I switched my closet over for spring a few weeks ago, and something felt different right away.
I didn’t overthink it.
No maybe piles, no trying things on just to convince myself, no “I’ll deal with this later.” I just… moved through it.
And I realized pretty quickly why.
After spending time looking back at ten years of my outfits, I wasn’t guessing anymore. It was pretty clear to me what I wear – and what I don’t.
So the decisions were kind of made before I even opened the closet.
And what I ended up with is a smaller, more curated spring closet than I’ve had in years, one that feels a lot easier to actually get dressed from.
What I Noticed After Resetting My Closet
The first thing I noticed wasn’t even specific pieces—it was just that I could see everything.
Not in a dramatic, “I got rid of everything I own” way. Just… enough space that nothing is buried.
And that alone changed how I started getting dressed.
I found myself reaching for things instead of sorting through things.
I pulled my favorite pieces forward pretty quickly—crochet, a few bold prints, pull-on easy-to-wear skirts, cotton button-down shirts. The pieces I’m naturally drawn to this time of year.
And I didn’t overthink it. I didn’t ask if they were the most versatile or the most practical. I just knew I wanted to wear them.
My solid knit tanks and tees are still there (I need them), but instead of hanging them in the closet, I folded them into a drawer to keep the closet less cluttered.
Same with denim—I gave my lightweight pairs their own space, along with the dresses I know I’ll wear when it gets really warm. Heavier-weight denim is still accessible in a clear bin in the closet – just in case I need to reach a pair over the next 6 months.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I realized almost everything works with flat sandals or sneakers. DING!
Which honestly says a lot about how I actually live my life.
I did keep a few cashmere sweaters for cooler nights, along with lightweight blazers and jackets. But overall, it just feels more aligned and easier to play around with items I actually enjoy and, will wear.
How I Organized Things
I didn’t do anything revolutionary here, but I did change how I thought about it.
In the past, I’d organize by category and call it done. And it looked nice… but it didn’t always make getting dressed easier.
This time I kept asking myself, what do I actually reach for first?
And I built around that.
So the things I wear on repeat are right in front. No digging, no thinking. The supporting pieces are there, just not competing for attention.
It sounds simple, but it made a bigger difference than I expected.
If you’re doing a closet reset yourself, this is the one thing I’d suggest:
Don’t organize for how it looks. Organize how you use it.
Also—small thing—but I didn’t try everything on. I used to think I had to, and I just don’t anymore. You probably already know how you feel about most of your clothes.
Spring Dresses, Skirts, Styled a Few Ways
There are a handful of dresses and skirts I know I’ll wear without thinking.
And I think that’s the shift for me—I’m not looking for more options here anymore. I’m just paying attention to what I already reach for.
Same dress – skirt – different shoes… maybe a slightly different layer or accessories… I used to think I needed more variety, but really, I just need to re-style pieces I actually like wearing.
STYLE NOTES, click any image to enlarge: Most of these items are past season pieces from my closet. The one shoulder jersey top is one of my favorites, available in 2 colors with a built in shelf bra by Cuyana (HERE). The green silk skirt is actually a slip dress with a t-shirt over it, accessorized with a leopard print belt by Figue. Fun fact, the orange dress is Farm Rio – origionally a long sleeve dress that I never wore – which I took to the tailor to shorten the sleeves, and now I wear it often. The olive green mixed media dress it the ‘Riveria’ dress from Everlane, the new update to this style – which I like even better – is the halter dress in poplin (HERE).
T-Shirt Layered Over a Slip Dress
This one was a bit of an experiment.
I tried layering an oversized t-shirt over a slip dress, and at first, it felt a little off. But I kept playing with it until I finally got the t-shirt to sit on my waist by rubberbanding the tail and tucking it under, in front. Once I added sneakers and kept everything relaxed, it came together. It has a slightly sporty, unexpected feel—but still easy. And funny enough, it’s probably something I wouldn’t have tried a few years ago. Now it’s one of those outfits I keep thinking about wearing again.
What I Wear When I Don’t Want to Think About it
We all need a few “I don’t want to think about it” outfits. The weather’s doing its own thing, I need something that works either way, and I just grab what I know will be fine. For me, that is light layers, wide-leg or barrel denim, flat shoes – nothing too complicated. Not exciting, maybe—but very real life. And honestly, these are the outfits I wear the most.
STYLE NOTES, click any image to enlarge: If you are looking for an elegant, low heel sandal, the gold toe loop sandal I paired with my tan TWP ‘Demie’ wide leg pants, is VINCE, back in stock and now 50% off at the Nordstrom Rack, available in black and a gorgeous tan suede. These ran true to size for me, SHOP HERE. My barrel jeans, pictured with a Liberty Print Frank and Eileen buttondown, are the Jetties Pant from TWP, however, my girlfriend was wearing a very similar pair this week, they looked great on her, only $50 at Quince(HERE). The light blue/olive green crochet polo is a Nordstrom Rack find, under $50, (HERE). Styled with Vuori joggers, the ‘Marina’ quilted jacket is now on sale at Marine Layer, TTS, (HERE).
Now For Those Random Hot Spring Days
On days when it’s just too hot for jeans, I reach for my pull-on linen shorts, Quince $20 micro rib tank (back in stock HERE, but this goes fast). If out of stock, THIS racerback is on sale at EVERLANE, and if you like a square neck, THIS looks promising, and an oversized button-down—I am wearing the ‘Eileen’ shirt in Liberty Print (neon florals), size small (TTS), from Frank and Eileen, available in 75 colorways (HERE) —simple sandals… done.
It’s a go-to uniform for me and something I wear on repeat all summer. I have three pairs of the same linen shorts (similar at Quince | 8 colors | $32 | PRESS HERE), but honestly, I could probably get by with just two in flax—I reach for those far more than the navy or white.
7 Tips for Resetting Your Closet for a New Season
I didn’t follow a strict method, but a few things made this feel a lot easier:
- Start by thinking and jotting down a few notes about what you’ve been wearing lately, not in theory—literally what you reach for.
- Trust your first reaction to things. If something feels off, it usually is.
- You don’t need to try everything on (I promise).
- Keep the things you’re excited to wear, not just the things that “make sense.”
- Put your favorites where you can actually see them.
- As for the pieces you hesitated on—if they’re not a clear “hell no,” try storing them in a clear bin (I like THESE, clear front zipper cubes from Target). Giving them a little space can help you come back to them later and maybe see them in a new way.
- I like THESE shelf dividers to help organize your handbags, where you can see them,
- And leave a little space—it helps more than you think.
A Few Closet Essentials I Love
Browse Items Mentioned in Today’s Post
Final Musings
What surprised me most wasn’t just how much I’ve let go over time—it was how curated it all feels now. I think for a long time I was trying to build a closet that covered every version of my life – including a wardrobe for my fantasy life (more on that, HERE).
This feels different.
My closet now feels built around how I actually get dressed, what I actually reach for, and what I actually enjoy wearing – for my lifestyle TODAY.
And now that I can see what I own and actually wear more clearly, I’ve been enjoying styling up outfits in a way that feels more creative.
Which, for me, is usually when style starts to feel fun again.
I’ll share a few more of those outfits soon.
