I thought you’d ask, “Why for heaven’s sake is Gen Z wasting their teenage figures on pleated pants?” But what you actually asked is, “How do I organize my closet?” 

An overwhelming number of you requested guidance on cleaning out and organizing your closet when I solicited questions on Facebook. So, as long as we can agree pleated pants don’t even do 18-year-old bodies any favors…let’s get to it.

Know where you’re going.

I would bet your closet reflects more about who you’ve been than who you want to be. Are you holding on to things that won’t ever fit again? Or work clothes from a chapter that has ended? Once you can identify that a garment is closer to a past version of you than the future version of you, it’s easier to let it go. To find inspiration for this next version of you, spend time on Pinterest looking for outfit ideas. Make Pinterest boards for different parts of your lifestyle (workwear, casual, night out, etc.). Then, as you sort through your closet, ask yourself if this piece is in keeping with the look you’re going for. If not, out it goes. 

Let it go.

Also…hear me, team. If it has holes, stains, or only works when paired strategically with that one high-waisted skirt and SPANX on a Tuesday when there’s a full moon: let. it. go. (You don’t need that kind of stress!) Keep only what fits well, is in excellent condition, and can be paired with most other things in your closet. 

But…what if I am going to lose the weight? I hear you, girlfriend. If you’re on a weight loss journey, you don’t have to get rid of what doesn’t fit right now. But those clothes shouldn’t live in your closet. Sort through it, pack it up, and put it out of sight. (Underbed storage bags are a great option.) When you walk into your closet, you should be greeted by things that will work for you today! 

Sort it through.

The next step is to separate the types of clothes you have. Draw a hard line between the “workout clothes” that you actually work out in and the ones you wear to wander Target. I suggest storing your pajamas and workout wear separately from your “let’s get dressed” clothes. Start with what’s hanging in your closet and separate by garment type. Group tops together, dresses together, outerwear, pants, skirts, shorts, etc.

It’s time to organize! 

Next, you want to arrange each group by color. It doesn’t really matter what color you start with, as long as you stay consistent. I usually follow the R.O.Y. G. B.I.V. color guide. (You know, like a rainbow!) Hang all of your tops that are red together. (Bonus points if you also sort by sleeve length from short-to-long.) Then do the same for all your orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, and brown tops. Repeat color coding for each group of garments. 

I’m not sure how your house works, but when I put shoes on the floor, they tend to migrate toward the depths of my closet in hopes of being forgotten. (This disorganization costs me crucial morning minutes as I venture halfway to Narnia to complete my outfit.) For shoe storage, I recommend shelving so shoes can be lined up in a continuous row. If not, opt for a hanging shoe organizer. Use as many as you need in order to get all your shoes up off the floor.

Display your everyday purses on closet shelves to save time. To keep your most expensive and designer accessories in pristine condition, store them in a closet drawer. If you don’t have built-in organization, I recommend mesh bins. Try the Container Store for options that are lightweight and transparent, so you can store them tucked neatly under hanging tops or skirts. Believe me, you will not wear what you cannot see. Storing your accessories in plain sight will increase the likelihood you use them. You paid for them already…let them shine!

So, there you have it. Make a plan for your ideal style, donate what doesn’t align, and store your real-life, grown-up clothes separate from your tees and leggings. Separate by garment type and color and invest in storage options to help you see and easily access shoes and bags. I guarantee focusing on streamlining and organizing your closet will make getting dressed a lot more fun.

I’ll be covering this topic more in-depth over on my Facebook and Instagram pages, so if you’d like more tips, hop over there to follow along and share your progress with me!