4 Steps To Create A Curated Closet

Prior to starting my organizing business, I worked in fashion buying. I love clothes as much as I love organizing and because the closet is where you start your day, It’s one of the most important places in terms of organizing in your home.

Organizing is not about being a minimalist, it’s about only having things you love and use in your home.

Your closet is no exception. Getting dressed in the morning should be fun, easy, and make you feel good. But when you have too many options, it creates anxiety and, in turn, weakens your ability to make a decision. 

So why are we so attached to our clothing and how do we let them go?

 ‘Our closets are more than a collection of clothing, they’re the sum total of all of our feelings and memories, which is why it makes it so difficult to declutter them,’ says Annmarie O’Connor, fashion writer, stylist, and author of The Happy Closet.

How do we look past the emotion and finally declutter our clothes:

1. Make your wardrobe visible.

If you can’t see your clothes you’re less likely to wear them. Who is guilty of having piles and piles of clothes that you can’t see? Or when you’re getting ready in the morning you throw the rejects onto a chair or a pile on the floor. You have to set yourself up for success and make it easy to put clothes away.

Sort clothes by type, then light to dark colours in each grouping. Get matching hangers so your clothing looks uniform in your closet. For piles of folded items in your closet, make sure things are folded correctly so you can see them and use shelf dividers so they don’t fall into one another. Use a file fold in your drawers so you can see everything along with drawer dividers to keep piles separate

2. Let go of False motivation

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is keeping clothes in your closet in hopes you will fit into them again. Our bodies change and that is okay. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have a closet full of clothes that fit now. You’ll feel better about yourself, and getting dressed will be fun. 

If you do decide to keep certain clothes for this reason put them out of sight. Either put them in a box or a secondary closet so you’re not faced with them every day. There is nothing worse than staring into your closet and only seeing things that don’t fit and there’s no faster way to ruin your mood in the morning than trying something on that doesn’t fit. Once a year has passed and they still don’t fit, it’s time to let them go, or put them in a permanent keepsake box.

3. Change the way you shop

Take an honest look at how you shop for clothes. Are you a  bargain hunter, do you shop when you’re feeling emotional, is it just a force of habit? You have to acknowledge the way you shop to make the necessary changes so the pattern doesn’t continue.  “Security is defined as freedom from concern, anxiety, or doubt. Ironically the very thing that causes closet chaos is that which soothes our soul and makes us feel in control” Annmarie O'Connor

The way you shop and buy might be an unconscious decision. By making yourself aware you’re able to limit your triggers. Unsubscribe from the newsletters, avoid the shops if you’re having a bad day, unfollow accounts that make you want to shop on Instagram do what you need to reinforce your new habits.  

4. Switch up your style

As your life changes so will your style. For this one take a step back and look at your life in 5-year increments (from age 18), think of your age, where you were living, your family, your jobs, and what your style was at that time. Through this exercise, you’ll see how your style has evolved over time and you can see the things that no longer fit in with your new lifestyle. Remember, you don’t have to let it all go, keepsake boxes or spare closets can be used to keep the really special pieces.  But you want your wardrobe to reflect your current life (and no, becoming a mom does not mean you have to give up and only dress your child in cute outfits.)

For further reading check out AnnMarie O’Connor’s The Happy Closet. I came across her work when I lived in Ireland and she’s become my guru when it comes to an organized closet and developing your personal style. 

If you need a little help in your closet schedule a complimentary consultation.

Happy Organizing!

-Jocelyn