Fresh Starts for your Closet, part one

August 28th, 2010 → 4:00 am @


image from the container store

In the next several weeks schools will be opening their doors, leaves will begin changing color, and the crisp air of fall will be upon us. What better way to greet the new season than a little closet intervention – removing clothes whose only purpose is to take up space and cause more confusion when trying to put together outfits! I call this post part one because I want to start with some basic suggestions on how to go about sorting through the piles, then give you tips on what pieces are must haves this fall, and finish up with my own personal clearing out. Remember, this can be a fun experience of donating gently used items and updating your wardrobe if you allow it to be!

Tip # 1: Figuring out what pieces you just don’t wear anymore.

Here’s any easy way to discover what clothing items you don’t wear anymore: for clothes that you hang up, turn all of the hangers “backwards” with the open end of the hook facing towards you. Each time you wear something, when you go to hang it up again place it the “forwards” with the closed end of the hook facing you. Though you have to be mindful of seasonal clothing and know that this process will take a little while, it’s a great way of seeing whether or not you really do wear all those blouses, pants, etc. I learned this trick from the intern director at my church who is an amazingly organized woman.

Hangers placed backwards and forwards.

For clothes that you place in a drawer or on shelves, place them facing down to begin with. Each time you wear the item, place it back into the drawer face up. After awhile you’ll be able to see which items are popular and which are not.

Tip # 2: Figuring out what pieces are no longer doing you justice.

We all have those moments of wearing clothes past their prime. A beloved sweatshirt, hole infused jeans, an ill fitting pair of leggings – it happens. Sometimes we are so blinded by love that the best way to know when to get rid of these items is to ask a friend (who has a respectable style opinion) to lend us a hand. Invite said friend over, offer some refreshments and a cookie or two, and kindly ask them if they would go through your closet and pull out what needs to go. Allow yourself two vetoes, but firmly choose to live and let die!

Tip # 3: Figuring out what to do with those clothes that are ready to move on.

One of my pet peeves is when people donate clothes that are very visibly worn and old. It just seems a little like a slap in the face to me. So I recommend sorting out the good from the bad and only taking those that pass to the Salvation Army and other local thrift and second hand stores. For the rest, there are amazing options out there for recycling. Wearable Collections will give you a bin that you can fill with used clothes and shoes (stains and all) as long as they are clean. They give these items to third party vendors, who either donate them around the world, transform the clothes into rags, or break down the fibers to be used in new products. Check out their website for more information!

image from wearable collections

Try out these tips, and let me know what advice you have  on how to clear out your closet!

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