Step 1: take a step back

"Take the time to buy something new and rethink your approach to buying clothes in general," says stylist Kerry Wilde, who specializes in sustainable fashion, "That way you can see things for what they are instead of buying a lot of new clothes that actually distort your wardrobe.

Elizabeth L. Kline, author of The Conscious Closet, agrees: "People tend to use closet decluttering as an excuse to get rid of old clothes and buy more new ones. However, cleaning out your closet is partly about going back to what you have and rethinking the need for certain clothes."

Step 2: set a goal

Determine the reasons why you decided to get rid of your clothes. "Let's say you have a new job, or you don't like your clothes anymore; maybe you had a baby, or your style has changed," advises Singla. Either way, your motivation will shape your approach.

Step 3: Define your personal style

Create a Pinterest board or a folder with images to understand what kind of clothes you really like and how best to combine certain things. "I recommend thinking about the aesthetics of your style before you start cleaning out your closet," says stylist Grace Thomas. "What colors in your closet inspire you? What colors have you enjoyed wearing in the last three to six months?" Ask yourself questions and try to understand what you really want.

Step 4: Set aside enough time for cleaning

Proper closet cleaning shouldn't be done quickly and rashly. A thorough wardrobe analysis takes time. "Find the space and time to approach this process responsibly," says Kline, adding that ethical and environmental steps in cleaning are often overlooked. "Think about how you can integrate items, repurpose them, repurpose or change the style, etc. This process requires close attention. Updating your wardrobe is a way to find your personal style.

Step 5: Create four different categories of old clothes

To start a real closet clean-out, set aside the items you want to use or keep, the items you wear most often, and the items that fit your personal style. Next, evaluate each remaining item of clothing individually, sorting it into one of four piles:

Resell. This is where we end up with valuable items for which you can recoup some of your costs. "These are things that I would probably take to Beacon's Closet in New York, or The RealReal, or put on a resale app where I can make money," says Kline.

Donate. Do you want to give your stuff to a local homeless shelter or church? Or do you want to support an organization? Do it! It's a good and important thing to do. However, before you donate, make sure your clothes are in good condition. Make sure to wash and launder all your clothes. Use a fabric razor to remove any lint from sweaters and a lint roller to remove any animal or human hair. Tie your shoes together to avoid a pair coming apart. Keep in mind that the look and condition of your belongings matters. The way you put your things together and give them away can inspire others to buy secondhand.

Repair. This category includes clothes that need to be repaired, altered, or professionally cleaned, and then sorted into appropriate piles.

Throw away (responsibly). Only throw away clothes that cannot be saved. Recycling options depend on the resources available in the community. Many stores offer clothing and shoe recycling. Some nonprofit organizations may accept leftover fabric for art projects, and animal shelters often welcome textile donations.

Questionable. Singla suggests having a "questionable" pile for those things you're not sure about. It can be difficult to deal with clothes in this category. Check out your Pinterest board for inspiration, schedule an in-person meeting with a stylist to think about how you can integrate these items with your staples, or simply take time to think about an item and revisit the decision later.

Step 6: Remove out-of-season clothes

For those who have a more spacious home, move the out-of-season items to a guest room, if you have one. For smaller homes, a closet in the hallway or storage space under the bed are equally suitable options.

Step 7: fold sweaters, hang up the bottom

"Many people don't organize their closet space properly. So I recommend folding anything that has a thicker knit or takes up a lot of space," says Thomas. "You can visually see the prints and the piece of sweater. Besides, it makes the item wear better and longer." As for the bottoms, she suggests hanging pants and jeans to show off their colors and styles.

Step 8: Create a system and stick to it

Thomas suggests the following classification system: first by type and then by color. For tops, she also recommends sorting them by sleeve length and then by color. Or, alternatively, organize your wardrobe in a way that suits your unique lifestyle and feels most natural.

Step 9: Keep your closet organized

If you continue to take care of your closet after cleaning, you'll only need to make minor seasonal changes twice a year. Depending on how much space you have, Singla recommends keeping a separate bin in your closet for items that no longer fit, are out of order, or no longer match your style.