10 Detailed Steps to a Great Capsule Wardrobe and Organized Closet

I don’t know about you but I have cleaned out my closet hundreds of times and thought “This is the last time I’m going to have to do this”.  Of course, my closet somehow became an unorganized mess!

Then, I finally came to the realization, no matter how much I “organize” my closet it will never stay clean and organized until I get rid of some of some of the “mess” I have been hanging onto for years.

I know how hard it is to get rid of items that you paid a lot of money for….or if you are like me, I may wear this again if I lose weight…or if I go to a cocktail party downtown. (Because I go to so many cocktail parties with 4 kids)

So let’s get real here, we only wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time.  Or if your like me…10% of your wardrobe 90% of the time!

Follow these steps – in order – and you will get a closet and a great capsule wardrobe that you hear angels sing when you open your closet door.  You’ll want to just sit in your closet and stare at its beauty.   Ok, enough of the flowery talk, let’s get down to work!

1. Take everything, and I mean everything out of your closet.  I know you will be tempted to take a shortcut on this step…but don’t!  This is a very important step!  Throw all of your clothes on your bed or hang them on a rod…anywhere that you can easily sort them.  We’ll get back to them.

2.  Once you get everything out, wipe down everything.  Walls, shelves, baseboard and clean whatever flooring you have in you closet at this time too.   Your closet should smell fresh and clean when you are done.

3. Now, figure out the best use of your space.  Do you need more shelf space?  Better shoe storage? This is the time to add/remove anything that works/doesn’t work.

4.  Once you have your storage figured out and put in place it’s time to dress it up.  Paint it a bright cheery color (just make sure you use low odor paint and wait at least 24 hours before putting anything back in your closet).  You can also hang wallpaper on the focal wall.  You can use peel and stick wallpaper….it is so easy to use and not permanent.  Make it a space that you love to look at.

5.  Now it’s time to get brutal!  Take a look at your clothes….especially the ones you wear the most.  Pull out the 20% that you wear 80% of the time.  Do you notice anything about them?  Are they similar in color or style?  You will probably start to notice that you do have a “style”…even if it is “Mommy Comfy”.  Take note of the fit or style that flatters you.  Be real here.  I know we feel like we should “dress up” our style, but be realistic…if you are a stay at home mom or if you love to dress comfortable on the weekends because you have to wear business wear all week don’t try to make your “style” something that it really isn’t.  We don’t want to set ourselves up for failure.

6.  Now let’s go through the remaining 80% of your clothes.  Dressing comfortable does not mean you dress sloppy…you can be comfortable and still look great!  Pick out any items that will work with your tried and true favorites.  Start out by picking out the clothes that are similar colors to your fave’s.  You want clothes in your closet that you can mix and match….to get more bang for your buck.  I like to stick to black, white, gray and camel colored clothes.  It makes it so easy to mix and match!  If you don’t like black, navy works well with most colors.  I know this step takes some time because you have to try on the clothes that you are trying to match with your favorite items.  But it’s worth it!  DO NOT keep anything that you don’t feel great in!  Be honest…don’t keep anything that you MIGHT need in the future.  If you really have an important event you probably will want to buy something new for it or wear something that you love and feel comfortable and confident in.

7.  Try on the clothes you love and make you feel great in and add a cute jacket or a cute accessory to it.  Figure out ways to make each piece go further for you.  It’s okay to wear your favorite leggings or yoga pants as long as you wear a cute top with it….it is so easy to mix and match comfy and workout clothes with today’s styles.  Put together 5 or 6 outfits that you feel great in…that way when you need an outfit in a pinch you are all set.

8.  Now comes the fun part!  Put the clothes you love to wear back in your closet.  I hang my clothes by color…tanks, short sleeve to long sleeve.  It makes it so easy to mix and match when all of your white tops are all in one spot.

9.  Put your accessories where you can see them…hang your necklaces and scarves where you can easily see them.  Command strips have some great decorative hooks and small knobs.  If you have the room, hang a mirror or a great picture.  Make your closet feel like a luxury dressing room.

10.  Now for your remaining clothes….this is tough.  You will be thinking, I can’t get rid of all of this…I won’t have anything to wear!  Trust me,  you never wore them anyway.  If you are brave – take your remaining clothes to a resell shop or goodwill right away!  If you are still a little nervous put them in bins or under bed storage.  If you don’t go digging in those bins within 6 months GET RID of them!!!

Enjoy feeling lighter, less stressed and looking great in your new capsule wardrobe and beautifully organized closet!