So I have been “organizing my closet” for close to a year now. I’m not kidding… it’s that bad. Last winter my closet decided it had enough and just detached from the wall. See below:
No worries, it has been reattached to the wall and I have done a LOT of work on it since then. But it is still a space that is hard for me to be inspired in. I try to set clothes out the night before if possible, but I don’t always think about it. And sometimes it is fun to choose your outfit with how you’re feeling in the morning, along with checking out the temperature outside (especially right now… silly winter weather this late in March!)
Anyway, I don’t have enough space in our apartment walk-in right now to create my dream closet, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do a better job of going through my clothes, selling, donating and reorganizing the clothes I have. So I have been reading a lot of articles lately looking for new organization and closet cleaning tips and came across this one on Lucky Magazine with tips from Clinton Kelly. For some reason, these tips resonated more with me than any other article I’ve read. I’m sure it was mostly the same advice, just presented in a different way. Anyway, it was motivating enough that I have decided to try out his way of doing things, which is taking ALL of your clothes out of your closet and trying EACH and EVERY piece on. He admits it is an exhausting process, but no one has ever complained about having a clean, organized closet.
And keep in mind—
Too small: DONATE/SELL
Too big: DONATE/SELL
One size too big: TAKE TO A TAILOR
Anything you haven’t worn in a year: DONATE/SELL
So here’s the deal, I don’t think I could accomplish this all in one day (or part with all the things I probably need to part with in one day), so I’m going to start with one section of my closet and move onto the next. I might do two sections a weekend or per week, but this way I feel a bit more accomplished each week and eventually I will have the end result . After all is said and done, I will probably buy some more organizational tools to help with what I’ve kept, but my closet should be a lot more manageable at this point. I have lots of clothes from high school and college still, and it isn’t necessarily that they don’t fit or I don’t still like the style, but I don’t have anywhere to wear them. Why am I keeping them then? This is why it has come to this… sigh.
My closet is organized by type and color, so blouses, cardigans, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, dresses, pants, pencil skirts, jeans, etc. (ranging from red to purple and then neutrals). This weekend I will start with blouses and cardigans.
Via A Simple Affair
Then maybe my closet will look a little better, maybe something like this:
via Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill
And someday, hopefully not too far away like this:
A girl is allowed to dream, right? 🙂
Do you have any other great tips you have for closet cleaning? Have you tried a closet cleaning process like this before? Please let me know how it went if you have!
67 Comments
Ashleigh
March 22, 2013 at 11:58 AMRachel, one winter that happened to me TWICE! I finally Moved my clothing racks to the opposite wall and used wall anchors to keep it in place. I also bought a peg board and painted it pink and used pegs to keep my jewelry organized. Now that I’ve moved, my closet is a lot smaller. I bought two large storage bins and keep out of season clothes in them at the very, very back of it. It really seemed to help! I love that you are revamping your closet. I’m gonna do the same with mine! wish me luck and good luck to you!
Rachel
March 22, 2013 at 11:59 AMAshleigh, I think I will definitely need some storage bins to help keep it more organized because it is just too small to keep all my clothes out! And thank you, I’m going to need it! Good luck to you!
Jen
March 22, 2013 at 11:59 AMSomething very similar happened to my husband’s side of the closet (thank goodness it wasn’t mine lol)! So we had to redesign the whole space in the end. I love all your inspirational photos – I hope one day to have a closet similar to the last photo 🙂
xo jen
Judith
March 22, 2013 at 12:49 PMBuena organización!!
Saludos
http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es
Alyssa
March 22, 2013 at 1:26 PMI need to do a serious closet overhaul. But BY THE WAY, the same thing happened to my parent’s walk in closet. I was home alone and heard a HUGE crash. I was super freaked out until I realized what it was, then I just laughed haha
Rachel
March 22, 2013 at 1:27 PMGlad to know I’m not the only one! haha… my boyfriend tried to convince me it was my fault for having so many clothes. I mean, come on?! Not my fault 😉
Rachelle
March 22, 2013 at 1:38 PMOMG that’s my biggest fear in life. Closet collapsing THE HORROR!!! But I either need a bigger closet or to get rid of some of my babies snif snif…
xo
http://pinksole.com
Rachel
March 22, 2013 at 2:43 PMhaha mine has done this too- it’s the worst!
Amaris
March 22, 2013 at 3:14 PMWOW, I can’t believe your closet did that haha! That’s when you know you have a little too much stuff :p I’m going to start spring cleaning soon too, good luck with yours!
Rachel
March 22, 2013 at 3:17 PMI know right, LOL. WHOOPS! Thank you! Good luck to you as well 🙂
Cammila
March 22, 2013 at 4:08 PMHa! That exact same thing happened to me in an apartment I used to live in. I felt so silly.
