Have you ever stood in front of your closet and said, "I have nothing to wear?" And yet, there you are staring at a closet full or maybe even over stuffed with clothes. I reached that point a few years ago. Some mornings I was exhausted before my day had even really started as I tried to decide what to wear.
When my husband and I moved into our home 11 years ago we had upsized significantly and I had finally gotten my dream of a walk-in closet. I was on a mission to fill that sucker up! With a career in retail management I had no problem finding items to buy and add to my collection. Little did I realize at that time, that the more I filled up my closet the more difficult it was to find items and to decide what to wear.
These days I am working hard to pare down my clothes and to let go of items in my closet. Decluttering your closet can be a challenging project! As I have been working on my own closet clean out I have been asking myself specific questions. These questions have really helped make my decisions on what to keep and what to let go.
We wear about only 20% of what we have in our closets 80% of the time
Before You Start to Declutter
Give yourself a block of time to work.
Make sure you can see everything you are working with. Set aside any items that you do wear on a regular basis.
Work on categories of clothes to prevent overwhelm or if you are limited on time. For example, all bottoms, all active wear, or all summer clothes.
Coordinate your closet clean out with the end/start of a new season. This is a great way to easily determine what you have worn recently and what does and does not fit.
Try not to think about the money you spent an item as a factor of whether or not to let it go. If it isn't being worn, let it go. The space in your closet and preventing decision fatigue are also very valuable.
If you're unsure then TAKE TIME TO TRY ITEMS ON!
The average person spends $1700 each year on clothing.
Questions for Decluttering Your Closet
Have I worn this item in the last 12 months?
Do I like the way this item fits?
Is the style of this item flattering on my body?
Does the color of this item suit my skin tone?
Does this item need repaired or hemmed and will I commit to completing the alteration needed?
Is this item beyond repair (stained, ripped, stretched out, snagged)?
Is this item out of style?
Can I match this item with other items in my wardrobe to create outfits?
Do I have more than 1 of this item or another item that is very similar?
Does this item require high maintenance like dry cleaning or ironing?
Will I miss this item if I let it go?
Have I had a lifestyle change that affects the way that I dress? New job, new baby, weight loss or gain?
44% of women can't find an item in their closet at least once a month.
Over the last few weeks I have let go of over 100 items of clothing from my closet. The experience has been cathartic and freeing. I am far off from being a minimalist or having a capsule wardrobe, but I have learned over the years that clothing should be more about quality versus quantity. I hope that these guiding questions are able to help you as you tackle your own closet!