TL;DR: This post outlines a system for wardrobe organization with resources to help you in the process. It also discusses the connection between fashion, mental health and how taking care of our appearance can be a way of taking care of ourselves. It also includes a five-step framework for reviving your closet, plus a checklist for preparing for The Closet Editing System.
“We can only transform our lives if we sincerely want to. Small changes transform our lives.” -Marie Kondo
The Power of Clothing
My connection with clothing is a reliable indicator of my mental well-being.
When I’m feeling good, I take care of my clothes, plan my outfits, and feel comfortable with what I wear. But when I’m not feeling well, I wear the same things every day, letting my clothes get dirty, not giving my appearance much care.
I don’t think appearance is everything, but I do believe that how we present ourselves to the world reflects how we feel inside. When I’m not taking care of myself, it shows in how I look. So, it’s essential to pay attention to my fashion choices; to make an effort to dress well even when I don’t feel like it.
To make the most of my closet, I searched my Second Brain for resources to help me think of my closet decluttering systematically. Here are some of the things I found:
Are you ready to tidy up your closet with me? Let’s go!
Let’s Get Organized!
Whenever I notice items I don’t use, I donate them to the local thrift store. I’m resourceful and enjoy finding second-hand items that need another chance at being fierce.
By avoiding fast fashion, I’m helping the environment. Plus, I’m keeping my closet light by donating items since I move around a lot. Having too much stuff gives me stress. For example, to avoid accumulating physical books, I check them out from the library instead.
Before I do anything, though, I need to clean my bedroom.
Bedroom Cleaning and Preparation Checklist
A clean and organized bedroom is important to get the most out of your closet edit. With this checklist, you can ensure your bedroom is in good shape before you begin.
To prep for this closet editing system, make sure to gather the following:
- a trash bag,
- a donation bag
- a basket
Use this checklist to help create an inviting bedroom environment to get the most out of your closet edit.
Phase 1 – Declutter Your Space
Before you get your clothes out, you mushave a clear floor space to move around quickly. Here are some steps to help you accomplish this:
[ ] Grab the trash bag and start throwing away any piece of trash you find—empty bottles, random tissues, cotton, etc. [ ] Grab the donation bag to throw items you want to donate or give away. [ ] Fill up a basket with dirty clothes, blankets, or towels, and start the washing machine. [ ] Keep putting stuff away until the washing is done.Phase 2 – Wardrobe Organization
[ ] When the washing is done, hang your clothes or put them in your drying machine. [ ] When the laundry is done, sort the clothes into piles based on where they are going. For example, socks go in the first drawer, PJs in the second drawer, and items that need to be hung in the closet. [ ] Keep working on your donation pile as you organize your clothes. Ask yourself these questions: “When was the last time I wore this?” “Does this still fit me?” “Do I love this?”Pro tip: Speed up the process by batch organizing. First, sort the clothes into piles, then put them all in their proper place.
Phase 3 – Final Touches
When everything has been put away, you can:
[ ] Change the bed. [ ] Clean the surfaces. [ ] Light a candle or the aromatherapy of your choice. [ ] Put on some music.You can make the most of your by enjoyingu enjoy a tidy space with careful planning and organization.
Now that you have set the stage, it’s time for The Closet Editing System.
The Closet Editing System
In this video, NYC makeup artist and stylist, Viollette and llison, provide a five-step system for organizing a closet. By taking you through a series of steps, they show you how to revive items that you already have in your closet that you may have forgotten about so that you can create new, stylish looks.
In addition, these women provide ideas on how to create a wardrobe that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. So, get ready to tackle your closet with the help of these expert stylists!
The 5 Steps to Declutter your Wardrobe
Step 1: The Regulars
The first step is to lay out everything you love and wear often. Shoes, bags, t-shirts, jeans, dresses. It can be helpful to lay them out on a rack, bed, or even the floor, depending on what works best for you.
Once you have everything laid out, you can start to get an idea of your personal style.
If you want to improve your unique style language, this tiktoker has excellent suggestions for how to do it. My personal style is feminine, eclectic, comfortable, pop, fit, dark, and chunk.
Step 2: The Nevers
The second step is to take out items that are never worn.
Take out everything in your closet that you haven’t worn in a long time or that you used to love but don’t wear anLook a look at the clothes that have been sitting in your closet for months, maybe even years.
Step 3: Categorize the Nevers
Organize the Nevers into three groups: no, not now, and how.
- “No”: I don’t like this, I don’t want to wear this, it doesn’t fitThe “no” group should include items you no longer want or need, such as ill-fitting clothes, outdated styles, or things that are damaged beyond repair. These should be added to the donation or trash bag.
- “Not Now”: I don’t want to wear it now; I don’t want to get rid of it nowThe “not now” group should include items you love but don’t frequently wear, such as special occasion dresses or seasonal clothing. These should be stored in a separate area or storage containers to make room for The Regulars in your closet.
- “How”: I love this, but I don’t know how to wear itThese may be statement pieces or items with unique details that you’re unsure how to style.
Step 4: The Revival
Now it’s time to arrange the closet by category, colour and filter in The Regulars and The Nevers. Use your The Regulars to bring the pieces you don’t know how to wear back from the dead.
Try styling the “How” items with the “Regulars” you already have. For example, pair a printed blouse with a pair of jeans with a couple of statement earrings. To make the look even better, add an eye-catching accessory like a scarf or a belt to complete the outfit. Mixing and matching items allow you to create stylish looks that express your personal style.
Step 5: Categorize
Finally, you can store the “Not Now” pieces in a suitcase or somewhere out of your closet so you don’t get distracted. You could also go through this system once the season changes.
Finish your wardrobe organization by category or colour to see what you have, then filter in the Regulars and Nevers.
After you fix your closet, take photos of your new outfits. It’s a good idea to keep them in one place where you can draw inspiration.
No matter your style, this five-step system can help you organize your closet to feel good about how you look, feel more confident, and make the most of your wardrobe.
