How to Spring Clean Your Closet

By Jordon Knicley

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We’re all familiar with spring cleaning our houses, but now is also the perfect time to spring clean your closet. Cleaning your closet may seem like a daunting task. But, look at it this way; the more clothes you get of rid now, the more you can shop for later!

If you go into your closet cleaning project organized, it will be much easier and will take you half the time.

Clothes to Ditch

Let’s be honest, we all have that one (or many!) item in our closet that we see every morning. But we’ll never wear it. Maybe it’s not our current style or maybe it doesn’t fit quite right. Or we have that pair of jeans from college that we’re hoping and praying to fit back into again. (They’re probably acid-washed and Jordache). Those are the first pieces that need to go!

Usually, the pieces that need to go are trends that have come and gone. Don’t wait for them to come back around, only keep the items that are timeless.

Clothes to Keep

As a general rule, you’ll want to keep staples such as a button-up blouse, a black blazer and a great pair of jeans (that fit).

You also want to keep the pieces that can be layered so they can be worn all year round. For instance, a flowy slip dress that can be worn by itself in the spring, but also in the winter under a cable sweater.

How to Spring Clean Your Closet

First, sort through your closet and see if there is anything that jumps out to you. Any pieces you definitely want to get rid of? Anything that no longer fits? Anything you haven’t worn in the past 5 years?

You should have 3 boxes or bags. Sort into three piles: 1 pile as giveaway items, 1 pile as trash, and 1 pile that are maybe’s. As you start to go through your closet there will be items that you are not sure about, place them in that “maybe” and revisit at the end.

The giveaway pile should be items that are still in great condition but either don’t fit or you know are something you will just not wear again. (But, someone else might!) You can donate these to Goodwill, take them to a consignment store, or try donating them to an organization like Woman to Woman Mentoring. The trash pile is for items that are damaged or over-worn and need to be buried and sent off to wardrobe heaven.

The maybe pile is for those pieces you’re just not sure about.

Sort Through The Maybe’s

Here are some questions you need to ask when deciding on those maybe’s. These questions will help you decide what stays and goes.

Does it still fit?
Have you worn it in the last 12 months?
When would I wear it again?
If I saw it in a store now would I buy it?
Does it look good on me and do I feel confident in it?
Is it in good condition?

If you answered no to 1 or more of these questions then you need to say goodbye and add them to either the giveaway or trash pile, depending on their condition.

Organizing Your Closet

Once you’ve gone through your items, placing them back into your closet is very important. It will make such a huge difference (and timesaver!) when you’re choosing an outfit each day.

Buying no-slip hangers are a must. They are inexpensive and keep your clothes where they need to be. I like to organize my closet by item; short tops go together, tanks and slips, longer dresses and skirts and then pants and jeans. If you really want your closet to look like a professional wardrobist, color coding is important. It is also very visually appealing.

While not all of us have a walk-in closet, you can make the most of whatever space you have. Purchase some shelving units or hanging items that can help you store shoes, belts and other accessories so they are not lying all over the floor.

It is also important to clean out your shoes and accessories. With shoes, ask yourself similar questions. Are they comfortable? Are they in good condition? Can I wear them with multiple styles? Once again it is always good to keep the staples—a black flat, a metallic sandal for spring/summer, a great pair of either nude or black heels and a high boot in either black or brown.

Timeless accessories that you’ll want to hang onto could include a classic evening bag, an oversized tote, silver or gold hoops or studs and a statement necklace that will dress any outfit up.

You can also spring clean your beauty and hair products! This is a must since most products expire after 12 months. Go through your hair, skin and makeup products and decide what is a staple for you vs. what is a trend item that you will never use (did someone say blue mascara????)

Once we hang up our stay-at-home uniform of athleisure wear, slippers and pajama bottoms, you will be eager to step into your closet and choose your sassiest outfit with ease. But more importantly, you’ll know what you have, that it fits correctly and that you love it and feel confident in it!

Jordon Knicley

Jordon Knicley is the owner of Urban Violet Boutique with locations in both Urbana and Hagerstown, Maryland. She is also co-owner, alongside her mother, of Sagittarius Salon and Spa in Hagerstown, Maryland. After graduating college, Jordon moved to NYC where she worked for ABC and CNN as a Television Graphic Designer. Jordon loved and admired designer trends, but living in NYC on a budget, she had to figure out how to make the same statement with stores such as ZARA, H&M and various thrift/discount shops throughout the city. After moving back to Maryland, she became partners in the salon but it really wasn’t her passion. “I decided to turn our nail area into a small woman’s clothing and accessories boutique. It was very successful and I finally found my passion and some things I was really good at; remodeling, interior design, merchandising, and bringing affordable beautiful items to the area.” Urban Violet Boutique in Urbana was opened in October 2019.