Spring Cleaning in Your Closet

Spring has already tantalized us here in the West with a few lovely warm days, only to pound us with some cold and wind, reminding us that it isn’t time to put away those winter jackets just yet.

As we reach for those lighter shirts and begin to put away the heavy sweaters, we discover that April (or May, depending on your location) is the perfect month to clear out closets. When you pull out your summer wardrobe, take a few minutes to really look at each piece and evaluate it, using the following questions:

1. Does this piece fit well and flatter my figure?  
Often we hold on to clothes, hoping that some day we will fit back into them. If you have had an item for more than two years and it still doesn’t fit, let it go. By the time it fits comfortably again, you will be ready for a new look.

2. Do I really like this piece?
We also keep items that are “just okay,” thinking that someday they will look better on us. That never happens. Make room in your closet for clothes that you love.

3. Does this piece coordinate with other pieces in my wardrobe?
Sometimes “lone ranger” items don’t go with anything else. If it can’t be worn with something you currently own, it needs to go.

4. Does this piece need to be cleaned, altered, or mended?
All clothes need to be clean and in good condition. Torn or stained items should be taken care of in a timely manner. Sometimes the cost of cleaning or mending is greater than the item is really worth. In that case, let it go.

5. Does this piece reflect the image I want to portray?
As we move into different seasons in life, our wardrobe needs to change as well. It’s okay to say goodbye to perfectly good clothes that don’t reflect who we are at the current moment. A few pieces that look great are better than a closet full of items that don’t.

After weeding out clothes you no longer like, need, or wear, it’s time to set up your closet so that it is easy to get dressed and maintain.

Separate items according to season. Move winter clothes to the back of the closet, box them up, or place them in another closet. Donate or discard any items that won’t be used next year. Keep the current season’s clothes toward the front of the closet for easy access. Transition items (light sweaters, etc.) can be kept out as needed.

Organize by type of clothing, color, and sleeve length. Formal wear goes in one spot, work clothes in another, while workout items can be placed in a drawer. Keeping like items together will reveal what you have and what you need. It may come as a surprise to find that out of the ten black blouses you own, only five are actually worn regularly. Let go of the others.

To make any closet look neater, use one or two styles of hangers. Think about your favorite clothing store; everything looks better on the same type of hanger. Start with the current season’s clothes, and gradually replace old hangers.

When your closet is organized, it is relatively easy to maintain. To put away clothes, simply locate the type, color, and/or sleeve length. It’s like having color-coded parking spaces. Getting ready is easier when items are grouped according to use and color.

Take some time this month to organize your clothes. Start with the closet, and then go through the dresser drawers using the same principles. In the fall, repeat the same process. By regularly weeding out and putting clothes away, you will save time and money and make getting dressed a more enjoyable experience.
To get a peek at my closet, click on the following link: Renee's Closet.

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