How to Spring clean your wardrobe and organize with 'clusters'

Stylist and image consultant Dani Slaugh shared the following with us today:

"This is the perfect time to declutter and organize your wardrobe. Now that the holiday mayhem has subsided you may even find yourself with a little extra time on your hands. And who doesn't love walking into a well-lit, well-organized closet that gets you excited to start your day? Or are you one of those people who wears the same thing every day? And when you do venture out of your same outfit comfort zone, do you spend 20-40 minutes putting together something new? If you organize well, putting together new looks that make you feel inspired will take you 5 minutes max. Here's the system...watch out for the biggest mistake you may be making.

1. Spread a white sheet over your bed, unless the bedspread is already white. You'll want to lay accessories on your bed and focus on their design, not a distracting bedspread pattern.
2. Bring in a clothes rack. If you don’t have one, you can make one by setting up two chairs, putting a broom on top and hanging the clothes from the broom handle.
3. Bring in 3 boxes or plastic bags. One is for cleaning/repairs, one for repurposing/donations, and one for off-season clothing. (You may choose to hang off-season items in another closet if available.)
4. Off-season? Love it? Like it? Hate it? Look through each item of clothing. Store off-season clothing in another closet or box. Designate one place on the rack for items you love and hang them there. Designate one place for items you like and hang them there. Throw the hates in the donation box.
5. Repeat this process with your accessories using your bed space for loves and likes and boxes for hates/off-season.
6. Evaluate what your love section has in common. Is it the color, the fit, the pattern (or lack of pattern), the texture? Make a note of this. Now consider the hate items, what do they have in common? Write this down. Vow not to repeat the elements that you didn’t like and look for more of the elements you do like in future purchases! Keep your notes with you later as you shop. Creating a style file using Pinterest or mail order catalogs is also great follow-up for inspiring ideas.

THIS IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE GET IT WRONG! ORGANIZING YOUR CLOTHES BY GARMET TYPE AND COLOR LEADS TO WASTED TIME EVERY TIME YOU GET DRESSED.

1. Instead of sorting clothes by garment type, cluster your clothing for maximum efficiency, variety, and INSPIRATION. Here are the cluster guidelines:
   1. Find a source of inspiration – a pattern of colors in a print, stripe, or plaid – to inspire the color scheme of your cluster. Ideally, one of the colors repeats your personal coloring or is a wardrobe neutral.
   2. ADD 5 to 8 basic pieces of clothing – at least 3 tops and 2 bottom pieces - one third layer.
   3. Select pieces that are basic – simple in style lines and shape.
   4. Select pieces that go together –will work with at least three, four, or more other pieces.
   5. Select pieces that are distinctly different from one another – no two pieces alike, not yet.
   6. Select accessories to go with the clothes – essential basic accessories first.
   7. Gradually expand your cluster(s) – to meet all your wardrobe needs.
2. Make a shopping list of missing items to complete your cluster. Keep this with your style file.
3. Fill the closet with love. I'm so happy to help with this one! Let the focused shopping begin.Click HERE for shopping info.

Looking to add an extra half hour to your day? With a professional wardrobe evaluation you'll experience efficiency & inspiration that puts time back on your side! Learn more HERE."

Find more from her at stylebydani.com.