If you are expecting me to give you the same tired advice of cleaning your closet and drawers your wrong. Wait! You don’t know what I’m talking about? Okay, here is the way you are suppose to clean your closet. First you empty it and then you sort. If you have anything super good you could try taking it to a consignment shop and seeing if you can make a few bucks or simply place your items in the donate pile. If you are like me you probably even have a few items that just need to be in the trash. Yes, I know those sweats are comfortable, but they have had a coffee stain on them since 1999. It’s time to move on. I learned how to truly clean my closet during the latest Winter to Spring wardrobe rotation.
How to Clean Your Closet: (If you are a wacko like me.)
Let me start from the beginning, it happened one day when I was in New York City with my family having a great time. Then I saw it! The horrible pictures of me! When I left my house that day I thought I looked cute. I had slimmed down a bit and I was feeling scrappy. There was no saving me after I saw those photos. Did I really look like that? That dress was horrid! The sweater – What was I thinking! As soon as we got home I removed my clothes and promptly placed them in a trash bag to donate. I looked around my room at the piles of Spring clothes and bins. Was it possible that other atrocities were hiding in there? There was only one thing to do – I needed to take photos of myself in the clothes before I put them away. The camera doesn’t lie. I then realized anytime that I have ever thought, “Didn’t that person look at themselves in the mirror before they left the house?” was also a lie. I looked . I always look, but the camera helped me see something else. As much of a disappointment I found some clothes to be, I found others more beautiful than I thought. Some where along the way between being a mom and a wife I had lost some sense of style that made me who I am. In purging all the things that made me feel frumpy I found myself. I also found out that it’s not how others see me that matters, it’s always been how I see myself. I thought it was the other way around, but I now know it’s never been that way. It’s amazing that I learned all that from a bad photograph.
My rules:
1. Take your picture.
2. If the thought runs through your head, “I’ll save this for when…” Get rid of it!
3. If it looks good, but is uncomfortable- get rid of it!
4. Laugh at yourself.
5. Rejoice in who you are.
6. Move on
Time to Update:
So, now you have barely any clothes left, what do you do?
1. Buy a magazine- visit a fashion blog (My favorite Momtrends)
2. Make a list of what’s hot.
3. You can buy new stylish clothes at inexpensive places like Target or H&M. They will last you through the season.
4. Shop the clearance racks at high end store! You’d be surprised at what you can find at discount prices. If you are spending a good chunk of change make sure that the piece you buy is timeless. Do not spend big bucks on trendy pieces if you are on a budget.
5. Thrift stores and consignment shops are your friend. So many things come back in style and these places have them at rock bottom prices. Just call it VINTAGE!
6. Shoes do matter! Enough with the flip flops- spend money on good shoes your feet will thank you!
Walter Milani says
Throw away all your crocs!
Mare says
do not EVER throw away your Crocs… =)
beyourbestmom says
None to be found!LOL!
Ruth says
I can’t imagine trying on clothes, photographing myself, and then looking… I am so bad with my closet and my clothes. I keep trying to remind myself that my clothes are not my diary, but the reality is that I have such attachment to some of the items in my closet that it is ridiculous.
Milena! I need a closet intervention!!! ::help:::
beyourbestmom says
I’ll bring my camera!
Michelle Christiansen says
last summer I thought I was rocking ribbed tanks tops….until I saw our vaca photos!!! I’m doing myself (& the world) a favor this summer by keeping my sleeves on!
beyourbestmom says
LOL! That’s kind of what happened to me!
Giveaways 4 Mom says
These are some great tips. I am definitely over do when it comes to updating my wardrobe.
AmandaJean says
Ahhh, I don’t even want to think about this! My problem is that I have very few clothes that I hold onto everything just so I feel like I have a lot! hahaha
Staci L. says
We are in the process of moving and I am trying to go through everything as I pack–hoping this will help me start off with a neat and clean closet! Thanks for the tips!
Sarh Snarski says
I always have some reason to keep something, even if I don’t like it or it has a hole or something I always say oh, I’ll hold onto it to upcycle it then it sits in my closet for many more months! I’m a clothes hoarder I guess. haha
cindy b says
Oh wow i wish i would’ve read this yesterday! I just cleaned out my closet! lol.
Pal Raine says
So love that ATTITUDE you have there. Hahahaha…your rules really made me ROCK!
Krista says
This is a great idea – although I’d end up naked! I hate the way I look in everything, lol!
Ashley says
I need to use these pointers while cleaning out my closet!
Joanne says
Great tips Milena! I really need to go through my closet, but I have the dreaded “wait until I lose 10 pounds” disease – lol. I actually did some cleaning our recently and donated some dresses that were in great condition but no longer fit.
heather @ divas run for bling says
I have to clean out my closet about twice a year because I tend to add new clothes each season! Thanks for the tips on how to help
Anne says
I cleaned my closet out last month! It feels so good to get rid of stuff and clean out.
Victoria says
I clean out my closet about four times a year. These are some great tips though and I will keep them in mind when it is time to redo my wardrobe in a couple of months.
DeniseJ says
These are great tips. I really need to clean out my closet this summer.
Star Traci says
That’s really good advice. I do think that sometimes things look different than we think and as they say “the camera doesn’t lie”.
Great post.
🙂
Traci
DJ says
These are great tips. I will be cleaning up my wardrobe for new fall clothes and will be using these tips to help me.
Julie Wood says
Great Tips! I cleaned out my closet this summer and got rid of the clothes that I have not worn for 10 years! It is insane to keep all these old clothes.
Natalie says
I truly need to update my wardrobe! I also love to shop at thift shops.