Do you sometimes look in your closet and get stressed out because you have “nothing to wear?”
Organized and clutter free closets reduce stress, save time and promote a sense of well-being.
Here is a step by step guide featuring 4 secrets to a clutter free closet.
1. First things first. Let’s identify the treasures in your wardrobe.
Here are 3 questions to ask…
- Do you love it?
- Does it make you feel fabulous?
- Does it have sentimental value?
You know that pair of black pants that makes you feel confident, beautiful (or dashingly handsome)? That’s a keeper. That suit you wear and just know you’re going to close the deal? That’s a winner.
2. Next, let’s see what we can toss right away. Here are 5 ways to identify the pieces that are taking up valuable space in your closet and add nothing to the mix.
- You haven’t worn it in over a year and it has no sentimental value.
- It doesn’t fit any more (this is a classic culprit!).
- It’s torn, tattered and no longer wearable, not even around the house.
- It’s from a previous career – for example, you wore suits as a V.P. at IBM but now wear jeans at as an entrepreneur in your own graphic design firm.
- You bought it because it was on sale but the color was never quite right for you.
Be rigorous, do the same thing with your shoes and items in your dresser.
3. Refresh, repair and breathe new life into old items
- Find a great local tailor and cobbler – these are indispensable resources.
- Update old treasures with some minor adjustments -changing the buttons or height of a hem can make clothes feel like new.
- A $5 shoe shine and new heals can revive an old pair of shoes and make them feel like new.
- If you’ve lost weight, some minor adjustments can give new life to clothes that would otherwise go in the toss pile.
A note about clothes that are too tight – According to wardrobe consultant Silfath Pinto, “Get rid of them. By the time you have lost the weight, they will either be out of style or you will want fresh, new clothes to celebrate your weight loss.”
4. Okay, now that you’ve reclaimed some valuable real estate in your closet, here are some guidelines to help you when shopping for new clothes.
- Buy the best quality you can afford. Think quality over quantity.
- Put it to the test – “Does it go with 3 items you already own?
- Lastly – do you absolutely love it?
- Stock up on the basics so you can mix and match
Aaah…space, glorious space. You should be feeling better already.
Do you have clothes you’d like to donate? Check out my list of Places to Donate and Recycle in NYC for some great ideas!
Need help with your closets? Let’s talk about it. Give me a call at 646-245-1248 for a complimentary 20 minute phone consult!
Hi Ang,
Long Time no speak. I just want to post to say I really like your newsletter! It’s relevant, spunky and useful. Thank you. Cara
thanks Cara, great to hear from you!
angela I love what you are doing!! so helpful and important. I really love reading your posts.
Best,
Lindsey
lindseybrownstudio.com
thanks Lindsey – Good luck with the upcoming show!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
my page :: corner shelf
thank you and I’m glad I can help! Great job with the bookshelves. Excellent idea. Will keep in mind for my clients:)
Hi, Angela:
I liked your Secrets to a Clutter-Free Closet. One of the best-kept secrets in NYC is Textile Recycling for those clothes that are “too old, too torn and tattered to wear even around the house.” If you toss them into the garbage, they become landfill. But check out the link below and pass it on to your clients:
http://www.grownyc.org/clothing
Liz
Thanks Liz, great resource – I’ll make sure to pass on to my clients. Especially timely since people are decluttering their closets in preparation for the fall.