulky coats and scarves. I personally have lots of items that can easily be layered since even in the summer months here in Colorado Springs, the evenings can be chilly.
3. What is your personality? Do you prefer more of a uniform approach or do you like changing things up? 

ORGANIZE THE PURGE WITH A FEW SUPPLIES –

Ashley suggests grabbing boxes, totes, laundry baskets or bags to help organize your purge. Think about what you’re going to do with your discards and label the containers accordingly. Examples would be “donate,” “recycle,” or “consign.” You can research online for your local textile recycling programs for truly sad old garments that are stained or torn. I personally donate everything to our local Discover Goodwill since the donations help those in our community and they also have a recycling program so nothing goes to waste. For items that are in excellent condition that you might have spent more money on, Ashley suggests you find your favorite consignment shop and make an appointment to sell those pieces. (I of course take my items to her store!)

A few other designated boxes could be…

“Repairs” – if you’re going to actually take them to a tailor but if not, donate. 

“Swap” – I have a few friends who do a yearly get-together where they bring all their discards and swap items out with one another. 

“Garage sale” – but only if you’re really going to have one. You don’t need boxes taking up room if you’re not. Donate instead.

“Maybe” – if you just can’t decide and think you’ll regret getting rid of something. Pack it up, set it aside, and if you eventually need it, it’s there. If you don’t use it after a period, get rid of it.

Ashley also suggests that whatever your hanger of choice is, to keep it consistent. “This will visually help keep order in your closet,” she says. “I personally love the ones from Sam’s or Costco that are ultra thin and have a velvety cover that you can buy in bulk.”

I personally have not bought new hangers in a long time and do need them. Look for hangers such as the ones Ashley suggests. Not only are they thin so they’ll take up less room, but they are contoured in a way as to not damage delicate fabrics or let items slip. I found 50-packs for sale online at Walmart for $14.99 and a 70-pack online at Costco for $19.99. It’s not a must-have but it sure makes a difference. 

START THE PROCESS –

The process of purging, much less deciding what to purge can be overwhelming and time-consuming, depending on just how messy or big your closet is. Be realistic with your time and energy and plan accordingly so you don’t burn-out midway and end up throwing everything back in or leaving it half-done for yet another year. 

For some people, taking everything out of their closet and going through each item one at a time works best for them. But depending on how much you have, that could take quite a chunk of time to commit to all at once. I personally always found this worked best for me when I had a “normal” closet and I could get it done in 3 or 4 hours. And this is what Ashley typically suggests you do. 

Once Ashley came over to the house and we made a game-plan though for my closet, she suggested we start with sections. Because I actually had a space problem with my dresses, that’s where we started first. Ashley literally started at one end of the dresses and began pulling items she didn’t think I needed. I will admit my heart began racing a bit as she ruthlessly went down the line and the pile of discards grew. Okay, maybe she did it more honestly than ruthlessly but still…what if I needed those items one day? I swear I started feeling a bit of separation anxiety. Thank goodness I had invited a few friends over to lend moral support. And that we had wine!

As Ashley assessed my dresses she touched and felt everything. Did the fabric feel worn? How well had the shape held up? She told me to ask myself when was the last time I had worn a piece. Was it 6 months ago? Last year? Could I even remember the last time I had worn it? Depending on how you answer those questions, she said it might be a good idea to tell them goodbye. The best reason to eliminate something? If it is ill-fitting or doesn’t fit at all she says. And if it has sentimental value but you no longer wear it, she suggests you store it in an archive bin. 

Ashley might have had this look on her face more than once…which is why I asked for her help. 

ASK YOURSELF CHECKLIST –

As you assess each item ask yourself these questions. I also suggest you try on items you haven’t worn in a while so you can honestly answer the questions.

1. Does this fit?
2. Have I worn this in the past year or so?
3. Is it likely I will ever wear it again?
4. Does this fit my lifestyle?
5. Is it damaged? Will I actually get it repaired?
6. Do I feel confident in it?
7. If I was shopping right now, would I buy this?

For me personally, the majority of items Ashley pulled were either just too young-looking or items that were very similar to other items. As she pulled a couple of cute summer dresses I said to her, “But those are so cute and they look great on me!” Her honest response? “Yes they’d look cute on you if you were 14.” End of discussion since truthfully, I had not worn them in years because every single time I put one on, I did think to myself, maybe this looks too young. That’s why you might need an honest friend to really help you purge.

Too young for you was her verdict for these two dresses.

At the end of an hour Ashley pulled over 70 dresses and after I agonized over the pile, I only took back 10 to keep. And my husband pulled 2 he really liked and wanted me to hold on to. 

