The new year is the perfect time for a closet edit. It’s a reset; not just for your wardrobe, but for your mindset. Whether you’re a minimalist, a big shopper, or somewhere in between, everyone benefits from a thoughtful wardrobe edit. Even a closet that looks “small” or “simple” still deserves to be evaluated for fit, function, and alignment with your current life.
This guide walks you step by step through a professional closet editing process inspired by how Los Angeles personal stylist Meg Gallagher performs wardrobe stylist closet edits with her clients. Whether you want to DIY your own closet audit or understand what goes into hiring a closet editing service, this is your complete step-by-step guide of a closet edit from start to finish. .
Why a Closet Edit Matters More Than You Think
There’s a common misconception that buying more clothes gives you more to wear, but the opposite is usually true. The more you buy, the less you wear.
When your closet is cluttered, you can’t see what you own. It becomes overwhelming, uninspiring, and mentally exhausting. Pieces get buried, outfits feel harder to create, and getting dressed turns into a chore.
Think you’re exempt because you don’t have much in your closet? Just because you don’t have a lot of clothes, doesn’t mean your closet doesn’t need editing.
You may get rid of fewer items, but you still need to assess what fits, flatters, needs tailoring, no longer reflects your lifestyle and what pieces are missing.
A closet revamp is for everyone; packrats, trend shoppers, and minimalists alike.
It’s Bigger Than the Clothes: The Emotional Side of Closet Editing
A closet declutter isn’t just practical, it’s emotional. Your wardrobe can hold reminders of old careers, past body sizes, previous relationships, and former versions of yourself. Facing what no longer fits or no longer works can bring up nostalgia, guilt, frustration, and self-criticisms.
A successful wardrobe editing process is about standing up to your closet instead of letting the “demons in the closet” rule you.
Yes, it’s easy to put off because it feels big and overwhelming. But getting to the other side feels incredible.
You know what you have. You know what fits. The clutter is gone, order is restored, and getting dressed becomes effortless again.
STEP ONE: BEFORE THE CLOSET EDIT
The most effective closet makeover starts before you touch a hanger. This preliminary work creates rules, guidelines, and boundaries that make the actual edit faster, easier, and far more intentional.
- Determine Your Seasonal Color Palette:
Knowing your color palette is a game-changer. It becomes a visual filter for what stays and what goes, and it helps you immediately identify what is flattering.
Meg Gallagher recommends getting your colors done with ColorGuru to establish a clear guideline before editing. (Use Meg’s ColorGuru discount code: MegGallagher10)
During your closet edit, this palette serves as a reference point whenever you’re unsure about a piece.
- Define Your Real Lifestyle (Not Your Fantasy One):
Write down how you actually spend your time in a typical week.
Ask yourself:
-How many days am I at work or school?
-Do I work from home or an office?
-Do I work out regularly?
-What do my evenings look like?
-What do my weekends really consist of?
Example lifestyle breakdown:
Weekdays: workout, work-from-home or office outfits, evening lounge
Weekends: casual or errands, social plans, date nights
Next, look ahead three months.
-Are you traveling? Attending weddings? Going to conferences, concerts, or celebrations?
This lifestyle overview becomes the foundation of your closet audit. Your clothes must support the life you’re actually living.
- Identify Your Style Goals & Priorities:
A wardrobe edit isn’t just about function, it’s about how you want to feel.
Choose 3–5 style words that describe what you want right now, such as:
Comfortable, Polished, Sporty, Professional, Trend-Forward
Then, gather visual inspiration. Create a Pinterest board or save outfits you love on social media. Over time, patterns will emerge – silhouettes, colors, and aesthetics that resonate with you.
Your style goals act as a compass during the closet editing process and help you decide what stays, what goes, and what you’ll build toward.
STEP TWO: STARTING THE CLOSET EDIT
Once you’ve defined your color palette, lifestyle needs, and style priorities, it’s time to begin.
1. The Lifestyle Edit
Ask one simple question: Does this fit my current lifestyle?
People’s lives change, but their clothes often don’t. If you have nowhere to wear something, it won’t get worn.
Refer to your lifestyle breakdown you created in step one, and use it as a guideline to filter out any outlying pieces that don’t speak to your needs.
Common Mistakes:
– Don’t limit your wardrobe to a single label.
Many people reduce themselves to potentially limiting labels (i.e. “casual”, “minimal”, “basic”) and purge anything that doesn’t fit their usual norm. They forget that life sometimes includes weddings, events, workouts, travel, and celebrations that often require dressing up or dressing down. A strong wardrobe supports all facets of your life, and can be tailored to your stylistic preferences through intentional outfit styling.
– Don’t forget the shoes.
Shoes are often the biggest disconnect in a closet. Many people own beautiful shoes that don’t suit their daily routines – and therefore never get worn.
2. The Fit & Flatter Edit
This step requires trying things on, which is why it comes after the lifestyle edit. It is far less time consuming to try on clothes that you’ve already filtered through and identified as supporting your lifestyle.
When trying on each piece, ask yourself:
- Does it fit properly?
- Is it flattering?
- Does it feel current?
- Does it need tailoring?
- Does the quality reflect how I want to be perceived?
(This isn’t about price, it’s about presentation. Cheap-looking buttons, poor fabrics, or sloppy tailoring can hold you back, especially if you’re trying to elevate your image or step into a leadership role.)
Then, send out and fix any garments and shoes that require:
- Tailoring
- Repairs
- Cleaning or stain removal
3. After Your Closet Edit, Rebuild with Intention
When putting everything back:
- Organize by category (jackets, dresses, skirts, pants)
- Then organize by color within each category
This creates visual calm and makes outfit-building easier.
What’s OK to Keep, and What Isn’t
What’s Okay to Keep:
- Sentimental or special pieces
- Items worn only for specific occasions
Store these separately so they don’t interfere with your everyday wardrobe.
What to Let Go Of:
- Duplicates (keep your favorites only – do you really need six pairs of black pants?)
- Clothes that don’t fit
They will NOT inspire you. If needed, store them elsewhere, but don’t let them torture your daily confidence. - Shoes that hurt, pinch, rub, or slide
Even if you love them, comfort matters.
The Final Step: Style Outfits & Create a Shopping List
Now you’re left with a closet full of pieces that fit, flatter, and align with your lifestyle. This is your clean canvas.
Use your saved outfit inspiration from pinterest and social media to:
- Style outfits from what you already own
- Identify true gaps in your wardrobe
- Create a targeted shopping list (no more impulse buys)
This step prevents clutter from creeping back in and ensures your future purchases actually get worn.
How a Personal Stylist Can Help:
A closet edit can feel overwhelming, and that’s where a professional makes all the difference.
Meg Gallagher, a Los Angeles–based personal stylist, specializes in wardrobe stylist closet edits that actually move the needle. She helps clients declutter with intention, define their personal style, and rebuild wardrobes that work long-term.
Not sure where to take your tailoring pile? Meg has trusted tailor resources throughout LA and NYC.
Redoing your closet? She can connect you with professional closet organization services and has direct relationships with top organizers.
If you’re considering a closet editing service, working with a stylist like Meg turns a daunting process into a guided, efficient, and empowering experience.
A closet edit isn’t just about removing clothes – it’s about removing confusion, overwhelm, and self-doubt. Start the year with clarity, confidence, and a wardrobe that finally works for you.