Spring Cleaning Your Closet The Right Way (For a College Student)

Even though Mother Nature dumped about two feet of snow on us this week, I can’t help but think about spring. What better way to prepare yourself and your wardrobe for warmer weather than some spring cleaning?

Before you begin, find the perfect playlist on Spotify to keep your energy up, because if your closet is anything like mine, this will be draining, but it can also be fun!

Be sure to warn your roommate before she comes home to a tornado because, trust me,

***it will look WAY worse before it gets better.***

The best method that I have found so far in my many attempts to organize my life via my closet is to separate items into categorized piles:

-“yes” if it’s a love

-“no” if it’s a hate and you can’t figure out why in the world you own this item

-“maybe” if it’s a like or a trend you would try again

-“try on” if you can’t for-the-life-of-you remember how it looks or are unsure if it still fits

-“alterations” if you would actually wear it once it’s fixed

Limit yourself to five seconds per item to choose a pile. During this time, quickly look at the front and back of the item. Are there any holes from college washing machines? Is there a questionable stain from the pizza you ate post-party last weekend? Be honest, it’ll help you break free from the hoarder you’ve become.

(Closet) Spring Cleaning Rules to Live By:

1. Pick out a few pieces that can be transitioned into spring such as your leather jacket, motorcycle boots, lighter-weight scarves, and one coat for if it gets a little chilly again (because you never know with Ithaca weather) and put these to the side for your spring wardrobe.

2. Move your bulky winter clothes out of your closet and into storage, sorting through them as you go. If you forgot you owned it, that tends to say a lot about your attachment to it. It’s probably not a keeper. (See #3) 

3. If you haven’t been seen in public in it for over six months (obviously excluding your favorite sweats and sweatshirt), and you did not wear it last time it was in season, say goodbye.

1. Anything tucked away in the back of your closet or in the pile of clothes on your chair should most likely go. Remember those free t-shirts you’ve accumulated during your time at Cornell that are collecting dust? Yeah, those should become either part of your lounging wardrobe or, if they’re not comfortable enough to make the cut, ditch them.

2. Try to picture a situation you would wear each piece in. If you can’t easily think of one, or the situation is really specific, say adios.

1. Is it a “if I go on a huge diet” item? Don’t torture yourself if it’s unrealistic and only fits half of your body, even if it was your favorite dress in high school. Growing up tends to come with curves and changing sizes; it’s inevitable.

2. If you have to fidget with it to try to “make it work,” just let it go. You don’t want to have a wardrobe malfunction later.

1. Any clothes with tags on them should either be your new priority and favorite piece to wear, or, more realistically, a “no.” After all, you probably haven’t worn it yet for a reason, plus, resale value is much higher with the tag on. 

2. If you can’t sit still because it’s itchy, hinders your ability to move or digs into your arm (I’m looking at you sequins), you probably won’t wear it.

10. Most importantly: Don’t let yourself play the “what-if” game – it’s too easy to keep everything. 

Once you’ve rightfully laid your embarrassing prints and bedazzled clothing from middle school to rest (trust me, we’ve all been there), it’s time to deal with your mountains of clothes.

Put on each item in your “try on” pile and sort these into the other piles as you go. Need a second opinion? Invite some friends over for a fashion show and critique.

If you’re really not sure if you’ll miss your “maybes,” put these clothes in a bin and out of sight. If after a month you haven’t thought of or missed the items in the bin, they’re good to go.

When putting back your “yes” pile, separate your closet into areas for dresses, outerwear, tops and then bottoms. The more that items get put in the wrong area, the more likely you are to forget them when looking for a future outfit. The sections you wear more, like tops, should be closer to the center. Keep in mind: If you always wear black, put colors front and center in your closet so it takes more effort to get to the black than to wear an easily-accessible color (even if you only wear black like I do, this will help you diversify).

Even though it may be devastating to say goodbye to the “no” pile, this category actually has the most room for reward. Take some of the best items in your “no” pile, and organize a clothing swap with your friends so you can give and get some great pieces for no cost. Donate the rest of your “no” pile to benefit others. Or, if you want to make some extra spending money, sell them at places like Plato’s Closet, Mercari, Poshmark, or any “Buying and Selling” Facebook pages you may have randomly been added to. Believe it or not, it’s possible to make good money to save or invest back into your wardrobe and social life just by getting rid of unwanted items.

Now that you’ve officially traded wool for cotton and your wardrobe is actually ready for some sunshine, all that’s left is to wait for the temperature to catch up!

• cleaning
• spring