With spring right around the corner  the new trends like bright denim, maxi dresses and platform wedge sandals are really exciting, but I couldn’t justify buying anything until I cleaned out my closet. Before bringing any new items in, I wanted to take stock of what I had and what I actually needed to get. Plus, I knew cleaning my closet would make it easier to get ready in the morning and I’d feel a sense of pride and accomplishment every time I opened those doors. So I put on a few episodes of Project Runway and got to work!  Here are my top 5 steps to spring clean your closet!

1. What you need: Before you start cleaning out your closet it’s important to have a few key items for when you put stuff back in. I love these hugable hangers from The Container Store ( I also found similar ones at Costco) and their slim profile takes up less space so you can fit more clothes in your closet…plus they are covered in a fabric that helps your tops and dresses, even sleeveless, stay on the hangers. You’ll also want to a few sweater bags for storing knits during the warmer months and  these clear shoe boxes to keep your shoes orderly and in good condition. I first saw Kimora Lee Simmons do this clear box trick for her shoes, now everyone does it. Kimora puts a picture on the outside of the box to make the shoes easier to find… a totally fab idea!
2. Clear it all out:Now take everything, and I mean everything out of your closet. Even if you know it’s going to go back in….take it out.
3. Make 3 piles: This is a trying, but entirely necessary step. Make 3 piles… KEEP: stuff you know you still wear, DONATE: clothes that are in good condition but you don’t wear any more (read: things with tags you thought you’d wear but really never have), THROW AWAY: anything that’s ratty or in poor condition needs to be thrown away. I don’t know about you, but I have strange sentimental attachment to things like shirts (weird, I know) so this step is always hard for me.
4. Try it on: Go to your “keep pile” and try everything on in front of a full length mirror. If you don’t have a mirror take a picture with your phone. This was probably the most painful step, but it’s well worth it. There is no reason for me to keep clothes I was hoping to someday fit back into…it was bad clothes karma. Plus, some things that I loved were not super flattering on my body…better to give them to someone they’ll look good on…good clothes karma:)
5. “Organize” everything away: Put everything back in your closet on slim hangers if possible. Organize them by type, blouses go together, tanks, dress pants, jeans, skirts are organized by type and by color; sweaters are put away into sweater bags for safe keeping until winter;  skirts are put on skirt hangers; shoes go into individual boxes; handbags are neatly organized on shelves.

Now that your closet is clean you can take inventory of what you need to buy for spring! I’ve been using this checklist from InStyle… and I know cleaning your closet is hard (and sometimes emotional) work so I think everyone deserves one or two new spring things!