Bookmark This! If You're Decluttering Your Wardrobe

Now that you have updated your style profile using the tips in my previous post "Transforming Your Style With These Three Simple Steps" it’s time to tackle your wardrobe. You’ll be using your style profile to remove anything from your wardrobe that no longer aligns with your personal style and to decide what pieces should go on your shopping list.

REMEMBER YOUR GOALS

The goal is to go through your entire wardrobe and sort through all of those piles of clothes that have been sitting at the back of your wardrobe for months and part with impulse buys. GETTING STARTED

I recommend reserving an afternoon or a day of uninterrupted time to complete your wardrobe detox. If you don’t trust yourself to be brutally honest and worry that you will not part with any of your clothes then ask a friend or contact me (see below) to come over for moral support. For your detox you’ll need the following:

1. Bin bags

2. Full length mirror

3. Camera

4. A great playlist

5. Snacks

6. Keepsake box

7. labels for your bin bags (donate or sell, keepsakes, trial separation, send to the tailors, repair and off-season storage).

THE PROCESS

Assess each piece in your wardrobe, using the flow chart (see below) to determine their fate. Any item that is in poor condition, doesn’t reflect your personal style, is uncomfortable and no longer fit your body properly, doesn’t deserve a place in your wardrobe and should be placed in the donate or sell bin bag. A little tip, think of your wardrobe like a VIP guest list only area, only let in items that are in great condition, that you absolutely love, that fit your body perfectly and reflect who you are. Anything else must go! I understand that you might have items in your wardrobe that remind you of a special occasion (like your wedding, graduation, your first date, a holiday etc) and are hard to part with, but they should not be kept in your wardrobe. I recommend placing these items in a keepsake box and placing this box under the bed or in a storage cupboard. Any items that are stained, ripped, worn or broken beyond repair should be placed in a bin bag marked “BIN”. No excuses. Place any pieces that you’re not sure about in a bag marked trial separation. When you’ve completed the detox place this bag under the bed. If you really love these pieces and want to wear them you can retrieve them, but if you forget about them and don’t wear them over the next three months then you should consider selling or donating these items to charity. If an item has a broken zip or the hem on your favourite pair of trousers has come down then take it to a tailor to work his or her magic. As we enter a new season, it’s likely you will still have items in your wardrobe from the previous season. If you have limited wardrobe space, then only keep things in it that you will be wearing. For example as we’re approaching Autumn/winter any Spring/Summer pieces should be removed from your wardrobe and stored away. You should also take out the things that have previously been held in storage and are now appropriate for the new season. During this process you might feel tempted to throw most or all of your wardrobe out, to make room for your new style, please don’t!! Doing this will leave a large gap in your wardrobe and may cause you to shop impulsively to fill it. Instead, I recommend that you keep some of your items, the pieces that fit, are in good condition but are only slight misaligned with your personal style. The aim is to replenish the items on your shopping list over a period of time, this will give you time to make a proper plan for the items you intend/need to purchase.

NEXT STEPS

Once you’ve done this it's time to go shopping. However, this time you will be prepared because you have a plan of action, no more impulse buying YAY!! It’s important to remember that the average UK shopper spends over £1000 on new clothes annually but only wears 20% of their clothes. Doing a wardrobe detox twice a year and supplementing this with two mini updates will ensure that your wardrobe is always aligned with your personal style and that you are fully prepared for the change in seasons, special occasions and day to day styling.

If the idea of clearing out, updating, and organising your wardrobe feels overwhelming, our upcoming self-image consultancy services are here to help. With the guidance of a friendly and honest style expert, you’ll discover what to keep, what to let go, and what styles best complement your body shape. We’ll also provide personalised shopping recommendations and creative outfit ideas using your existing wardrobe. If you’re ready to refresh your style with expert support, please get in touch!