There are as many reasons why people accumulate clothes as there are people, from finding a good sale to holding on to pieces because they have emotional (think your skinny jeans) or sentimental value. Our clothes can be reminders of a special memory, holiday, or perhaps a gift. It’s difficult to justify getting rid of something when you’ve spent good money on it. Regardless if you wear the piece or not, the money is already spent. If you aren’t wearing it, it isn’t serving its purpose.
How to conquer your closet? Set aside dedicated time to do this. If you can enlist the help of a friend or relative, it can make things a bit easier. The first step is knowing what you actually have. You can work in sections or do the whole thing. Be aware of decision fatigue. The more you have, the more decisions you need to make. Whichever way you choose, take everything out and sort into categories: jeans, pants, T-shirts, blazers, etc. (Bonus tip: Having an empty closet or section is also a good time to give things a good vacuum and cleaning – much easier with nothing in the way!)
How to start the process? Set aside dedicated time to do this – depending on the size of your wardrobe, it could be quite the undertaking. If you can enlist the help of a friend or relative, it can make things a bit easier. The first step is knowing what you actually have. You can work in sections or do the whole thing. Be aware of decision fatigue. The more you have, the more decisions you need to make. Whichever way you choose, take everything out and sort into categories: jeans, pants, T-shirts, blazers, etc. (Bonus tip: Having an empty closet or section is also a good time to give things a good vacuum and cleaning – much easier with nothing in the way!)
Look over the different sections and see what catches your eye. If there are pieces that you absolutely love and wear all the time, those are probably keepers. There will be some clothes that are for special occasions or otherwise not intended for frequent wearing, so keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to keep something. If you would make the same purchasing decision again, that’s another point for the keep pile. Consider if it’s in good condition (no seams coming apart, holes, buttons missing, stains, etc.), fits you well, and matches your current style. If you still aren’t sure, you could put the “maybe” pieces in a bin or box with the date on it and come back to it in a couple of weeks or so to see how you feel about it then. Another method is to hang your clothes with the hangers backwards. Any that are still backwards at the end of the season clearly haven’t been worn. For clothing in drawers, put them away inside out – if it’s still inside out after the season is over, consider donating.
Sort the items that don’t meet the “keep” criteria into donate and recycle/toss. Keep in mind, items for donation need to be clean and in good condition. There are many charities and shelters, such as those who assist women getting back into the workforce or escaping domestic violence, who can definitely use these items. When it’s time to put everything away, hang or store like with like to make things easier to find. For hanging items, consider flat profile hangers that take up less space. Items that are file-folded take up far less real estate in drawers and you can see everything at a glance. Doing a regular (seasonal or annual) review of your wardrobe will keep things manageable and you will always have what you always love to wear in your closet.