Ready to clear out your wardrobe? Here are some tips to help you get started.
Step 1: Make the time
Culling your wardrobe takes time and will require 2-3 hours (at least) of your uninterrupted attention. If you have children, best to do this when they are out of house.
September and June are the best months of the year to cull as we enter the new fashion season and it allows you to pack your summer clothes away and clear out your winter clothes before you put them back in your wardrobe.
Step 2: Empty your wardrobe
Take everything out of your wardrobe (clothes, bags, shoes, accessories - the lot) and pile them onto your bed. It might look daunting but think of it as a fresh start for the season ahead.
Step 3: Try. Decide. Bag.
Pull out three large boxes or plastic bags. You will need one for repairs/dry cleaning, one for items to be sold or exchanged, and one for the charity shop.
Try EVERYTHING on and ask yourself these questions: Does it get regular wear? Is it in good condition? (If no, will a repair or dry clean bring it back to life?) Does it fit properly? Does it suit my overall style, or is it now outdated? If the answer is no, then get rid of it.
You need to be ruthless and only keep the pieces you really enjoy wearing, are comfortable in, and which are in good condition. If you have some pieces that are not being worn but you are holding on to for sentimental reasons, then pack them away in a storage box somewhere else in your home like in the attic or under your bed - they don't need to take up prime hanging space in your wardrobe. Or take a pic of it and send it to charity!
Step 4: Organise
Now that you have short-listed the items that are going back into your wardrobe it is good practice to colour code as you put them back in. If there are items that you are unsure about put them back in your wardrobe and turn their hangers back to front, only turning them the right way if you have worn them. A good general rule of thumb is that if you have not worn something in six months then it is time to let it go and invest in more seasonal items. Get those unwanted clothes out of the house as soon you can so there is no chance of some rogue pieces making their way back in to your wardrobe.
Now that you have pared back your wardrobe, you should be able to identify the types of clothing that you continue to buy as well as the pieces you are missing from it.
Step 5: Congratulate yourself on achieving wardrobe Nirvana!
You should now only be left with a wardrobe full of clothes that you really love, will wear and hopefully a little extra space for some fabulous new purchases!
Tara Farrell
