Closet Makeovers Series Part 1: Cleaning Your Closet
First and foremost, I wanted to say thank you for all of the overwhelmingly wonderful feedback on my last post. I certainly have my work cut out for me for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be doing tons of research in upcoming weeks to address any and all of the questions and comments – I’m so pumped to get started!
However, before we buy clothes, we must get rid of some of the old ones. Goodwill is my charity of choice, but any place will do.
Let me first start by saying this task can take a while: you are probably going to have to take at least 3 hours out of your day to do this. You have to ask yourself a series of questions about each garment and if you can’t decide, throw it out. It’s also vital that you take each thing out and take a look at it. Get a good look at it away from the rest of your clothes and go from there. Also, I recommend trying on the “maybes” to be sure.
What you’ll need:
- Trash bags: they’re cheap and easy to carry. I think that’s self explanatory.
- Pen and paper: to write down where the holes are in your closet.
- A good friend who has patience: a second opinion is always a good thing
One you’ve assembled all these things, it’s time to get started. Go through your wardrobe by category and ask yourself the following questions as you do.
Underwear:
We need to start with the basics here. All good wardrobes begin with a solid foundation underneath.
Bras: When deciding whether or not to keep a bra, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Are all the wires still there?
- Are there any noticeable stains or is it yellowing from being worn too much?
- Are there any rips or tears?
- Does anything dig into my skin when I wear it?
- Is it too small or too big?
** This step is actually more important than you think. A good bra can really make or break an outfit. If you have not gone to a bra fitting recently, I recommend going. It will change your life, because if the girls are up where they should be, it can make you look 5 lbs thinner and change your posture!
Panties:
- How long have I had this pair of undies?
- Has the color faded dramatically?
- Are they comfortable to wear?
- Is there a garment of clothing I own that I can wear these under without there being a visible panty line?
- Are they too small/big?
- Is the elastic stretched out or ripped?
Tights:
I think tights are pretty self explanatory. If there is a run in them, throw them out. Unless of course you’re into the holes in tights trend, in which case by all means reinvent your old tights.
The bulk of your closet:
I really think this is the hardest part. I recommend enlisting a friend to help you go through your shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, and shoes . It may be hard to let go of some, but I assure you, it will be beneficial in the long run.
Tops:
- Is it stretched out?
- Even if it’s worn, can I use it for layering?
- Does my belly show? (in a “this shirt shrunk in the dryer” way, not a cute “look at my rockin’ bod” way)
- Is the pattern or style outdated?
- Is the hem ruined?
- Is the color washed out?
- Is the neckline flattering?
- Is there any pilling? (when the thread of a fabric, typically a sweater, is worn so it balls into little circles)
- Do I still feel really amazing in it?
- Is there anything missing from the top (like a button)? (If it’s fixable, put it in the “fix” pile, if not, toss it.)
- Is it too small?
- Is the only reason I am keeping this because it reminds me of high school?
Pants:
- Can I still button them?
- Do they give me a muffin top?
- Are they too short?
- Is leg line or style still in?
- Are they missing anything like clasps or buttons?
- Do they make you look shorter when you wear them?
- Do you feel self conscious of the hip or mid section when wearing them?
- Are there any rips that were not there when you bought them?
- How does them hem look?
- Can they be worn with many different kinds of shoes?
Skirts and Dresses:
- Does the color flatter my skin?
- Does my booty stick out when I bend over?
- Would I feel comfortable with the length without leggings?
- Are the colors faded?
- Can the zipper still close?
- Is it missing any clasps or buttons?
- Did you buy it only for the intent of it being a costume?
Jackets:
- Is the zipper fully functional?
- Does it fit in both the shoulders and the bust?
- Does it close comfortably?
- Is it way too long/short?
- Is it outdated?
- Is there a time of year when it’s practical?
Shoes:
- Are there any tears anywhere on the shoe?
- Is it being held together with super glue?
- For flip flops: are they grey and dirty instead of white or pink like when you bought them?
- Does your foot look cute while wearing it?
- Are they practical?
- Do they go with more than one thing in your closet?
- Are they scuffed so much that you have to ask yourself what color they were originally?
- Are they outdated?
- Do they look heavy on your feet?
Accessories:
Here is what to give away, sell or throw away: (it’s much more straightforward then the rest of your closet)
- Broken necklaces
- Anything outdated (and not in a cool vintage way)
- Earrings that are missing a mate
- Rings that are too big or small
- Rings that are chipped
- Bracelets that are bent
- Anything with a broken closure
- Hair pins that are falling apart (like a flower that is starting to become unglued)
- Headbands that don’t flatter your face
- Headbands that are falling apart or breaking
This is when the pen and paper comes in: write down everything that you want to replace in your wardrobe, and compile a shopping list (or a wish list if your birthday is coming up, and hey it’s never too early to start thinking Christmas) of the things that need to be replaced. If something just needs to be fixed, fix it – bring it to a tailor or get crafty with a sewing machine.
