How to Transition and Purge Your Way to Wardrobe Bliss

Fall may have arrived, but in Oklahoma we know all too well that those warmer temps can stick around well into the season. This can make for a trickle effect when it comes to transitioning our wardrobe.

If you are on a budget, skip buying transitional pieces and save your money to purchase more functional winter clothes. Just keep those summer clothing items you can mix and match over the next couple months with darker colors, richer textures, tights, and a little added warmth. Think cardigans over short sleeve shirts and dresses, and shorts paired with booties to create fall ready looks.

It’s also the perfect time to rid your closet of unwanted clothes, shoes, and accessories. That’s right, folks, it’s time to purge!

Purge, purge, purge! You can do it! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 We’ve got your back, with our simple guide to an organized, streamlined closet bliss!

1. 01Take everything out of your closet and drawers
2. 02Sort each pile by garment type (shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, etc.). Then sort by seasons – spring/summer/fall/winter.
3. 03From here, you’ll create five piles:
   • Keep: Only keep clothes you’ve worn in the last year {Unless it’s a fancy formal…there will come a day again when we are venturing back out to black tie events.}
   • Keep but Fix: You want to keep an item but it’s missing a button or needs to be hemmed….do not put it back in your closet. I repeat, do not put it back in your closet. Take your “Keep but Fix” pile to a tailor or shoe repair shop ASAP. If you wait too long, I promise that same pile will be there next year. Everything that goes back into your closet after a purge should be clean and neat.
   • Sell: Consigning unwanted, mid-to-high dollar, brand name items through a local shop or an online site, like ThredUP can score you $$$ for your next shopping spree. PSA: ThredUP gives up to 85% of the sale on luxe designer bags!
     • Bonus: Turn in an old pair of jeans (any brand) at a Madewell store and they’ll turn them into housing insulation. In return, you’ll get $20 off your next pair of brand-new jeans!
   • Donate: Lightly worn, unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories can be donated to a charity of your choice. Make sure the items you are donating are clean and don’t have holes or stains on them. Not sure where to donate? We are fans of Goodwill and Dress for Success.
   • Recycle: It is time to send damaged clothes and accessories on their next journey. This includes items with rips and tears, irreversible stains and/or worn out, pilled, grunginess. In true Marie Kondo fashion, thank the item for the love it has shown you and wish it well in hopes someone else will benefit from its upcycled goodness.
4. 04Return to your “Keep” pile and group “like” clothing together. For example, you’ll want all your sweaters to go in the same drawer. If you are an overachiever, you can organize by color as well to make planning any outfit a breeze moving forward. We are all about systems, people. If you want to pack and store your spring/summer wardrobe, continue on to Step 5. If not, skip to Step 7.
5. 05Before you pack up and store your spring/summer attire, take the time to launder or dry clean everything. Nothing ruins the first weekend of summer like a food stain from last year!
6. 06Time to store your clothes. You have several storage options, whether you get a plastic storage bin for under your bed like this one from the Container Store or luggage you don’t plan to use anytime soon. Just make sure whatever it is you use is durable and that your clothes are covered and labeled. We also recommend rolling your clothes, instead of folding them, since this takes up less space and prevents creases.
7. 07Time to return your “Keep” pile back into your closet and drawers. Consider investing in slim, velvet hangers that take up less space and keep everything looking uniform. This 50-pack from Amazon will set you back around $20. We are also big fans of vertically folding your shirts and leggings, so you can see what all you have in your drawer. Marie Kondo shows you how it’s done here.
8. 08Now, with your fall/winter clothes organized, you can go shopping to fill any gaps in your wardrobe – yay!! But most importantly, maintain your systems! But how, you ask? Try sticking to the tried and true motto, “do it now.” Take that extra step and hang up your clothes, even if it’s past your bedtime – do it now.
9. 09Congratulations, you’ve finished!!! Now go pour yourself a glass of prosecco or Topo Chico and take a load off. You deserve it!