So it’s spring, and you’re ready to declutter and organize your home. You’re also getting the itch to get your wardrobe for the approaching warmer weather. That may be because it’s the perfect time of year to take on both of these tasks.
I’m here to share some pro tips I use in my personal styling business to help make your spring closet edit successful.
1. Define your style for the season.
Before you even touch an item of clothing, get on Pinterest or some of your favorite retailers and collect some inspiration for the style you love for the upcoming season. Start saving the images that you’d love to wear. Once you’ve collected them, start to look for themes. This will help you remove things from your closet that no longer align with your style.
2. Go in with the goal of creating a seasonally relevant, accessible closet.
This means you will take out any items that aren’t wearable in the current season, so bulky knit sweaters are getting a spot in another closet or should be safely stored in the attic until next fall. You’ll also be removing and organizing items to see what you plan on wearing. If you can’t see it easily, it won’t get worn!
3. Grab some trash bags and think about sorting your closet into piles.
There are five main piles you want to think about:
- Keep Pile – These items can go right back into your closet. They meet how you’ve defined your style for the season, work for your body shape, and are in great condition and fit you as you are now.
- Archive Pile – These are off-season items that should be stored elsewhere to make the current season items in your closet more visible. For winter, this is heavy knits, thicker fabrics, cold weather boots, etc. You also want to move sentimental items (think the dress you got engaged in and can’t part with) to the archive. Get a nice plastic storage bin to keep these items outside your functioning day-to-day closet.
- Tailoring and Alteration Pile – Put items that fit the current season, your current style vision, and your body but need a slight alteration to fit perfectly in this pile. Take them to get that alteration within the week, or you may forget. Most alterations are fairly inexpensive and can make a piece you’re not wearing go into heavy rotation.
- Donation and Sell Pile – Items that belong in this pile are ones that no longer serve you and your current style but are in good enough condition for someone else to love and wear. You can either donate to local charities or, if the item is nice enough, resell it, check out sites like Poshmark. Luxury items can be resold at places like Fashionphile or Rebag.
- Toss Pile – Items worn, ripped, or stained simply need to be tossed. You can also try to donate them to places like Helpsy, which will recycle them.
Arranging your hanging items in color and sleeve length order can be very helpful in finding items quickly. Keeping tops, jackets, trousers, dresses, and skirts separate can also be helpful in easily grabbing pieces to build an outfit.
Denim and sweaters can be folded or hung if space allows. If you hang your sweaters, never hang them by the shoulders like a shirt. Instead, fold the sweater in half lengthwise and then place your hanger on the top of your sweater with the space where the hook and triangle piece meet in the armpit. Then fold the sleeve and body over the hanger. Investing in a nice set of velvet or rubber hangers is ideal to ensure clothing stays put.
If you fold items, continue to arrange them in color order. Stack them horizontally versus vertically in drawers so everything is visible to you.
Ensure your seasonal bags and shoes are visible in your closet and arranged by color and type. So sneakers will go together, flats, heels, etc.
5. Plan to shop for missing items.
As you edit your closet, keep a list of any gaps in your closet. These will be items you need to make complete outfits from what you already own or seasonal refreshers to keep your wardrobe current for the season. It’s a good opportunity to look at trends and identify any that fit with your style to help keep your outfits modern.
