How I Edit My Wardrobe Part I: What to Keep & What to Toss

This week, the bulk of the content lives in the video. It’s too much to type.

Every three months or so, I do a giant closet clean out and edit. Twice a year it’s a major purge, the other two times it’s more of a tune up. But the whole process helps me see exactly what I have, I try most things on, style out some looks, get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, that doesn’t work with my style, or that I’m just not wearing. I also have a much easier time getting dressed in outfits I love right after I do this. I’m re-inspired by what I already own, and BONUS, I can see it all and easily find it.

It takes a lot of energy, but nine times out of ten, it cures me of the shoppies (the urge to buy things even though I don’t need them), and helps me remember exactly what I have. I’ve done this for years, but this time I thought I’d try to film the experience to hopefully help you do the same thing for yourself. When you hear the phrase “shop your closet” this is basically it - you can toss the filler, and keep the really good stuff.

The video outlines how I start, how I judge what to keep and what to get rid of, and Part II, next week, details how I organize it all once it’s back in my closet.

I say this over and over again in the video, but I feel like I have to say it again - the amount of stuff I have is A LOT. I know it is. But when I do these newsletters, I like to wear what I have, and I like to wear things over, and over, and over again. By necessity I need options! I also have collected special pieces since high school. I LOVE clothes. I LOVE getting dressed, I love style, so much that I’ve made it my career. These are my treasures, and when something has run its course with me, I like to set it free. I also like to lend my clothes to friends, and sometimes when I have styling jobs I use my own collection. Nobody needs this much stuff, but I use this much stuff. It is USEFUL. Everything you have should be useful, whether it makes you feel powerful, feel loved, feel cozy, nostalgic, or just admiration for someone else’s creativity and craft.

I also want to note, I do this kind of thing one on one with a very small handful of clients - it’s easy for me to do it for myself, but I think without help it can be super overwhelming. I’m here if you need me.

Anyway, this is my process. Over the course of this edit and purge I also identified a handful of my most essential, non-negotiable, non tricky or novelty building blocks, so here they are, but the real meat of this is in my very long and rambling video.

1: This is the gray cardigan I wear in most of my videos, it’s super cozy, delightfully boxy, and I am obsessed with it. (I also have and love the skirt.) Doen, $498

2: These slippers are one of the very best things that has happened to my wardrobe. I live in them at home. LL Bean, $99

3: GRANNY PANTIES! God, I am so happy I am over trying to wear sexy underwear all the time. These are seamless and UGH! So comfortable! Like a hug for your ass! They don’t really give any VPL either, I wore them yesterday under my leggings to pilates, and you couldn’t notice them. Eby, $17

4: A perfect pair of minimalist sandals - I have these and have practically worn holes in the soles I wear them so often. They are divine. Emme Parsons, $495

5: And finally, a gorgeous take-everywhere tote. Something you can throw your laptop in and run around with all day, but that looks polished and beautiful. I love the bright cherry red of this one. Sezane, $390