Spring is here, and what better way to welcome a fresh start than with a thorough closet cleanse? Our closets often reflect our lives — busy, a tad chaotic, and full of ‘someday’ promises. It’s time to reclaim our space, align our wardrobes with who we are today, and prepare for the exciting road ahead.

The challenge: Closets brimming over with old, unworn, or “what if” garments, hanging onto a life that once was or one we hope to have.

The goal: Curating a wardrobe that serves the present you, filled with pieces that inspire joy, confidence, and self-respect.

Setting the Stage for Success

1. Upgrade your hanger game: Get velvet hangers from Amazon for a sleek, uniform look, and use these clip attachments for pants and skirts.
2. Calendar commitment: Reserve a two-hour slot dedicated to your wardrobe transformation. Choose a weekend, evening, or your next rainy-day project.

Deep Dive into Decluttering: Clear, Categorize, and Curate

1. Prepare with purpose: Arm yourself with three receptacles (garbage bags, boxes). Label them recycle, donate, tailor.
2. The big takeout: Empty your closet entirely. This confronting visual will kickstart the decluttering process.
3. Item evaluation: For every piece, conduct a thorough pragmatic assessment.

• Does it fit?
• Is it stained or beyond repair?
• How profound is its sentimental value, and do you really need to keep it? Pro tip: Limit to three keepsake items)
• Can you create at least three different outfits with this item?
• Consider the practicality and frequency of use. If it hasn’t been worn in more than a year, it’s time to part ways.

Every piece of clothing carries its unique energy. If it no longer serves you, let it go to make space for what truly resonates with you.

Arranging with Appeal: The Art of Merchandising Your Closet

1. Long garments: Allocate a section for long dresses, maxi skirts, trench coats, long cardigans, and long-line blazers and arrange them by category and then color (dark to light or vice versa). If space permits, store outerwear separately.
2. Short staples: Cohesively hang shorter items by category to avoid a jumbled appearance and categorize by color (e.g. skirts, trousers, blazers, jackets, vests, tops).
3. Foldables: Dedicate drawer or shelf space for neatly stacked foldable items, keeping categories distinct and accessible.

Closet Care Is Like Self-Care. It’s Ongoing.

1. Daily discipline: Busy mornings happen, and tidiness may take a back seat. Dedicate a few minutes each evening to reset and refresh your space.
2. Color coordination: A little rainbow in your closet can work wonders for quickly finding what you need.
3. A place for everything: Commit to the habit of returning garments to their rightful spot.

Remember, organization is not just about a clean wardrobe. It’s about a mindset. As you learn to maintain exterior order, the interior often follows suit. Create a clutter-free zone that fuels your focus and creativity when dressing in the morning. You’re on the path to a beautifully organized lifestyle, one hanger, one-fold, and one day at a time. Keep it up and watch as this seamless cycle becomes second nature.

 

Alice Chosovich is a fitness expert voted Seattle’s best fitness instructor by ClassPass users. Alice also leads three boutique fitness studios and holds the title of “Master Image Consultant and Fashion Stylist.” She intertwines fitness and fashion to empower a lifestyle that emanates confidence, strength, and an undeniable sense of style.