How to Declutter Your Wardrobe Fast!

There you are, Monday morning—staring at a closet full of clothes, like you're John Nash deciphering a German war code. You stare…and stare…and STARE, hoping that outfits will jump out at you screaming “WEAR ME!” Since that doesn't happen, you continue staring until your clothes seem to form one solid mass. That is, until you realize you're going to be late for work. It's early, you’re frustrated, exhausted, stressed out—and still left with one major unanswered question. WHAT. DO. I. WEAR.??? So, you take the path of least resistance, reach into your closet, and pull out that same old outfit that fits well, looks good, and you're comfortable wearing. Bor-ing . . .

Does this happen to you often? Then you could be a victim of the Pareto principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 rule. In fact, the vast majority of people only wear 20% of their closet 80% of the time. Don't believe me? Then let's play a game. The winner takes home the beginnings of a capsule wardrobe that is classic, timeless, and stress-free. Sorry, no cash prizes this time. Ready? Let's begin.

Take everything out of your closet and divide it into two piles. Anything you have worn in the last six months goes in the first pile, the rest in the second.

Put the first pile back in your closet.

Now look closer at the second pile and get ready to toss. How attached are you to these clothes? To find out, ask yourself these questions:

Do I LOVE it?

Does it fit me?

Do I feel good in it?

If your answer is no to any of those questions, then to quote Queen Elsa in Disney's Frozen, "let it go." Do yourself and the local thrift store a favor and get rid of it.

Life is too short, and closets are too small to keep holding on to clothes you can't wear. So take the stress out of getting dressed by only keeping what you love. Stop telling yourself you'll fit in it again. Concentrate on trimming the fat in your closet instead of your thighs (okay, that’s a whole other subject). Most of us fill our closets thinking we need as many options as possible. But as long as you have the right clothing, you don't really need that much. Once you strip your closet of what you don’t love, don’t wear, and don’t fit into anymore, you can start building your closet into a capsule wardrobe.

What should you keep in your closet so that your wardrobe is compact and timeless? Visit us next week at heidigammill.com to find out.