Do you ever feel like you just want to start from scratch with your wardrobe because you don't even know what’s in your closet anymore? This exact feeling of frustration and overwhelm is what compelled me to take on a closet edit of my own (that incidentally was THE closet edit that lead me to the creation of Classic Six!)

A few weeks ago, I shared my method with The Chalkboard, and as I was documenting this non-traditional recommendation to editing your wardrobe, I thought it was absolutely necessary to share with you as well! 

If you are in the market for your very own closet refresh, but are easily overwhelmed (like me) and have trouble letting go (like me), let me introduce you to what I am now officially calling...

The Classic Six Closet Edit Method

Step 1: The anti-purge phase

Many experts will say the first step is going through your closet piece by piece and tossing as you go, but I say the opposite. Because the idea of sorting through a full closet sounds extremely overwhelming, especially if you have trouble letting go, I suggest first doing an anti-purge purge and before even thinking about selling or donating, start by separating out the pieces from your wardrobe that you feel like you can’t live without. 

Here are a few guidelines to ask yourself as you go about selecting these pieces:

• Do you reach for it often? (Be honest with yourself. When was the last time you wore it?)
• Do you love it? (Or as Marie Kondo says, “Does it bring you joy?”)
• How many ways can you wear it?
• Can you easily style it with the other things you own?
• Does it still fit? 

Step 2: The experimental phase

Now I want you to take this selection of pieces and put them on a rack outside of your closet. Close the doors of your actual closet and make a promise with yourself that you will not open those doors for ONE MONTH. Don’t worry, this rack won't always stay outside of your closet, but in this experimental phase, consider this rack your new closet. Again for the people that have trouble letting go, fret not, your actual closet is still full of the things you never wear, just behind closed doors (we’ll deal with them later).  

Step 3: The style phase

Here is the fun part. I now want you to take these pieces that you have decided you can't live without and for the next month wear them in as many ways as you can by styling them with your favorite shoes and accessories. Get creative. This step should feel easy if you picked the right pieces.  

If you find the above style phase more fun and less stressful to get dressed than normal, you are ready for Step 4: The Cleanse Phase. If you aren’t yet finding this easy, head on over to Step 3.5: The Quality Check Phase. 

Step 3.5 : The quality check phase

•  Is it versatile? (Can you easily style it to create endless looks?)
• Is it functional? (Does it do more than just look good on the hanger?)
• Is it chic? (Can you see it on the cover of a magazine?)
• Will it stand the test of time in style and construction? (Let’s keep clothes out of the landfills, girls!)
• Does it have special details that you won’t find anywhere else? (Think beautiful buttons, washability, or any other element that another version of the same silhouette may not have.)

Step 4: The cleanse phase

Here is when I would suggest doing the real edit and finally opening your actual closet doors to donate or sell what you no longer see as necessary in your wardrobe. Chances are after our month long experiment, this step will come much easier. What you need and don't need to look and feel great should have become a bit more clear to you. 

Step 5: The level up phase

This is my favorite phase because it involves swapping out some of the lesser quality items in your newly edited wardrobe with those that are made to stand the test of time. Did you pull a classic blazer in your original edit, but after a few years of wear is now looking a bit ragged? Now is your opportunity to level up. Start your search for a similar silhouette in better “quality” construction and even style. Did I mention Classic Six? ;)  Since you’ve now seen first hand that you love and wear this “silhouette,”  the investment will most probably seem like a no brainer. And trust me,  when you wear something a little bit more luxurious, you are certain to feel that way too. 

Side note: When leveling up, I suggest to sell, swap or donate your unwanted pieces so we can try our best to keep clothing out of the trash.

And on that note, congrats! This phase is time for you to pat yourself on the back. At this point you know what you like and don’t like in your wardrobe and you are now on the road to not only being a more conscious consumer, but are also ready to combat fashion overwhelm head on!

Whether you want to start from scratch or you are ready to level up and set the foundation of your wardrobe with some really beautiful, timeless, quality pieces, we've got you covered!