DON’T “Kondo” Your Closet

It’s New Year’s Resolution time .. and closet clean-outs are high on many to-do lists.  Despite all the buzz about the Kondo method, it probably isn’t the ideal way to tackle your wardrobe.  I’m certainly not opposed to purging.  But plenty of things that don’t set your heart aflutter with joy can still be valuable parts of your ideal wardrobe.  Let me explain …

Sometimes the most ordinary garments can become a lot more exciting in combination.  My chocolate brown ponte pencil skirt isn’t a heart-fluttery item  on its own.  But playing its part in 12 different outfits (five shown below) earns it some love, don’t you think?  So don’t purge workhorses – the items you can wear over and over without being obviously repetitive – even if they don’t independently spark joy.

Some ho-hum itms just need a fit tweak.  This animal print skirt and velveteen jean jacket initially felt questionable.  But what a diffrence when I had them tailored – tapering the skirt and shaping the jacket in to my curve-y shape. (This is an older photo – I’ve gotten better a smiling in selfies since then, thanks to your dozens of comments.)

So how do these examples inform your closet clean-out ?  I’d suggest pulling everything out of your closet and onto a garment rack.  Then purge:

• Anything visibly worn, stained, itchy or otherwise uncomfortable.  No joy is every likely to happen with those.
• Things that are just plain too small.  If your other resolution involves weight-loss,  store them elsewhere “just in case” but get them out of your active closet.
• Things that are seriously not your color.  Exception: a few basic black pieces IF you can make them more flattering in combinations that include your hair color.  Read more about that HERE.

Try on the remaining items and check for fit.  If they need a tweak, tie a little bow on the hanger as a reminder.

Hang things back into the closet, sorted by garment type and color.  Find hanging tips HERE.

Then start mixing and matching, either on your body or just laid out on the bed.  Slip a paper clip, small plastic ring or other marker onto the hanger each time you use a garment in a new combination. You’ll quickly start to identify which pieces are working hardest for you and which are not.

Added bonuses:

• You’ll have lots of new outfit ideas.  Cell phone pics are a great way to help remember them all.
• You’ll easily determine if your fit-tweak pieces are worth the investment.

Here’s to being the best-dressed YOU in 2020.