Closet Clean Out Step 5: Simplifying Accessories And Storage

Organizing Accessories: The Finishing Touches That Make the Outfit

True fashionista style is never complete without the finishing touches — and disorganized accessories can be just as frustrating as disorganized clothing. This step is all about organizing accessories in the same way you organized your clothing.

You can have a beautifully edited closet, a smart buying list, and fresh outfit combinations… but if your shoes are piled in a heap or your necklaces are tangled together, getting dressed will still feel stressful.

Step Five of our Closet Clean Out Challenge is all about bringing order to the details.

Let’s jump in.


👢 Shoes: Group, Evaluate, Simplify

Start by grouping your shoes by category:

  • Tall boots
  • Booties (shoe boots)
  • Heels
  • Casual / sporty
  • Flats

If you live in Wyoming like we do, separating summer and winter shoes makes getting dressed much easier. I use:

  • Shelves for winter boots
  • A cubby organizer for summer styles

Other great options:

  • Labeled shoe boxes
  • Clear plastic containers
  • Over-the-door organizers
  • Off-season bins for storage

Pro Tip:

As you organize, evaluate condition.

Ask yourself:

  • How is the tread?
  • Are they scuffed or worn?
  • Are they outdated?
  • Do I actually wear them?

Create a trash pile and a donation pile.
If you eliminate something you truly need to replace, write it on your buying list.

When you’re finished, take stock:
Are you overstocked in one category but missing another?
Do your colored shoes align with your best colors?

If you’re an Autumn, bright cherry red heels may not coordinate with much in your wardrobe, but a deep wine tone probably will. Accessories should support your palette — not compete with it.


📿 Necklaces & Jewelry: Length + Color

For necklaces, organize by:

  • Length (shortest to longest)
  • Color grouping

I use a multi-pronged hanger in my closet and arrange them from shortest to longest, grouping similar tones together. It makes layering easier and eliminates the “I forgot I owned that” problem.

Earrings work best in a jewelry box with small compartments. I separate:

  • Everyday pieces
  • Dressier styles

During this step, ask:

  • Have I worn this in the past year?
  • Does this reflect my current style?
  • Does it coordinate with what I actually wear now?

👜 Handbags: Cohesion Matters

Handbags should support your wardrobe — not fight it.

I arrange mine on shelves by color, primarily:

  • Black
  • Brown
  • Tan
  • Gray

Smaller bags and wallets go in baskets (which work well under hanging clothes if shelving is limited).

Pro Tip:

Apply your best color principles here too.

If a handbag doesn’t coordinate with your palette, it will rarely get used. Avoid the “hot pink purse with a red coat and olive pants” situation by editing strategically.


🧣 Scarves & Wraps: Contain the Chaos

Scarves are beautiful — and chaotic if not contained.

I recommend:

  • Rolling them into small circles
  • Storing them in a drawer
  • Keeping outdoor scarves separate from fashion scarves

If drawer space is limited, a slim under-bed basket works beautifully. Avoid stacking too high — especially when you’re searching at 6 a.m.

Wraps can be folded with sweaters on your top shelf.


The Bigger Picture

Accessories are not an afterthought.
They are the polish.

When your accessories are organized:

  • You see what you have.
  • You use more of it.
  • You avoid unnecessary purchases.
  • You feel more pulled together.

One More Game-Changer

While we’re talking about organization…

Planning your outfit the night before can completely change your mornings.

Before bed:

  • Choose your outfit
  • Select shoes
  • Pick jewelry
  • Switch handbags if needed
  • Set out the appropriate coat

Those few extra minutes eliminate stress and build confidence.

And feeling put together?
That’s worth it.


🎥 Watch Step Five

My Step Five Live Video aired inside our VIP Facebook Group.
Join the group to watch the replay and see the full walkthrough.

This entire Closet Clean Out Challenge series will also be released on YouTube next Wednesday.

If you’ve made it this far — congratulations.
You didn’t just clean your closet.

You built a wardrobe system.

