Step 1: Get Educated on Fall 2010 Trends

That’s right, ladies – your eyes fool you not! We know we’ve just snapped the cellophane on our new 2010 calendars, and there are still several months to enjoy the savvy styles of Fall 09! But fashion’s always forward, and Spring ‘10 has already walked down the runways and into the marketplace! That means fall sales are on the horizon! End-of-season sales are perfect opportunities to find great deals on pieces that will transcend into spring and even next fall. And with some closet clutter liberation, you’ll have plenty of room to house your new fashion friends. So before you dive into your closet cleansing, we checked in with CAbi’s Design Team to get the inside scoop on next fall and help you make fiscally smart choices at this season’s sales.

Tunics will continue to thrive, and we’ll even see some new silhouettes thrown in the mix. Speaking of mix, mixing prints will be bigger than ever, especially within the same garment. And what’s better than black denim to ground those wild prints while lengthening and slimming your stunning stems? Fall is always all about fabulous jackets, and next fall plan on collarless jackets and maybe even a touch of fringe.

We hope this gives you a few helpful hints as you ready yourself for the sales. Now that you know what the future holds, it’s time to purge the past!

Step 2: Empty Your Closet

Here’s what you’ll need: A few solid hours, a good full-length mirror – yes, that’s right, you’ll be trying everything on – and a can-do attitude. Focus on the goal! After today, you won’t have to look at an overstuffed closet, baffled as to why you can’t find anything to wear. Be strong, be firm, and be liberated! If you need moral support, grab a friend. Who knows … she may just discover hidden treasures in your delightful discards! Now, completely empty your closet, moving onto Step 3 as you do so.

Step 3: Separate Clothes into Three Piles

Let the fun begin! As you pull items out of your closet, create three separate piles: Keep, Give/Sell, Trash. If you haven’t worn something in a year, it’s time to let go. Consider things in the present – your current body shape and the needs of your lifestyle right now. Try on everything, and don’t let fashion be your foe. If you don’t feel good in something, ditch it! Get rid of as much as possible. Trust us, it’s cathartic, and this is a great opportunity to support your favorite charity!

Step 4: Deep Cleaning

Once the closet’s empty, clean it out. Your duster and vacuum will help you defeat the disorder! Throw in a cedar block and potpourri sachet to keep it moth-free and smelling fresh, and you’re ready to start restocking.

Step 5: Organize

The key ingredient of closet cleansing – organization! You want to see the fruits of your labor at the end of the day! Make a worthwhile investment in a few hanging organizers to maximize your space, and/or clear boxes to store certain clothes away. And you’ve got to ditch the wire hangers! So, make a list of what you need for ultimate organization, and take a Bed Bath & Beyond break to get your supplies.

Step 6: Restock

Now that the closet is clean and your new organizers are ready to roll, it’s time to move the clothes back in. Remember, only the items that you truly like and feel good in should be allowed in the sanctuary of your closet. During this process, make a mental note of the specific qualities of items you love most, and those you’ve given away, so you are armed and ready for a successful spree at the end-of season sales!

Step 7: Take a Break!

Congratulations! You’ve conquered your clothing colossus! You now have a clean, organized, and skeleton free closet! Reward yourself with a proverbial pat on the back, whether that’s a glass of wine, evening with girlfriends, trip to the coffee house, or even a jog. Enjoy!

Step 8: Accessory Queen Update

No doubt we accessory queens have garnered quite a collection of shoes and accessories, and our closet cleanout is not complete until we’ve gone through these as well. The first step in determining what to keep, and in turn what to clean out, is figuring out what we have. So let’s start by clearing some floor space and laying out all shoes and accessories.

Step 9: Shoe Cleanout & Update

Phase 1: Take any pairs that you know without a doubt you will never wear and start a bag for your favorite charity.

Phase 2: Time to put on your discerning hat. If a pair of shoes doesn’t match at least two outfits, say adieu and move on! That means it’s time to let go of that pair you always think you’ll have the perfect outfit for, but never actually do. Add these to the bag for charity.

Phase 3: Now, go through the remaining shoes to check for needed repairs. Here are a few tips to make them feel (and look) good as new, worthy of your freshly cleaned out wardrobe:

• Use rubber cement to glue down loose linings.
• Replace loose or missing heel tips. Replacing plastic tips with rubber ones will also make them more comfortable to walk in.
• If a beloved pair of shoes feels a bit too tight, have them stretched slightly by a shoe repairer.
• Clean leather shoes with colorless leather cleaner, and polish them for protection from water damage. Use a cream polish for softer leather, and a wax polish for heavier leathers.

Step 10: Jewelry Cleanout & Update

Phase 1: Take out anything that is not wearable or broken beyond repair. For example, make sure you have complete pairs of earrings; if you stumble on a lonely earring, toss it (unless of course if its valuable or if you can use it in a creative way… and really will).

Phase 2: Are these accessories out of date? Don’t worry, if you really love them we’re not going to make you throw; they could come back in style, after all. However, we do recommend separating your “comeback hopefuls” from your current pieces, so that your “now” options are more visible when you are getting ready.

Phase 3: Bring remaining accessories back to life. Clean fine jewelry to make it sparkle! We recommend Weiman Jewelry Cleaner. Get creative with pieces that you love but seldom wear. If a ring is too small, string it on a necklace and voila, a brand new piece. Attach a funky or vintage broach to a ribbon for a second chance at life as a necklace. Try attaching multiple bracelets lengthwise to create a fancy new necklace. The options are endless!

Step 11: Purse Cleanout & Update

From being thrown from the car to the table and everywhere in between, these bags need some retouching attention! Clean leather purses with a leather cleaner and fabric purses with a spot treatment brush. Use a lint roller to swipe out debris left inside or even the fabric-brush attachment of your vacuum to suck it up.

Step 12: Belts Cleanout & Update

If a belt no longer fits, add an extender to make it larger, or take it to your local shoe repair shop to have extra holes quickly added to make it tighter. Spruce ‘em up by replacing the buckle. As you deliberate over what to keep and what to toss, keep in mind all of the fabulously fun ways to wear belts. Skinny belts are an easy to way to update those classic cardigans you found during your closet cleanout. Give your loose menswear shirt a sexy makeover with a chunky belt slung low on your hips over skinny jeans. If you love a belt that’s gotten a little too small, try it cinched in at your natural waist over a tunic for an instant hourglass. And of course, there’s always the classic “through the loops” method – and this isn’t just for holding up your trousers. A vintage buckle adds just the right touch of funky flair to the most classic of outfits.

You’ve done it! You successfully cleaned out your closet – and we fashionistas and shopaholics know that is no small feat! Now you’re ready to hit the fall sales, and embark into a fabulous new season of fashion. Enjoy!