Here’s what she pulled.

And a few items I’m going to consign with her.

INTRODUCE ORDER –

Before you begin to put everything back in your closet, make a plan as to how you want it organized and what works best for you and your space. 

“For me, I divide my closet into sections,” Ashley says. “The top row is summer and short-sleeved pieces, the bottom row, sweaters and long sleeves. Dresses are stored in another area (i.e. my husband’s section because he doesn’t need that much space!) Next, by color. This may sound tedious or over the top but it will help you see what you have excess of or what you’re missing. Once you know this information, it makes restocking much easier and less of a guessing game. You’ll know exactly what you have and what you need, ‘I’m missing a solid white button down top for my blazers,’ or ‘I could really use a new denim jacket for my sundresses.’ Whatever it is you’re missing, now you’ll know!”

I personally like keeping my clothes organized by color. As we hung items back up we not only organized them by color but by sleeve length too. Sleeveless solids then prints in that color scheme followed by solid short sleeves and then prints in that color scheme followed by solid long sleeves and then prints in that color scheme. It works for me. We also made sure everything was clean, buttoned, zipped, and facing in the same direction. 

Here’s the dresses Ashley said I could keep…and look what a difference coordinated hangers can make. 

Because my husband and I like to throw “themed” parties with costumes, I held on to a few pieces but put them in a large container I can put up on a shelf and labeled it “costumes.” You can also do that with sentimental items you don’t want to part with. 

STORE PROPERLY –

If you do store seasonal items, store them properly so they stay in good condition. 

Make sure they are clean and laundered.

Use protective containers like canvas boxes, breathable synthetic garment bags, or cotton canvas or muslin covers which will help keep moths out and let your clothes breathe. 

For chunky sweaters and beaded or delicate materials, wrap in acid free tissue and store flat on a shelf. 

Big heavy coats can be placed in plastic bins and stored away. Make sure you empty pockets and button and zip everything up. 

If you’re short on space, consider adding shelves to empty, high-up space, above the rods or on an empty wall. 

YOU’LL FEEL BETTER –

Survey after survey says that most women wear only a small portion of the clothes they own. In fact one survey of 1,000 American women conducted by ClosetMaid found that women really only like 10% of their wardrobe and that 1 in 10 women are depressed when they open their closet. A whopping 40% said they didn’t like any of their clothes. 

Another survey said the average American woman has about 105 items in their closet but considers 21% to be “unwearable,” 33% to be too tight, and 24% to be too loose. And another whopping 47% admit they struggle to pick out an outfit on a daily basis. 

When you get rid of the things that don’t fit, don’t look great on you, or are in bad condition, you’ll free up space for things you love. Instead of having separation anxiety over what you’re tossing, think of how stress-free getting dressed will be each day when you are choosing from items that fit, are clean, and that you feel confident in. I admit that when I look in the mirror and love my outfit, I just feel better about myself and even walk differently. Instead of worrying if my pants are falling down or causing a muffin top or if someone will notice that little stain. It also takes less time to pull an ensemble together  when you’re not putting on and then taking off items you don’t like. 

NEXT UP –

So we made it through all my dresses and I’m happy with the results. Using the suggestions Ashley gave me I’m now working on my pants, tops, and skirts. And eventually I’ll tackle the 30 or so coats I thought I needed. After I finish up with those items, Ashley will come over once more and go through what I’ve kept and most likely, get rid of a few more things. Or more than a few, most likely. 

A work in progress.

My ultimate goal for my closet is to have beautiful, well-kept, age-appropriate items that will reflect who I am, how I feel, and what my lifestyle is now. Because of my personal lifestyle now, I don’t need a ton of business clothes that I’ll never wear or 40 little black dresses. I wanted a more casual but chic look and I’m getting there. My other goal is to get rid of at least 250 items and since I’m halfway there already, I feel confident I’ll accomplish that goal. In fact, I think I’ll end up getting rid of even more than that but we’ll see. 

I already feel better when I walk into my closet and not so glutinous as to the excess of what I was holding on to.

My favorite advice Ashley shared was this, “Keep what you love regardless of trends. Trends come and go so it’s wise to be you.” Well I’m going to be “me” but more organized and fabulous. At least when it comes to my closet!

NEXT WEEK – SHOES!

Each week this month I’ll focus on purging and spring cleaning different items in our closets. Hopefully the suggestions on how to organize your clothing sections have helped motivate you to tackle your own closet if it’s been in need of some TLC. Next week we’ll concentrate on shoes…which I might have quite a few of. 

*Ashley does help others with closet organizing and even coordinating items you already own to create new looks. You can contact her at Ashleysattic829@gmail.com