De-clutter Your Closet: Interview with Erin Kelly

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There's something so satisfying to me about a tidy, organized closet. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it's also a huge time saver and makes it easier to put a look together. I'm not alone on this issue--organizational guru, Erin Kelly of Arranged By Erin in Lincoln Square, Chicago, shares my affinity for the neat and ordered. Since 2004, Erin has been helping North siders de-clutter and clean house as a professional organizer, and now she has lent her expertise to Girl Seeks Style. She offered up these great tips for anyone in need of a refreshed closet.

• The first step to tackling a messy or jumbled space is to come up with a new system that will work for you. Organize the same way you think--make everything you frequently use readily accessible. 

• Adding extra storage & hanging space can always help. "Most people have 2-2 1/2 feet of unused space at the top of their closets," Erin mentions. She likes to add shelving high up to maximize this area and create seasonal storage space. Keep summer sandals, shorts and the rest of your warm weather gear here, ready to go once its nicer outside. 

• Fold as much as you can, especially items that can easily stretch out or lose their shape. "Hanging space is at a premium in Chicago, so just hang up nicer clothing," Erin urges. Jeans are a great example of something that can free up hanger space--they can be bulky space-wise and take up prime real estate in your closet, especially since most of us have multiple pairs these days. Keep your trusty blues shelved and save vertical space for suits, dresses, blouses and skirts. 

• Organize by color and/or style. Having clothes grouped like this will make planning outfits and getting dressed super quick and simple. A time and stress saver? Yes, please! 

• Keep like-items together. Hang suit pieces with each other and keep scarves, hats and gloves with their matching coats. Once you need them, everything will be together in one place, ready to go. 

• Create a dressing station and plan ahead. Erin raves about valet bars--an attachment bar you can install in your closet, similar to what you see in clothing stores. Valet bars allow you to set aside articles of clothing while keeping everything hanging and organized. Erin explains that you can plan your outfit the day before and hang it up on a valet bar for stress-free and effortless dressing in the morning. 

Olivia Wilde in her amazing closet
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Sometimes simply organizing isn't enough and a good closet clean-out is in order. It's easy to let your wardrobe build up over time, and surprising when you realize how many of those items you don't really use. So how to decide what to toss? Erin suggests asking yourself a series of questions about each piece of clothing: 

• How does this piece work for you? Erin's mantra is "know your body and dress accordingly"--great fashion advice in any situation. If something doesn't fit your body correctly, or doesn't flatter you, set it aside in a "giveaway" pile. 

• How does it make you feel? Just like proper fit, how you feel in a garment is key. Clothes should boost confidence and mood, not leave you feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. If you don't love how that cardigan or pair of trousers makes you feel, then toss 'em. Save the space for something you can't wait to throw on. 

• What condition is it in? Clothing and shoes go through a lot of wear and tear, so it's important to keep an eye on their condition over time. Set aside anything that is faded, piling, ripped (unintentionally!) and falling apart. Quality is one of the most important fundamentals of any great closet. 

And if you are still undecided on weather to keep an item...

• Get a second opinion. Sometimes we need a fresh set of eyes--what are friends for? If you're unsure about a garment, ask someone you trust for their input. 

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