Tips for a Closet Cleanout!

I always feel like I need a good closet cleanout after the holidays.  It’s always so nice to start the new year with a fresh organized closet and wardrobe, right? I always find it’s best to start with what I want to keep first … and then I can see what I want to get rid of.

My Tips for Closet Cleanout & Creating a Wearable Wardrobe

The best place to start tackling your wardrobe is just with some valuable questions.

*Which items are your favorite in your closet and why?

*Which ones got worn the most this year?

*Which pieces get reached for again and again?

Must-Have Basics

Next, make a list of must have basics for yourself.  You can read other people’s lists, but take their suggestions with a grain of salt, Ladies.  You know your life and your body best. I don’t know how many times I read that I needed a crisp white linen shirt at a time in my life when I never wore white or even owned an iron. (Just for the record, I do now!)

Start with a basic color scheme, including your favorite neutrals and a few favorite pops of colors.  My favorite neutrals have always been black, gray, tan, and denim with pops of red/berry.  Navy, brown, beige, white, and olive green all make great neutrals as well.

Next, make note of  your favorite and most flattering silhouettes.  For a pear-shape like me, I live for fit and flare dresses, including the ever flattering faux wrap dress. I also love flared jeans (long or cropped) and long jackets, coats, and cardigans to give me a long lean look. (I added my personal list at the bottom of the post in case anyone was interested!)

Make your own list.  Are you missing anything that you really need or would like to own?  Maybe some of your basics are ready to be replaced?

Now it’s time to think about your lifestyle, what you actually do and what you’ll be doing this next year.  (I’m all about positive thinking, so also definitely keep in mind what you’ll be needing when you get that dream job and take that dream vacation, Dolls!)

Now try on all your basics and must-haves and if they fit and are in good condition, put them back into the closet.

Then add back into your closet anything you just absolutely and totally LOVE, even if it’s for no good reason.

What to get rid of?

Anything unflattering (anything!)

Anything uncomfortable

Anything itchy

Any shoes that give you blisters

Anything that doesn’t fit right

Anything in a color that doesn’t look good on you

Anything that doesn’t go with anything else in your wardrobe

Anything you’re keeping for sentimental reasons, but don’t actually wear (take a photo or put it in a keep-sake chest in the attic)

Anything you’re just sick of (maybe you wore it and loved it … to death … now you never want to see it again)

Any projects that never actually happened (for me that means the bomber jacket I was going to cover with patches and the jeans that I was going to get hemmed … This also includes the jeans you’ll fit into someday … let it go!)

Costume jewelry that’s starting to look old

Earrings that are too heavy to actually wear (sidenote: if you REALLY love them, you might want to try earring backs before you give up on them for good.)

Bracelets that slide off your arm

Scarves in shapes you don’t know how to tie (and don’t plan to learn)

Anything you feel ridiculous wearing

Things you bought on vacation and have never worn since

Anything that shrunk or just never looked the same after you washed it

Anything that you try on from time to time and for whatever reason never seems quite right and always goes back on the hanger

Anything too low-cut that never looked right pinned or with a cami underneath

Anything that was a gift that you never really loved as much as you wanted to

…

It sounds like a harsh list, but it’s such a joy to open your closet and just see things you love and really want to wear!

What to do with all the rejects?  Give them to charity, or a friend, or sell them on eBay or Poshmark, or the local consignment store. (Sidenote: Check out our blogger friend Susan’s fabulous charity called Uncommon Threads). But whatever you do, don’t start going through them again and pulling things out to save!

I mean really, what are you saying to yourself if you keep these things?  That you must stare at the expensive shoes that are so ungodly uncomfortable for the rest of your life as punishment for your bad decision? Haha! Be kind to yourself and let the stuff go!  Let someone else enjoy your mistakes and make room for the perfect items in your closet!

It takes some time and energy to do this, but it really does feel great to get it done.  And can I be totally honest with you?  I ran out of steam and haven’t even tackled my jewelry chest yet!  One day this week for sure!

Thanks for all the nice comments I got on my closet cleaning Instagram story!  It always makes me feel so good to know that I’ve helped or inspired!

By the way, are you in the Bay Area and looking for a custom closet? I totally recommend Shari Krandel at Valet Custom.  Shari personally designed my closet and I couldn’t be happier with it!

And again, please let me know what I can blog about that will help you the most.  I’m still working on my 2018 goals, but being more helpful to my readers is on the top of the list and I need your feedback to make that happen! (Email me at fashionshouldBfun@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram.)

Did you catch this post about how to build an outfit?  I got a lot of positive feedback and would love to know if you found it helpful at all.

Let’s make 2018 the very best yet!

Fun & Fashion,

Dawn Lucy

Here is my list of my personal must haves:

Pants – Jeans – bootcut and cropped flares, curvy fit,  slimming black pants

Tops – t-shirts in all my fav neutrals and pops of colors, including stripes

Sweaters & Cardigans – I love a long cardigan that covers my butt and gives me a long lean silhouette. I have black, tan, gray, and burgundy. A big oversized cozy sweater – Free People’s Swim Too Deep sweater this season was perfection to me. A black ribbed turtleneck.

Dresses – Fit and flare and faux wrap dresses – I count on my Karina dresses to cover this category

Jackets & Coats A moto jacket – basic black works for me. A long wool coat – my leopard print is my favorite. A denim jacket.

Shoes – Black booties – (live in my Jambu Anitas), black classic pumps, classic sneakers

Accessories – Bag – Large black leather classic tote bag, black leather crossbody bag.  Jewelry – plain hoop earrings, fun dangling earrings, long pendant necklaces, bracelets & watches for stacking.  Scarves – leopard print, other fun prints.

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