I recently decided to do a BIG closet clean out and at the same time tried to do some reflection on how I define my style in this current season of life and how I want to dress myself. I found it to be beneficial in more ways than one, so I figured I would share what helped me in both the practical sense of decluttering, but also in the more mental sense of deciding what items to keep and what to get rid of.
I also made a YouTube video while I was decluttering and redefining my style that I hope y’all will find equally helpful!
Start at the top and work your way down
I like to do this when I’m cleaning and also when I’m organizing. You never know what might fall down or what is hiding up top, so I think it’s easiest to start at the top and then work down!
Get some organizing tools
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this and you can probably DIY some of it (maybe diy a purse organizer with some cardboard or foam board), but I bought a belt organizer I think from HomeGoods, and then an acrylic purse organizer and a shoe rack from Amazon, and they make things much tidier!
Define your style
Step 1: get on Pinterest and make a NEW style board.
Step 2: Go crazy. Pin outfits and clothing items that represent the way you WANT to dress in a style that makes you feel like yourself.
Step 3: Look at the commonalities between all the pins. Are there some similar clothing items that you pick out a lot of? A color or fabric that you gravitate toward? Or maybe even a formula of outfit that you really like?
For example: I defined my style as “color-curious” California-casual. I gravitate toward a lot of denim and linen, mostly denim tops and dresses and I also love knit items. I also love neutral solid color tops paired with more colorful, patterned skirts or pants.
Once you are able to define the kind of outfits and items you want to be wearing, you’ll have a framework to wort through the items you already have and also figure out what items you maybe need to buy in order to create the outfits you want.
I also think it is important to define what your style is not. You may find this easier to define when you start trying on your clothes in your closet, but just because an item is objectively beautiful, doesn’t automatically mean it’s going to make you feel your best.
When going through your clothes…
- Start in sections. Take your time if you need to!
- Touch every single item. Talk through it and what you would wear it with, where you would wear it, if it still fits your style/how you want to dress. There might be items hiding on the racks, so make sure you touch everything!
- If it’s been a while since you last wore something, throw it in a pile and try everything on! Our bodies change and so does our style. Don’t just assume that something is going to look the same on you that it did 3 years ago (maybe it will look BETTER!)
Bad news… Marie Kondo-ing your drawers does make a huge difference 🙁
I know, I know, it takes more time, but being able to actually see what items you have in your drawer will allow you to utilize more of your clothes instead of only reaching for the things on top and forgetting about the things at the bottom.
Saying goodbye to clothes
Maybe I am simply too sentimental about some clothes, but sometimes knowing where a beloved item is going helps me part with it. Like for some business casual clothes, donating to a women’s shelter gives me the idea that the item could help someone look amazing at an interview. Or even selling it to a cool consignment store (I love Thrift Pony in Charlotte!), puts the narrative in my mind that someone really cool is going to thrift the item and wear it better than I could right now! I also love to sell items on Poshmark (username: @saburroughs) {and P.S. if you are new to Poshmark, you can get $10 off your first purchase with code SABURROUGHS.}
Here’s some Poshmark tips I wrote a few years back:
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The idea of doing a deep closet clean‑out after having a baby is so empowering—it’s not just about decluttering, but also about reconnecting with style and identity during a transformative time. It likely involves letting go of clothes that no longer fit or reflect your current life, and bringing in pieces that feel comfortable, practical, and uplifting.