Seriously though, you’re taking the smart approach. I need all the help and inspiration I can get. Good luck with your ongoing mission — you must post some pictures of your final results!
Diana Marks
March 22, 2013 at 4:43 PMI wish I had the closet like on the last photo!
LA By Diana Live Magazine
Brynn
March 22, 2013 at 5:27 PMOh my gosh, that picture of your closet looks like a nightmare!!! How horrifying!
I LOVE cleaning out my closet! I lay out all my clothes on the bed, one type at a time (start with shirts, then cardigans, then dresses, etc.). I try every piece on, and put it in a “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” or “Fix” pile. For items that I haven’t worn much, I try to make at least 3-5 outfits with it…if I can’t figure anything out with the clothes I already have, I get rid of the item. When I put my items back in the closet, they go in according to type, and then in a ROYGBIV order (although I separate patterns from solids, and neutrals are arranged from light to dark).
Seeing a clean, organized closet is one of the best feelings EVER.
Good luck my dear! Would you ever do a closet inventory? Those are my favorite kinds of blog posts 🙂
Rachel
March 25, 2013 at 9:54 AMBrynn,
Thanks for your comment! Sounds like you have this closet cleaning process under control! And I used to just do ROYGBIV … but yesterday as I started putting clothes back in the closet, I arranged them similarly to what you said above! I like it so much more to have my solids and patterns separated 🙂 Also I was sure how to arrange my neutrals… light to dark sounds good too! 🙂
I can’t wait to have that feeling. I just got through blouses, blazers and have of my shirts yesterday and I can already see a difference. I never thought about doing a closet inventory, but I guess I should think about it for what I still have left to go through!
anngelik
March 22, 2013 at 5:55 PMOh I like the way your closet came out, I probably should clean mine.
-Vogue&Heels
vogueandheels.com
Rachel
March 25, 2013 at 9:55 AMHaha, actually my closet is STILL a mess. This is how organized I WANT it to look. So we shall see! Working on it 🙂
Sue
March 22, 2013 at 7:03 PMI’ve never done anything like this, though I don’t think I’m yet to the point where I might need to do a full-wardrobe cleanout, but I could probably stand to ditch most of my t-shirts…and my old “super super baggy jeans and shirts together are a good look” phase clothes. Good luck!
xo
Sue
Jessica
March 22, 2013 at 8:59 PMOh no! haha…cleaning out a closet can definitely be overwhelming! I don’t really have that problem yet because when I moved across the country I could only take clothes that I really used/needed. So it was easy to start out with a clean closet! And OMG I wish my closet looked like that last picture!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
AJ
March 22, 2013 at 9:13 PMGreat tips and info! I organize my closets (yes, I have 4) by type and color 🙂
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
Janet Lee Mandell
March 23, 2013 at 2:46 AMLOVE the new closet! YES we can all dream to have a closet like the one above…..especially cuz of the space and layout. I would live in a closet like that.
http://fashion-a-holic.com
Linda
March 23, 2013 at 1:49 AMThis has seriously inspired me to clean out my closet for spring!
Trendy Teal
Red Tag Chic Los Angeles
March 23, 2013 at 5:14 PMHahaha thanks for reminding me that I also have to do something about my closet…..I feel it will cave in any minute like the 1st picture! But you did a great job….I'm jealous!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Amy
March 23, 2013 at 12:29 PMOh, that is awful that it fell off of the wall like that:( My closet is so small, I definitely dream of a day where I can have a walk-in closet!!
xoAmy
http://www.dreamingincashmere.com
Rena
March 23, 2013 at 3:05 PMOh, this sounds to be a difficult task! I´m very happy that I have a dressing room which includes my wardrobe. I share this with my lovely husband, but to be honest my husband hasn´t maybe not enough space for his clothes 😉
xx
Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de
Rachel
March 25, 2013 at 9:58 AMHahaha! Love it 🙂 I got the walk in closet and my boyfriend has the much smaller closet in the other room 🙂 I have also taken over our coat closet with too many coats 😉
Yasmeen (Castle Fashion)
March 23, 2013 at 10:45 PMI tried the donate/sell approach last winter but it gets exhausting because sometimes you don’t know how long to list things for. I think it’s safe to say that if an item doesn’t sell after a month, it’s a donate! I definitely have to go through this process again soon …so dreading it ;__;
Yasmeen
Castle Fashion
Rita
March 23, 2013 at 11:50 PMRachel you would not believe the size of my closet. It’s way to small…and it gives me so much anxiety. I read the article and he is so right…I don’t even wear 3/4 of the clothes in my closet. It’s sad. But these are great tips! I hope you get your dream closet one day:)!
