I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions for 2019, knowing that I would probably break any resolution I made before the month was over. Instead I decided to focus on something tangible that I could actually accomplish in a relatively short span of time—cleaning out my closet. With its promise of a fresh start, January seemed like the ideal time to get my closet in order.
If you are anything like me, you have clothes in a multitude of different sizes that no longer fit, along with items that you simply never wear anymore or pieces that are stained, damaged, or need alterations. Since I have downsized to a one-bedroom apartment with limited closet space, I need to keep my wardrobe edited so that my closet only has the clothes that I love and regularly wear—and to make room for new stuff, of course!
After I decided to clean out my closet, I started researching the best way to go about it and found this article, 22 Tips For Cleaning Out Your Closet After 60 – Downsizing The Tried And True Way by Dawn Lucy on one of my favorite websites, Sixty & Me. I recommend reading the entire article, but if you don’t have the time, here are a few of my favorite tips from Dawn for cleaning out your closet:
- Make a list of must-have basics that you need
- Start with a basic color scheme, including your favorite neutrals along with pops of color
- Think about your lifestyle and what you’ll be doing in the next year and the types of clothes you will need
- Try on all your basic and must-have pieces and if they fit and are in good condition, hold onto them
- Get rid of the following:
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- Anything unflattering, uncomfortable or itchy
- Items that don’t match anything else in your closet
- Anything you’re simply sick of wearing or projects that have never happened (like those pants you have never gotten tailored)
- Costume jewelry that has lost its luster and earrings that are too heavy to wear
- Sentimental items or gifts that you don’t actually wear
- Give the rejects to a charity like Goodwill or The Salvation Army, or try selling them on eBay, Poshmark, or at a local consignment store
Photo Courtesy of Sixty & Me
I hope this has inspired you to go through your own wardrobe. I find that cleaning out your closet can actually make it easier to get dressed in the morning, so let me know how it goes, ladies!
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