top of page
Search

Style Buzz: Tips to Prep for a Closet Clear Out

Updated: Jul 24


Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!



QUOTE OF THE WEEK


“There is a real emotional security that comes from being surrounded by objects that have been present across decades of life events. They are physical anchors to moments, relationships, and versions of themselves that no longer exist.”

-- Daniel Glazer, Clinical Psychologist



I come across this often when editing a client's wardrobe: the clothes in there aren't just pieces of fabric. They're comforting, tangible reminders of all the various lives we've lived, places we've been, events, aspirations, accomplishments. So ask yourself if your wardrobe is only a reflection of who you were, or is it a good representation of who you are now and in the future? If you're living in the past, it's time to start clearing, making room for the present.

 

 xxx rachel


IT'S CLOSET CLEAR OUT TIME!

We're coming to the end of the first half of 2026 and I'm here to remind you that it's time to address that closet clear out you've been avoiding! It's likely been on your to-do list for a while (New Years Resolution, perhaps?), but it's just such a big task. However, you don't want to take all of that clutter into the second half of the year when you know it's weighing you down physically, mentally, and emotionally. More than you realize.

 

Physically: you literally cannot open the doors without getting crushed under the volume of clothes in there. Things are falling down from the shelves, everything's a jumble, it's so disorganized and untidy you can't find anything, and you almost feel ill (or at least your stomach does a flip) and filled with dread every time you go in there.

 

Mentally: you're overwhelmed each time you have to get dressed, frustrated and confused by everything, knowing you've got just the right piece, if only you could find it. Or maybe you don't have the right piece, but you don't want to buy more things because what will it go with? Trying to get dressed is just exhausting and something that upsets you each and every day. It really starts your morning off on a sour note.

 

Emotionally: you loved this piece, you spent a small fortune on that one, someone gave you these - all reasons to keep holding onto pieces, right? There are a lot of memories tied to our clothes. They represent our identity, experiences, and relationships, and it feels disrespectful to discard those simply because a shirt is the wrong color or it doesn't quite fit properly.

 

Believe me when I say I fully understand your hesitation to do this. It's not just the time and energy that it takes but it's an emotional toll, too. Another psychotherapist wrote, "Letting go of objects can feel symbolic, almost like letting go of chapters of their life." But instead of seeing "letting go" as losing part of your identity, reframe it as clearing space for the chapters yet unwritten.

 

You never forget the memories, and if a particular one is better triggered by a physical object, take a photograph of it. Print out the photo if you need something tangible. But the actual object - especially if you're keeping it for the wrong reasons - doesn't need to be taking up all the physical, mental, and emotional space in your closet.

 

I've written about how to do a closet clear out before, so read that for pointers. What I want to do this week is to give you the steps to get in the right frame of mind.

 

  • Acknowledge that it needs to be done.

  • Remind yourself you want to do this!

  • Give yourself a timeframe: you want to finish by the end of July, or you could spend an hour each Tuesday evening for 4 weeks taking it bit by bit.

  • Set some goals: you'll remove three pieces every morning, or you hope to clear 1/4 of your wardrobe, or you want to fill 5 bags with donations.

  • Put your goals on your calendar and schedule the time(s) as an appointment. Tip: do that RIGHT NOW while you're inspired!

  • Gather up the tools you'll need - bags for donations, mending, storage, and recycling; a dust cloth, a clothes rail to help sort items on, and a notebook to remind you what needs mending, what needs replacing, what new pieces you might want to add, etc.

  • Make the session special: put on some music, either energetic or calming, or find a new audiobook or podcast you've been wanting to listen to. Make your favorite drink or the one you only have on special occasions.

  • Find a reward that inspires you: while a tidy, calm closet should be reward in and of itself, I'm a sucker for Pad Thai and paddleboarding (not at the same time!), so if I've finished something I wasn't looking forward to, I treat myself to something I love.

 

Just as your wardrobe is unique to you, so is how you approach keeping it organized. Do what works for you, and if it didn't feel quite right, keep tweaking one approach or another until you find the system that inspires you, or at least helps you get through it. You can do this!

 

(And if all else fails, call me! I believe in you, but sometimes things like this are easier with a pro.)


ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT


This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.


I never would have guessed how much I'd fall in love with this dress when I first saw it, but let's just say if there ever were a Hallmark movie about a dress, it'd be the star! Versatile, pretty, and effortless. However, while it works really well by itself, it's a little plain because of the print. It's all-over and fairly small, so from a distance it almost looks like a solid color. In order to spice the style up a notch, I follow the rule of 3 for colors: the green of the dress, the saddle brown of the belt, watch band, and sandals, and the blue of the denim jacket. As a bright pop against that happy triplet, I match my rattan earrings (SO LIGHT!) to the cream of the dress and sole of the shoe. As usual, the weather dictates that the jacket is coming off by mid-morning, so I've still got three complementary colors even after removing the blue.


Dress: Apricot

Jacket: Levi's

Shoes: OTBT




 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page