I don’t know how many times I would come home after a shop at my local mall and try to squeeze my hot new dress into my closet or my new grey top into overflowing drawers.

Sometimes, I would even forget I bought something new simply because I couldn’t find it!

I still try and hold onto my first formal gown – that no longer fits and is so unfashionable – even though I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.

So let’s get down to business – we have to cleanse and cull! Trust me, once you do it, you’ll feel like a whole new woman!

Here are my 7 Simple Steps for what I’m calling the ‘Drawer Detox & Closet Cleanse’:

Firstly, make sure you put aside at least two or three hours. Feel free to have a wine in hand and some of your favourite tunes playing in the background. Put your phone on silent. I’m telling you, once you’re in the zone, you won’t want to be disrupted. Let’s face it -you’re probably not going to do this in a rush again!

1. Grab yourself some new coat hangers
2. Do your hair and put on some makeup. This will give you a better idea when trying on those clothes that are on the ‘unsure’ pile!
3. Start with your drawers. Ideally, have a drawer for tops and singlets, a drawer for shorts and pants, etc. Now lay these out on the ground and ask yourself when you last wore it. Try it on. If it’s old enough that you no longer feel good in it, pop it on the Salvos pile! I recommend dividing casual and dressier tops into sections. Put your favs at the top.
4. What should go in your draws – Underwear, socks, t-shirts, shorts, jumpers, active wear, your comfy go-to clothes.
   TIP: Make sure you can see your items… Try rolling them to save space

   Once you’re satisfied with your drawers, walk to your wardrobe. Deep breaths, you’re halfway there

5. This is where you need to do the initial cull. Take everything out of your closet. EVERYTHING. Go through every hanger and replace it with your new ones and face them all the same way. Only put your favourite items back first.
6. Ask yourself as you do this, ‘Does this look good on me? Why haven’t I worn it lately?’. Be honest. If you know you won’t wear the item in a year, put it in the Salvos pile.  The famous question – Does this bring me joy? If not, let it go!
7. Now start rehanging your clothes in sections: pants, skirts, dresses etc. It helps to make a ‘work’ side and a ‘social’ side. I tend to colour coordinate as well. This helps when getting ready to go somewhere.

And that my love, is it! Simple right?

If you need some extra wardrobe assistance, drop me a DM on Instagram at @the_stylist_trade and I’ll be happy to help!

Laura Lees  x

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