The Lady of Leitrim Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Wardrobe: Part 2, How to Do It
In Part 1, we talked about why decluttering your closet is a great idea. Now let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to do it. Ready to let go of the clutter and simplify your wardrobe? Let's dive in!
Gather
Start by collecting all of your clothes and shoes. Everything. Empty your closets, check the attic, and grab anything in the laundry room. Group similar items together—jeans in one pile, scarves in another. Take stock of what you've got.
Evaluate
First, take a headcount. Do you have 20 pairs of jeans? Do you need 20 pairs of jeans? Did you even realize you had 20 pairs of jeans? If you've got more than you need, it's time to choose a few favorites and let the rest go.
Next, ask yourself: Does it fit me today? It's time to stop holding onto "goal clothes" or those high school jeans you hope to wear again one day. Let them go. Love your body for what it is today. Your clothes should fit your body, not the other way around. You're not fat; your clothes just don't fit. So don't shame yourself—buy something that suits your body now and let go of what doesn't.
The same goes for shoes. Your feet carry you around all day. Treat them well by giving them shoes that fit and are comfortable.
Now, ask: Do I wear it, does it look good, and do I love it? If you can answer "yes!" to all three, it goes back in the closet—phew! But if you get a "no" to any of these questions, it's time to let it go.
If you bought it over a year ago and it still has the tags, that's a sure sign to let it go. No exceptions.
If you know you'll never wear it, let it go. Holding onto bikinis you don’t wear because you dream of moving to Hawaii? Keep clothes for the life you have, not the life you hope to have. Let buying new bikinis be your reward for achieving that goal.
And if you're keeping something out of guilt, let it go. Your mother's love isn't tied to the sweater she gave you. If you don't love it, wear it, or feel great in it, do yourself a favor and say goodbye.
Eject
Anything that's ripped, stained, or unwearable should go in the trash. Donate items that are in good condition to local charities. Many organizations accept new or gently used clothing. Find one nearby and drop off your donations before you change your mind.
Having trouble letting go? Here's a tip: put everything you're not sure about in a box labeled "donations." Hide the box somewhere out of the way, and in six months, if you haven't needed anything in it (without peeking!), drop it off at a donation center.
Next Steps
Now that you've cleaned out your closet and kept only the items you love, congratulations! You've done a fantastic job.
If your closet feels a bit empty, don't worry—we can help! At Lady of Leitrim, we’re all about helping women express their true selves through fashion. Come visit us in-store (we'd love to see you on the green couch) or browse our online shop to preview new looks and reserve your size—the one that really fits—before it sells out.
