An Intentional Closet
Closet curation tips that align with the spirit of living intentionally
Over the holidays, I spent time with dear friends in Sun Valley, and as the new year approached, they introduced me to one of their new year traditions – creating a vision board. Filled with images symbolizing family memories they hope to create and career milestones they aspire to achieve in 2024, my friends’ vision board served as a vivid testament to positivity and intention.
While I am not avid enthusiast of traditional new year’s resolutions, my friends’ manner of consciously setting goals strongly resonated with me. My personal vision board will undoubtedly include photos of happy children, exciting travel images and pictures of streamlined, purposeful spaces that I’d like to create in 2024. And, as a style expert, what better place to begin than with a well-edited closet? As we step into this new year, I’m excited to share closet curation tips that align with the spirit of living intentionally.
Thin out your closet
On Instagram, you’ve likely seen closets as big as a small home, exuding luxury and abundance. Those images will not be on my vision board because they are contrary to a well-edited closet. I know this because, as a former consumer marketer tasked with shaping product offerings, I learned about the “paradox of choice.” It suggests that a consumer faced with an abundance of options often experiences decision fatigue and dissatisfaction with their final selection. Consistent with this phenomenon, a closet overflowing with clothing can lead to analysis paralysis. It doesn’t simplify the daily dilemma of choosing what to wear. Hence, it’s crucial to routinely sift through your clothing to prevent your closet from succumbing to clutter over time. Consider the following suggestions for editing your wardrobe.
Start by sorting your clothes by season and assess each category individually. If you discover items untouched during their useful season, delve into the reasons behind their neglect. If you have not worn an item because of a misalignment with your current style preferences or a consequence of a lifestyle change like a new job, a move, or becoming a mother, consider parting ways with it. If it is a special occasion piece, question whether it will be relevant within the next year; if not, discard it to make room for clothing better suited to your day-to-day lifestyle. Donate or sell any items still in good condition. I personally sell items that I have decided to discard through both The RealReal and ThredUp or I donate them to Goodwill.
Once you’ve considered functionality, take the next step and try any items you have not worn recently. This hands-on approach enables you to make informed decisions about fit. If something no longer fits well and cannot be altered to suit your physique, remove it from your wardrobe. Similarly, if an item is beyond repair, discard it. By blending thoughtful consideration with practical evaluation, you’ll pare down your clothing options to a more manageable number of items. Once you do, the items that you enjoy wearing will be in full view and within easy reach.
Audit your closet
While decluttering your closet, consider creating an inventory of your wardrobe. Although the process might initially seem daunting, the invaluable insights gained make it well worth the effort. Utilizing a wardrobe inventory app allows you to digitally catalog your clothing, capturing essential details such as color, brand, size, seasonality, and price. This not only provides you with a comprehensive understanding of your possessions but also fosters mindfulness in your future clothing decisions.
Having personally used the Stylebook app for several years, I can vouch for its effectiveness. It not only tallies the precise number of my clothing items (I own five pairs of jeans), but because I log what I wear each day in Stylebook, the app calculates the cost-per-wear of each article of my clothing. Cost-per-wear is a financial metric that evaluates the value of a clothing item based on how often it's worn. A lower cost-per-wear signifies a more economical purchase, indicating frequent use that justifies the initial cost. This concept encourages consumers to prioritize quality and versatility, fostering a sustainable and mindful approach to fashion. Notably, my most-loved jeans boast an impressive cost-per-wear of $1.19. I have worn them enough to justify their initial substantial price tag.
Maintaining an inventory and tracking the cost-per-wear of my clothing has led to other insightful discoveries about my dressing habits, transforming me into a more conscientious shopper. For example, I get far more utility from separates than dresses. I still buy the occasional dress, but I am more thoughtful when I do.
Add to your closet mindfully
As you refine and evaluate your wardrobe, you may identify specific gaps that you'd like to address. If you've been following my Instagram posts, you’re likely aware that I argue for making mindful additions to your collection. For me, that means opting for high-quality pieces that complement your unique beauty. In an early December article, I discussed the benefit of identifying the colors that best reflect your natural coloring. Not only do these colors make you appear healthy and vital, but they also coordinate well with one another, making it easier to maintain a tighter edit with fewer pieces. If you’d like assistance identifying your best colors, reach out or comment below, and I’d be happy to recommend a service for you.
To prevent over-buying, any new item you add to your wardrobe should elicit a full-body ‘yes’ when you see yourself in it in the mirror. Alternatively, it should address a specific need or problem you have, such as finding the right heel height for a pair of pants you already own.
To avoid contributing to closet clutter, consider implementing a “one in, one out” rule. If you acquire a new item, consider letting go of an existing one to maintain a balanced and intentional closet.
A well-curated closet is both a reflection of your mindful choices and a very practical asset. Here’s to a year of purposeful wardrobe decisions! If a refined closet is a part of your 2024 plans, following me on Instagram and subscribing to The Stylish Sabbatical substack is a good start!