Back in October, I posted a blog about handling closet reorganization in the time of COVID-19. The demand for loungewear was up. We needed spaces to hang masks. Our work clothes were pushed to the way back, never to be touched again. Except for Zoom meetings.
Now with vaccinations rolling out and the warmer months on the horizon, I thought it was time for a closet revamp.
We only wear 20% of what we actually own. 20%! That’s it.
Since the pandemic started, that number has dropped to 15%. No doubt due to places shutting down and companies allowing employees to work from home.
But if you’re like me — excited about the warmer months — you’re looking forward to getting outside more. To dine at restaurants. To walk and shop without the threat of cold, wind, or snow.
But if you’re like me you’re also anxious about getting dressed and going back out in public. You’re worried nothing fits. You’re so used to loungewear. What’s even in style anymore?!?!
No need to panic. I’ve come up with a pretty easy step-by-step guide that tackles closet revamp with confidence.
Editing your clothes for spring
I want to note that this task might take some time. Make sure you start and finish the same day. The last thing you want is a bunch of clothes taking up valuable floor or surface space.
Consider the number of clothes you own. If you have a lot, set aside a whole day or two. If you’re more minimalistic, half a day is all you’ll need. Though one full day should be plenty of time.
Unpack your spring/summer clothes
First things first, if you haven’t already, go to storage and bring out your spring and summer clothes. If you keep these items out all year round, that’s fine. I do suggest separating them from your fall/winter clothes. This way you can see what you’re working with.
Pack your fall/winter clothes away
Pack the winter items you know you won’t need anymore. Those really thick knit sweaters. Hats, scarves, gloves. Push that puffy winter coat to the back of your closet. Again, if you keep these items out all year round, try and group them together in a section of your closet. This will keep them from getting in the way and you’ll know exactly where they are for next time.
Empty your closet
You hear professional organizers do this all the time. Completely clear the space. This shows you how much storage you have. Too often we’re so used to how we store items that we miss untapped space. By clearing your closet, you’re giving yourself a fresh perspective.
Create piles
I suggest doing this with ALL of your clothes. Do it with your fall/winter clothes before storing them away. Then do it with your spring/summer clothes before putting them in your closet.
Create four piles:
Love
Like
Donate
Trash
A quick tip for clothes you plan on throwing away. Rather than tossing them in the trash, look to see if there’s a TerraCycle or USAgain drop off bin near you. Both organizations take a variety of textiles and repurpose them. They're then sent to parts of the world that need better clothing.
Use this time to really pair down your loungewear. Instead of having ten sets, try donating five or six pairs. Keep the rest for yourself. Loungewear won’t be your forever wardrobe. Best to start cutting the ties now.
When it comes to deciding between “love” and “like,” consider the following:
Do I wear this at least once a week?
Can I match this with a lot of my other clothes?
Does this fit like a glove?
If you answer yes to all three of those questions then the item goes on the Love pile. Your Love pile shouldn’t be that high. If your Love is bigger than your Like pile, you need to go through those questions again.
We’ll get to what we do with the Like pile in a minute.
Put your Love items away
Once you’ve finished sorting your clothes into piles, take the ones from your Love stash and put them away. Your closet should have plenty of space left. If your Love pile fills the majority of your closet, you need to recheck a few items.
Yes, we buy clothes because we love them. But after a while clothes can lose their original sparkle. How many times did you buy a piece to complete a special outfit and now you have no use for it?
There’s a lot of reasons why we lose interest in certain clothes. And that’s the time to donate them.
Try on your Like pieces
Now that your Love pieces are out of the way, it’s time to take care of those Like pieces. This will be a bit time-consuming. Give yourself a little break before you start. Drink water. Step outside for some fresh air. Refresh your playlist.
As you try on each piece, be ruthless. If it’s too baggy don’t tell yourself you’ll get it tailored. Add it to the donation pile. If it’s too tight, don’t hang on to it in case you lose some weight. Donate it.
The point here is not to keep all of your Like pieces. You should be adding at least half of it to the Donate or Trash pile.
After you’ve finished this task put the Like items you’re keeping in your closet.
Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels
Donate ASAP
Don’t let the clothes you’re giving away sit in your home for too long. Believe me, you’ll be too tempted to look through them and decide to keep some things. Try and get rid of your Donate and Trash piles within three to five days. If you’re going on a week and they’re still there, you’ve waited too long.
Fill in the gaps
This is going to sound weird. I just told you to donate half of your wardrobe. Now I’m telling you to fill in the gaps, which means buy new clothes. WHAT?
Fill in the gaps doesn’t mean buy whatever you want. It means — for lack of a better phrase — filling in the gaps. Did you donate or toss all your black shirts because they didn’t fit or were covered in holes? A black shirt is a classic item to have in any wardrobe. It’s ok to buy yourself a new one.
Do this for certain items only. According to a Vogue article, these are The 12 Basic Clothing Items Every Closet Should Have. If it’s your style, make sure you have one of each. Don’t overbuy and don’t buy three of one piece.
Buy only what you need to fill in the gaps.
Spring cleaning your closet can be a very therapeutic task. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can dress up again. Go to restaurants, concerts, parties, and more. But let’s make sure we have the necessary clothes ready to go.
If the idea of revamping your closet for spring sounds like a project you want to pursue, check out my virtual services. We’ll navigate any area of your home to make sure it’s functional and a space you’ll love. Who doesn’t want to love their closet?
Contact me today and be sure to comment below. I’d love to hear how your wardrobe has changed since the pandemic started. What are you looking forward to wearing again?