Spring is here hallelujah!!! With all the extra time we have at home in this season of COVID-19, now is the time to spring clean your closet, letting go of those pieces you never wear and highlighting what you regularly reach for in your closet. Here are some hacks to maximize space while keeping those few essential cozy warm things while you reach for the floral dresses and peep toe flats.
Spring Clean Tip: Start with the clutter
My husband and I share a closet, so each season I declutter my side to make the space manageable and it simultaneously encourages him to do the same. Having things in your closet that you don’t wear regularly, or are not wearable anymore are adding to the clutter and confusion every time you reach in your closet. Rethink each piece and donate what you don’t need.
Assess each piece hanging in your closet.
Pull out a piece of clothing and ask yourself these questions…
“Does it fit my current body?”
“It is still in good shape” (i.e. is it free of holes, stains or stretched out)
“Do I like the way it looks on me?” (Does it flatter your body, does it make you feel confident & comfortable?) If you answered “NO” then it needs to go.
Create easy access to your underwear/bra drawer
Your undergarments are the first pieces of clothing you put on everyday and often the organization is overlooked. This is a great place to start spring cleaning your closet if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
As moms we fluctuate in sizes being pregnant, postpartum, or nursing, or maybe put on or lost weight over the years. Organize sports, underwire and nursing bras & underwear (which will enhance or detract from any outfit you wear) depending on how they fit under your clothes.
I love to use these cloth bin organizers in my closet to store my undergarments.
I get asked what my favorite everyday bra is…it is this one!
Spring Clean Tip: Keeps, Let Go’s & Maybes
Ask yourself how frequently you wear every piece. Has it been over a year? If you answer “YES” then is time to donate to someone who could use it, or consign (if it’s in OK condition). These are great places to donate your gently used clothing, shoes & accessories:
Go through each piece individually, and be honest with yourself (a la Marie Kondo) The more you have and hold onto, the more potential clutter you’ll have in your closet. If you’re sentimental about a piece of clothing, consider storing it elsewhere for a future quilt or textile project.
Once you’ve established your “Let Go” and “Keep” piles (use the questions above to get your answer), this will leave you with your “Maybe” pile.
When sorting through your Maybes, go back to the Keeps and check for style duplicates. You do not need multiple shirts or pants in the same style and color. The goal here is to simplify, and only keep the items you absolutely love and will actually wear. If you have any kind of doubt, then that item should not be in your closet.
Spring Clean Tip: let it go & make some dough
Make a pile for the items you know you want to get rid of and decide if you want to donate or consign. If they’re in good enough condition, you should consider consigning. Here are a few local consignment shops:
Using Facebook marketplace
I love the idea of donating to women who truly need it.
Be lenient with your maternity & postpartum clothes
This is the exception to spring cleaning your closet: if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant again, keep that relevant clothing (if it’s in good shape, you love it, and will wear it again) and store it in a bin, somewhere other than your closet i.e under the bed, in your basement closet, or elsewhere. These clear storage totes from Target are a great option so you can easily see stored contents.
Remember to keep them together, labeled and organized so you can find them again when you need them.
Spring Clean Tip: K.I.S.S— Keep it Simple Sweets!
The only thing you want in your current closet is what you are going to be wearing over the next 2-3 months. For this upcoming unpredictable Midwest Spring season, a balance of late winter and early spring items is a must.
Early Spring essentials : rain boots, light weight sweaters, basic tank, shift dress, chambray shirt, flats/mules, fedora (or other spring hat) denim or military jacket
Fall, summer and heavy winter items should be stored in a separate part of the house
By this point, you’ve successfully narrowed it down to just Keeps. Yas girl! It’s time to organize and hang them by category and color (tops, cardigans/sweaters, pants, jeans, skirts dresses)
Hang tops and dresses by sleeve length: tanks, then tees, then long sleeves
This is an easy way to keep your pieces organized and easier to “shop your closet” and pick out an outfit everyday.
If space is an issue in your closet, design your own outfit inspo station—a simple garment rack to hang your upcoming week of outfits
Bonus tip(!) Lay out your outfit the night before, including your gym outfit or athleisure wear. Just by taking a few extra minutes the night before that will save you time and sanity when getting dressed that day.
If you’ve read this far and are still feeling overwhelmed, email me (closetcurating@gmail.com) and let’s set up a free Closet Curating Consultation.
Happy Spring cleaning! If you need some help with how to build a wardrobe, head here.
