I don’t know about you, but when it’s time to clean out my closet it’s definitely something I tend to put off for as long as I can. But even so, it’s something that I make sure I do yearly. So with the new year upon us, I decided to declutter and organize my closet. Here are some of my tips!
Keep, toss, donate: This is hands down the hardest part of decluttering. And I don’t mean figuring out what to keep. I have a really hard time letting go of items even if I haven’t worn them once in the last year. There is always the “what if” going through my mind with scenarios for when those items could be worn. What if it comes back in style? What if I go to wear it and then remember I threw it away as if it meant nothing to me? What if my future child gets mad at me because it would be the perfect vintage piece for them? But let’s face it, none of that is gonna happen. So my rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn an item once in the last 12 months, then it’s time to part ways.
When it comes to donating, make sure you check over the items to ensure they are still wearable. Are there unmendable holes? Stains beyond the power of bleach? You don’t want to donate a pair of pants that are ripped at the seam or a tee-shirt that is completely covered in stains. Instead, items like that should be repurposed! Try using that old tee as a cleaning rag or turn those jeans into a basket. Yeah, you read that right. There are so many different ways to upcycle your old clothes.
Organization: I have to admit, I’m a tad OCD and I really like to keep my closet extremely organized. Not only do I keep items folded perfectly, but I organize my clothes by style and color. I try and keep all sweaters in one area, blouses in another, tees and then tanks (of course by color). This makes it super easy and efficient to get ready in the morning. I decide what to wear based on my mood and I know exactly where to find everything.
Making sustainable and organic choices: I know when I am building my capsule wardrobe, I look for ways to not only make my closet more sustainable, but I also look for brands that are organic and all around eco-conscious. Aside from putting harmful chemicals inside your body by the food you eat, it’s possible to also wear items that are created with harmful dyes and pesticides. Who wants to put those gross chemicals on your skin and harm the planet while doing so? Not me! Some of the organic clothing brands I like are Pact, Synergy and Loomstate. I really believe that it’s important to be aware of what we put in our bodies as well as on our bodies.
Creating a capsule wardrobe: Having a capsule wardrobe is something I believe everyone should aim to have, or at least experiment with and try out once. Not only does a capsule wardrobe help downsize your closet, but it allows you to mix, match and layer items to create more than one look. It’s also important that these items are ones that you love to wear.
According to Caroline Rector of Unfancy, steps to building a capsule wardrobe include:
Choose only 37 or so items. Wear them in different outfit combinations for 3 months. Shop for your next capsule during the last two weeks of the season. When curating your next capsule, remember less is more!
What are some of your decluttering tips? Trying to go ethical and sustainable with your wardrobe but don't know where to begin?
