How to Do a Closet Exercise After You Find Your Colors

Once you have identified your colors, the next step is where the real magic happens. This is where theory turns into everyday ease. A closet exercise helps you translate what you know about color into outfits you actually wear, love, and reach for with confidence.

This process does not need to be rushed or overwhelming. In fact, it works best when approached with curiosity and kindness.

Begin with a clear and calm space

Start by giving yourself a little breathing room. You do not need to empty your entire closet onto the bed unless that energizes you. Instead, create space by pulling out a section at a time. Tops are often the easiest place to begin because they sit closest to your face and benefit most from your best colors.

Good light matters. Natural light is ideal if possible. It helps you see colors clearly and make better decisions.

Have three areas ready
One to keep and love
One for maybe
One for ready to release

This keeps momentum going without forcing instant decisions.

Group by color, not category

Once items are out, group them by color rather than by type. Lay all the blues together, then the greens, then the warm tones, then the neutrals. This step alone is often eye-opening.

You will likely notice patterns right away. Certain colors appear again and again. Others barely show up at all. Some colors may surprise you by how rarely you wear them.

Ask yourself simple questions
Does this color align with what I know about my best shades
Do I feel good when I wear this color
Does this color mix easily with other pieces I love

This is curiosity, not judgment.

Try things on with intention

Trying clothes on is important, but it does not need to be exhausting. Focus on pieces you are unsure about, especially those in the maybe pile.

Stand in front of a mirror and notice what happens when the color is near your face. Do your eyes look brighter? Does your skin look more even? Do you feel comfortable and confident?

If a color technically fits your palette but you still do not enjoy wearing it, that matters. Personal style always works alongside color theory, not underneath it.

Where can a friend help the most

This is a wonderful moment to invite a trusted friend over. Choose someone who is kind, honest, and supportive. Not someone who will push their own style preferences onto you.

A friend can help by
Offering a second set of eyes on color and fit
Noticing patterns you might miss
Helping you see when something truly lights you up
Encouraging you to let go of pieces tied only to guilt or past versions of yourself

This can even be a fun afternoon with coffee or wine, music playing, and conversation flowing. Style becomes shared instead of solitary.

Build outfits instead of saving pieces

One of the most practical steps in this exercise is creating complete outfits. As you identify pieces that align with your colors, try pairing them together right away.

If an item cannot easily form at least one outfit with other pieces you love, it may belong in the maybe pile for now. Clothing earns its place by being worn.

Take photos of outfits you love. This becomes a visual reference for future mornings when getting dressed feels rushed.

Create a color-focused core wardrobe

As you finish this exercise, you will begin to see your core colors clearly. These become the foundation of your wardrobe.

Your core colors should

• Work well together
• Appear in multiple types of garments
• Reflect both your coloring and your lifestyle

This does not mean eliminating all other colors forever. It simply means your everyday wardrobe has a strong, supportive base.

Let go with gratitude

Releasing clothes can feel emotional. Thank pieces for what they offered, even if that was simply teaching you what does not work for you now.

Consider donating items to someone who will truly enjoy them. Letting go creates space not just in your closet, but in your mind.

Repeat gently over time

This is not a one-time event. Revisit this exercise seasonally or whenever your life shifts. Bodies change. Lifestyles change. Preferences evolve.

Approached with curiosity, your closet becomes a place of learning rather than frustration.

When you align your wardrobe with your colors and take the time to work through it thoughtfully, getting dressed becomes simpler, more intentional, and surprisingly joyful.