5 Rules for “Spring Cleaning” Your Summer Closet

 * Got a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear?
* Have a favorite outfit but the outfit doesn’t fit?
* Going to a special event but your wardrobe isn’t special?

At my house, spring has long past sprung—it’s landed at the doorstep of summer as we welcome June.

But spring cleaning was definitely on my to-do list several weeks ago after I went on a search for the perfect outfit for a special event.

And the search was eye opening—a true wardrobe audit. As I shopped my closet, which I love doing every day for clients, I found pieces I had forgotten about because they were hiding among my many skirts, pants and tops. I found pieces I adored but that no longer fit (but maybe I will lose those extra five pounds). I even found several skirts I adore that still had sales tags on them. Sadly, they had gone unworn.

Sound familiar? In my desire to help others create a wardrobe they love, I’d neglected my own. So it was out with the old—Goodwill was the recipient of my good will–so I could fill in with the new.

It was a wonderful experience, and it only reminded me of my five rules for shopping. Before you ever add something to your wardrobe, ask yourself:

1. Does it fit?
2. Does it flatter?
3. Does it reflect who you are?
4. Is it something you love? and
5. Does it go with at least three other pieces in your wardrobe?

Does it fit? Years ago, designers followed similar sizing requirements. Today, it’s a wardrobe lottery. You could be a size 000 in one designer’s label and a size 8 in another. But don’t let your ego dictate the size clothing you wear. What fits you well is most important, no matter what the size. But in general, if you’re between sizes, always buy the larger size and have it tailored by a professional.

Does it flatter? The ideal is to create the illusion of an hourglass figure, even though unfortunately 95% of us don’t have that ideal shape. Is the shape of the clothing piece creating that illusion? Is the color of the piece a good fit for your eye color, hair color and skin tone? Does the print or pattern overwhelm you or is it in proportion to your size and shape?

Does it reflect who you are? Are you following the latest trends or does your clothing reflect your inner self? Your wardrobe is not meant to compensate for who you are, it’s meant to express who you are.

Is it something you love? Every piece in your wardrobe should be something you can’t wait to wear because you know you look fabulous in it and it expresses the inner you. You want to have a mini- love affair with your clothing!

Does it work with at least three other pieces in your wardrobe? Your wardrobe should be versatile. That means that each piece should be able to coordinate with at least three other pants, skirts, jackets, tops or dresses. It makes your investment in a piece worthwhile.

In a red-carpet world, it’s easy to feel a bit fashion challenged. But it doesn’t take wearing current trends or designer duds to make you shine. When you know who you are and how to shop for who you are, you’re ready to spring forward.

And spring I did! Thanks to whittling down my wardrobe, I now have a closet filled with pieces I love—that fit, flatter and fill a place in my heart. When you follow the 5 rules for “spring cleaning” your closet, you can too!