By Angela Mao

We all know that feeling. You’re in a rush before work or school trying to pick out a cute outfit, but your closet looks like a tornado went through it. It’s about time you cleaned out your closet… but it’s just so much! No need to fear—here are some tips to help your closet look glamorous (and actually keep it organized) once again. 

Take EVERYTHING Out. Seriously. 

The first step is to take everything in your closet out. It may seem like a hassle, but it’s extremely useful for identifying which items you truly care about. If you’re not willing to put in the effort to fold it or hang it back up, you probably don’t like it that much. Additionally, if you really want to thoroughly clean everything out, you have to make sure you are accounting for everything (especially the items you might not want that are lodged deep in your closet). 

Organize into 3 Groups 

After all the clothing is taken out, separate them into three piles: to keep, donate/ sell, and recycle/ throw away. The ‘keep’ pile  is obviously reserved for your favorite and essential items, while the others are piles  meant for items that have lost their shine or that you simply don’t wear anymore. 

The Important Question

If you’re having difficulty deciding which pile an item should go into, make sure to ask yourself if you’ve worn it in the past six months. Realistically, if you haven’t picked up that item in 6 months, you also won’t in the next 6 months. I know you might be tempted to keep it for sentimental value or “just in case” you need it, but it’s important to let go (especially when it takes up valuable closet space!). 

Box It Up

One great way to reduce clutter without throwing anything away is to box everything that’s not in season. Spring cleaning is a great way to pack up your winter clothing (which takes up a lot of space), and store it somewhere else until the weather gets cold enough again. 

What Should I Keep? What Should I Throw Away? 

You should definitely keep basics that you can incorporate into your wardrobe no matter the season. White t-shirts, blue jeans, and similar items are very versatile pieces that will last you a long time. Also, make sure you keep layering pieces such as long sleeved t-shirts and turtlenecks. Some items are simply essentials, such as a warm winter coat or a good pair of dress shoes. Make sure you’ve kept some clothing in different categories (athletic clothing, business clothing, etc). Items that you should purge from your wardrobe include the “unique” pieces that you’ve worn only maybe three times total. Additionally, you should get rid of duplicates, as they are simply unnecessary and just take up space. You don’t need five white t-shirts that look the same—one will do. 

What To Do With Old Clothes 

There are plenty of options for getting rid of your old clothing. First, you can donate the items in good condition to your local thrift store or you can sell them online on sites like Poshmark or Depop. However, if the items aren’t in great shape, consider recycling them or reusing them around the house. 

Hopefully, after you clean everything up, your closet will look like the satisfying, neat ones splattered all over Pinterest (or at least closer than before)!

Photos Courtesy of Sources Listed Above