12 Expert Tips to Help you Declutter your Wardrobe

Thinking of decluttering your wardrobe? I’ve been there and this post is full of tips and tricks to help you finally declutter your wardrobe!

Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, which means if you shop through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Style Cycle Blog.

I’m writing this as a former shopaholic and I can’t tell you how much money I used to spend on clothes. So when it was time to declutter my wardrobe, I had A LOT of clothes.  

When my wardrobe was jam-packed, I found having to make choices about what to wear gave me decision fatigue. Sometimes I felt drained before I even stepped out the door and I found myself drowning in a sea of clothing. But what was the solution? 

I honestly think having a wardrobe declutter last year changed my life.

Why is it important to declutter your wardrobe?

Clutter can be overwhelming and can create negative emotions. If I’m being really honest, clutter makes me feel stressed and a little anxious which are two feelings I actively try and avoid. 

I think having too much stuff can make it difficult to focus on what’s important so decluttering can be an amazing feeling. 

But what does it mean to declutter clothes? Well, it means organising your wardrobe, having fewer clothes and being able to pick your outfits out quickly and easily knowing the only clothes you have are going to make you look and feel great.

Benefits of decluttering your clothes

Decluttering your wardrobe can save you time

When you have fewer clothes you can see exactly what you have so you won’t buy duplicates and it’s easier to decide what to wear. This can be especially helpful in the mornings when you’re rushing to get ready for work or school.

A decluttered wardrobe can save you money 

When you have fewer clothes, you’re less likely to buy things you don’t need. 

A streamlined wardrobe can make you feel good about yourself

When you have clothes that fit well and make you feel confident, you’ll be more likely to wear them. This can boost your self-esteem and make you feel more positive about yourself.

How to be ruthless when decluttering clothes: 12 tips to help you organise your wardrobe

Ok, so let’s get into the post and check out these 12 simple steps I have for making this decluttering journey a lot more simple! 

The Decluttering Process

1. Get in the right headspace to declutter

 The first step is to be in the right headspace to clean and declutter your wardrobe full of clothes!

Make sure you are in it for the duration, I would suggest starting the declutter in the morning as you will have more time for breaks if they are needed and still be finished by the time you go to sleep.

2. Identify any worries you might have

Every few years when I decide to declutter my wardrobe I always feel overwhelmed beforehand and never want to start.

You may feel anxious to go through so many clothes knowing you have to make decisions about whether to keep them but trust your gut!  Have the end goal in mind and when it’s done the feeling of clarity and peace is so worth it.

3. Define your personal style

Before you start decluttering, it’s important to define your style. This will help you determine which items to keep and which to donate or sell.

Take some time to think about the outfits you feel most comfortable and confident in.

What colours, patterns, and silhouettes do you gravitate towards? These questions will help you create a cohesive wardrobe that reflects your style.

4. Gather the Right Tools

Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools to help you declutter your wardrobe. 

Here are some things you may need:

Hangers

 You’ll need enough hangers to hang up all the clothes you decide to keep. Consider investing in some space-saving hangers to make the most of your closet space. 

If you need extra hangers, check out these natural wooden ones here.

Storage boxes

Use storage boxes to store clothes that you don’t wear often, such as seasonal items or special occasion outfits. Label each box so you know what’s inside and repurpose old shoe boxes or other containers for storage. 

These boxes are highly recommended if you are looking for extra storage. 

Bin bags

Use large, sturdy bags for throwing away items that are damaged, stained, or overly worn.

Donation boxes

Separate boxes for items that are in good condition but no longer needed. Consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store. 

5. Pull out your whole wardrobe

At the end of the day, when you’re staring at a closet full of clothes you have to gather all your courage and just dive in.

Empty your entire wardrobe – drawers, closet, and any storage nooks where clothes may be hiding. It might seem like a daunting task, but trust me, it’s the only way to get a clear picture of what you own.

It is a lot easier to see the clothes you have when they are all laid out where you can see them. Make sure that everything is off the hangers so you can pick up the items feel them and try them on. You will soon know if they are worth keeping.

6. Sort Your Items

Take everything out of your wardrobe and sort them into categories. For example: tops, bottoms, dresses, activewear and outerwear.

This will help you see what you have and make it easier to decide what to keep and what to get rid of.

7. Try Everything On

Once you have sorted your items, it’s time to try everything on. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s essential to determine what fits you and what doesn’t.

Be ruthless and honest with yourself. If something doesn’t fit or flatter you, it’s time to let it go.

