7 Tips For Knowing What To Keep & What To Purge
I had the pleasure of speaking with Joanna Heims from CBS 17 Raleigh about how to properly edit your closet. We are all spending more time at home, and most likely have a greater amount of time on our hands. Now is the time to do those projects we have ALL been putting off, starting with a closet edit! Why hold on to things you keep saying you’ll use again? We both know that day will never come! 🙂
You can hear my tips by watching the segment below, and I’ve also given you a few more nuggets of info throughout this post! Happy viewing/reading!!! (To view the segment, just click on the picture!)
Tip #1
Allow plenty of time to compete the entire closet edit.
To be completely honest, this will probably take you at least 2 hours to do properly. I know that sounds daunting, but just imagine starting this process, getting halfway through it and having to stop to take care of something else. I guarantee the motivation you had at the beginning will not be the same once you finally get back to it. This is a long process, but it is very much worth it once it’s completed and you have a beautifully streamline and organized closet standing before you!
Tip #2
Take everything out of your closet and start with a blank slate.
Yes, that means E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! This forces you to do two things: take notice of the closet square footage you actually have, and leaves you no choice but to edit each item. The only way it can go back in your closet is if it was tried on and edited by you.
Tip#3
Ask yourself the following two questions: Does it fit? Does it bring you joy?
Two very simple, but very important questions that must be answered. If the answer is yes to both, then the item has a place in your closet. If the answer is no to both, then the future of that item is pretty clear… it’s time to breakup and decide if that piece can be donated, sold, or trashed. For more information on that process, jump here.
What do you do if you answer yes to one question and no to the other?
If it fits, but doesn’t bring you joy, then does it really have a place in your home? Isn’t part of the fun of fashion the amount joy it can evoke? Why wear it if you don’t like it?
On the other hand, it you still love the piece, but it doesn’t quite fit as it should, forming a relation with a good tailor could be the solution to your problem. See Tip #5 for more details on your new bestie, the tailor.
The making a of a TV segment:
A little behind the scenes as a share my tips with Joanna.
Tip#4
Can you wear a piece multiple ways?
Wearing a piece multiple ways is not “make-it-or-break-it” criteria to keep something in my closet, but it does create a strong case in favor of making the cut. This is a shopping philosophy I adopted a long time ago. Before I purchase anything, I envision at least three ways I can wear it. If I can do that, then the investment is worth it. Styling a piece more than one way not only reinvents that piece, but it also extends the life of it.
Tip #5
Find a good tailor.
Finding a great tailor is as essential as finding a fantastic hair stylist, manicurist, or spa. A tailor is the easiest way to give old or ill-fitting pieces new life. Additionally, they can make inexpensive items look custom and pricey. Trust me on this… finding a good one is sooooo worth it. Usually they can make small and simple alterations that don’t cost much, but the difference in how your clothes fit will blow your mind!
Tip #6
Invest in high quality staples
When we are talking about closet needs, a staple piece is an item that is classic, timeless, and will NEVER go out of style. It stands the test of time, and does not succumb to decade trends. As a result of their “style longevity,” looking for high quality makes sense. Yes, sometimes this means paying more, but not always. When searching for these classic styles, look for high quality fabric and thoughtfully done details. For example, well-sewn buttons and strong stitching in the seams. The idea is for these pieces to last several years, so they need to be made well. Examples of staples every women needs are a white button-up shirt, a denim jacket, straight leg jeans, and a striped tee. (There are definitely additional items that belong on this list, but we can look at staples pieces more in depth in another post.)
As you develop your personal sense of style, you’ll discover multiple ways to style these pieces, giving you new appreciation as to why these staples are called staples! 🙂
Tip #7
Re-edit your closet twice a year at minimum.
Something you thought you loved a few months ago, you may have fallen out of love with now, therefore eliminating the need for it to stay. To keep myself on track, I usually do this with the change of season, spring and winter.
But wait… there’s more.
Additional tips:
You have to breakup with an item, now what?!?!
Tips on deciding if you donate, sell, or trash a piece of clothing.
If the item is still in good condition, decide on either donating or selling it. That choice is completely up to you, as there are great options for both. For me, factors that help me decide are: the original cost of the item and the condition (good condition versus great condition). If the item is in great condition, I typically try selling it first. I have been using Poshmark for those pieces. Find my Poshmark account HERE.
Sometimes an item is just too damaged to sell or donate. So, if it must be trashed, can it be up-cycled? For example, can a shirt be made into dish rags, or can jeans be cut into shorts? The fashion industry is already hard on the environment, so any way we can help (regardless of how small it seems) makes a difference!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy organizing!
xoxo,
Megan
