We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.
It makes perfect sense that everyone is getting spring cleaning and home projects knocked out now. I’ve been in Scottsdale for several weeks, but before I drove down here, I cleaned out my Colorado closet for the fourth time in the past year. Then when I got here, I decluttered my Arizona closet! This girl is on a mission to flip the 20/80 rule and build a well-curated closet with timeless pieces I actually love and wear. Today I’m sharing how I went about the process. I’m also giving tips along with 15 questions to ask when decluttering your closet. Have you done yours yet?
linen blouse || tiger skirt (similar) || jeans || silk cami || sneakers || nude heels || hat || similar purse
Before decluttering your closet…
- Set aside or schedule a few hours, an afternoon, a day or a weekend depending on how big the job is.
- Have bags or baskets ready for the items you’ll give away, sell, donate, discard, repair, or that you’re unsure about.
- Put on your favorite tunes to keep you motivated.
- Do a quick once-over to weed out things you know you want to eliminate or will never wear again. This should only take 5-10 minutes and be fast and easy decisions; if you hesitate, put it back.
As you begin the process of decluttering your closet, I recommend that you TRY EVERYTHING ON. Well, maybe not the things you actually wear all the time, but definitely try on everything else. Then ask yourself the following questions about each item in your closet.
15 Questions to Ask
1. Is the garment comfortable and does it fit well?
2. Does this make me feel good about myself and flatter my shape?
3. Is it worth getting altered, and how soon will I do that?
4. When was the last time I wore this? Have I worn it in the last 12 months?
5. What condition is it in? Look for stains, rips, damage, stretched out fabric.
6. Can I repair, repurpose, or modify it in some way to make it work, and will I?
7. Do I avoid it because it needs dry cleaning?
8. Is it still in style, and does it fit my personal style or the style I want to have?
9. Would I buy this again today?
10. Is the item practical for my lifestyle?
11. Have I gone through major lifestyle or physical changes (like retirement and don’t need work clothes anymore, weight gain or loss, new social circles, etc.)?
12. How functional and versatile is it?
13. Can I wear it more than one way, or do I need to buy other things so I can wear it?
14. How many of this type of item do I already have, and do I need that many?
15. Will I really miss it if I let it go?
I hope these 15 questions are a useful guide for decluttering your closet. It’s such a freeing feeling to be clutter free! Take care, my friends!
xo, Lisa
If you enjoyed reading this…
Also, if you found this post helpful, be sure to PIN it to Pinterest.
You have such beautiful clothes. Another good question before throwing out might be, “Would Suzana like this?” 😂 Wonderful article. I have a lotta, lotta work to do in my closet!
I think that should be my new mantra…”Would Suzana like this?” Best of luck with yours!
Good to hear from you again! Lisa 😘
Great guidelines! If I’m uncertain about an item I always ask myself if it is something I would buy now (#9). Often the answer is “no” so into the donate pile it goes! I worked in a casual office before I retired (just a few months ago) so my closet isn’t necessarily true work vs casual clothes although I definitely have several dressier items – makes the process both easier and more difficult. These guidelines will be very handy!
Glad you found it helpful, Helen! I got rid of most of my business clothes since I’m retired, too. Even though they were nice items, I just couldn’t see myself wearing them anymore.
Lisa ❤️
I really did purge a lot when we moved, so it’s hard to do it again. Because I LOVE all my clothes..haha.
Yet that’s also why I love doing my wearing it 5 way challenge…it gives me ideas of how to wear the things I have.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
That’s a great closet challenge, Jodie! You’re always so creative with your styling.
xo, Lisa
Excellent tips! The question “does it fit” may need to be changed to “will it fit after Quarantine” for me, lets just say like a lot of us, I have been on a stress eating binge. Knowing that I need to ask myself the question is going to motivate me to not only clean out my closet but to make sure the answer is YES!
Omg, you’re so right! I’ve had my share of binge-eating days, too.
xo, Lisa
I am a firm believer in if I didn’t wear it in a year I most likely won’t wear it so I donate it. It is so freeing to have only the clothes in your closet that you truly wear! Great tips here Lisa!
Thanks, Lisa! Now that I’m decluttering on a regular basis, it definitely gets easier to clear things out. It’s definitely freeing!
xoxo
Great tips! Just did a closet regal and may go back through using some of your things to consider
Thanks for reading, Mel!
xo, Lisa
That is a very clever breakdown of decluttering your clothes. Number 3 is my down fall. I always think that I can do something with and of course it does not always happen. Although lockdown has been great for that.
Great post!
I love how your tips are concise and to the point!
I am pinning your post for future reference. I do a closet clean out in spring and fall.
Rosemary xoxord
I had a declutter around three weeks ago, but keep dipping into the pile
and retrieving things.
These are great guidelines. I should have tried things on before deciding
if I wanted to part with them. In the past I’ve sent things to the charity
shop, then, later regretted it. In the circumstances we’ve found ourselves
in I’m seriously short of workout clothes. I do love your suggestion to
put your favourite tunes on. I do this all the time – it’s what motivates me.
The other day someone on Instagram talked about dyeing some of her tops which
had lost their colour – going from a faded white to a vibrant turquoise or
pink. I may have a try – it would be a way of saving certain items.
Enjoy your weekend, xx