This is the time of year when I have the hardest time getting dressed. Just yesterday, my husband and I had dinner plans and we knew we’d be sitting outside. It was 90 degrees, but we’re the type who will always choose the patio if it’s an option.
As I was getting ready, I tore through my closet, trying on outfit after outfit. Nothing felt quite right. And then I realized… all three of my go-to linen pants were toast. The fits were off, the fabric was thinning, and too many accidental trips through the dryer had one pair way too short!
It was time to let them go.
And in doing that, I could suddenly see what had been missing! Among the three:
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A black tapered paperbag style that had lost its shape
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Navy, once full-length, now ridiculous (I'll be turning those into shorts.)
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An olive green pair that said “PJ” more than “put-together 30-something”
I was finally getting clarity on what my wardrobe actually needed this season. The conclusion? One full-length, black, wide-leg pant. Eliminating those three losers made space for a true queen of the closet.
That moment led me down a familiar path: the mid-season wardrobe edit. Not a full overhaul—just a pause-and-reassess moment. And I thought I’d share how I approach it, in case your closet’s been giving you the side-eye lately too.
So, what is a wardrobe edit?
First things first: have you officially swapped your fall/winter wardrobe for spring/summer? If not, it’s definitely time.
This doesn’t mean you need two closets. I did this with my personal wardrobe in a tiny apartment with the use of a cedar chest and a closet. The goal? Making your spring/summer styles the stars of the show. The wear-now pieces need to be front and center so you can actually see what you have to work with. That means: no more sweaters mixed in with your tees. Pull the shorts out of the drawer and pack away the corduroys.
Then, I move through this three-part checklist:
1. Try things on—yes, really.
You can’t edit what you don’t know actually works. What looked good last summer might not feel good on your body anymore. Try it on. Move around. Ask yourself:
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Does this still feel like me?
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Do I feel good in it?
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Can I picture an outfit I’d actually it with?
2. Identify the pieces you wear on repeat.
That one linen boxy tank you reach for constantly? That’s a clue. Do you have sister versions of that piece? Would it make sense to get it in black? Or one with a cap sleeve? That’s how you build a wardrobe that works for you—not against you. What we like doesn't mean we have to buy more just like it, but it's a real indicator to what we would wear more of.
3. Note the gaps (literally... in your Notes app or on paper).
As you get dressed, pay attention to what you wish you had.
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Is the coffee stain on your white tee the reason that skirt isn’t getting worn?
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Do you keep wishing you had jean shorts to pair with all your button-downs?
- Would a brown leather belt change the game for your dresses?
Write it down. Then when you shop (ahem at Rushmore), you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.
The bottom line: editing your wardrobe isn’t about having less—it’s about having what you actually need. The pieces that feel good, fit well, and make getting dressed less of a chore and more of a delight.
I’ve been leaning into this mindset as I shop for the store, too. Each month’s collection at Rushmore is about helping you find those exact pieces—the ones that fill the gaps, elevate your staples, and make the rest of your wardrobe work better.
If you’re due for a little edit of your own, come in. I’d love to help you find what’s missing (and say goodbye to what’s not working).
— Sydnie