The New Year is in full swing. This is a great time to start fresh and do a little clean up with every aspect of your home. Start your year with an organized closet filled with clothes that fit and that you actually wear. This simple closet audit can be done in just a few short days, and you will have endless options to wear and the perfect mix and match wardrobe.
Sort
Start by sorting all of your clothes. When sorting, you should have three piles:
- Yes Pile – For clothes you have worn regularly in the last six months to a year. They must fit properly and be in good condition.
- No Pile – For the clothes you have not worn or that don’t fit properly. These should be donated.
- Maybe Pile – For clothes that may need repairs or may require additional items in order to wear them.
Make a list
Re-check the maybe pile before you move on. If items need repairs, set them aside to be taken in. Then make a list of any gaps in your wardrobe or items that you feel you need to make your wardrobe really work. These are staples that every woman should have in her wardrobe.
Staples
This is key. Be sure you have all the staples. These are items that allow you to mix and match to get more wear out of your wardrobe. Staples vary by what your wardrobe is primarily focused on.
- If you work in a corporate setting, your staples will look like this: a white blouse, a printed shirt, slacks, a pencil skirt, a professional dress that can also be worn for a date night, a blazer, a cardigan, and a neutral pair of pumps.
- A stay at home mom’s would look more like this: jeans, cardigan, denim jacket, white t-shirt, a comfortable skirt, a dress that can be worn for day or night, and a pair of ballet flats.
Organize
Organize your closet by color and type. If your closet is small, use storage and swap your seasonal pieces like sweaters and shorts. Sweaters and shorts should be folded in a drawer or on a shelf. Leggings and jeans can be folded or hung on a multi hanger. Use quality hangers, like velvet hangers. They are perfect for blouses, while wooden hangers are great for heavy jackets. Avoid wire hangers, as they are not sturdy and can also damage your clothes.
Shop
Shop for any must-have items. When looking through your closet, pay attention to your color trends and try to stick with a similar palette. This will allow you to mix and match almost your entire wardrobe. If you tend to wear browns and tans for neutrals, focus on earth tones. For example, olives, oranges, mustard, deep reds and navy. If your neutrals are black, grey and white, you can wear bright bold colors like true red, blue, bright pinks and turquoise.
If you maintain an organized closet, getting dressed will be a walk in the park. You will be able to cut time off your morning routine and be out the door for your day.
Photo Credits: Megan Ballard
