Step One: Assess the situation. Take everything out of your closet. Yes, that's right, take it all out. In an orderly fashion now, don't just throw it everywhere. Take out all of your pants, skirts, tops, jackets, etc. and group them together in piles on the bed, or floor, or couch.
Now you can see just how much you have, and how much space you have to put it in.
Step Two: Be honest and make piles. Those pants that were on sale for oh-so-cheap and would look great if...or that skirt that's just a little too snug, but would be perfect! if you lost the last five pounds, or the top that would be awesome if you had the right bra... Yeah, I know, I had those too. But seriously, have you worn them? And no, wearing them in the dressing room does not count. So really, have you worn them in the last year?
What you need to do is start making three piles. One to put back in your closet, one to donate and the other to either sell or have tailored.
The clothes you haven't worn ever, or don't fit, should be put into a donate pile or a sell/get tailored pile. The clothes that are your staples and favorites are the clothes that will make their way back into the closet.
Step Three: Don't look back. Once you have a donate pile done, bag it up, put it in your car to drop off and let it go. It's hard, but trust me you can do it. And someone else will appreciate it too! Take those clothes to your local Goodwill, or Salvation Army, or any other local thrift store for someone else to take home and enjoy.
Step Four: A second chance. The pile that has been designated "sell/get tailored" needs to be revisited. And when you are looking through it all again, remember step two "Be honest". Try stuff on, check yourself out in the mirror, sit down. Does it fit? Can you breath when it's zipped? How much would the alteration cost if you took it in? If the item is in good shape, you can re-sell it at a consignment shop in your area. And keep this in mind, if it's been in your closet for more than 6 months and you still haven't had it altered...it should go. If it was really awesome, it would have been hemmed the week you bought it.
So by now your sell/get tailored pile should be pretty small. Bag up what you think you are going to sell and put that in your trunk (just don't confuse it with the stuff you are donating). Then, the pile you are getting tailored should also be bagged up and set in your car or near the door - I am trying to set you up for immediate action here so that there is no room for procrastination.
Step Five: Fill up your closet again! Now you can put everything back in your closet. And as you do so, if you find yourself second guessing whether or not you really want to keep it, ask yourself when was the last time you wore it, and maybe try it on again. You can always add to the donate or sell piles.
A couple of bonus tips here:
1. Organize pants, skirts and dresses by color, lengths and sleeve lengths. Do the same for shirts. You'd be surprised how much easier it will be to find what you are looking for.
2. Look through some of the current Fall Fashion magazines and pull out pictures of outfits you like. You can make your own "look book" and then shop your closet, you'd be surprised by how much you already have to create the outfits you love! Plus, when you do go shopping you will have a better sense of what you need.
And finally, you can go shopping with the bonus money you get from selling your clothes to a consignment shop! And don't forget to get a receipt for your donations, as that is a tax deduction for you!
Alright, go fill up that wine glass, and get to work!
