Edit & Upgrade Your Closet

The new year is the perfect time to refresh your 2026 wardrobe. Resolutions and fresh starts can feel overwhelming, but refreshing your closet is an easy and satisfying way to let go of the past and set the tone for next year. It’s about choosing to shop with intention, honing your style, and ensuring you have a wardrobe that truly supports your life. I also use this moment to let go of things that no longer align with my goals and lifestyle.

Whether you commit to a complete closet cleanout or focus on a few key updates, these tips for refreshing your wardrobe in 2026 will ensure your closet works for you, rather than against you, in the year ahead.

Before you start

Keeping your goals in mind will make refreshing your wardrobe in 2026 ten times easier. Before you start shopping or purging, consider the following prompts or write in your journal.

1. Your approach to shopping: Are you leaning toward “don’t buy in January,” skipping fast fashion, or simply being more intentional with each purchase?
2. how Will your style evolve with the rest of your life? Are you becoming a mother and need more functional pieces, or are you progressing in your career and looking for clothes that support your lifestyle? Next chapter?
3. How to challenge your style: Do you want to experiment with color and pattern, or do you want to go back to clean, sophisticated basics?
4. Favorite item: Which item in your closet do you reach for over and over again? A pair of black leggings that always look great, or a classic white T-shirt that never goes wrong?

cleaning tips and tricks

1. Empty and edit. Take everything out of your closet, spread it out on your bed or floor, and only rehang or put back on the shelf what you really want to keep. The rest can be donated or resold.
2. Follow the one year rule. If there’s an item you haven’t worn in the past year, it’s time to let it go.
3. Adopt a one-input, one-output approach. Every time you introduce a new item into your wardrobe, remove something else. This will ensure your closet is curated and purposefully organized.

These simple practices will create the perfect foundation for your next steps. Easy swaps will improve your wardrobe in 2026 and make getting dressed a little easier.

2026 Wardrobe Refresh: 5 Easy Swaps to Elevate Your Closet

Out: A yellowed or stained white T-shirt.

Color: Crisp White T-Shirt

A refreshing white T-shirt will instantly tighten up your outfit. Choose structured or slightly heavier cottons that hold their shape and layer beautifully. When your T-shirt is crisp and bright, it makes the rest of your outfit feel more stylish and less put together. Once you find a t-shirt you like, buy two or three to ensure they stay clean and each t-shirt gets less wear.

Out: A sweater that has pilled and stretched out.

: High quality neutral sweater

It may be hard to let go of your sweater, but the truth is that sweaters are one of the most difficult things to care for, so you should replace them every few years. A few well-crafted knits in neutral tones will outperform a drawer full of worn-out options. Look for ones that age well with natural fibers and timeless cuts and colors. Remember your wardrobe goals. Do you want 5 trendy, affordable sweaters to throw away by the end of 2026, or do you want 2-3 cashmere or wool sweaters that will last you for years?

Out: Trendy jeans

Type: Fit-forward jeans

Denim should be something that feels current, without being influenced by trends. Prioritize fit, rise, and length over the dominant silhouette of the moment. Once your skinny jeans are no longer useful, don’t keep wearing them hoping they’ll come back in style. Build your wardrobe with two or three pairs that stand up to wear and tear and can be paired with everything.

Out: Worn out training clothes

: Fresh and perfect set

If being more active is one of your resolutions, this is a great 2026 wardrobe refresh that will actually help you reach your goal. More confidence means better performance, so don’t hesitate to replace your old black leggings with new ones (even if you’re buying the same ones again). It’s not a sexy purchase, but it’s one of the best trades you can make for yourself. Plus, a new set is great motivation for your workout.

Out: Tattered shoes

: The fewer the better pairs

Shoes are an essential part of every outfit, so once you’ve decluttered your wardrobe, it’s time to give your shoes a refresh too. Investing in a high-quality pair that you rotate a little at a time will improve even the simplest look and give you longevity. I love trendy shoes as much as anyone, but I always let go of shoes that show signs of wear after a year. For standard items such as sneakers and loafers, we stick to neutral colors that stay on trend and can be matched with anything.

Which one should be first on your list of 2026 wardrobe refresh swaps?