Out With the Old: Spring Cleaning Your Wardrobe

One of the best ways to re-organize your life in 2013 is to clean out old items and make space for new. If you are looking to get better organized to maximize time with friends, spouse, or kids -- or time for you -- it’s time to take a look at those items that have been lurking in the back of your closet and replace them with new, more functional wardrobe pieces.

Pull Everything Out
It’s hard to let go of clothing you love and think you’ll wear, or clothing that you have loved but has gone out of style. To do a major overhaul to your closet, pull everything out and lay it on the bed, so you can do an in-depth inventory of everything you have. Identify items you cannot live without. These are items that you wear on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Then identify items you are on the fence about. These include items that you wear monthly or what might have sentimental value. Then identify items you can get rid of. As you’re evaluating these items, be sure to consider that you can replace these items with things that fit your body and lifestyle better. You can even save money replacing things by using an express.com coupon code.

On the Fence
If you have items you’re having trouble parting with, think of friends who might benefit from having these items. Sometimes it’s easier to imagine parting with something you don’t use but consider valuable if you realize that someone you love might benefit from it more than you do. Consider setting up a clothing swap with a few friends, and you can replace your old items with new-to-you items and give new life to items you once valued.

Organize Your Closet
As you put items back in, take the time to organize them in a way that makes sense for you. Some people prefer to do this by color, and others prefer to do it by type-of-item. If you can, invest in some nice hangers -- possibly wood -- that will motivate you to cherish your wardrobe and encourage you to keep it organized in the future. Invest in any other organizational pieces, such as new laundry baskets, which will help you keep everything tidy and peaceful.