Rachel
March 24, 2013 at 10:32 AMRita, haha, mine gives me anxiety too! And yes, I just need to do it! I just started yesterday and so far so good. I made A HUGE pile of giveaway items … of things I have been holding onto for way too long!
life is a shoe
March 24, 2013 at 2:20 AMgreat post! so organized
lyddiegal
March 24, 2013 at 8:31 AMcleaning the closet is a never ending battle – but it always seems like you never have a closet big enough to hold all the clothes you want! Which is how we get into the dangerous territory of things breaking, haha.
Glad you’ve been working hard to edit your closet and get things looking better.
Chic on the Cheap
Rachel
March 24, 2013 at 10:49 AMThanks! Yes, I feel it will always be a never ending battle. Hopefully I can catch up a little bit though 😉
Aga's suitcase
March 24, 2013 at 9:15 AMBeautiful examples. Really impressive blog, love your style. If you want check mine and we could follow each other:-)
Kisses
Aga
New post
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Follow me at Bloglovin!
http://www.agasuitcase.com
Natalia Gutiérrez
March 24, 2013 at 6:02 PMI recently moved, and since then I haven't finished to clean my closet. I never find what I'm looking for and is really exhausting. Thank you for the great advice and specially for sharing pictures from a real closet 🙂
http://www.graceintemporelle.com
Rachel's Lookbook
April 7, 2013 at 4:02 AMHaha, you're welcome! I know I feel like I would have loved to just show WHAT I really want my closet to look like someday, but I need to be realistic about this whole thing 🙂
ROXTHEFOX
March 24, 2013 at 4:14 PMHaha, that’s so funny, I just went through ‘spring cleaning’ my closet as well. I def need more room. And I love your closet, it’s so organized. I think my next house will be based on the closet size… that last picture is to die for. *sigh… we can dream!
BTW, would you like to follow each other on facebook?
http://WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
Megan
March 25, 2013 at 8:04 AMI would love to have a huge, walk-in closet! As it is, I have a tiny, cramped space that barely holds my stuff 😀 I think it was a blessing in disguise that your closet fell apart – now you get to reorganize it and clean it up!
Rachel
March 25, 2013 at 10:03 AMIt really is… and we are hopefully moving this fall, so it will feel so nice to move only the clothes I love, not an entire full of stuff I just couldn’t let go of! I can’t wait to share the end result!
Julie, from prosecco to plaid
March 25, 2013 at 9:57 AMI need to organize my closet, too! Big time! Love these photos for inspiration! Wish I had a bigger closet. That would help tremendously!! xo, Julie
Heiress
March 25, 2013 at 10:12 AMReally Rachel ? Do you have such a huge closet? Well it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that you own so much, since you are such a good OOTD blogger 🙂
But well we hope you manage everything soon and weekly plan seems like a good idea!
Much Love
The Heiress Blog
Rachel
March 25, 2013 at 10:15 AMI don’t have a HUGE closet… just too many things. It is a bigger closet than I’ve had in the past and I kept putting things in it, but nothing ever came out! haha, anyway 🙂 Already making good progress!
H&K Style Journey
March 25, 2013 at 10:55 AMCloset cleaning is such a daunting task! I usually do large purges at the start of winter and spring then also purge throughout the year. Keeping clothes organized by type definitely helps to know what you have. I used to be really anal and organzie by color, but I just don’t have time anymore. Good luck! Heather
Tiffany Style Blog
March 25, 2013 at 10:59 AMAh! I feel ya!! I just cleaned mine out a couple of weeks ago, I feel like I have more motivation if I take a good BEFORE pic, so I am working towards the AFTER pic! LOL And i also started a “Magical Closets” board on pinterest a while back and it always keeps me inspired!! A little inspiration always helps!! http://pinterest.com/tiffanytweet/magical-closets/ I also wrote my own lil version of Clinton Kelly’s tips a while back that does not include the “donate if you haven’t worn it in however many months,” etc.. I call it the “Fashion Girls Guide to Closet organization.” http://www.tiffanystyleblog.com/2011/08/fashion-girls-guide-to-closet.html Last but not least – POSHMARK! I just started it last month- so much easier to sell old stuff!! Hope this helps!! xoxo
Tiffany
http://www.tiffanystyleblog.com
two birds
March 25, 2013 at 11:43 AMif it makes you feel any better, i don’t have any sort of walk-in. i lterally have a door, and a lot of clothes. best of luck!! we’re thinking of doing a swap soon if you’re interested in coming!
two birds
March 25, 2013 at 11:43 AMif it makes you feel any better, i don’t have any sort of walk-in. i lterally have a door, and a lot of clothes. best of luck!! we’re thinking of doing a swap soon if you’re interested in coming!
