Fall is right around the corner; I know this not because the weather is cooling off any but because my mailbox is jammed full of catalogues every single day, with pages and pages of things I must have right now if I'm going to be chic this fall. But the thing is this: as cute as all those clothes are, I don't really need them. And neither do you. Because honestly, less is more, and a functional wardrobe is all about having the right pieces, not more pieces.

At least once a year (at a bare minimum) you need to edit your closet: get in there and examine every single piece to see what you have and what you need and how you can make your clothes really work for you. If the thought of going through ALL your clothes is overwhelming, do it seasonally and focus on the pieces you will be wearing for the next three months. I predict that you will find a lot of overlap; most of us don't have four separate wardrobes, nor do we live in places where the weather or the styles are dramatically different from summer to fall to early winter. But editing your wardrobe seasonally means fewer things to try on and decide about -- you can skip the wool sweaters in August, for example, and the swimsuits in November.

The idea behind editing your wardrobe is this: you want to open the closet every morning to a small collection of pieces that you REALLY wear and that REALLY look terrific on you. Sound boring, this small closet? It won't be if you choose the right things. But how do you know what the right things are? Three simple steps.

1. Be honest about what you really wear. Do you spend your days in yoga pants and a t-shirt? Fine. Make sure that you are wearing yoga pants that fit properly and aren't pilled or faded, and a tee that isn't stained and damaged. Do you wear suits to the office? Keep only the suits that you love, suits that fit and flatter and make you look professional and confident.

2. Get rid of what you don't wear. Are you a yoga pants girl with a full wardrobe of suits? Unless you're wearing them, give them away. I know women who left office jobs to freelance or parent who now have a guest room closet jammed with suits that haven't fit or been stylish since the late 90s. The same goes for that cocktail dress you bought for a wedding five years ago or those shoes that made your feet hurt or the bag that was awkward to carry.

3. Keep track of what you're really wearing. Hey, look, we're back to step one! Hang everything in the closet with the hangers turned around backward (hooks facing out, so you have to reach under to take it off the bar). As you wear something, turn it around; anything that is still backward at the end of three months should maybe go. Same goes for knits; fold and stack with the neck out, so you can see if it's a V neck  or a turtleneck or a crew neck; as you wear things, turn them so the stomach is out.

When you get to the end of the quarter, take stock of what you haven't worn, and think about why. Is it too small or too big or too pink? Do you not have the right bra or the right shoes or the right social life?  If the dilemma is easy to deal with (new bra! problem solved!) then deal with it.  Otherwise, think hard about why you are keeping that particular piece.  Any item that makes it all the way through a year without being worn needs to go.

When you have a closet full of pieces that you really wear, getting dressed is simpler. But even better, a smaller wardrobe means a distinct style; you will have an actual look, one that is distinctly yours, and one that works for you every single day.

Coming Saturday: three easy updates for fall. Now go edit your closet so we can shop!

Other folks who know about closets and editing:

Fashion Sensei reviews Closet Control. Take a look -- and then pick up the book.

Melanie Charlton Fascitelli talks you through the philosophy behind her book Shop Your Closet.

While you are editing, check out Zen Habits' list of articles on simplifying your life.  Your closet is just the beginning.

Susan Wagner writes about style at Fashion Find and everything else at Friday Playdate. Have a pressing style question? Email her at fridaystyle.susan@gmail.com.