Whether you just came back home from a semester on campus or are procrastinating bringing out your summer wardrobe from the depths of your closet (or both), spring cleaning is most likely looming over your head right now. I love to clean don’t get me wrong, but sometimes the idea of organizing my closet is overwhelming. Trying to decide which clothes to keep while wanting to make room for more clothes can be a tough decision. Feeling pressure to keep up with trends can be difficult to avoid too. Keeping in mind that your style is what you want it to be, here are three things to remember when revamping your closet this summer.
1. Your clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around.
If a piece of clothing doesn’t compliment your body, there’s something wrong with the piece. There's nothing wrong with your body. You shouldn’t have to change your body to fit a certain piece of clothing, whether it’s a new top you ordered from Amazon that doesn’t quite fit how you thought it would or your favorite pair of jeans you’ve had for the past few years. Wear what fits you and don't be afraid to let go of pieces that feel uncomfortable. You deserve to have your closet filled with items that bring you joy rather than those that don’t feel right or bring upon unrealistic body standards!
2. Donate what doesn’t give you joy, keep what does.
Most of us have heard about the strategies and methods that the famous Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo recommends for tidying up different spaces. When revamping your wardrobe, it’s important to examine each item and whether the piece truly gives you joy. If the item doesn’t bring you joy, donate it to an organization like Goodwill. Want to make some cash in the process? Try taking your donations to Plato’s Closet or selling the items on your Instagram story. I also like to think about whether I feel comfortable in the piece or not and whether I wear the item often.
3. Try to shop sustainably.
So your closet is organized and filled with items that bring you joy! You may have made some cash along the way but regardless, you deserve some new clothes as a reward for your hard work. Jokes aside, no matter the season that you’re revamping your wardrobe for you may want to add some new pieces! I would recommend shopping secondhand or making an effort to shop at sustainable companies to support the environment in the process. Here is a great article by Earth Day that includes a toolkit about shopping sustainably, from buying clothing made from natural fibers to shopping for quality over quantity!
My favorite YouTube video surrounding the subject of closet cleanouts is bestdressed’s extreme closet cleanout video where Ashley talks about the steps she takes when deciding whether or not to keep or donate clothes, things to consider about sustainability, and the importance of catering your closet to your style. As the original author notes, you can also repurpose your older pieces into new ones which is not only budget-friendly but also sustainable!
