A seasonal wardrobe refresh will help you stay stylish and on-trend. To add in new pieces it’s important to make space first. The thought of decluttering your wardrobe can feel overwhelming, especially when every item seems to hold sentimental value, or you keep saying to yourself that you just “might wear it again.” If you’re struggling to clean your closet, don’t fret; here are 15 easy steps to help you get started. We promise you’ll feel better after a good purge.
1. Start Small
Decluttering your wardrobe is an enormous task; there’s no doubt about that. If you feel overwhelmed by it all, try to begin with one drawer or section of your closet instead. Tackling a small area first makes the process less daunting and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Once you do one, move on to another and work at it that way. When you get started, you may not want to stop, and that’s not a bad thing.
2. Set a Timer
The best way to do any chore is to set a timer and force yourself to get it done under pressure. Dedicate just 15-20 minutes to decluttering. This short burst can make the task feel manageable and often leads to more progress than expected. Set a timer on your phone and get to work decluttering. In a matter of minutes, you will have chipped through a portion of the task.
3. Use the One-Year Rule
Maybe you can get started, but once you’re in your wardrobe, you want to keep everything. If this is you, then try using the ‘one-year rule’ to make the process of decluttering easier. If you haven’t worn an item in the last year, it’s time to let it go. Chances are, if it hasn’t been worn by now, you won’t miss it.
4. Create Piles
When you’re decluttering, you might not necessarily want to throw everything away. Sort your clothes into three piles: keep, donate, and toss. This system helps streamline decision-making and keeps you organized. It’ll also make the whole process of decluttering far less intense and overwhelming.
5. Focus on Favorites
The easiest way to start decluttering your wardrobe is to identify your favorite pieces first. Maybe it’s a cute sweater you always reach for, or a skirt that makes your legs look great, whatever it is, these items deserve prime space in your wardrobe because they make you feel confident. Once you’ve identified these, then it’s easier to start finding things that you may not necessarily love so much.
6. Ask Yourself Why
When it comes to decluttering, there’s no room for gray areas. For every item you’re unsure about, ask yourself why you’re holding on to it. Understanding the reason can help you decide if it’s worth keeping. For example, you might find a jacket at the back of your wardrobe you want to keep, when you ask yourself ‘why?’, it’ll dawn on you that you haven’t worn it in months and it lays dormant in the back of your wardrobe – making the decision to throw it away much easier!
7. Enlist a Friend
If you struggle to be definitive in your decisions, it might be time to enlist a friend who is a bit more brutal than you are. Sometimes, having a friend with you can make decluttering easier. They can offer a fresh perspective and help you make tough decisions where you might struggle.
8. Take Before and After Photos
Decluttering your wardrobe is a feat that mightn’t be achievable in a single day. If you’re prone to leaving projects halfway through and feeling demotivated, take a picture on the first day of how much work you’ve done. Documenting your progress with photos can motivate you to continue, showing how much you’ve accomplished.
9. Donate Thoughtfully
Throwing away clothes is never easy; they’re often tied to memories and emotions that we can completely forget about. However, one thing that might make clearing out your wardrobe slightly easier is knowing that your clothes will benefit someone else and can make it easier to part with them. Research local charities to donate your items to, this might just make the decluttering process better.
10. Reframe Your Mindset
Rather than getting caught up in the emotional and physical loss of your things, try to think of decluttering as making space for new opportunities rather than just getting rid of things. This shift in perspective can make the process feel positive and can make it easier to kick off clearing out your wardrobe.
11. Use the Hanger Trick
If you’re not ready to tackle decluttering in one day, you could try doing the hanger trick, which will show you over time what clothes you are and aren’t using. Start by hanging all your clothes with the hangers facing one direction. After wearing an item, turn the hanger the other way. Donate anything that is still hanging the original way after six months.
12. Visualize Your Ideal Wardrobe
Another long-term method to kick off the decluttering process is to picture the wardrobe you want—minimalist, colorful, versatile—and keep only the pieces that fit this vision. The perfect wardrobe in your mind surely isn’t the over-cluttered one in your reality, so use this mental picture as a goal to work towards.
13. Consider the Space
If your closet is bursting at the seams, it’s quite literally a visual cue that it’s time to downsize. A more spacious wardrobe is easier to manage and looks more inviting. A more minimalist space is not only visually appealing, but it’s good for the feng shui of your home, too.
14. Reward Yourself
Promise yourself a small reward after each decluttering session. Daunting chores like decluttering might require some light at the end of the tunnel. Whether it’s treating yourself to a snack, a fun night out, or even a new outfit, give yourself something motivational to work towards.
15. Avoid “Just in Case”
If you’ve picked up a bright yellow sequin skirt that’s two sizes too small for you now, holding onto it “just in case” won’t pay off. In fact, that’s probably how you ended up in this mess to begin with. Unless it has sentimental value, if you don’t wear it or it no longer serves a purpose, it’s time to go. Be realistic about what you’ll actually use and let go of the rest.