You heard right - the best way to welcome spring is by 'trashing your closet'. You've got tons of stuff in there that doesn't work, is too big, a little too tight, represents the glory days (never to be regained)...and, frankly, no room to stash your new purchases.
So, today Blueprint for Style is bringing out the big guns and giving you a few keep tips to prepare your closet (and your wallet) for spring:
- Make space on your floor (or bed)
- Grab your tees, shirts and tops -- anything with a stain whether on the front, back, side or underarm goes in the first pile called 'Trash" (it's no good to anyone....)
- Now get hold of all of your jeans as they are a wardrobe staple for most (even the ones in the back of the closet) -- try them on. If you have trouble getting them past your knee, put them in the second pile called "Takeaways" (they're great for someone just not you). If you can get them past your knee and up most of your thigh but then you start to lose oxygen flow, then put them in the "Takeaways" pile as well unless you've signed up for a gym membership already! If you can jump into your jeans and sitting down reveals more than it should, then put those in the third pile called "Tailor" (it's the person that will make your clothes look custom-made and 100% better).
- Suits are next -- if you have more than seven suits in rotation that are wool gabardine or crepe, or the likes, you're lucky! Any suits with permanently-attached fuzz balls, tearing, appears to have been stretched just past the point of return, or are from your "very first job", let them go...to the Trash pile! Suits that are too big, go to the Tailor pile; and ones that are more than a 1/2 size to small, go to the Takeaways pile!
- Let your shoes get to steppin' if they make your feet hurt after wearing them for more than two hours, were a sale purchase that you just "couldn't turn down even though they were a 1/2 size too big and give you blisters", are a hand-me-down that you took knowing you didn't love them (so why was the other person itching to get rid of them?), or require some MacGyver-style handwork to leave the house. If they can be re-soled, let's put them in the 'Tailor pile (really a Cobbler pile but....you get the picture!)
- Dresses -- work the same as suits. Too big = Tailor pile; too small & tattered = Trash pile; and too tight but nice = Takeaways pile.
If you've done this correctly, you should have three piles dispersed throughout your room -- a fairly small Trash pile, a fairly small Tailor pile, and a pretty hefty Takeaways pile. The Takeaways should either go to charity (shelters first, then Goodwill or Salvation Army) or consignment (great stuff that someone else will pay to have...and pay you to have)!
If all this seems a little overwhelming or perhaps, your piles consist of only three or four items then you've missed something. Call your friendly Image Consultant & Personal Stylist who can not only schedule a Closet Overhaul to make space and sense of your wardrobe but, can bring partners who have the know-how when it comes to Closet Organization!
