Brian Maynor January 2, 2013

With the New Year comes the mindset of change.  It is a very positive time with nothing but possibilities, so why not take advantage of it?  Use this energy and focus to work on laborious tasks you generally avoid like the plague for example: cleaning out your closet.

Cleaning out your closet is work, no doubt about it, and if you are not in the right frame of mind the exercise is futile and the time spent will be wasted.  However, using the motivation of change currently in the air you can look at your wardrobe in a new light; focusing on discarding pieces that no longer work and making room for the ones you really want.  Here are a few ideas to guide you through the process:  

1.    Editing.  The first step for any wardrobe redo is to edit.  If you clothes are packed tight like sardines it will be impossible to properly assess them, plus few things are as overwhelming as a closet crammed to the gills.  Roll up your sleeves; put on some fun music and dive in.  Start by pulling out anything that is damaged or soiled and put it in one pile.  Then go through and pull out everything that does not fit, meaning too big as well as too small, and place them in a second pile.

2.    Review the piles.   Time to step out of the closet for a bit.  Taking your two piles go through them piece-by-piece and separate out times that can be mended or altered to fit.  Rips, tears, holes and anything easily fixable go in one pile to take to the cleaners or tailor, while unsalvageable items are placed in a bag for donation. 

Take the same steps for the clothes that do not fit.  If the item is too small, there is little that can be done to add fabric, so place those in a resale/consignment bag.  Place the items that are too big in the bag with the mending.  Simple alterations are inexpensive and will make a huge difference in how the garment looks and fits.

3.    Step back into the closet and assess what is left.  You should be able to see all of your clothes hanging nicely now and spend a moment looking at them.  Can you find a common theme?  This could be a color palette, a style, a brand or general aesthetic.  If you can identify a theme that is great, jot it down on your inspiration board.  If you are looking at a sum of disparate pieces take a minute to think about what you want your style to be, then write that on your inspiration board.  Once you have a theme in mind go back over the items in your closet and assess how they relate to the theme.  Some pieces will work great, while others may not work at all.  Pull out the pieces that do not work and set them aside.  Now look at what is left.  This should reflect a core wardrobe of items that all work together in any combination to create an outfit that falls into your style.

4.    Review the odd pieces.  Now look at the odd pieces and see if you can reintegrate them into your wardrobe.  If you cannot fit them in, place them in the bag for resale/consignment.  

5.    Planning.  Now that you have a working wardrobe it’s time to make your wish list.  Armed with a clear understanding of your style and what is hanging in your closet start thinking about what pieces you want to add and write them down.  Now when you are out shopping you have a guide.  You can navigate sales and new seasonal offerings with a purpose, focusing on buying the items listed instead of impulse purchases.  

The New Year is a time for resolutions because we want to move forward in life and setting goals gives us a destination and motivation to gauge progress.  If you are unhappy with your image or wardrobe why not apply the same principle?  Give it a goal and something to work toward.   You may surprise yourself with how much progress you make in a short amount of time.

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