4. Remove all items of clothing from your closet.
5. Return to the closet all "specialty items" such as workout clothes, tennis or golf wear, cocktail dresses and formal gowns that still fit you and are in good condition. Keep all the casual sporting items in one area and all the dressier items together in another area of the closet. For those pieces that no longer fit or are not in wearable condition, place them in a trash bag.
6. Now go through everything else and place it into one of three piles. The first pile is for items that no longer fit or are outdated and will never be worn again. The second pile is for items that can be worn "IF." Pants that can be worn IF the button or zipper is replaced. A skirt that can be worn IF a top can be found to coordinate. The third pile is for items that are reasonably current and hopefully, fit you well.
7. Sort through pile #1 and decide what can be taken to a consignment shop or donated to a worthy organization such as Dress for Success. Place them in a separate trash bag and leave items unfit to be donated or consigned in a separate trash bag.
8.Place the items from pile #2 in a separate trash bag to be dealt with later.
9. Try on everything from pile #3 and take a critical look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Is it a good color for you? Does it fit you well? Does it embrace your personality? Is it reasonably current? Any items that don't pass this "test" are placed in the trash bag with items to be consigned or donated.
10. Now you are ready to return everything else from pile #3 to the closet in this order:
Tops, arranged from lightest color to darkest color with spaghetti strap tops first, then tank tops, then sleeveless tops, short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and finally, long sleeves.
Skirts, arranged from lightest color to darkest color with shortest skirts in front and longer skirts in back.
Pants, arranged from lightest color to darkest color with shortest pants (cropped pants, capris, etc.) in front and longer pants in back.
Jackets/Sweaters, arranged from lightest color to darkest color.
Now step back and take a good look at your new workable wardrobe. Feels good, doesn't it?
Set aside some time on another day to return to the items from pile #2 and make a list of what is needed to get those items returned to the closet (a new zipper, new buttons, hemming or tailoring, a new camisole, etc.).
Now, finish off that glass of wine and eat those chocolates. You deserve it!