8. Keep, donate or discard piles

After trying everything on, it’s time to make decisions about what to keep, donate, or sell. Create three piles: keep, donate/sell, and discard. 

If you have items that are in good condition but no longer fit or suit your style, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store.

If you have designer or high-end items that are in excellent condition, you may want to consider selling them to a consignment shop or online marketplace.

‘Move fast and listen to your gut’ is a quote I heard from The Tidy Moose and it rings so true but with the safety net of the maybe pile your anxiety will be reduced around making those quick decisions. It always makes the process faster and easier.

The Keep Pile

The keep pile should consist of items you love, that fit well, and align with your style. This includes that special wedding dress for sentimental reasons or those pairs of jeans you just can’t part with.

The Donate Pile

For items in good condition but no longer serving you or items you haven’t worn in the past year, the donation box is the answer. Consider giving these unwanted but still valuable pieces a second life by donating them to a local charity shop or thrift store. It’s a great way to clear space in your wardrobe while helping others.

If I have any higher-end clothing that I know is in demand, I will sell it online. Check out how to sell old clothes online & make money fast for tips to sell your old clothes online.

The Discard Pile

For items that are damaged, worn out, or simply not your style anymore, bid them farewell. Recycle or dispose of them responsibly, creating room for a fresh start.

9. Try The KonMari Method 

The KonMari Method is a simple but effective tidying method created by Marie Kondo to ensure you never again relapse to clutter. She speaks about choosing to keep what sparks joy in your life and not focusing on what you are discarding.

Keep only the items that speak to your heart and to the items you are saying goodbye to, express gratitude, thank them for what they have brought to your life or what lessons they have taught you and then let them go.

“Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order.” – Marie Kondo

If you have clothing items that hold sentimental value but are no longer practical to wear, consider finding alternative ways to keep the memories alive. You could take a photo of the item and create a scrapbook or photo album. Alternatively, you could repurpose the fabric into a quilt or other keepsake item.

A great book to read by Marie Kondo is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever. 

10. Organise Your Keep Pile

Once you’ve curated your keep pile, the next step is to organise it.

This means putting items back where they belong after you’ve worn them, and not just throwing them on the floor or a nearby chair. 

Hang similar items together, use drawer dividers for smaller items, and use a shoe rack or hanging shoe organiser.  You can also use storage boxes or drawers to keep your accessories and smaller clothing items, like socks and underwear, organised and easy to find.

Consider a seasonal capsule wardrobe to make dressing a breeze.

11. Pack away seasonal clothing

Rotating your clothes seasonally is a great way to keep your wardrobe organised and clutter-free. Start by sorting your clothes into categories based on the season. For example, you can have a separate pile for summer clothes, autumn clothes, winter clothes, and spring clothes. Then, store the off-season clothes in a separate area of your wardrobe or in storage boxes.

When the season changes, take out the clothes that are appropriate for the current season and store the off-season clothes away. This will help you to see what clothes you have available for the current season and make it easier to choose what to wear.

For me, it’s hard because I live in the North of England so the time of year and the weather isn’t always predictable. I tend to pack away my summer clothes in the colder months but leave the rest out all year round. But if you live somewhere with more seasonal weather then great!

12. Declutter your wardrobe regularly 

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I try to set a time limit and dedicate 15-30 minutes to have a quick sort of your clothes regularly. It will make a huge difference and ensure your wardrobe stays organised. 

If you do this, you will find you start every day with a more peaceful mind and a lot less stress when you’re getting dressed. If there are any items you want to pass on, pop the clothes you are selling to the side for the next project and sell your old clothes online. 

I like to take the donations and recycling bags out as soon as you get the chance to prevent me from rummaging back in there, as I tend to change my mind and feel guilty about the things I’m donating.

 If you do buy a new outfit ask yourself ‘Does this bring me joy? Do I need this? Will this new item improve my life? Do I LOVE it or just like it?’

Let me know if this post was helpful or any other tips you have to declutter your wardrobe!

In the end, a decluttered wardrobe is not just about having fewer clothes; it’s about having the right clothes. It’s about making better decisions, spending less time staring at a huge pile of clothes, and more time enjoying the simplicity of an organised wardrobe. So, take the plunge, declutter your closet, and experience the freedom that comes with a carefully curated collection of pieces that truly resonate with you.

This post was about how to declutter your wardrobe: 12 tips to help you organise your clothes

Other posts you may like:

35 BEST PLACES TO RECYCLE OLD CLOTHING AND TEXTILES

BEST PLACES TO SELL USED CLOTHES ONLINE

CAPSULE WARDROBE: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE