In today’s post I’m sharing steps and tools to help you with your next closet purge.
When done properly, a closet purge can literally change your life. Along with improving your physical space, it can also help with your mental and emotional wellbeing.
And in addition to all that goodness, it can solve many of our style related challenges. Let me explain.
When we carry out the process of purging in a mindful way we are gonna go beyond the usual steps of just sorting the pieces into piles to be quickly donated or tossed.
We will take the time to really examine the pieces that we enjoy wearing frequently and the pieces that we don’t.
When we pay careful attention to our clothing choices, they can inform us in a way that no style influencer or vlogger can. Our clothing choices can teach us what we really like, who we really are, and how we really live.
I created a Wardrobe Planning Starter Kit to guide you through the process of mindfully purging your wardrobe.
It includes two inventory logs, 1 worksheet, 4 customizable personal style guides, and 3 style directories.
This is a process and not a quick fix, so please allow yourself the time to do the work.
I have divided the process into 3 different phases with 2 different approaches.
Once you have your kit downloaded, grab something to write with and let’s get started.
Tools Required
- Starter Wardrobe Planning Kit – Sign up below to receive one by email. (you can use a note pad if you prefer to write it all out)
- Pen/Pencil
- Optional: Tape Measure or string to record and take measurements of garments.
of Phase 1 – Sort
After completing your purge, you should have only the clothes that you are currently wearing left in your closet.
If you are trying to decide between Option 1 or Option 2. Know that Option 1 is going to get you there quicker.
Option 1 – Remove everything from your closet (Be prepared not to put anything from pile 2 or pile 3 back into your closet)
1. Sort into 3 Piles
- Pieces you love & wear often
- Pieces you like & want to wear more
- Pieces that you don’t wear & don’t like
2. Group each piece by category & color
Option 2 – You will be working with only one category of clothes at a time (Pants, Tops, Dresses, etc). This is a good option if you have limited time and space to purge.
Sort into 3 Piles
- Pieces you love & wear often
- Pieces you like & want to wear more
- Pieces that you don’t wear & don’t like
Phase 2 – Evaluate
All Piles
- Print and label a Wardrobe Purge Log sheet for each category of clothing that you will be working with.
- List out each piece in the appropriate section (Pieces you love & wear often, Pieces You want to wear more often, Pieces that you don’t like and don’t wear)
- Similar styles can be combined on one line.
- You will be start with Pile 1 & Pile 3 as Pile 2 will most likely require additional time to work.
Pile 1 (love and wear)
- Ask yourself – What do I love about this piece? – make notes. Be specific. If it is the color, fit, brand, indicate the specifics in the spaces provided on the purge log.
- Access if the piece is in good condition. If so, go ahead and place back in your closet. Anything that need repairs mark repair in the action column and set the aside.
Pile 3 (don’t wear & don’t like)
- Ask Yourself – What do I not like about this piece? make notes. Be specific. If it is the color, fit, brand, indicate the specifics in the spaces provided on the purge log.
- Decide now if you can make changes to the garment that would cause you to move the piece into pile 1. (use the purge worksheet to work out a plan).
- If you have no plan to move it to pile 1, mark purge in the action column. create a purge pile and set aside.
Pile 2 (pieces you like & want to wear more )
- Ask Yourself – What do I not like about this piece? What’s keeping me from wearing this piece? make notes. Be specific about what you like/don’t like. If it is the color, fit, brand, indicate the specifics in the spaces provided on the purge log.
- Decide now if you can make changes to the garment that would cause you to move the piece into pile 1. (use the purge worksheet to work out a plan).
- If you have no plan to move it to pile 1, mark purge in the action column. place in your purge pile.
Phase 3 – Take Action
- At this point, place clothes together that you have a plan to repair, alter, or redesign. Set a goal to have them completed within 3-6 months. You should be able to add them back to your closet after they are updated. (If the piece can’t be repaired or altered, add it to the purge pile)
- If plans for alterations or redesign are not executed within 3 – 6 months, revisit you should consider adding them to the purge pile.
- Create a recycling plan for all the pieces left in your purge pile. You can use the purge worksheet to do this.
Personal Style Guides (pants, peans, tops, dresses) – Can be used to record information that you can reference when planning for future purchases
Post Purge Wardrobe Inventory – Can be used to keep a record of all items in your wardrobe. Also useful for planning future purchases.
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