It’s happening: we’re hurtling into a new year! Even if you’re avoiding the age-old adage of ‘new year, new me’, style-wise, it’s time to consider what you’re bringing with you into the next year—and what you’re leaving behind. 2024 was a year that the trend cycle went ever-more stratospheric—and it’s likely you succumbed to buying one or two pieces that haven’t even made it past the threshold of your bedroom. Cleaning out your closet can be a ritual of renewal, where we emerge from the previous year’s skins and revitalize our wardrobes.
So let’s start with that sacred closet space. Don’t underestimate the power of a wardrobe cleanse. Far from a mundane chore, a proper closet cleanout is self-care, setting the stage for your daily sartorial adventures. “You should be able to walk into your closet, and it looks like a boutique,” says virtual stylist Naina Singla. A tall order for most of us, but by editing and curating your closet, you can breathe life into a capsule wardrobe that resonates with your authentic self.
Below, Vogue asks five professional organizers for a step-by-step checklist to guide you through a transformative closet cleanse. Here’s everything you need to help you declutter, reorganize, and reignite your love affair with your wardrobe.
Step 1: Pause
Before diving into a frenzy of purging and impulsive shopping, take a moment to reflect. “Pause buying anything new, and stop the habitual ways you buy fashion,” says sustainable stylist Kerry Wilde. “That way, you can see things for what they are instead of bringing lots more newness in, which gets really confusing and distorts what you re trying to do.”
Elizabeth L. Cline, NYC-based author of “The Conscious Closet,” agrees: “People have a tendency to use a closet cleanout as an excuse to purge and buy more, but the closet cleanout is partially about getting back in touch with what you own and pulling things back into rotation.”
Step 2: Set your intentions
Yes it’s spring cleaning time, but what personal intentions are guiding your closet decluttering? “Let s say you have a new job, or you don’t fit into your clothes; maybe you had a baby, or your style has evolved,” explains Singla. Either way, your motivations will shape your approach. Also, in our post-pandemic reality, consider how you might want to update your work attire. Do you work from home? How often do you commute to the office? How has your lifestyle changed, and how have they influenced your everyday attire?
Step 3: Define your personal style
Curate a Pinterest or mood board for fashion inspo, which should include a balanced mix of visuals that mirror your daily wear and those that encapsulate your style aspirations. “Your wardrobe should reflect who you are and what makes you feel confident and comfortable,” says Dani (A.K.A the Wardrobe Fairy), a London-based professional wardrobe organizer. “I work alongside a number of personal stylists—organizing and styling services really complement each other.”
“I recommend thinking about your style aesthetic before jumping into a closet cleanout,” says personal stylist and wardrobe consultant Grace Thomas. “Which colors inspire you in your closet? What colors have you enjoyed wearing over the past three to six months?”
Step 4: Dedicate time in your busy schedule
A proper closet cleanout cannot be rushed or executed without thought, making it imperative to dedicate time for a mindful wardrobe edit. If you’re someone who feels easily overwhelmed, break down your cleanout into manageable chunks. Divvy up the process, and tackle a bit each day over a week, rather than attempting to cram it all into a Sunday.
“You need to make space and time to do it responsibly,” says Cline, adding that the ethical and sustainable steps of a cleanout are often overlooked. “Think of ways you can integrate things, upcycle them, repurpose them, or restyle them, etc.” Also, as this process carries spiritual significance, it demands your undivided attention. “When you re going through your closet, it s an opportunity to rediscover pieces that you already own.” In other words, refreshing your closet is a way of letting go and getting back in touch with your personal style.
Step 5: Arrange four distinct piles
To kickstart the actual closet cleanout, start by setting aside your “go-to” or “keep” items. These are your most-worn pieces, and those that align with your personal style.
Next, individually assess each remaining garment, sorting them into one of four piles:
Valuable items that you hope to recoup some of your expenses on. “Those are the pieces that I would maybe take to Beacon’s Closet in New York, or The RealReal, or put on a resale app where I could make some money,” says Cline.
Before you donate, ensure your clothing is in its best condition to minimize the risk of rejection. Make sure to wash all pieces intended for donation. Use a fabric shaver to remove pilling from sweaters, and a lint roller to remove any pet or human hair. Tie shoes together to prevent separation. Also, keep in mind that presentation matters. Don’t just simply toss your donation pile into any old tote bag; how you fold and present your clothes can inspire the next wearer to buy secondhand.
