One of the most important things anyone should do on an annual basis (at least) is to take inventory of all aspects of life. From our careers to personal lives, we are all guilty of developing bad habits, and while we don’t like to look at ourselves in a critical way, it’s important to take stock, figure out what’s working and what isn’t, and make the appropriate changes.
It’s safe to say that people avoid doing this important “self-reflection” when it comes to the clothing hanging in their closet … yeah, I said it, the clothing they have in their closet. Some may say, what does it matter what’s in there? If I don’t like it, I push it to the side and let it collect dust, or, if it’s too tight, I’ll just wait until I lose the weight.
Not only does this approach not work, it just perpetuates an ongoing issue. A good businessperson doesn’t let issues just pile up, creating an insurmountable obstacle. In order to succeed, action has to be taken and with action we can achieve a new outcome.
I would assert that the same thing is true with your closet!
Living in the past doesn’t do anyone any good, and wearing the wrong clothes to work, networking or even at a social gathering doesn’t help breed success. I always tell my clients that they need to do an inventory of their wardrobe every fall.
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TAKING STOCK: Marc A. Streisand recommends doing an inventory of your closet every fall to get rid of clothes that no longer fit or are no longer worn and to reorganize what you keep. / COURTESY MARC A. STREISAND[/caption]
Doing an inventory is quite easy; here are some simple steps to make the clutter disappear and create a winning environment in your closet.
• Take out all the seasonal clothing from the previous season and place it on your bed in separate piles.
• Look for anything that is stained, ripped, moth-eaten, too small or even items that you just don’t like to wear anymore.
• Once you’ve culled these items, physically remove them from the room.
• Take the good items and then be honest with yourself: Do I like it and want to wear it again, or am I better off getting rid of it?
• Golden rule of closet cleaning: If you haven’t worn it in two seasons (appropriate for the time of year), get rid of it.
• Bag up all the old stuff, write down what you are getting rid of, and take it to a charitable donation center (your trash is someone else’s treasure).
• Upon putting your clothing back into your closet, I always suggest coordinating it into sections: all suits and sport coats on one rung, pants on another and shirts on a third. Clutter-free is key.
• Regarding your shoes, make sure you have shoe trees in them … this will keep them neat and organized, as well as helping to increase their longevity.
• Lastly, if you’re not able to do this on your own for whatever reason, hire a professional to put you on the right track.
In conclusion, having a closet full of clothing that you don’t love is really like being a hamster on a spinning wheel; you’ll be going around in circles all morning long when you should be dressed in something you love and getting out the door. When that’s the case, getting dressed will always be a pleasure.
Marc A. Streisand is the owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers in Providence and Newport.
