5 Reasons Your Closet Feels Overwhelming—And How to Fix It
An overflowing closet doesn’t always mean too many clothes. Sometimes it just means too many questions. What do I wear today? Why don’t these pieces work anymore? How do I know what fits me now?
When your wardrobe stops feeling helpful and starts feeling heavy, it can be a sign that your style system isn’t keeping up with your life. The hangers are full, but the clarity is missing. But instead of looking at your closet as the problem, it can help to look at it as information. The pieces you keep, avoid, or constantly reach for all tell a story about what works for you and what doesn’t.
In The Style Formula: The Art and Science of What to Wear, Aricia Symes offers a new way to think about your closet, one that begins with alignment. Instead of chasing trends, you’ll learn how to understand your Style ID and build a wardrobe that works for your real life.
Below are five common reasons your closet might feel overwhelming, along with easy tips to help bring it back into balance.
1. You’re Hanging Onto Clothes That Are “Almost Right”
We all have those pieces we keep hoping will work: the blazer that looks great on the hanger but never gets worn, or the jeans that almost fit the way we want. These items might not be totally “wrong,” but they aren’t quite right for you either.
Try this instead: Aricia recommends doing an “energy check.” Hold up the item and ask: Does this feel like me? If you hesitate, explain it away, or try to convince yourself, it may be time to let it go. You deserve a closet full of pieces that feel like a clear yes with no second-guessing.
2. Your Wardrobe Doesn’t Match Your Current Life
Sometimes your clothes reflect a version of you that’s no longer center stage. Maybe you’ve shifted jobs, entered a new life season, or simply outgrown old routines. If your wardrobe doesn’t match how you actually spend your time, it’s no wonder it feels disconnected.
Try this instead: Take a gentle inventory of your week. Where do you go? What do you do? Then ask: Does my wardrobe support this life I’m living now? When your clothes meet you where you are, whether that’s at daycare pickup, a client call, or a weekend hike, you’ll feel more at ease and more like yourself.
3. You’re Shopping Without a Plan of What Works
We’ve all been tempted by a sale, a “must-have” trend, or a piece that looked amazing on someone else. But when you don’t have a strong foundation of what actually suits you, it’s easy to bring home pieces that don’t quite fit your body or your style.
Try this instead: Getting clear on your Style ID changes everything. Aricia describes it as your unique style roadmap, built around what flatters your shape, suits your lifestyle, and lights you up. When you understand your color palette, preferred fits, and the pieces you actually reach for, shopping becomes more intentional, and your closet feels more cohesive and calm.
4. You’re Prioritizing Quantity Over Quality
It’s easy to think that more options will make getting dressed easier, but often, the opposite is true. A crowded closet full of impulse buys or one-time pieces can actually make it harder to see what you really love.
Try this instead: Focus on what you already love to wear. These are your ID Essentials, or the items you reach for repeatedly because they just work. Start by highlighting those MVPs, then slowly build around them with thoughtful layers or standout pieces that add variety without creating chaos or straining your budget. A smaller, more thoughtful wardrobe often brings more freedom, not less.
5. You’re Ignoring Your Own Style Instincts
So many of us have been taught to rely on trends, influencers, or fashion rules instead of trusting our own preferences. But you already know what feels good on you—you just might need to tune back into that voice.
Try this instead: Start noticing patterns. What colors make you feel energized? What cuts or fabrics make you feel most comfortable and confident? Aricia calls this your “style intuition,” and it’s always there, even if it’s been a little quiet at times. Your favorite outfit isn’t random. It’s a reflection of what’s working. Listen to that.
Final Thoughts: Your Closet Should Support You, Not Stress You Out
When your wardrobe feels aligned with who you are and how you live, everything shifts. Getting dressed becomes quicker, easier, and more affirming. Instead of decision fatigue, you feel grounded. Instead of confusion, you feel clear.
The Style Formula: The Art and Science of What to Wear offers a powerful path forward. You’ll learn how to define your Style ID, shop with intention, and build a wardrobe that genuinely reflects your identity, so your clothes can support you and not weigh you down.
Ready to make your closet feel like a space that works for you? Get your copy today and take the stress out of getting dressed.