Lighten Your Load!
Spring has finally sprung here in Bend! And, nothing makes me feel more “in the mood” than loading up on the newest spring fashions. But before you run out to your favorite boutique, my advice is to check out your spring and summer wardrobe first. That’s right, during all these long, cold winter months, you’ve likely forgotten about the cute blouse you bought just before the first snow or the snappy sandals you picked up on sale at the end of summer. Take inventory now before you start your shopping spree, it’ll give you good inspiration and possibly save dollars in duplication.
While you’re at it, why don’t you reorganize your entire closet with a spring cleaning of its own? You probably have lots of good stuff tucked into the corners and crevices and all you need to do is organize it so that you can see the potential! I’m not kidding, you won’t believe the new looks you can create with what you already have on hand. The added bonus? When you’re finished, you’ll know exactly what you have, what fits and what you can shop for to round out your spring and summer wardrobe.
And, if you’ve never taken the time to really organize your closet, you are really in for a treat. Yes, there is definitely work ahead of you, but the end result is so rewarding you’ll wish you’d done it years ago. The best part? You can do this with just a small investment in hangers, shoe racks and possibly some baskets. And a little time, of course. Some of the greatest moments in my job satisfaction have been when I saw the joy in a woman’s face as she entered her completely tricked-out, organized closet. It takes so much of the guesswork out of dressing on a daily basis. If you know everything fits you properly, looks good on you, and is easy to find, you’ll absolutely spend more time being creative with your outfits as opposed to endlessly repeating “I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear!”
So are you ready to get started? The job in itself can be overwhelming so you need to have a thoughtful system in place before you start. If it’s too overwhelming, call a professional, but if you think you are up for the task, here are some guidelines to follow:
Stock up on new hangers
- My favorite are the thin velvet style. Not only do your clothes stay put, they hang at the same level, allowing you to truly assess your closet choices.
Invest in shoe racks
- The ones I love expand and will fit into any spot. You can also find over-the-door racks. It just depends on your space and your preferences.
Gather up some baskets
- They are great, easy and stylish storage for those in-style scarves, hats, socks, etc.
Set aside some time
- Maybe when the kids or your significant other are busy with another activity. Once you get started, you’re not going to want to stop!
Once you’ve got your tools and some time on your hands, you’ll need to try everything on. Yes, you heard me, EVERYTHING. This is a must do in the process because what you thought you loved last season may not appeal to you now, or fit in the same way this season. It may be too big or too small, look worn, be out of style or have stains. And, the only way to properly assess this is to physically try everything on and look at yourself in a full-length mirror. What? Don’t have a mirror? Please get one! It’s essential. If you skip this crucial step, you are truly defeating the purpose of a proper closet clean out.
Next, have your donate, consignment and friend giveaway bags at the ready. Once you have decided to keep an item, hang it and start separating all clothing by category and color. If you’ve decided you can part with an article, put it in the proper bag. If you do this as you go along, it’ll be much easier to take a break or even come back to your clean-out the next day.
Keep in mind….the simplest way to organize is by color. Start with black on one end, ending up with white on the other—with all the colors in between. I put pants, skirts and dresses all in their own categories but all the shirts, fancy or otherwise, I organize by color. You can get way more detailed, but this is an easy way to get started and not spend a huge amount of your time in the process.
The biggest challenge? To be honest, deciding what to keep and what to toss is difficult for most of us and if you don’t have an objective voice with you, it’s even harder. I suggest you try on a complete outfit that makes you feel really good about how you look. Use this outfit to set the bar and compare other ensembles to this one. If another pair of pants are just “alright” comparatively, you probably won’t wear them, so go ahead, get rid of them! Same with the blouse, belt etc. A good rule of thumb…if you’ve had something in your closet for more than a year and you haven’t worn it…say bye-bye.
Use baskets for accessories you would like to have easy access to, like belts, belt buckles and hats. You might even use hooks for scarves. Find some good hooks and hang your chunkiest jewelry. The whole idea is to have things where you can see them easily, grab them and accessorize on the go.
Because none of us (okay, I guess a few do) ever seem to have enough closet space in our homes, there is no better time than now to make this space beautiful, functional and one you can be proud of. A thorough spring cleaning is not only full of potential—but oh-so-satisfying!
Spring cleaning can be exhaustive, but an overcrowded and disorganized closet space can be even more stressful. So…go clean! Then pat yourself on the back for a job well done, while you take a look in the mirror at the stylish sister you’ve uncovered!