Once you’ve done this, you can enjoy all of that extra space!
Next week, I’ll go over how to organize the things that you have left. I’ll be providing pictures so you have more visuals to help you organize in a tiny space (and it will force me to clean my room!).
What are your thoughts?
What are your tips for cleaning out your closet? How do you keep yourself from being a pack rat? Where do you like to donate clothes? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!
Posted on on September 19, 2009 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Back to School Shopping, Closet Makeovers Series, Clothing, How To, Tips
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Bizzy
Great post! I think those questions are great, definitely something I will keep in mind when I clean my closet again. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next, I’m sure if the readers of this take it to heart and use it all of our closets will be gorgeous ^.^
I did want to make a point though that pilling on sweaters and clothes can be fixed! Fabric shavers cost less than $10 usually and totally put new life into clothes. As long as the fit is great and the pilling is minor, I don’t see why we can’t keep the garments.
Francesca
Awesome post! Very important things to keep in mind. Thanks!
Cara
If I threw away everything in my closet that pilled, I would be pretty close to having to go topless. Do you have any advice on preventing pills, perhaps? What sort of fabrics are most prone or most resistant to pilling? And do those pill shavers actually work on shirts or just thicker sweaters?
Linda
Wow, this post is great! Amazingly detailed!
& when I finally get a chance to go through my closet, if ever, I will definitely be using this! Thanks!
Kenzie
Great post! Another great tip that I heard from somewhere: Would I buy it today? Chances are if you wouldn’t buy it again you probably don’t love it anymore.
Luinae
Woah!
This is so useful, I could not believe the treasure trove of information in here. What a job well done!
B.
Yay! I like this a lot, Meggy, this is wondeful! I realllly need a closet cleanout, I’ve got so much useless crap from when I was in high school. I do want to say, though, that earrings without a match are really not a problem if you’ve got more than 1 piercing on each ear. you can mix and match!
Kaci
This was great! I need to clean my closet out from old clothes so this will be helpful and it gives me the motivation to go ahead and do it.
Patricia
Great post! I’ll print and stick this list on my closet’s door hahahah
And congratulations for being part of the College Fashion team…I’ve been reading it for months and it’s one of my greatest sources of daily inspiration
Kisses and hugs!
Meghan
Washing delicate, pill-prone clothes inside out on a gentle cycle (or even better: by hand with Woolite) helps. Pill shavers are amazing! Plus, I think it’s kind of fun.
Emily
One of these weekends I’m going to have to go through my closet and clean it out, and I will definitely print this out when I do. I have to go shopping since I need to buy “professional” clothes now – I assume you’re doing an article on the clothes-buying process too, so I hope it’s up before I go shopping. And I only get rid of bigger earrings without mates because, as was mentioned above, the rest are still totally useful for me since I have four cartilage piercings.
Valeria
Omg. This is really useful!! Next weekind I’ll dedicate an entire day to clean up my closet. Thank you so much for this!
I read the entire article, and as I did, I was thinkin about my clothes… Maybe after this it won’t be any.. lol! So, maybe I’ll be looking forward for the “refill your closet” article :P
Maxine
This is too simple. I always think “When’s the last time I have worn this?” and if its past a year I’ll try it on and think “Will I ever wear this again” That’s pretty much the 2 questions. I’ve donated to homeless shelther rather than stores like goodwill or salvation army. It’s useless donating to those stores when someone ends up paying for it when you just gave it away. I go through my clothes twice a year. Winter and summer because it’s always the beginning of a new semester plus the 2 best times to go shopping. I think the next post should be about how to organize your clothes, alternatives to storing formal dresses or jewelry, ways to store boots. And add some extras like how to mend a rip or sew back on a button.
Alli
I think this post is a little bit unreasonable. If I got rid of everything in my closet that you suggest, I would have nothing left to wear. This year especially, no one has money for a whole new wardrobe. I think you should emphasize how to restore and repair old clothes more than just telling people to throw out everything that shows signs of being worn.
Bill
Just added my own blog this month. I need some inspiration. Thx.
Annie
This is very useful, however, I would not throw away clothes if the ONLY reason was that they are “in” right now. With every season there are some things that come back, and many times I was angry at myself for giving away a piece of garment, that was well fitted, in a good color for me, but just “so out” that exact moment, but “in” again a few months later.
