How to clean out and edit your closet

To feel more organized and always find something to wear, it’s key to edit your closet. We explain 4 key steps to do it.

What will you need to look and feel your best? Many think that they need to go on a really expensive shopping trip. However, my advice is to start shopping in your own closet.

That’s why it’s so important to edit your closet. You need a chunk of time to start evaluating if you have all the basics that you need that will fit your style, fit your body and fit your color palette. 

The first step is figuring out what fits and what doesn’t. Remember: there’s no judgment here. Not all the clothes in your closet fit you, even if they did in the past. Just be very realistic and try to leave the emotional component aside. I know it’s hard. I have clothes that five years ago fit well, and I have had a hard time letting go of the notion that if I lose ten pounds, I will fit into them again. What’s helped me is realizing that saying good-bye to the clothes that don’t fit, doesn’t mean I failed at losing that extra weight. Instead, I am making space for the person I am today, and giving somebody else the opportunity to enjoy those items because I will be donating them.

Another fact? That top that you haven’t worn in five years, chances are that you won’t wear it next year or even two years down the road. It doesn’t matter that it’s new with tags. It’s taking up space in your closet and your head, so it’s better to sell or donate.

Any shoes that you haven’t worn in the past two or three years, also should be donated or discarded. I don’t care how expensive they were, you want to find a new home for them because you can’t keep holding on to things that you’re really not wearing. I mean, you can, but you shouldn’t if you want to edit your closet so it is useful for the person you are today.

How to clean out your closet

Anything that doesn’t fit, anything that you don’t like, anything you haven’t worn for years needs to go.

You can edit and purge your closet in 4 easy steps:

• Try on everything in your closet. Yes, that includes underwear and shoes. You might be surprised how our bodies change, even if we’ve been pretty good with diet and exercise.
• Make three piles; one to keep, one to donate, and one to discard. Yes, there will be stuff you need to throw away. Whatever is in poor condition needs to be discarded, not donated. You can also recycle at different stores that accept old clothing.
• Immediately put away the items that need to be donated. Put them in your car or in a location that will remind you to give them away. 
• If there is anything you want to sell online or at a consignment shop, put in a separate bag, and write down a date in the next 7 days to photograph and create the listing, or to take to a local resale store. You need to give yourself a deadline and accountability!

Whatever you like but it doesn’t fit or you can’t see yourself wearing, donate it or sell it online; that way you can make space for things that really work for you. 

Let me know if these tips inspire you to clean out your closet and how you feel later. I am the messiest person but I truly feel so relieved every time I take out bags with items I haven’t worn in ages.