5 Tips To Declutter Your Wardrobe Once And For All

Ladies, enough is enough, your shit has to go! Harsh, but true. It is time to declutter your wardrobe once and for all.

It’s a daunting process, possibly the hardest thing you will do this year. I think we’d prefer to break up with a boyfriend than part with some of our clothes. Do you remember that Sex in the City scene where Aidan moves in and asks Carrie to make some room for him in her closet. She almost had a mental break down; it was downright disturbing watching her considering getting rid of a Robert Cavalli dress she hadn’t worn in years.

Yes, her wardrobe is very different to ours, and we wouldn’t dare consider throwing out a Robert Cavalli, but the principles are the same. If your wardrobe is bursting at the seams of shit you just don’t wear, it’s time to bin it, or give it to someone who will wear it and get good use out of it.

The thing when trying to throw out clothes, you know you want to, but it’s all these maybes”¦ Maybe you’ll wear it this year, maybe you’ll lose weight, maybe you’ll fix that hole in the sleeve, maybe this will come back in style, maybe you’ll find the perfect shoes, then you’ll be sorry that little sequined boob tube isn’t around.

If any of these are familiar to you, it’s time for a major declutter.

• You’re drowning in stuff, but it’s hard to throw things out.
• You can’t find anything in your wardrobe to wear.
• Your clothes represent memories and have an emotional attachment to them.
• You’re desperate for that perfect IKEA wardrobe, but don’t know how to do it.

Exhale. I have some practical tips for achieving your ideal wardrobe, a small and perfectly formed wardrobe of clothing that will provide you with everything you need”¦every day.

1. Let’s get started

When starting your wardrobe declutter, there is no need to throw everything away (phew). It’s quite normal that you will want to keep things for sentimental value, however, if they are not being worn, the wardrobe is not the place for them. Bag them up in one of those nifty space saver bags, and store them elsewhere. I do it every summer and winter for my whole family. Gives you back heaps of space, and you only see what you need.

2. What are you not wearing

If you think you can’t throw anything out because you do wear it, a clever little way to find out the clothes you aren’t wearing is to put all of your hangers around the same way, and then when you take something out to wear it, hang it back up with the hanger around the other way. Then, after a few months, take a look at which clothes don’t have the hanger reversed and you’ll start to see the things you don’t wear.

3. Sort your clothes into categories

Right, you ready? No! Too bad! This next stage in the declutter will take a few hours, so grab a bottle of wine. I always find having a glass of wine makes everything crystal clear and tells me a few home truths. Grab some boxes or bin bags and let’s have a sort out.

Take everything out of your wardrobe and lay it out on the bed. Sort your clothes into categories tops, trousers, dresses, skirts and into colours. This exercise will show your repeat buying patterns. I always buy jeans, and no tops! I always look in my wardrobe and can never find anything to wear, even with my 20 pairs of jeans slapping me in the face.

4. Love it or lose it

Have you ever heard of the Konmari Method? Love it or lose it. Kondo believes when decluttering your wardrobe and clothes, you need to go through your belongings and keeping only those things which “spark joy.” So once you have categorised everything, pick each item up and say out loud (and proud). “Do I love this”? Yes, keep. No, in the bin bag. It’s time to be ruthless, if you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s out.

5. Get rid of your clothes

Deal immediately with your chuck pile (in case you change your mind). Take the toss pile and toss it, put the stuff you’re donating to charity out in the boot of your car, clothes you’re going to give to friends (give to them) and other stuff you’ll sell on eBay. Throw your crap away or recycle straight after, because there should be no going back.

The hard part is done

All there is left to do is make your wardrobe look nice and inviting.

Now that all the shit is gone and you can actually see what is hanging up, it’s now time to pretty it all up. Upgrade your coat hangers, visit IKEA (always good for storage options), and think about shelving, wallpaper or adding lights. Go onto Pinterest and you’ll see some great celebrity wardrobes for inspiration.

Treat yourself, this is your space, make it inviting and spend less time searching.