“Do a little homework into the charities in your community,” says Cline. “Do you want to be giving your money to Goodwill or Salvation Army, or to a local women s shelter, homeless shelter, or church? Really think through what organization you want to support.”
These are the garments in need of repair, alterations, or professional cleaning, after which they can be sorted into their respective piles. Or, if it s an everyday staple, return to the keep section.
Only garments that cannot be salvaged should be junked. Think mismatched socks, old undergarments, and garments beyond repair. Disposal options largely depend on the resources available in your community. Many stores offer recycling for clothing and footwear. Some nonprofit organizations may accept fabric scraps for art projects, and animal shelters often welcome textile donations.
Singla suggests having a “maybe” pile, for those pieces that haven’t quite won you over. Sorting through this pile can be a toughie, but asking yourself a few essential questions can help kickstart the process. For example, when was the last time you wore that leather blazer? Do you feel confident donning those skinny jeans from 2016? Does that JW Pei purse you impulsively purchased complement your individual style? If an item holds sentimentality, but no longer fits your wardrobe, consider altering it into something new, like a cozy blanket.
Coha, however, calls this a “pile of doom”. “If the wardrobe is beautifully organised, and we are stuck with a maybe’ pile on the floor, it’s more then likely that it will end up as a ‘no’ pile,” she says. “Alternatively, I introduce a ‘one in, one out’ rule.” Be ruthless, be revitalized.
Review your mood board for inspiration, and consider scheduling a one-on-one session with a virtual stylist to brainstorm ways you can integrate those items with your essentials. Or, simply sleep on it and revisit the decision with a fresh pair of eyes.
As Coha says, it’s okay to feel attached to certain items. But you need to limit yourself to the physical ephemera that accumulates from all the good times. “Time to say goodbye to the dress you wore on a first date 15 years ago!” Coha says. She has a novel tip. “Instead of keeping a physical item, consider taking a photo.”
Step 6: Stow away out-of-season apparel
For those with more spacious homes, transfer these items to a guest room if available. For smaller spaces, a hall closet or under-bed storage are equally suitable options. If your closet space allows, Coha advises to separate your clothes by season. “Keep transitional weather pieces easily accessible while storing out-of-season items away,” she says. It’s also a good way to identify duplicates of staple pieces, and work out which clothing categories are top-heavy (Too many tops? Going hard on skirts?). If space is precious, Coha suggests prioritizing items in your wardrobe that can trascend season, too. “Look for items that can transition between different occasions and seasons, and clothes that are functional for work, and post work gatherings,” she says.
Step 7: Fold sweaters, hang bottoms
Fold most tops, including your t-shirts, tank tops, and turtlenecks. “I see a lot of people not organizing their sweaters in a proper way, so I recommend [folding] anything that s a chunkier knit or takes up space,” says Thomas. “You re able to visually see the prints and the chunk of the sweater. Plus, it wears better."
As for bottoms, Thomas recommends hanging them for a better view of their colors and denim wash. If your closet space is limited, velvet hangers are an absolute game-changer. Not only do they save space, but they’re also ideal for blouses and other delicate pieces of clothing.
Step 8: Opt for a system and stick with it
Thomas proposes a system of categorization, first by type, and then by color. For tops, she suggests also sorting them by sleeve length, then color.
Or, alternatively, organize your wardrobe in a way that suits your unique lifestyle, and that feels most natural. After all, “[closet organization] is an extension of you, it s not separate from you,” says Wilde. She has worked with clients to restructure their closet systems based on astrology, palette, and categories of personal meaning. “It winds up feeling like a whole new way of using their wardrobe," she says.
Step 9: Maintain your organized closet
A curated closet is an ongoing commitment. If you continue to tend to your closet after the cleanout, you ll only need minor seasonal edits twice a year. And when that happens, as Coha says, focus on quality over quantity, and clothes with versatility. Depending on how much space you have, Singla recommends keeping a designated basket in your closet for items that no longer fit, are past their prime, or no longer align with your signature style.
As you say goodbye to outdated trends and clothes that no longer fit, remember that style is a continuous evolution. Yes, it might sound corny, but it’s true. Let your closet be a canvas for your ever-changing fashion story.
