9 Steps to a Complete Closet Clean Out

Has your clothing closet become a junk room? When you look for an outfit for the day, is it easy? Or is your wardrobe crowded with clutter and chaos cause that cause your daily ritual to become a stressful decision? Let’s be honest, most mornings we do not wear the first outfit we pick. Not all of us can throw on any old jeans and T-shirt and be fine with how it looks. Natural Beauties may get away with that if their lifestyle allows for such simplicity, but they also have a tendency to hold onto things and are still susceptible to the Confidence Conflict that a crowded closet creates.

Less is more

It doesn’t really matter what size or shape your closet is, you can create an organized, inspiring sanctuary where you can start your day with simple decisions. The key is to be sure you have complete outfits, with nothing “unwearable” confusing your choices. In last week’s blog, we considered how sometimes simple Wardrobe Weeding is enough to keep your closet from clutter.

Join my email list and I will send you my FREE WARDROBE WEEDING CHEATSHEET, Click here to get FREE PDF.

When Wardrobe Weeding is not enough, and you need to start all over, it’s time to do a Complete Closet Clean Out. This doesn’t mean that you cannot keep anything you already have, but it may be time to step back and take a whole new perspective on your wardrobe.

If you are like me, when you feel overwhelmed, you may need a nudge. Completely changing up your closet may seem like too much work, but I assure you that once you get started, you will feel inspired. I did my closet this week (thanks for the nudge!) and I feel so empowered by the simplicity of having less to wear. In truth, I don’t have any less, because most of the things I removed I couldn’t really wear–or  felt uncomfortable or self-conscious in– anyway, and now I am free from their temptation to rob my confidence!

I want you to experience this wonderful feeling, so I am sharing the nine-step process:

  1. Remove the misfits. Anything in your closet that does not help you get dressed for the day. If “wardrobe” does not define it; find it another place for it to belong. The ironing board can stay, but only if you have room for it; the broom and Christmas decor can not!
  2. Remove all the clothes. Yes, that’s right every stitch of clothing in your drawers, on the shelves or hanging up; take them out of the closet and put them somewhere that you can sort through them, piece by piece. I recommend pulling them out by “likes” and stacking/hanging them together in groups of slacks, jeans, skirts, etc.
  3. Clean. Vacuum, dust, wipe down every nook and cranny of your closet and dressers. Make it smell and feel inviting and inspiring. Ahh, now you can say, “look, honey, I have NOTHING to wear!” …or do you?
  4. Get dressed. Look at all the clothes you have piled on your bed, what’s there that you really love to wear? Pull one outfit out and put it on. Does it still fit well? Is it in good repair? If not, go back to your Wardrobe Weeding Cheatsheet (Click here to get FREE PDF)  and follow the check list for what to do next. If it does fit, is in good condition and makes you feel confident, then  go to the next step:
  5. Complete the outfit. That’s right, whether you are going out tonight or not (and you’ve got a lot to do, so I’d recommend clearing the calendar for the day) get dressed up–jewelry, shoes, purse and everything. Then take a selfie. When you are done with your Closet Clean Out you will have a whole album of selfies to remind you of #What2Wear next time you feel you have nothing.
  6. Purposefully put it away. With your first (and favorite) outfit, think carefully. As you undress, consider where each item should go. Place your shoes and jewels where they are visible. Carefully fold, roll or hang each clothing item so that they take as little space as the fabric allows without causing wrinkles. Place them in areas that make logical sense to you. You may want to keep the outfit all together or organize the items by size, sleeve or color. Note: For ideas and tips on how to organize your closet, please follow my social medias as I will be focusing on this all week.Follow me on FacebookFollow me on TwitterFollow me on LinkedInFollow me on PinterestFollow me on RSS
  7. Repeat. Pick out another outfit and complete it with only clothing/accessories you have not yet put away. Take another pic and purposefully put away each item in that outfit. There will come a time when you need to re-use certain items to complete another outfit; that is fine, but try to create as many unique outfits as you can before mixing and matching. Continue doing this until you have created as many outfits as you need for your current lifestyle (in the current season). If you cannot complete enough outfits, make a shopping list of specific items you need. It’s a good idea to take a pic of anything you hope to match so that you can refer to it when shopping. Note: If you would like my Closet Audit Cheatsheet to help you with this, please comment or contact me and I will email you a great PDF chart that simplifies this.
  8. Eliminate the excess. Any clothes that are still laying on your bed that you simply do not want to put on, wether it is because they are uncomfortable, misfits, or make you feel self-conscious, get rid of (again, refer to your Wardrobe Weeding Cheatsheet Click here to get FREE PDF). Do not leave clothes out to disturb the peace in your bedroom. It would be silly to put in all this effort to create a Confident Closet only to make other areas of the house chaos and confusion, right? Cross the finish line.
  9. Decorate. Now, step back into/up to your closet and take a good look around. Chances are your heart is jumping for joy… and wanting to do the same thing for your husband’s side… (another day). Without all the extra clutter, what can you do to make this space more beautiful? Something that brings you peace and joy, like a picture from your honeymoon,  a framed scripture, bouquet of flowers or simply the placement of your pretty purses?Note: I’ll be posting ideas this week on my social medias, so remember to check in. Follow me on FacebookFollow me on TwitterFollow me on LinkedInFollow me on PinterestFollow me on RSS

You did it! Now there’s only one more thing to do. Go, enjoy the fruit of your labor!

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For more on Confidence Beauty Image- and Life-Coaching, or to learn about Catrina's Supreme MakeOver Image Assessment Parties, be sure to visit www.CatrinaWelch.com

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