Mary Dell's Amazing Closet-Sorting Algorithm

These are my steps for overcoming the curse of handmedowns and garage sales. The first time takes a while but is worth it. Oh and it's kinda fun.

Ready? Okey dokey.

Go through all clothing you own.

Sort it into piles based on the following questions:

    1. do I love it?

        if no, put in pile A. if yes, proceed to 2.

    2. does it fit?

        if no, put in pile B. if yes, proceed to 3.

    3. is it in good condition?

        if no, put in pile C. if yes, go to 4.

    4. does it flatter me?

        if no, put in pile D. if yes, go to 5.

    5. can I assemble an outfit that includes it?

        if no, put in pile E. if yes, give it a little hug and hang it up--it is now officially part of your wardrobe.

Now, go through pile A and ask these questions:

    6. do I wear this?

        if yes, put in pile F. if no, proceed to 7.

    7. do I feel I might need to wear this item at some point?

        if yes, put in pile G. if no, proceed to 8.

    8. do I feel compelled to keep this even though I'll never wear it?

        if yes, put in pile H. if no, put in the discard pile.

   Ok, so here's what to do with the piles:

    Piles H and B should be packed up in boxes and stored until such time as you feel like doing this again for those items.

    Items in piles G and F (unloved) should be systematically "upgraded" with similar items that you can say yes to questions 1-5 for. For instance, the blah interview suit that you keep just in case should be replaced with one you really love, as soon as you find it. In the meantime you put all those items in a different part of your closet and make a list that you take whenever you're shopping. In a year or two you'll have upgraded all of them and can discard or store them. I replaced all my baggy black tee shirts with fitted black tee shirts, for instance, over the course of year.

    Items in pile C (beloved, but damaged) should be repaired, dry cleaned, or replaced. A little mourning party is acceptable for something great that's not salveagable.

    Items in pile E (beloved orphans) should be taken shopping. Buy whatever you need to make a complete outfit with that item so that you can actually wear it.

    Items in pile D (unflattering, and therefore undeserving of love, but loved anyway) should be played with in front of the mirror, preferably when you're in a good mood. The thing you love that just doesn't suit you because of the color or whatever can be worn anyway with the right hair, makeup, and other items. I had a coral color dress that was too bright for my pale skin, but with matching lipstick it worked, because the fabric and fit were wonderful. Pull together a whole look for that item that will let you feel good wearing it.

Now you should be done! You will have 3 sections of your closet and drawers now:

        1. stuff I love and can't wait to wear

        2. stuff I can't wear just yet but will once it's repaired or I have pieces to go with it

        3. stuff I have to wear until I buy better stuff.

Keep it sectioned like that from now on. You will also have 2 sets of boxes:

        1. stuff I hope to wear again

        2. stuff I'm never gonna wear, but am keeping anyway.

And you'll have shopping lists

        1.stuff I need to replace with better stuff

        2.stuff I need to add to my wardrobe.

by Mary Dell (of course)