Closet Cleanout with Cuniform
Ten years ago, Colton Dixon Winger founded CUNIFORM, a Seattle-based styling agency specializing in wardrobe audits that involve analyzing every item in your closet, letting go of what no longer works, and creating outfits and an archive of the prized pieces that remain. Colton has pored over countless closets, developing a system that leaves clients in love with what they own all over again—and he's sharing his best advice with Garmentory below.
Where does one even begin when it comes to a spring closet cleaning?
Colton: The first step is actually allocating the time, and being honest with yourself about how much you need. Don't go into it thinking you're going to knock this out in an hour or two. The biggest misstep I see is someone starting their spring clean, realizing halfway through that they're out of time, and everything just gets shoved back in. You're right back where you started, except now you're frustrated.
Second, make sure you have the right tools going in. Grab a buddy for a second set of eyes, find a good checklist online, or hire an expert. Having support—whatever that looks like for you—makes a huge difference.
And third, write down your goals before you start. This is the one people skip, and it's probably the most important step. Ask yourself: What am I actually trying to accomplish here?
Are you making room for new things? Swapping your Spring/Summer pieces with Fall/Winter? Trying to develop a stronger sense of personal style? Identifying gaps in your wardrobe and figuring out what to fill in? Your goals are what keep you on track when you're an hour deep and starting to lose steam. Write them down, refer back to them throughout the process, and let them carry you from start to finish.
What are the key pieces we should always have in our closets?
Wardrobe staples...the foundational stuff. Great fitting tees, denim that actually works for your body, the pieces you reach for without thinking. I like to break it down by season so nothing falls through the cracks.
For Spring/Summer: A great-fitting linen pant, your basic tanks, a flat sandal you can actually walk in (non-negotiable), at least one lightweight layer for those in-between moments, and a pair of sunglasses that genuinely frame your face well. That last one sounds small, but it makes a bigger difference than people realize.
For Fall/Winter: Comfortable and versatile sneakers, at least one great-fitting pair of jeans, your basic tees, a solid wool coat, a well-fitting trouser, at least two solid knitwear pieces, and a pair of flat boots. And let's be real, most people aren't wearing heels on a regular basis anymore, so invest in boots because a good pair will last. And find a cobbler!
Speaking of a cobbler, what are some of your wardrobe non-negotiables? Find a great tailor and build that relationship. Clothes off the rack are not designed to fit your body—they're designed to be sold to millions of different people. Tailoring is what bridges that gap.
Along the same lines, make sure you have a trusted cobbler in your corner. Everyone should be investing in zip-soles, one of the simplest ways to significantly extend the life of your footwear.
And maintain what you own. A good depiller (I love the one from Steamery), a non-toxic local dry cleaner, and a tailor who can handle small repairs are all worth their weight. Clothing maintenance doesn't get talked about enough, but it's honestly one of the most cost-effective things you can do—it keeps pieces in rotation longer and means you're buying less over time.
What questions should someone ask themselves when deciding whether to keep or get rid of an item?
I recently did a virtual audit with some clients who had moved overseas—people I hadn't seen in person in a while. Because going through everything on screen would have taken forever, I gave them a series of prompts to do a mini self-audit before our call. Here's what I told them, and honestly, anyone can adopt this approach.
Go through your closet and start by pulling out anything you haven't worn in the past three years. Then ask yourself: Is it because I don't actually love this piece, or is there something else going on? Sometimes those items are more nostalgic than functional, and they belong in what I call an "Archive" section, tucked away from your main closet rather than taking up prime real estate. But the goal here is to identify the things you purchased or acquired that you genuinely don't want to wear. Most people are sitting on about 15 percent of that without realizing it.
Then go through what's left and pull out anything you know doesn't fit, or that you're not sure about, and try it on. If something is far too snug, move it along, unless you experience major weight fluctuations (more than 20 lbs in either direction in a year. If that's the case, hang onto a range of items). For pieces that are too big, ask yourself: Is this worth tailoring? You can take it to a tailor, get a quote, and then compare that cost to what you originally paid. Sometimes it's absolutely worth it. Other times, it makes more sense to donate to a local nonprofit and replace it with something that fits you right now.
I am a clothing hoarder, but also want to make room for new things and actually see the things I already have. How can I clean out my closet without breaking my heart?
I work with a lot of clients who feel exactly this way, and I'll tell you, they tend to be some of my favorite people to work with. They're usually very creative, emotionally intelligent, deeply appreciative of art, culture, and travel. So, of course, clothing carries meaning for them. That all makes complete sense.
What I do with these clients is go through their closet and create what I call an Archive. Anything sentimental (example: "I got this on a trip, and it takes me right back to that place") goes in there. Anything that's beautiful to look at, but just isn't practical for everyday life, goes in there, too. And then there's a category I see constantly: pieces that represent a version of yourself you're holding onto. Clients will say, well, if I had a different job or lived in a different city, this is what I'd be wearing. I get it. But that version of you isn't dressing you right now.
So we archive all of it. Pack it safely, tuck it away, and then revisit it every one to two years with fresh eyes. You'll be surprised—sometimes you pull something out and fall back in love with it. Other times, you realize you haven't thought about it once, and you're finally ready to let it go. Either outcome is a good one.
How can someone like you and CUNIFORM help when it comes to bringing in an expert for the cleanup?
I've been dressing people for 20 years, with 10 years in luxury retail and another 10 years building CUNIFORM.
We started this company because we genuinely believe everyone deserves access to real help with getting dressed every day, not just people with unlimited budgets or industry connections. That belief is what led us to create our foundation service: The Wardrobe Audit.
It's a five-hour appointment, and here's what we cover:
Edit: I go through your wardrobe and organize it for effortless, intuitive dressing that actually feels like you.
Gap List: I put together an individualized Gap List of what's missing, and we offer a secondary Gap Fill appointment to actually go find those pieces.
Wardrobe Rolodex: I build out head-to-toe looks for easy future reference, pulled entirely from what you already own.
This service has been a game-changer for busy clients who have a lot going on and want to streamline their wardrobes while genuinely elevating their style, with a trusted second (and third) opinion from someone whose only priority is making sure you look incredible. It's also valuable for anyone who wants to be more intentional about building their wardrobe from the ground up.