Shanna Schneider
March 25, 2013 at 11:54 AMOh Lord, if you saw my closet you would die….total disaster zone!!! Will you come organize it!? 🙂
Amy
March 25, 2013 at 2:13 PMOh my goodness! I can’t believe your closet just fell out like that!
I have a pretty big closet (not a walk in), another smaller one, a rolling rack, bins of clothes under my bed and two dressers…and I still have issues organizing…so don’t feel bad! Getting rid of stuff is a huge process for me…I usually have to do it in cycles or else I won’t get rid of enough!
Good luck!!! 🙂
xo Amy
Marika
March 25, 2013 at 3:24 PMI need an shoes wardrobe like this in the pics!!!
Follow me on http://laviecestchic.blogspot.it
xoxo
Jewel
March 25, 2013 at 6:36 PMHey Rachel! So glad I found you via instagram! I love spring cleaning or any cleaning for that matter that allows me to play with my wardrobe. What I did was went to menards and purchased a organizing system and had it installed. I removed the folding doors from my closet and have my pretty colored clothes within eye view. I also have a rack in special corner for my most special pretty pieces. I’ve been meaning to do a video on it but have no idea how to edit so we’ll see. Looking forward to meeting you! have a great day, Rachel! xo!
Jewel
Rachel
March 26, 2013 at 1:17 PMJewel, I am so glad you found me too! haha 🙂 I LOVE meeting other fashion bloggers in the area! Sounds like you have an amazing closet! I don’t know how to edit videos either, I have done a couple YouTube ones, but the quality is poor. Oh well 🙂 I would love to see your closet! Hope to meet up one day soon!
Grace @ Wrinkled Chiffon
March 26, 2013 at 6:57 AMLove the Spring cleaning post and yes, a girl can dream! Love that closet pic! Hope you are doing well. If you have a chance, I would love for you to stop by my blog and check out my latest post…and stay tuned for tomorrow’s giveaway! Have a great day.
xo Grace
http://www.wrinkledchiffon.com
Ashley
March 26, 2013 at 9:46 AMRachel, I love this idea!
I have to swap out clothes with the seasons (spring/summer, winter/fall), so I take that opportunity to do an edit of the clothes I’m bringing out/putting away. It has served me pretty well- although I can always use more organization! 🙂
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
shareasecret
March 26, 2013 at 10:18 AMNice Blog!!! Love that short of closet! I have the same!!
http://www.shareasecret.wordpress.com
xoxo
Always Maylee
March 26, 2013 at 10:23 AMOh my gosh, I dream of a big and beautiful walk-in closet with a whole section for shoes and another for accessories. Sigh. Your post definitely reminded me that I should do some spring cleaning as well! 🙂
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Rach
March 26, 2013 at 10:57 AMgreat organization!!!! You do not want to see my closet lol…an organization day is much needed lol
http://www.sugarfilledcloset.com
lucia
March 26, 2013 at 1:17 PMlove it!
xx
http://www.aroundlucia.com
http://www.aroundlucia.com
Meggan
March 26, 2013 at 1:41 PMUgh I need to clean out my closet so bad! I will start to do it then get overwhelmed because I want to keep everything! hoarder….
The Marcy Stop
March 26, 2013 at 1:51 PMI totally feel your pain with the rack coming off the wall! The same thing happened when I first moved into my apt. Good luck with your transformation! Your inspiration photos have me craving a change too!
xL
Enter to win a $300 Shopping Spree!
Sheila
March 26, 2013 at 4:13 PMThat’s happened to me before!! Good luck with your organization to your closet. I love the last photo! 🙂
xo- Sheila
Olivia
March 26, 2013 at 7:52 PMIt’s definitely a long and sometimes stressful project – but it’s so worth it! I’ve been cleaning my closet for weeks now. I’ve put up a lot on Poshmark and have multiple trashbags full of things to donate. Now I’m going to start trying to make it look pretty! Is it lame that I really want all matching hangers? Haha. Good luck on the your cleanse!! xo
go for the glam
Maya
March 26, 2013 at 8:16 PMOH NO OH NO! I’m so happy you were able to fix your closet – that’s one of my biggest fears, haha. I love how organized your new closet is, I’m impressed 🙂
xx,
Maya
Heather
March 27, 2013 at 6:00 AMOk that is my nightmare! How did you deal with that…. I would have cried for sure 🙂 I am also doing a closet overhaul – what a project!
XO
Pearls & Paws
stylishbynature
March 27, 2013 at 7:30 AMGlad you are all sorted now 🙂 Kisses
New Post up…
❤ StylishByNature.com
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