Don’t Clean Out Your Closet : until you define your style
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Before you even think of tackling your closet answer these questions:
Why do you wear what you do most days?
Are you happy with your daily style?
Do you have to change when going out to lunch with a friend?
Would you pack these clothes to wear on vacation?
What’s your favorite cut in clothing? What works best for you?
Finding flattering colors
What basic colors do you prefer? Black, brown, grey, navy, camel, cream, white, bright white?
What accent colors do you love? Pinks, blues, oranges, greens?
What colors look good with your skin and hair color?
Do you look better in silver (cool) or gold (warm) jewelry? Or both (neutral)?
Look at the veins on your wrist, do they appear blue (cool) or green (warm)?
Cool skin tones tend look better in jewel tones (emerald, sapphire and amethyst) bright pinks, lavender, navy and bright whites.
Warm skin tones tend to look better in golden yellows and bright lipstick reds, deep turquoise, olive greens, red purples, browns, winter white.
Neutral skin tones can be people who don’t fall into warm or cool colors, they tend to have hazel eyes, look best in pale pinks, dusty rose, taupes, creamy whites, or pale greens.
If you have trouble figuring out your skin tone, hold colored clothing near your face, in natural light, in a mirror. If the color make you look radiant that’s your color, if it washes you out it isn’t. You can also ask a friend or look back a colors people have complimented you on in the past.
Next, Research your style
Start a Pinterest account and add a board for your favorite looks. You can see mine HERE
Search clothing styles (like minimal, preppy, classic, boho, chic, artsy, trendy, casual) on Pinterest Boards to find your favorites and pin them in a board.
Search your favorite store websites. Where are your favorite clothes stores if money wasn’t an option?
Search and pin anything you love from the stores/designers you love.
What famous person has a style you admire? Search them on Pinterest and add them to your board.
Celebrate the clothes you love
What are your very favorite pieces of clothing in your wardrobe? Include coats, shoes, t-shirts, sweaters…
If you were going on a wonderful vacation what would you take?
What are your favorite accessories? Jewelry, scarfs, hats, bags, shoes?
What clothes make you feel good about yourself?
Don’t think about what you should wear, think about what you love to wear.
Gather these things - place them all in one place, a bed or a rack.
Do you see a pattern?
When I did this I found lots of black, gray cool weather clothes and navy and white warm weather clothes, leopard print (I know, it surprised me too!) and a few solid colored sweaters. I had always fought the idea that a basic black wardrobe would work. What I disliked were my pink tunics, turquoise blouses, patterned dresses. Now my hair is gray, I gravitate to gray or bright white tops. A blue scarf I always loved but couldn’t quite find a way to wear looks great with my new hair color.
Could you dress from this group of clothing (seasonally appropriate items) for a week or two? Could you try to incorporate at least one of these items into your daily outfits?
What do you need outfits for?
Work events, weekends hiking, social events, daytime looks, date nights, conferences, travel? Create two ‘go to’ outfits for each for category that you need. You can use the same clothing in multiple outfits. Layout each outfit with accessories and take a photo of each. Keep a Outfit photo album on your phone.
Do you have pieces you only use on vacation or a short time of the year? You can box these up and put them in the top of your closet to make room for daily wear.
Now you can start cleaning out your closet
Gather a few supplies: a lint roller, a steamer or iron, a few boxes or laundry baskets, and a trash bag. I love this fold up clothes rack for sorting and it works great as a coat rack for parties.
Empty everything out of your closet(s) and drawers. Use your bed as a sorting area.
Try on everything...I know it stinks, but you really need to do this step. If you have a lot of clothing this can be a workout. Remember it’s not you, it’s the clothes that don’t work for you.
Put your very favorite pieces that make you feel great back in your closet.
Go through the pieces you have left and decide if you want to keep any of them.
If you have 5-15 pounds to lose to fit in it you can keep it, but store it in a box up in you closet.
If you have more than 15 pounds to lose to fit into it, toss it. After a big weight loss your body will not be the same shape as it was when you bought most items and you won't feel the same about those clothes.
If it makes you feel bad, toss it.
If you wouldn’t buy it today for what you paid for it, toss it.
If it’s damaged either fix it or toss it.
If it fits perfect and is in good shape, but it doesn’t fit your style or coloring, toss it.
If it has sentimental value, but you don’t wear it regularly, box it up and put it away in your closet or display it somewhere where you can enjoy it.
This may take more than a day so pace yourself. It's time consuming but worth it.
You should go through your entire closet, coat closet and drawers before you are finished.
Box up the clothing, shoes and accessories that don’t work for you and donate or sell them. See our resources below.
Yes, you can keep those old PJs, sweat pants, big fuzzy sweaters, workout clothes, but they should only be worn in the privacy of your home or while you are out doing some sweating.
Feathered Empty Nest tips:
If you are undecided about an item pack it away in a box and see how long you go without getting it out. If you don’t use it in 6 months, get rid of it.
Try a minimal wardrobe. Box up all but your top favorite 30-40 items of clothing and accessories you will use in the current season. This gives you a chance to live with at minimal closet, but not commit to throwing more out than you are comfortable with. You can always pull something out if you need it. This will help you decide which pieces you really wear.
What pieces are you missing?
I believe these are some of the most useful things to have in your closet:
a few pair of jeans you feel great in that fit you comfortably
a black or navy pair of dress pants or super dark jeans
a button down or tunic white or cream shirt
a new bright white t-shirt
a fun graphic t-shirt
a great pullover sweater
a black, gray or navy cardigan sweater
a classic trench coat, leather jacket or jean jacket
a solid dark colored blazer
a long cotton scarf
a statement necklace
a bracelet you love
an everyday pair of earrings (diamond studs are my go to)
a great pair of boots
a pair of flats
a strappy, metallic sandal
a cute workout/athleisure outfit
two different evening outfits you can pack or throw on at a moments notice
a daytime dress you can pull on and go
an opaque matte black leggings (worn with flats or boots they can change up a dress or long top and sweater)
What next?
How do you turn that pile of clothes you don’t want into a piece or two of quality you love?
How do you try a new style without the commitment of buying new clothes?
Where can you find the pieces you need at a great price?
Where do I shop for great stylish basics?
Get the answers to these questions on our Free Resources Page
