With spring in the air, everyone’s mood has changed. People seem lighter, brighter, and ready to dust off winter cobwebs. There is an actual psychology behind the start of spring—it is a ‘temporal landmark’, a transition for many. A spring clean signals that it is time for a fresh start.
It is one thing to spring clean your home, but with the warmer weather, fashion outlets are also releasing their new spring ranges, which adds excitement after so many months of wearing big, bulky jackets, sweaters, beanies, and scarves.
However, if your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, consider a wardrobe spring clean, and perhaps it’s time to accept that some of your clothes need to go in order to make room for some exciting spring additions.
There are many reasons why people hang onto clothes, whether it’s for sentimental reasons or hoping you may again fit into those jeans one day. The bottom line is that we tend to accumulate more clothes than needed.
Spring cleaning your wardrobe may be daunting, but once done, it will make you feel so good. In fact, spring cleaning tends to be contagious, and you’ll be looking for the next cupboard to clean out. Here are a few tips on how to go about your wardrobe spring clean, as well as how to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
Step 1: Get into the zone.
Take time to prepare for success before starting. Make sure you have set aside the time to get this wardrobe spring clean done. Cue up a playlist you love to sing along to and make yourself a cup of coffee or tea.
Ensure that you have prepared and clearly labeled containers for your ‘to be donated’ and ‘to be tossed’ clothes, such as a garbage bag or a cardboard box. Make sure you also have storage handy so you can pack away your seasonal clothes that you won’t be wearing for a while.
Step 2: Start the purge.
There is only one way to spring clean your wardrobe properly: to unpack your entire wardrobe and thoroughly go through it. You must try things on, especially if you are unsure. You may find that a pair of jeans that consistently ended up at the bottom of the pile actually still fit you like a glove, or that top you bought two summers ago with the tags still on (which you swear you will still wear) truly doesn’t fit you anymore.
Tears and stains:
Examine your clothing carefully for any stains or damage. Remove any item with a tear or damage beyond repair. The same goes for stains. If you haven’t gotten that stain out by now, you never will.
The one-year rule:
If you haven’t worn a clothing item for over a year, it must go. If an entire year has passed and you haven’t had the urge to wear it, it is a sure sign that it’s time to part with it.
The ‘someday’ items:
Many women have one or two items they hang onto for ‘someday’ when they perhaps lose weight or hope that a fashion item will return in style. If you lose weight, it’s a good idea to treat yourself to new clothes. While some fashion trends may resurface, they never return in the same way.
Don’t live in the past:
If you have outgrown a particular style, it’s time to move on. Just because you loved the ‘Boho’ look with florals and frills in your twenties doesn’t mean you have to hang onto them now that your personal style has probably changed.
Sentimental items:
It is OK to keep some sentimental items, like a dress that was crafted for you for a special occasion or an heirloom piece handed down to you. Sometimes, however, it is crucial to remove sentiment from other items.
You may have a slew of crop tops and mini skirts that bring back exciting memories from your student years, but will you ever wear them again? No. It may be hard to get rid of some things, but it is important to keep asking yourself, ‘Does this make me feel my best?’ If it doesn’t, there is no room for it in your wardrobe.
Step 3: Deciding on the keepers.
It is self-evident that an item is a keeper if it is genuinely comfortable, makes you feel good, and is worn frequently. Also, hang on to classic, good-quality staple pieces such as a basic black blazer, a white shirt, denim items that fit you perfectly, a simple black dress, and tailored pants.
Step 4: Put seasonal items into storage.
Packing away pieces that don’t see the light of day for a while is half the spring clean battle won. However, remember, there may still be some cold spells throughout spring, so don’t pack away every warm item you have.
Pack your winter clothes into storage boxes, or you can vacuum seal them in vacuum storage bags. Vacuum sealing is an excellent option because it reduces the bulkiness of winter clothes, allows you to store more clothes away more easily, and also protects them from moths.
Step 5: Accessing your situation.
Now that the hard spring clean work is done, it’s time to take a step back and assess your situation.
Make a list and divide it into two columns:
Your hero pieces—the items you’d never get rid of because you reach for them time and time again.
Pieces you feel you need—you should prioritise purchasing these items next.
Writing down your hero items will help you see what you already have. If a wonderful denim jacket made it onto your list, you don’t need to consider buying another one the next time you see one on sale.
Noting the pieces you need can help you prioritise future shopping. You may have found that you only have one pair of jeans that fit well. Making a priority list will make you less tempted to buy a trendy (but not needed) item you see pop up in your Facebook feed next week. When you go shopping, you’ll know what clothing items you actually need.
It is also helpful to follow professional advice, and I’m not talking about Holywood influencers. Finding a good local stylist with excellent advice can really help you decide on good-quality pieces. Penny Marriott from Defnitely These is a stylist and personal shopper. She often showcases unique and gorgeous local fashion finds and shows you how to style the item in different ways and how to wear an item according to your body shape. Follow Penny on Instagram for some excellent ideas and advice.
Refresh your actual wardrobe too.
While you are busy with your wardrobe spring clean, you may think, “I could really do with some more shelves” or, “Some full-length hanging space would make all the difference.” You are right. Getting the right configuration of your wardrobe internals will make a big difference to your wardrobe organisation and ease of finding clothes each morning.
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions specialises in crafting exquisite cupboards, tailoring our custom-made, built-in wardrobes to your unique specifications and bedroom design. A Fineline salesman can design the perfect wardrobe configuration to suit your specific needs.
If you are happy with your wardrobe internals but feel that your wardrobe is looking a little dated, a simple wardrobe door conversion can completely refresh the look of your bedroom. Sliding wardrobe doors are so elegant and quietly glide open and shut, saving on space in your bedroom and giving you that touch of luxury. At Fineline, we can easily remove your old hinged wardrobe doors and replace them with beautiful sliding wardrobe doors in a finish of your choice. Choose from mirror, glass, wood veneers, melamine, or a combination of materials.
So what are you waiting for? It’s spring, and it’s go time! Contact Fineline Wardrobe Solutions to refresh your wardrobes with functional internals or gorgeous sliding wardrobe doors.
For more creative tips and ideas, look at our trendy blog.
