I'm cleaning out my closet
Let's face it, we all have a few things that we could sell or get rid of in our closets and dressers. We also ALL have things that have survived multiple rounds of closet-JennyCraiging and have STILL NOT BEEN WORN (hi there white mesh T). So tonight I'm cleaning out my closet, and I wanted to share some not so basic tips I've learned through all my closet makeovers
- Make a playlist of your favorite songs. It has been scientifically proven that music puts humans in a better mood, so put on a playlist of your favorite songs to keep you in a good mood during this somewhat sucky task. You'll get a lot more done, plus feeling good about yourself will make you more likely to pick the clothing that looks best on you.
- Don't have a friend come help you make hard decisions. How many times have you bought something because your friend tells you you look "Sooooo hot!" in something that you didnt like, and it ended up shoved in the back behind your graduation gown. YOU are the one wearing the clothes, YOU decide what stays and what goes. Plus also you'll probably start chatting instead of cleaning.
- Wear makeup. Not a costume, but your everyday makeup. This way you can see how these things look on you everyday, as opposed to how they look on your bedraggled, tired, dark circly self, which could make you get rid of stuff that you actually still want!
- Analyze your consistent style choices. It seems like you sure have a lot of dolman sleeve tops (just an example), what's up with that? Obviously this is a style of top you feel comfortable in, so keep the best of them.
- Pay attention to differences between things bought recently and things bought a long time ago. I noticed that I started buying a lot more body-con dresses, and so I have since started weeding through my fit-and-flare style dresses because I don't like the style as much anymore. Because of that, I know keeping all the fit-and-flares just because they are so damn cute means they will also be up for elimination next year.
- Your body is only going to change so much through diet and exercise. Part of the reason I'm cleaning out my closet is that I have lost 35lbs and only gained back 10; I will never fit my size 1 or 2 pants again no matter how much I wish I could (RIP BOOTY/BOOBS YOU ARE MISSED). On the flipside, if you've gained some weight, you can obviously always work it off, but also be realistic about attainable results like me. Always work out within your reasonable capabilities while maintaining a healthy diet.
- Think about your current activities and hobbies. I no longer have any need for my cheer t-shirts, I am not a cheerleader anymore (in real life at least), and have to make my closet/dresser reflect that. This also means that if you are now an accountant, your work wardrobe probably has no place for an Obey crop top (I used to be a manager at Zumiez lol)
- Check your basics! In regards to the above tip, remember every closet needs basics. You may have just gotten a job as a graphic design intern at a cool new laid back design firm, and you can finally wear jeans to work! But that doesn't mean you will never need that plain black pencil skirt again (ahem*future job advancement interviews*ahem).
- Consider a tailor. For the items that don't fit or just aren't cut right, consider if they are worth taking to a tailor. Items that I would say are good to take to a tailor are things like a suit jacket that is just a little too big in the boobs. You need the jacket for work and won't have to take in too much fabric. It was also expensive and well made and the color and style are both still relevant. This is an item to consider having tailored.
- Take some pictures! Just found this awesome jewel toned sweater from forever and a day ago and it just so happens to kick off your new summer highlights better than anything? Snap a selfie! Selfies promote positive self image, something else to motivate you to keep the best things in your closet.
- Take everything to donation/ Sell it IMMEDIATELY after you're done. The longer you keep the things you got rid of, the more you'll justify keeping it for some arbitrary reason. If you take the donation bag to Goodwill, it's done; You can't get that stuff back again unless you buy it back from them and that's a whole level of clothes attachment I can't understand. If you post the clothes for sale on a site like Poshmark, you're less likely to end up keeping them because someone else might be trying to buy it from you!
- Tried to get rid of it last year? So you had this shirt, and last year when you cleaned out your closet, it made the cut because you were so sure it was perfect for that barbecue you were going to the following week. But behold! You still haven't worn it. It goes to donation/sale. Same goes for the newer stuff; if you decide to get rid of it 2+ times and still try to justify it, chances are you should lose it. (Bye white mesh T)
I hope these helped you make the closet cleanup a little easier, and I hope I can follow them too tonight when I clean out my closet!