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Fun fact: Most Americans buy over 70 new pieces a year, and 80% never get worn.
Why am I telling you this?
Because the biggest problem most of my clients have is rooted in their closet. They’re overstuffed, so mixing and matching is difficult, and dressing is more frustrating as time goes on.
This article will show you how to clear the canvas (painlessly) so you can take a weight off your shoulders, dress easier, and make room for the new.
Let’s begin.
What do I need to know before I clean out my closet?
I think a lot of people make the mistake of decluttering first before they have done the important work to figure out their style preferences. (I know this because I’ve done it myself in the past!)
That's why, when I work with clients, the first step in our process is always to figure out their style and what inspires them.
If you don’t know your personal style, visit our Find My Style Guide to discover this yourself, or schedule a free call with me for 1-on-1 guidance.
Once you know your vibe, preferences, and day-to-day needs, you’re ready to detox your closet.
How to declutter (Step by step)
Remember, before you do this, make sure you know what your style goals are. Get our free guide or schedule a call with me if you’d like help. This is the most important step.
That said, it’s finally time to declutter!
Step 1: Pull Everything Out
Take everything out of your closet. Seeing it all at once helps you realize how much you own, and mentally “clears your canvas.”
Everything that goes back in will now earn its spot.
Step 2: Sort Into Piles
I like to create 4 piles:
– Yes
– No
– Maybe/Store
Note: These piles aren’t final. Once we organize all your pieces, we go through them again and hone in deeper.
What Goes in Each Pile?
Yes: Only absolute “hell yeah” pieces. Items you love, wear often, and that fit well.
No: You barely (if ever) wear them, or they’re damaged.
Maybe: I love setting aside a ‘maybe’ pile to store for a few months.
This way, you see these clothes in a new way, and either know you love them or know they are no longer for you, making it much easier to say goodbye.
If you constantly think about any items stored away, simply bring them back out.
Store out-of-season items like heavy coats in summer, pieces you aren’t sure about, or keepsakes/sentimental pieces like your wedding dress, etc. (Treat these for what they are: Keepsakes. They don’t belong in your wardrobe. They deserve their own dedicated spot elsewhere, to keep the clutter at a minimum).
Step 3: Go through each piece, and BE HONEST
With each piece, ask yourself:
(The classic) “Does it bring me joy?”
"Does it make me feel confident?"
If yes, keep it. If no, ask why not? Knowing what you dislike is more important than what you do. This helps you to quickly determine whether or not a garment will get worn or float to the back of the closet to R.I.P.
"Does this item spark any negative emotions?"
Like most of us, some clothes bring up some negative feelings. For example, I recently had to declutter clothes that I wore through the pandemic.
After starting on an epilepsy drug that made me gain weight, this was a difficult process, as you can imagine.
But I thanked them, thanked the universe that I no longer had to worry about seizures, and happily donated/sold these items.
Don’t be afraid to shed expectations. There’s nothing more fulfilling than embracing who you are now.
"Does this item fit my lifestyle?"
Keep only what works for your current style, size, and lifestyle. Not “maybe someday.” Not “if I lose weight.”
Even if you love the piece, ask yourself if it’s practical for your life and if you would wear it regularly (At least every 2 weeks).
"Is this item comfortable?"
If you have items you don’t wear because they’re uncomfortable, write down what you like about the style, and what you dislike about the comfort levels.
This way, you can shop for similar items with a different fit/fabric in the future.
Step 4: Re-evaluate.
Once you’ve sorted all your pieces, go back to each pile and take a second look.
It sounds counterproductive to go through your piles again, but trust me: You find new insights the second time around. This step is super important.
You know why you love certain pieces already, but focus on the pieces that aren’t necessarily your favorites and see whether they cut it.
Note: If you feel your entire wardrobe needs an overhaul and nothing matches your personal style character, don’t declutter yet. Get on a call with me here, and let’s hone in on your starting point, so you don’t buy new items too quickly and make the wrong decisions.
If you do know your style, but the process still feels overwhelming, here’s some tips to speed up the process.
How to speed up your closet detox
1. Know when to start the project.
I don’t know about you but when I get the motivation to start something I just want to begin that instant.
If you don’t pick the right time to start a closet clean-out, you’ll be burned out, overwhelmed, and most likely create an even bigger mess.
Start the project early in the day (after you’ve had your coffee), and make sure you have a solid 2-4 hours set aside to knock it out.
(I prefer to do it on the weekend when there are fewer distractions).
2. Address it all at once.
A proper closet clean-out is not done in chunks.
The big mess feels overwhelming, but knocking out the detox in one go is one of the most exciting feelings ever.
Put some music on, get your favorite coffee mug, and fully immerse yourself in this process.
3. Be selective.
Our closets become unmanageable because it can be hard to let go of some pieces.
But remember, if they no longer serve your style and life needs, they only add clutter.Be ruthless with these items.
“But if I paid for it, might as well keep it, right?”
This is a common mental trap we all fall into.
- We sit through a full two-hour movie we hate, despite a million other things we'd rather do.
- We eat long after the food stops tasting good.
- We refuse to get rid of clothes we don’t wear because we paid good money for them and don't want that investment to go to waste.
Remember: The money is already spent. There’s nothing left to waste, except for your time, energy, and closet space.
(And look - Just because you don't like a piece, doesn't mean someone else won't love it! Sell it on the marketplace and make someone else's day 🙂)
4. Current season pieces only.
If you want your closet to be simple and easily accessible, keep it simple.
Store out-of-season pieces out of site. You won’t be wearing your wool coats in summer, so don’t let them take up priority space in your closet.
5. Expect an emotional rollercoaster.
Sounds like a dramatic rule for cleaning out your closet, but you’re not just dealing with clothes – You’re confronting memories and different versions of you. There will be emotions. That’s ok.
This is why we try to knock it out in one solid afternoon. Trust me, the feeling of peace afterward is so worth it.
6. Set aside items you aren’t sure about.
If you’re struggling with the “giving up” aspect of this process, create a “closet purgatory”.
This a storage bin with items you haven’t worn but can’t quite give up yet. Store these out of sight, and after 6 months, if you haven’t missed or worn the piece, get rid of it.
7. Stay organized.
You know what they say: “A clean room is a clear mind.” The same goes for closets.
One tip I like to give my clients is a mini closet organizer.
This usually has fabric drawers that go inside your closet, with smaller individual organizers on top for small garments like underwear, socks, etc.
Find what works for you, and what you can maintain. The more systematic you can be with your closet, the more time and stress you save daily.
Post-detox to-dos
Congratulations – You successfully detoxed your wardrobe! 🥳
You should now have a super clear overview of your closet. Use that clarity to do a quick status check:
What are obvious gaps in your closet?
What type of pieces do you already have enough of?
Once you write these down, it's time for the fun part...
Shopping!!
I'll be sharing some tips on this in the next blog. Stay tuned...
Best,
Sheanneen Shelby
P.S. If you want to make shopping simple, get in touch with me here. Our private clients get access to my top shopping and styling secrets, collected throughout 20 years in the fashion industry.
Talk soon!
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