Where to begin:

Get started by emptying the closet onto your bed. Starting from scratch is the best way to keep ourselves honest during the evaluation process.

Immediate returns to the closet include only your absolute favorite pieces, the ones you can’t live without. If you wouldn’t wear it right this minute, leave it out for now. Immediate tosses should include articles that look faded, stained, holey, and anything that doesn’t fit well today.

Inspect each item that’s left and retire the pieces that don’t meet your criteria. My simple formula to establish your criteria consists of three crucial questions:

Do you LOVE it?

Does it reflect your personal style? Is it “you” enough? Even if it’s an expensive fancy-pants piece, you’ll pass on it every time if you don’t love the fit, color, style, etc.

Do you feel confident in it?

Keep first and lasting impressions in mind. Is this an excellent representation of you? Would you want to meet someone new (professional or otherwise) or run into an ex in this outfit? Lame gage? Maybe. Thought-provoking? Yes.

Would you go out and buy this item today?

Be real. This question helped me downsize to a sixteen piece wardrobe, which caused a slight panic until I discovered all the creative combinations I could make. It was like I had a whole new wardrobe! (Serious.)