5 Easy Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

How to Clean Out Your Closet ||  If you ever attempted to reorganize your closet, you've felt the overwhelming struggle for where to start.  As someone who loves sharing style tips with you, here are 5 easy tips showing you how to clean out your closet this season.

Four times a year, I re-organize my closet, which is basically the equivalent to moving out. I take ev.er.y thing out of my closet and evaluate each piece before categorizing it and putting it back in my closet.  Have you done this?  Maybe it's the neurotic stylist in me but I get my kicks out of moving things around in my closet, it brings me a sense of peace and organizational zen.  If this isn't the same warm and cozy feeling for you, here are 5 tips that might help kick start your closet cleaning party!

| How to Clean Out Your Closet in 5 Easy Steps |

1.  Use a 'Wardrobe Capsule' Approach || A Wardrobe Capsule are all the essential pieces you need to create a complete look from day-to-day.  Take a look at what you wore last season.  I can guarantee you there were pieces you wore over and over again.  These are your 'wardrobe capsule' items to clean, save, & package up for next year.  They are your classic go-to pieces you know you'll wear again and again.

2. Re-evaluate Pieces ||  The blazer you had/have in your closet, did you wear it last year?  How about those jeans that you wanted to fit back into?  Have your high heels seen their last day?  Has it been more than a year since you've worn them?  These are the pieces you need to be looking at more closely when updating your wardrobe.  If you haven't worn these pieces in the last year, it's time to get rid of them.  One important aspect of learning how to clean out our closet is just that!  You have have take pieces out, evaluate them, and get rid of them if they're not getting any use!

3. Make a List of Needed Items || You don't need a big ole' budget for new pieces but you do need to start creating a list of items you need.  How do you know if you need them?  If you are getting rid of your favorite cardigan because you've worn it so much it has holes in it, that's when you know it's time to invest in a new cardigan.  Keeping things on a list helps you to shop smarter as you're cleaning out your closet and preparing to shop.

4.  Create a Donation Box || So what do you do with those clothes you're getting rid of during your closet cleanout?  Have a donation box or bag on hand.   This is the most useful way to make the most of what you aren't wearing in your closet anymore.  There are so many useful resources out there, such as Fashion Project, or your local consignment shops, which will take your gently used clothes and often give you benefits in return!

5.  Re-arrange Favorites by Style ||  Once you have all your final pieces that you're keeping in your closet figured out, rearrange them by style and color.  Long sleeve tops, short sleeve tops, sleeveless tops,  they can all be arranged in the color wheel order (R.O.Y.G.B.I.V)  To make your favorites easier to access when putting together an outfit arranging by color does just that!

I hope that helps you feel a bit better about how to clean out your closet now! Those 5 tips have helped me with my closet organization and I certainly stick to a list, a budget, and a cleaner closet because of them.  If you're looking for a few more ways to organize your closet, read this article with more tips on closet organization.  I also love this article about judging what to keep and what to kick to the curb by Lizzie Noble.  What is your trick to keeping your closet organized each season? 

xx,Conni