Purge Perfect! Step 3

Get yourself sorted!

Congrats! You've made it through the hard part. Now you'll begin to reap the benefits of weeding out the excess.

CREATE A NEW SYSTEM FOR THE KEEPERS

Stores group clothing by category (work, casual, special occasion, etc,) and rotate stock with the seasons. Marketers understand this is how people put outfits together. Hang the category you wear most often, including staples that corss over categories (that striped tunic, for instance)< right in front of the door. Use the same frequency test to divvy up the rest of the real estate. Sub-categorize within each group by silhouette (button-downs, pants, skirts, and so on), then color. Reserve drawers for things that you can reach from memory, such as foundation and layering pieces, exercise gear, and, yup, socks.

The Benefits

LIFE AFTER A RUTHLESS CLOSET PURGE

After discovering that stress could exacerbate her multiple sclerosis symptoms, Salt Lake City Blogger Courtney Carver resolved to simplify her life - and her overstuffed closet. She challenged herserlf to downsize to a 33-item wardrove for three months and invvited others to do the same on her website, Project333.com. Here, she shares four surprisig perks of paring down.

NO MORE" NOTHING TO WEAR" MORNINGS

I used to try on 2 or 3 outfits before going out. Creating a "capsule wardrove" - a season's worth of staples that all match - has given me tremendous clarity. The skirt I wore wit a button down, a blazer, and flats to a speaking engagement can go with a tank, a scarf, and boots for a date night.

RECEIVE MORE COMPLIMENTS

A first, I thought my coworkers would notice my limited repertoire. Instead, I got positive feedback. Interestingly, there were fewer "I love your shoes" types of comments and more "You look great" ones. A capsule wardrobe helps you hone your personal style. I feel confident in what I'm wearing, and people pick up on that.

I HAVE MORE DOWNTIME

Shopping was a way of life. I constantly checked -mail for sales. I spent weekends at the mall. Now I buy clothes a few times a year to fill in gaps and have more time for hiking, skiing, and traveling.

STREAMLINING SNOWBALLED

Living with a minimal amount of clothes gave me the courage to make even bigger changes. I got rid of the dining table and the eight chairs we never sat in, the desk I dint use, and the furniture, in our superfluous second living room. Eventually we moved to an apartment.

There's so many reasons to let go of all those clothes just wasting away in your home. Let those items go to someone who will truly treasure and USE them. I hope this tips have been helpful and inspire you to chose positive change in your life. See you at the Clothing Exchange!!!