The Carrie Cleanout - The Art of a Seasonal Closet Revamp

If there’s one thing we learned from Sex and the City, it’s that fashion is more than just clothing—it’s identity, storytelling, and even a form of therapy. Nobody embodied that truth better than the legend herself - Carrie Bradshaw. Between her quirky outfits, fearless layering, and devotion to Manolo's, Carrie taught us that the closet is both a playground and a diary. But what’s often overlooked? Carrie’s seasonal closet cleanouts.

Yes, the woman who once said, “I like my money where I can see it… hanging in my closet,” also understood the value of clearing space, reimagining her wardrobe, and making way for the upcoming seasons.

With summer fading and fall creeping in, what better time to channel your inner Carrie and curate your closet? Let’s take a page (or pair of heels) out of her closet.

Carrie’s Closet Cleanout Rituals

In SATC: The Movie, we see one of the most memorable scenes: Carrie surrounded by her girlfriends, holding up outfits while Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha vote “toss” or “take.” It’s more than just a purge—it’s a ritual of friendship, humor, and self-discovery.

Carrie shows us that cleaning out your closet doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Instead, it’s an act of storytelling: Which pieces still speak to you, and which have served their purpose?

How to Do a Carrie-Inspired Seasonal Closet Cleanout

As we move from breezy summer days into crisp fall nights, here’s how to adopt Carrie’s method and mix in modern trends:

1. Try on Everything

Carrie never shied away from theatrics—she’d strut around the room in a Dior newspaper dress or a vintage fur coat just to get a reaction. Take her lead. Instead of tossing blindly, try on pieces you’re unsure about. Do they still spark joy or at least make you feel fabulous walking to the coffee shop?

2. Make It Social

In true Carrie style she turned cleaning into a fashion event with her girlfriends. Invite friends over for a “Closet Night,” complete with wine, laughter, and honest opinions. Bonus: what you’re ready to toss might be a treasure for someone else.

3. Reimagine Summer Staples for Fall

Carrie was a master of seasonless dressing—think slip dresses layered with chunky knits, or strappy sandals paired with patterned tights. This fall, take your breezy sundress and add an oversized blazer. Turn that silky cami into a base layer under a cropped cardigan. Your summer isn’t over—it’s just dressed in warmer textures hidden under some layers.

4. Balance Classics with Trends

Carrie loved bold statements (remember the giant flower brooch phase?), but she always anchored them with timeless pieces like tailored coats and neutral heels. This fall, ground trendy pieces—like sheer skirts or butter-yellow knits—with classics: a camel trench, brown leather boots, or a crisp button-down.

5. Ask the Carrie Question

Whenever you hesitate, channel her spirit: “Will I ever wear this again, or am I just holding on because it once looked fabulous at brunch?” Sentiment is fine, but space in your closet is better. If you're struggling in this step try uploading to RYN and see what she would pair with an "un-pairable" item. This is your time to experiment and be crazy without following the "styling rules".

Carrie’s Closet Lessons for Fall 2025

So, what would Carrie keep this season if she were cleaning out her closet in 2025? Likely these:

• A pair of brown leather boots (because brown is the new black this year).

• A vintage slip dress she could layer under chunky knits.

• Playful accessories—oversized brooches, patterned tights, statement belts—to elevate basics.

• And, of course, a few impractical-but-necessary pairs of sky-high heels.

  
  

Carrie reminds us that cleaning out your closet isn’t about minimalism—it’s about making space for who you’re becoming. As she once said, “Maybe the best part of having clothes is having stories to tell in them.”

So this fall, tell your story. One cleanout, one coffee, one outfit at a time. Wanna level it up? Add RYN into the mix!