Closet Clean Out: Why This First Step Matters So Much

Last night’s Wednesday Wardrobing officially kicked off our Closet Clean Out Challenge, and if you joined us live, you know this wasn’t just about hangers and sorting.

It was about clarity.

One of the biggest takeaways from our first session is that most closets don’t need more clothes — they need better structure. When everything is mixed together with no system, it’s impossible to make confident decisions about what to keep, what to let go of, and what you actually need.


Why We Always Start Here

Before you can evaluate, refresh, or shop intentionally, you have to see what you’re working with.

This first phase of the challenge is designed to:

  • Remove visual noise
  • Create logical groupings
  • Make patterns obvious
  • Highlight what’s working (and what isn’t)

Once your closet is organized with purpose, decisions become easier — and far less emotional.

Many women shared that simply completing this first step already made them feel:

  • More in control
  • Less overwhelmed
  • Re-energized about their wardrobe

And we’re just getting started.


This Is a Process — Not a One-Day Project

That’s why this challenge unfolds over five weeks.

Each step builds on the one before it, and each Wednesday Wardrobing session adds depth, coaching, and practical insight you simply can’t get from a checklist alone.

Next up in the series:
👉 Closet Clean Out Challenge Two: Letting Go Without Regret

This is where we’ll begin making intentional decisions about:

  • What stays
  • What goes
  • What needs support
  • What deserves an upgrade

And yes — we’ll also talk about those “sacred cows” we all struggle to let go of.


Missed the Live? You’re Not Too Late

If you didn’t catch the live video, the replay is available inside our VIP Facebook Group, where the entire challenge is taking place.

📌 Fashion Crossroads Fashionistas VIP Group
🕕 Weekly Wednesday Wardrobing at 6 p.m. MST
🎁 Giveaways announced during the series

👉 Join the group here to watch the replay and stay involved:
https://fb.me/e/2adC8R5Bm

A new year doesn’t require a whole new wardrobe.
Sometimes it just requires a better relationship with the one you already have.

I can’t wait to continue this journey with you next week.

Closet Clean Out Challenge 2025 – Step 4

Closet Clean Out Challenge Step 4

You’ve made it through organizing your closet by category and color, tackled those “sacred cows” with my 10 questions, and created space for a more functional wardrobe. Now, it’s time for the most rewarding step of the process: Refresh and Renew!

This week’s focus is on creating a Buying List—your personalized roadmap to smarter shopping and a closet that works for you. Join me live this Wednesday, January 29th, at 6 p.m. MST on Facebook and Instagram, where I’ll walk you through the next step of this challenge.

Why Create a Buying List?

Your Buying List ensures that every new piece you add to your wardrobe serves a purpose. It will save you time, money, and frustration, while helping you avoid buying items that don’t work with your existing wardrobe. Keep this list in your purse so it’s always handy, and refer to it during any shopping trip.

How to Create Your Buying List

Grab a piece of paper and divide it into these four categories:

1️⃣ Basics I Need

  • Take stock of core wardrobe essentials like neutral tops, jackets, slacks, skirts, and shoes in classic colors like black, white, navy, tan, and grey.
  • Are any of your basics wearing out or missing? Write them down.
  • Remember, these are investment pieces—focus on quality and durability.

2️⃣ Items That Need Matches

  • Identify printed or standout pieces in your closet that don’t have a match.
  • Think jackets missing the perfect top or skirts needing a matching blouse.
  • Pro tip: Take photos of these items or bring them shopping with you to ensure you find the perfect match.

3️⃣ Trends I Want to Buy

  • Keep your wardrobe fresh by identifying trends you love for the season.
  • Write these down so you’re prepared when you go shopping.
  • Trends don’t have to be expensive but should complement your personal style and fit seamlessly into your wardrobe.

4️⃣ My Best Colors

  • Knowing your best colors is key to creating a cohesive wardrobe. If your hair color or skin tone has changed, your color palette might need an update.
  • Unsure of your colors? Use the “Color Me Beautiful” method to determine if you’re a Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter.

