Smart Ways to Spring-Clean Your Closet

Professional organizer Andrew Mellen helps you tame your overstuffed closet.

Joy Booker makes every inch of her closet count. Photo: Bjorn Wallender
Joy Booker makes every inch of her closet count. Photo: Bjorn Wallender

My clients have a lot of "someday" best. "Someday I'm going to fit into these again." "Someday this trend might return." "Someday I'm going to wear this." The problem is, "someday" doesn't exist; there's only today. Here's what to do with what's being worn only by your hangers.

1. Clothes That Don't Fit
If you've gained weight, keep the smaller-sized clothes that you'll get the most use from and work on fitting into them again. If you've already lost weight, don't keep a whole closetful of big clothes as though one day you're going to suddenly be struck fat; donate them.

Related: The right way to break fashion rules

2. Trend Items
If you're waiting for something to come back in style, don't. Even if it does return, it will look dated-and so will you.

Related: How to pull off the season's best fashion trends on any budget

3. Special Occasion Outfits
The rule that says "If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it" is a fine guide for when to say goodbye.

Related: Where to donate anything

4. Sentimental Pieces
You say, "I really loved this jacket." I know you did. But if you haven't worn it in ages and it doesn't work with your other clothes, it's time for it to go away. If you're saving your wedding dress, be honest-do you have the space to store it? Do you have a daughter you're saving it for, and is it a timeless classic she won't roll her eyes at? If the answers are yes, keep it. If you're short on storage space, you have only sons, or your dress has puffy sleeves, lace, and buttons up the arms because you did a kind of Linda Ronstadt circa 1974 thing, give it to a thrift store or DonateMyDress.org, which provides formal wear to girls who can't afford prom or special occasion dresses.

Related: Stylish women reveal their Ingenious storage solutions


Now that you have a closetful of clothes that you actually wear, organize them-all the short-sleeved shirts together, all the jeans together, etc. Do the same with your shoes. If you have the space, they can be kept on shelves so you can see them immediately. If not, try stacking shelves or hanging shoe racks.

Related: More ways to unclutter every room of the house

Tell Us: What's the hardest thing to part with? Old evening dresses you'll never wear again? The falling-apart sweatshirt from your college days?Let us know in the comments!

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