When I clean my closet now I get rid of all clothes that got damaged, don’t fit well or aren’t my style anymore, but I keep those I look good in. Even if I don’t wear them right now, I’ll be glad I kept them, when they got hot again.
Annie
Oh, “I would not throw away clothes if the ONLY reason was that they AREN’T “in” right now” ;)
Av
Love the article. I am one of those people who will find an excuse to keep eeeverything, so this will be very helpful when I’m cleaning my closet. I am really looking forward to the rest of this series! =)
Natali
Love this.I’ve been throwing stuff out of my closet today. and this will definitely help.
Biggest problem is that I’m finding excuses why tp keep some stuff. Like it is really old but it reminds me of this and that. But got to stop doing that!
:D
Paula ♥
I just wanted to say that it’s probably better to donate your old clothes to shelters or other organizations that give the clothes away for free. For example, there is a place called “Clothes to Kids” in my area that gives used clothes to kids who can’t afford to buy their own. I’ve been to Goodwill and Salvation Army and their prices for used clothes and be kinda ridiculous. Nice article, though =D
Ritika
Great article! There are some unique questions in there that I definitely feel gets overlooked (e.g. is there a garment in which you can wear that underwear with no VP).
I don’t think Meggy is telling us to throw away a garment if it’s not with current fashion trends. I think “outdated” (rather than vintage) means something that has a shape or style that doesn’t do anything good for your body. Every garment should flatter your figure in the sense that it not be too tight or too big.
I really need help with the organization of accessories and boots. I’m looking forward to the next articles. Great work! =D
Molly G
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know if there is a Plato’s Closet (or other store similar to it) near you, it can be great for getting rid of old brand name clothes. What they do is it is basically a consignment shop but they take your clothes that day and you get a check the same day…it’s great! They take brand name clothes, shoes, accessories, movies, books, usually if I think they will at least look at an item I take it. I go every couple of months and I have gotten at least $100 every time, if any of you need some quick cash!
Chelsey
I agree with Annie. In 2007 I bought this black lace v-neck and never wore it because it was just was “out.” But I ended up keeping it (because sometimes clothes fit better over time), and wouldn’t you know it? Lace is in style right now. I do love this post, btw. I have a hard time throwing clothes out because I feel like I’ll eventually wear them. Sometimes I have tops in my closet for months before actually falling in love with it.
Shannon
So great! This will be what I’m doing this week. Thanks for the tips! :)
Giselle
Great post!! I think I’ll be headed to my local thrift store to donate a whole lot :)
Val
Another great way to see if it’s time to throw away the shoes is when you slip when you walk on glossy flooring. I have lots of shoes like that, but they are so cute that I still keep them *teehee*
Ava
Great post, this will be one I refer back to! Maybe some better clarity with what to do with the answers to those questions would have been helpful.
Alexandra
The post is really great. I personally get rid of clothes at least twice a year, but I think I do it even more, cause I’m the kind of person for whom cleaning is a way to calm down;)
Because I buy many, many clothes (I’m not rich, it’s all second-hand) I try to keep my wardrobe moreless in one style – so every new season I get rid of clothes who were bought just for fun or just for one/two times to wear. I sell them via internet – majority of them is in a good condition, so it’s not difficult to get rid of them.
Girls, if you don’t throw away anything from your closet, do it! It’s so much easier to live with one, but organized, “working” and ready to use wardrobe! It’s not the amount of clothes you posses, but your ability to mix them which makes this impression of “having piles of clothes”, really;) Sorry for mistakes, english is not my mother tongue;P
Alethea
If your stuff is in good condition then why not have a clothes swap with friends?
The basic idea is each of you brings (say 5) items you don’t wear (wrong cut or colour for you) and you dump them all in the middle and try on each others clothes and go home with new pieces for your warerobe. It’s a fun way to get new clothes without spending any money.
tasmine brown
You really need to give me an application form for this school because I really love the outfits you guys posted and how I want to have my own store that is why.
Jenn
Ok, I havent even read this whole thing, but I got to the flip-flop section and had to add this in as question:
can these be bleached (to remove ickyness from being worn outside) and used as shower shoes?
This is what i’ve done with a pair every year now for college. they were in great shape, other than being stained (think white flip flops plus living on a farm) so I bleached them to remove anything that i wouldnt want on my feet after i showered and viola, free shower shoes instead of buying a new pair!
jitushka
I have a sipmple rule for sorting out my closet: Things I haven’t worn for two or more years have to go, because I won’t probably wear them again.