Why This Step Matters

This step is about creating a wardrobe that serves you, saves you time, and makes shopping a breeze. By focusing on quality basics, strategic matches, trendy updates, and colors that flatter you, your wardrobe will become a well-oiled machine.

Tune In Live

I’ll be discussing Step 4 in detail during my Wednesday Wardrobing live video this week.

Don’t forget about our special incentive to reward your closet cleanout efforts! For every business-appropriate clothing item you donate to Dress For Success, you’ll receive $1 in in-store credit (up to a $20 maximum). Your donations will directly support women in our community who are striving to achieve economic independence.

Hurry, though—you only have two weeks left to take advantage of this offer! Gather your donations and bring them to Fashion Crossroads Inc. today. Let’s turn your cleanout into a meaningful contribution! 💖

Join me at 6 p.m. MST on Facebook and Instagram:
📲 Facebook: Fashion Crossroads Inc.
📲 Instagram: @fashioncrossroadsinc

Let’s enjoy a refreshed and renewed wardrobe! 💖

Closet Clean-Out Challenge 2025, Part II

Closet Clean-Out Challenge 2025: Part II, Get Organized with Color

Ready to transform your closet and start your mornings stress-free? It’s time for the next step in our Closet Clean-Out Challenge 2025! 🎉 This January, we’re decluttering and organizing together, one step at a time, so your wardrobe is as efficient and inspiring as it can be. Let’s make space for new looks, fresh opportunities, and better mornings.

If you missed last week’s live Wednesday Wardrobing session, we tackled Step One: Get Organized, Part I, where we sorted clothing by type. Don’t worry—you can catch up by watching the replay on our Facebook, Instagram, our YouTube. Now, we’re diving into Step Two: Organize by Color using a foolproof system to make your closet a visual masterpiece.


Step Two: Organize by Color

Why color organization? It simplifies mixing and matching and helps you create outfits you’ve never thought of before. Plus, it makes spotting gaps in your wardrobe a breeze. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Use the ROYGBIV Acronym
Start with the rainbow—Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet—and sort your clothes accordingly. If a category doesn’t have a specific color, just skip to the next.

2️⃣ Group Neutrals Next
After violet, sort gray, black, white, cream, and brown. Keep similar shades together to maintain consistency.

3️⃣ Handle Color Variations
Got colors like pink, coral, or turquoise? Place them with their closest primary color. For example, pink goes with red, and turquoise with blue. Within each group, arrange lighter tones first and darker tones last for a gradient effect.

4️⃣ Manage Prints Thoughtfully
When sorting prints, identify the dominant color and group it accordingly. You’ll find that once your closet is organized, misplaced items will stick out—proof of this system’s simplicity and effectiveness.


Tips for Success

  • Focus Your Closet
    Only hang items you wear for work or dressed-up casual looks. Fold activewear, loungewear, and sleepwear to keep your closet clutter-free.
  • Keep the Momentum
    Break the task into manageable chunks, so you’re never overwhelmed. By the end of the challenge, you’ll be amazed at the transformation.

Join the Fun and Get Rewarded!

This year, we’ve added an exciting incentive to make your Closet Clean-Out journey even more rewarding:

🌟 Donate to Dress For Success
When you complete Step Three: Clean Out Week, we encourage you to donate business-appropriate clothing to Dress For Success. For every item you donate (up to 20 clothing items), you’ll receive $1 in-store credit. Accessories are welcome but don’t count toward the credit.

🌟 Exclusive Event Invitation
Your donation also earns you an invite to our private Fashion With A Purpose party on February 6th. Join us for an after-hours shopping experience with wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the chance to spend your in-store credit while learning more about Dress For Success.


Don’t Miss Tonight’s Live!

Join me for Wednesday Wardrobing Live Wednesday 1/15/25 at 6 p.m. MST on Facebook or Instagram, where I’ll demonstrate how to organize your closet by color. Let’s turn your wardrobe into an organized, inspiring space together!

Cheers to a New Year and a New You! 🎉
Happy organizing,
Kyleen