The Drawer Detox and Closet Cleanse
The Drawer Detox and Closet Cleanse - I don’t know how many times I would come home after a shop at my local mall and try to squeeze my hot new dress into my closet or my new grey top into overflowing drawers. Sometimes, I would even forget I bought something new simply because I couldn’t find it! I still try and hold onto my first ball dress that no longer fits and is so unfashionable I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.
The idea of this clean out is to help simplify your style and make walking into your wardrobe easy and less stressful. Its also to inspire new outfits and find out what you are lacking/missing in your wardrobe this way you can write a list of what’s missing and complete your styles.
Before I do my wardrobe and drawers I revisit my fashion Pinterest board and remind myself of outfits I love so that way I’m not just hanging onto items because in 5 years I might just need that 6th white t shirt ( just keep the one that looks the best on you).
So let’s get down to business – we have to cleanse and cull! TRUST ME, once you do it, you’ll feel like a whole new person!
I want to give you some tips on how to do what I’m calling the ‘drawer detox and closet cleanse’.
Firstly, make sure you put aside at least two or three hours. Feel free to have a wine in hand and some of your fav tunes playing in the background. Put your phone on silent. I’m telling you once you’re in the zone, you won’t want to be disrupted.
Let’s face it you’re probably not going to do this in a rush again.
1) Go and purchase a whole lot of new coat hangers.
2) Do your hair and put on some makeup. This will give you a better idea when trying on your clothes that are in the unsure pile.
3) Start with your drawers. Ideally, have a drawer for tops and singlets, a drawer for shorts and pants, etc. Now lay these out on the ground and ask yourself when you last wore it. Try it on. If it’s old enough that you no longer feel good in it, pop it in the Salvos pile!
I recommend dividing casual and dressier tops into sections. Put your favs at the top. Tip: If it’s dated, got strings hanging off it, or there’s bobbles around the armpits, put it in the ‘SEE YA!’ pile.
4) What should go in your draws – underwear, socks t-shirts, shorts, jumpers, exercise wear, your comfy go to clothes.
NOTE: Make sure you can see your item. Try rolling them to save space.
5) Once you’re satisfied with your drawers, walk to your wardrobe. Deep breaths, you’re halfway there!
6) This is where you need to do the initial cull. Take everything out of your closet. in sections, for example Tops, Pants, Skirts, Dresses, Blazers and clear things out that way first.
Go through every hanger and replace it with your new ones and face them all the same way. Only put your fav items back first. Ask yourself as you do this, ‘Does this look good on me? Why haven’t I worn it lately?’. Be honest, if you know you won’t wear the item in a year, put it in the Salvos pile.
The famous question – Does this bring me joy if not let it go!
7) Now start rehanging your clothes in sections: pants, skirts etc.
8) It helps to make a ‘work’ side and a ‘social’ side. I tend to color coordinate as well. This helps when getting ready to go somewhere. Go dark to light.
9) That’s it, you’re done! Take a step back and admire your new wardrobe. I would even go out and buy yourself something new to add to it (you deserve a reward for your handiwork, after all).