As a new season is upon us, I have the urge to purge my closet!  Somehow in the past few months, my walk-in has taken on a life of its own.  Shoes have lost their mates, blouses have fallen off the hanger and are lost behind hat boxes, and I now only have about 3 inches left of clean floor space.  It has become a matter of life and style to tackle the impossible and reorganize.

With this endeavor, you are always confronted with the impossible questions.  Does this still fit?  It’s totally out of style, but maybe in 5 years….?  What the hell was I thinking!?  Below are a few of my tips for a successful purge.  Hopefully by the end of the journey, you will discover a few lost treasures and your closet will be picture perfect. 

•    As a general rule, if you haven’t worn it in one year, get rid of it.  By the time it’s back in style, you’ll just want to buy a new one anyway.

•    As they say, every rule should be broken.  In regards to the last tip, trash it unless it’s a classic or designer piece.  I’m talking Chanel, Ralph, Louis, and Manolo.  These are never out of style!

•    Make a mental picture of the image you want to project and only keep items that reinforce that image and realistically fit into your life.  If you were once a corporate professional and are now a stay at home mommy, do you really need 20 power suits?

•    A great pair of jeans can always be salvaged.  Denim Therapy is a company specializing in bringing life back into your denim.

•    Let go of sentimental items.  Just because you wore it on your second date with your third husband doesn’t mean it should still have a place in your closet.  You got rid of him, get rid of the outfit.

•    Take all items that are still in good condition to a local consignment boutique and cash in.  Or go a step further and donate your items to Goodwill or a clothing bank.  Remember all good things come back to you!

About the author:  Jacquelyn is a local writer who is trying to stick to her New Year’s Resolution.  You can hear her repeating to herself, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!”  Find updates and photos of the latest fashion trends by liking Fashionista on Facebook.