Spring is finally upon us and the shops are now full of the new styles of the season.  But before you begin thinking about new styles and which of the new trends you will be tempted by, it’s time to get organised and have a clear out.  More than ever we need to know what we have already so we can shop smart and spend wisely. Face it; your wardrobe has got way out of control. Get ready to slim down and say “hello” to the wardrobe you’ve always dreamed of – organised, functional, easy-to-access and welcoming.  Follow the steps in this Spring Wardrobe Diet and you’ll be reaping rewards in no time!

Step One: Lose the wardrobe weight
When you look in your wardrobe, there’s some obvious clutter that you can get rid of quickly. Look for the following fatty closet culprits:

Dry cleaning plastic wraps;
Scores of mismatched hangers cluttering up your wardrobe rail;
Empty shoe boxes;
Non-wardrobe items like sports equipment, boxes of photos, abandoned craft projects.
Whip out a black bin bag, and dump the clutter. Then move the non-wardrobe items to a neutral spot out the way to be sorted out later.
Step Two: Swap the empty clothes calories for this season’s valued ones
The weather is changing and so should your outfits. It’s much easier to see what’s working for you when the clothes you won’t be using for another six months are stored out of sight. You might not be in T-shirts and sandals yet, but you’re closer than you think. Store the following items outside of your ‘active’ wardrobe:

Heavy winter coats and any jacket that is too wintery-looking to transition into spring;
Heavier looking winter separates like wool trousers, bulky knitwear. Keep some cashmere favourites as long as they’re thinner, or in light & bright colours;
Wool socks, thick scarves, mittens, thermals –anything that you won’t be needing again until next winter;
Winter-season wear including Christmas & new year’s eve party dresses, and fancy dress costumes!
Step Three: Exercise good judgement
You’ve removed the clutter so now it’s time to work smarter and a little harder. In front of your full-length mirror, try on all your clothes. The only clothes that are going to stay in your closet are the ones that fit, flatter, and complement your style. Anything that gets an “Oh no!” or a “so-so” response gets put aside for charity, friends or E-Bay. To help you decide what stays and what goes, ask yourself the following:
“Would I buy it again?
“Does this look like me or does it look like my mother?” (Or sister, daughter, etc.);
“Is this ill-fitting garment worth keeping and altering to fit me or should I just go buy a new one?”
“Is this trendy item too young for me?” (Hint: if you have to ask, it is too young);
“Is this looking too shabby?”
This bit is really hard! It is difficult to be objective, so you need to get a second opinion. Get in touch and I’ll come and help you get you back on track. Failing that, ask a friend whose opinion you value to help.

Step Four: Organise for easy dressing
Now that you’ve slimmed the contents to a workable wardrobe mass, it’s time to organise. This is the sculpting and toning phase of the wardrobe diet. You need some organising tools to keep your clothes in shape. I have included links to some examples.

Invest in matching hangers, and hang as much as possible. Jumpers and knits need to be on padded hangers to avoid shoulder stretching.  Wire hangers are a big no no! Buy wooden if you have plenty of hanging space, otherwise plastic is the next best thing.;
Get your shoes off the floor and out from under the bed. Organise them on shoe racks or in see-through shoe boxes;
An open five-compartment cloth shelf unit that hangs in your wardrobe will keep your spring jumpers & folded t-shirts organised and in full view for easy access;
Drawer dividers will separate your pants from your socks;
Use vacuum bags to store your clothes fresh and compact. Make a list of what is in each bag before sealing so you know what is inside each one at glance;
Finally, sort out your jewellery and put it where you can see it – use a row of  small simple hooks inside the wardrobe door, or a beautiful jewellery box;
When your clothes and accessories are neatly organised and visible, it makes you want to reach for them and wear them more, giving you more options on a daily basis without the need for buying more clothes!  When you discover that you’re missing some key pieces, put those items on a list and shop for them specifically.

If you stumble over any of these steps, contact me for help. A wardrobe & style consultant can be your personal trainer and help you get your look and wardrobe in shape in time for spring fashion.