LookSmart

7 closet cleanout tips to transform the way you dress

A closet cleanout can be a liberating experience. Not least because it gives you the chance to strip back your wardrobe, simplify your options, and fall in love with some forgotten pieces all over again. At LookSmart, we believe tailoring is the secret to a successful closet cleanout. That’s because style is all about fit and quality, and not quantity. And when we say fit, we don’t just mean for your shape. But also, your lifestyle and confidence. Ultimately, it’s all about creating a “cool-lection.” In other words, a cool collection of items that feel like they were made just for you. Here’s how you can achieve that by cleaning out your closet.

1. Start your cleanout with a clear goal in mind

At its core, a closet cleanup is about bringing your best pieces to the forefront of your wardrobe. Sure, you will be tidying things up. But what you are really doing is shaping your wardrobe to reflect your true style. The equation is simple. Fewer decisions lead to smarter outfits, which give you more confidence. It’s about choosing clothes that fit your body and your standards now, and not what they might have once been. When you clean with purpose, you create a personal transformation. One that makes room for pieces that flatter, fit, and feel like “you”, one hanger at a time.  

2. Sort your clothes into four piles

When decluttering your closet, it’s good to focus on what still deserves a place in it. As you go through your clothes, sort every item into four clear piles. Namely, what to:
  • Keep
  • Alter
  • Repair
  • Rehome
Some decisions will be straightforward. You’ll love certain pieces so much you want to keep them. While others you’ll be happy to give away. However, there are some that you might be undecided about because they almost work. For instance, if a cherished piece is getting a bit long, snug, or has a missing button, it’s not a lost cause. Fit is fixable, and style can be salvaged. So, maybe don’t be so quick to let them go.

3. Tailor the pieces that don’t fit quite right

Before you toss that ill-fitting blazer or those too-long trousers into the donation pile, consider this. The problem isn’t necessarily you. It might just be the fit, which can be fixed. With a few simple alterations, such as shortening the hem, lifting the shoulders, taking in the waist, or replacing a lining, it can completely transform how a garment looks and feels on you. At LookSmart Alterations, our expert tailors specialise in making your clothes work for you. With services like invisible mending and 24-hour turnaround available in selected stores, you can quickly breathe new life into your favourites.

4. Reimagine old favourites with creative alterations

Some of your trusty favourites might not be fit for their intended purpose. But that doesn’t mean they need to be let go. Instead, with a little imagination, they can be turned into something fresh and new. If you’ve got trousers with holes in them, they can be turned into tailored shorts. In a similar manner, dated blazers can be given a modern edge just by cropping the hem. Likewise, a formal dress can be reshaped into something more effortlessly wearable. With the right tailoring, you can keep the quality fabrics you love while updating the silhouette to suit your current style. This provides you with a sustainable way to remain stylish without resorting to buying new. If you’re not sure what can be done, our stylists can help you spot potential in your wardrobe. From subtle edits to bold transformations, they’ll help you transform what you already own.

5. Repair thoughtfully to extend the life of your clothes

A missing button, a broken zip, or a small tear doesn’t mean the end for your most cherished garment. Rather, it’s simply time for a reset. Clothing maintenance is one of the smartest, most sustainable style decisions you can make. It also takes the hassle out of having to find something new. At LookSmart Alterations, we offer premium repair services, including invisible mending at select stores, to restore your pieces to their former glory. These aren’t quick fixes. Rather, they’re thoughtful, intentional upgrades that help you extend the lifespan of what you already own.  The smartest thing you can do for your wardrobe and the planet is to care more for what you already have. Repair always beats replace.

6. Organise your wardrobe by purpose

Once you have all the pieces you want to keep in your wardrobe, the next stage is to curate what’s left. 

A good way to do this is to organise your wardrobe by purpose. For example, workwear, casual pieces, date night, and special occasion outfits. Investing the time to arrange your outfits in this way will make getting dressed easier. At the same time, it will also confirm to you that each item has earned its place. At LookSmart, we’re here to help you complete the cleanout. Tailoring is the final polish to what you’ve decided to keep. So, if you want your new look wardrobe to fit you perfectly, allow our team to adjust each piece for you as necessary. Find your nearest store to get started.

7. Check in seasonally to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh

Great style is a state of mind and a habit. Styles change, seasons shift, and bodies evolve. So, in the same way that you service your car on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to give your wardrobe a periodic once-over too. During this process, avoid the temptation to abandon something that is no longer fit for purpose. Instead, get your items professionally repaired, adjusted, or even dry cleaned to keep them looking as good as the day you bought them.

The smart way to finish your cleanout

The smartest and most sustainable closet cleanouts revolve around keeping what fits your body, lifestyle, and standards.  If you have got pieces you love, but are not quite what they used to be, don’t throw them out. Instead, have them refined by an expert.  Shortening hems, reshaping silhouettes, or repairing broken zips can make an incredible difference. Find your nearest LookSmart Alternations store and let our team re-energise your wardrobe.