The Sunday Post: De-Cluttering Your Closet

The best way to describe my shopping habits would be mind-blowing — at best. I hate the word “shopaholic”, but that’s the reality of it: I am happiest in an All Saints, a Bloomingdales, or in Topshop. Nothing quite gives me the same high as hearing the swipe of my credit card, the rustle of tissue paper, and the nagging pain at the crook of my elbow from carrying too many bags. What can I say — I’m a material girl living in a city with unbelievably easy access to, well, everything. Additionally, I’m a fashion and beauty editor, so naturally, I have way more of a healthy appetite for chiffon, silk, and tulle than the average girl.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you have come across the same problem: too many things, and too little space to put them. New Yorkers have a special appreciation for this: our apartments are the size of most people’s hallways, after all. Walk-in closets? Your walk-in closet = my apartment.

I’m always looking for ways to minimize my closet. I live with my boyfriend, so we’re always fighting over closet space. I usually win — I have a lot of dresses, and they all have to go somewhere. I could always use a bit more space, though — can’t everyone?

Here are some of my tips for de-cluttering your closet (or, well, attempting to:)

Follow the year rule. Consider this the golden rule: if you haven’t worn it for a year, it goes to the Salvation Army (or your friends). A year is long enough for it to be in-season again, so you really have no excuse to hold on. This goes for most on-trend items, things that no longer fit, and weird colors and prints that you no longer like (here’s a hint — you probably won’t like them again).

If it still has tags on after six weeks, chuck it. Unless you bought something off-season or for a special occasion (in which case, carry on), if you still haven’t worn something you just bought, get rid of it. No matter what you say, you won’t wear it.

Sort items by season. This is easier said than done, but make it a point to go through your entire wardrobe at the beginning of each season. Then, organize each thing by category: so keep all your sweaters in one place, shorts in another, and so on. This will not only help you see what you have lots of, but what you might also be lacking (and need to buy — yay!). Anything off-season should either go in a separate closet that you never use, or, if you don’t have any extra closet space to spare (a.k.a., if you’re a New Yorker) put it in storage.

If it doesn’t fit, adios. We’re all guilty of wishful thinking and picking up that thing that would fit if you lost just five pounds! While you might lose or gain the weight, you won’t want to wear it — instead, you’ll want to buy a whole brand new wardrobe. Plus, aspirational pieces that you’ll only fit into if you change your size won’t actually encourage you to lose weight.

Have any tips for de-cluttering your closet? Let me know in the comments below!