Do you follow the rule of “if you haven’t worn it in 6 months, donate it?”
Me neither.
Or what about the rule, “for every piece you buy, you get rid of one piece?”
Yep, I don’t do that either.
You’re probably thinking that my closet is overrun with things from 6th grade but I am proud to report that is not the case. In fact, it is very edited.
The truth is, for some people those rules work.
The truth is, for some people those rules work.
But for fashion hoarders…
Here are my tried and true
Top 10 Closet Organization Rules
Top 10 Closet Organization Rules
- KEEP: Any items that you love and make you happy to look at, even if you haven’t worn it in years. Yeah I said it. Keep it! You like it! It adds character to your closet. Maybe it gives you good memories, or maybe you just like casually mentioning your vintage YSL belt (even if you still have no idea what to wear it with).
- KEEP: Any items in good condition that might one day be perfect for a costume! Or might come back in style! Just move it to a spare closet
or your parent’s attic. - TOSS: Any items with damage. Unless you plan to repair it or are going for the vintage look. (Note: If you’ve been “planning to repair it” for 6 months, it’s time to TOSS.)
- DONATE: All inexpensive items that you’ve worn 500 times. Sorry faded Forever 21 cardigan. Time for an upgrade. Other people are probably tired of seeing you wear it, kay? You won’t miss it. And if you do, just buy something similar that’s new and fresh.
- SELL: Nice items you are sad to look at. Like that expensive top you feel really guilty about buying because you’ve NEVER worn it. Or those $200 jeans you haven’t fit into in 3 years. Every time you see it you feel bad. Just sell it and you’ll feel better. :)
- SELL: Items you know you won’t be wearing anymore. Example 1: that cute Tibi dress you love but have already been photographed several times in at weddings and events. Example 2: Trendy items you are moving on from. Invest this money into new items for your closet!
- MOVE IT: Move items you are on the fence about to a spare closet and see how long it takes for you to go fetch it. If you never do, then it’s time to donate.
- MOVE IT: Move items out of season into a spare closet or at least out the prime closet real estate, to somewhere less visible. This makes getting ready easier.
- MOVE IT: Move formal attire to a spare closet or less visible area. It’s not something you wear every day and is just taking up precious space.
- LEND IT: Lend items you are on the fence about to your sister or a friend. If you never ask for it back, then you didn’t want it. I’ve done this many times but never missed anything
You can probably tell that my idea of the perfect closet is one that you can walk into and feel HAPPY! You want to feel positive and good when you’re getting dressed every morning! (Not depressed to be digging through old “ehhh” clothes to find something that inspires you.)
Also it doesn’t hurt to organize everything by color and have matching hangers. But that’s an entirely separate post. :-)
If you follow my rules, the only things that you should see when you go to your closet every day are:
- Items that are in season and in good condition.
- Items recently bought.
- Items you LOVE.
Now, doesn’t that make getting dressed easier??
Thanks, Tiffy! My closet needed the tough love! Today is the DAY!!!! I will not cry…i will not cry….i will not cry.