Time to Organize and Edit

The change of seasons is the best time to not only get your closet changed over from summer to fall but to also edit your closet and decide what you need to take out to make what you do have more effective and functional.  Where do you start?  I have some ideas to help you.

I tweet about finding that great deal @lifebeinglived but along with buying that great item to add to your closet it is almost as important, and in some of your cases, just as important to edit your closet.  Now, don't stop reading at this point.  I am not one of those stylists who insist that you throw out everything that is not this season, or drastically reduce your closet because, lets face it, most of us can't afford to re-buy enough to replace what we have deleted.  I do believe in having as much as you can in order to have choices.  My job requires a lot of public contact and I don't want to be seen in the same things over and over.  I believe in only having items you love or look great in and I can help you get there as well.

First off, take everything out of your closet and organize based on type of clothing- all short sleeve tops in one area, all long sleeve tops in another area, all skirts separate from pants, etc.Now you separate again based on color.  At this point you should only be putting in the clothes you wear all the time.  Of course this is the time to put aside any mending, dry cleaning, etc and get it taken care of.

Now, this is where it gets hard.  All those items that you never wear but refuse to get rid of, this is what are going to work with now.  Take out one item that you have not worn and should get rid of but can't bring yourself to.  Now find other items that you do wear to wear with it.  Put together the whole ensemble and hang it in your closet.  This is your first outfit for the week.  Now take the next item you have not worn since Santa was skinny and do the same.  When you have put together at least 2 weeks worth of outfits you can stop but keep all the other items you don't wear and put them in a separate area in your closet to deal with once these items are worn or discarded. 

Now over the next few weeks if you don't wear the item because you just feel to uncomfortable AFTER putting it on or if you do wear it and hate every minute of it, remember this and discard. And you can do so feeling completely happy with it.  Keep repeating until all those items you never wear have been dealt with.  As the season changes pull out the season coming and do the same

Now, what to do with the discarded items- you have options.  If your friends are roughly the same size and the clothes are really nice- just not your style- get together for a clothing exchange.  They may have some great items they just don't feel comfortable in that might work for you.  Have a fun evening with friends, get rid of the things in your closet you don't wear, maybe add some things to your closet and in the end, all that others don't want go to charity.

Do this with everything you have- bras, undies, shoes, belts, scarves, etc.. The more you know about what you have and the more you are comfortable with what is left in your closet the more use you will get out of it. But don't throw just to throw. If you try to make it work first then you will know it doesn't and feel good about the discard.

By the way- the other thing I do that others laughed at at first but now follow suit is to set up complete outfits for several weeks.  I mean everything, and try on- bag and put together jewelry too.  Again, do for a few weeks.  Not only will it save time when getting ready in the morning but it will save on surprises when you put on a pair of pants and the zipper is broken.  I find I look more put together and accessorize more when I have the time and can go through all my items.  I actually have fun doing this for myself and others and find some things that work great together that I wouldn't have thought of.  When you find a great outfit, take a picture.  You do it for your kids the night before to save time and hassle, why not for yourself

I actually use more of my clothes, enjoy cleaning my closet as I find treasures and my closet is organized and I find it easy to find what I am looking for. I hope you find this helpful, I enjoyed sharing with you and please join me for my tweets @ lifebeinglived for shopping bargains, styling tips and just plain life stuff.

Happy organizing.