Last updated:
“Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.” – Epictetus
Have you ever asked yourself, “How many clothes do I need?” or “How many shirts should I own?”
If you’ve asked either of those questions before, consider just for a moment how your life would look if you owned a minimalist wardrobe of fewer clothes:
- You would have more disposable income.
- You would have more time to live your life.
- Mornings would feature less stress.
- Your closets would be well-organized and uncluttered.
- Packing for trips/vacations would take less time.
- Laundry days would be easier (not necessarily less, but definitely easier)
Unfortunately, instead of enjoying the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe, most of us buy into the lie that more is better. And because we do, we accumulate more and more clothing each season. We are convinced that new clothes will make us more joyful, more fashionable, and more popular. Unfortunately, they just end up getting in the way.
Consider going a different route with your life. Try owning fewer clothes and creating a capsule wardrobe. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy the freedom that a minimalist closet brings.
Whether you are hoping to minimize your wardrobe to the absolute minimum or just trying to pare down some of the excesses in your closet, you will find these 10 steps practical and applicable. They are the same steps that we have used in our home to create our own minimalist wardrobes.
How to Create a Minimalist Wardrobe and Closet
1. Admit that you own too much clothing.
That’s all you really need to get started.
2. Wear fewer colors.
Most of us already have a few favorite colors that we wear most often—usually because we like the way we look in them. Choosing to intentionally wear fewer colors means fewer accessories (shoes, belts, jewelry, handbags, etc.). It also makes too much sense not to try.
3. Embrace the idea of one.
When one can be enough, embrace it—one black dress, one swimsuit, one winter coat, one black belt, one pair of black shoes, one pair of sneakers, one handbag… insert your own based on your occupation, lifestyle, or climate.
4. Donate, sell, recycle, discard.
Depending on the size of one’s existing wardrobe, an initial paring down won’t take long. Make a few piles—donate, sell, or recycle. Start with the clothes that you no longer wear. You’ll be surprised how much you can remove and just how close you are to owning a minimalist closet once you build momentum.
5. Donate, sell, discard some more.
Removing the clothes you no longer wear is easy. Removing the clothes that you don’t really need can be a tougher choice. Turn around all the hangers in your closet. After wearing an item, return the hanger facing the normal direction. After the season, remove every article of clothing that wasn’t worn. That should help get you started on a second round of paring down.
6. Impose an arbitrary moratorium on shopping.
For many, clothes shopping is just a habit—and habit always takes over for inattention. To begin breaking the cycle of purchasing and discarding (the average American throws away 68 lbs. of textiles each year), set a self-imposed buying freeze. I recommend 90 days. If given enough time, this simple exercise in self-discipline will change your view of your clothing and the stores that produce, market, and sell them.
7. Set a monthly spending limit.
Pick a low number and stick to it.
8. Purchase quality over quantity.
Only buy minimalist clothing that you truly love—even if it costs more. If you stock your closet full of things you love, you will have less desire to add to it, which will make maintaining a minimalist closet a lot easier.
9. Avoid the sale racks.
Sales can (and should) be used to help you get a better price on something you need. Unfortunately, most sale racks are designed to convince us to purchase something we don’t.
10. Impress with your character, not your clothes.
Lee Mildon once said, “People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.“
With those tips above, you should have no problem creating a more minimalist wardrobe and answering “How many clothes do I need?”
To see how owning less in other areas of life can bring even more life-giving benefits, check out my book: The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
I don’t just throw things out, unless they don’t fit, don’t match, or are worn out. But now I won’t replace them unless absolutely necessary.
Throwing away clothes won’t increase my disposable income.
I am all for minimalism. I think that the true focus should be on helping others with the abundance some of us may find we have. No matter a coat, sweater or pair of jeans. Giving to a homeless shelter, or victim assistance agency, will be a warm token of helping someone else in need with something that otherwise would have been our surplus. GREAT ARTICLE, thank you!
Joshua, this is an interesting article. I recently read how trends are moving towards “seasonal sets”, where you may have just enough clothes to have 7-15 outfits for any given season. As that season changes, you could pack them away and bring out your other set of outfits. As a husband and father…I’ve noticed my clothing collection doesn’t grow as quickly as it once did!
Hi Joshua,
I was floored by the statistic you quoted about the average American throwing away 68 pounds of textiles per year. My interest is piqued and I’d like to do some reading about it, what was your source for that statistic? Thanks.
This article cites a source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mattias-wallander/closet-cast-offs-clogging_b_554400.html
I went through my overstuffed closet and found that it bordered on embarrassing how many clothes I own. I made a sweep and donated an estimated $5,000 worth of clothes to charity and boy did it make me feel good!!!!
It was bag after bag of almost new (and sometimes Brand New with the tags)clothes that just cluttered my closet and life..
I have put a moratorium on buying new clothes, tricked my wife into doing the same thing to her closets.. Yes.. closets.. plural
My latest problem is that now that the novelty of having a clean organized closet has worn off, I realize that I STILL have way too many clothes, but these ones I like!! Throwing away something that you don’t use is far easier than getting rid of things that you like.
Winter is coming and I own probably 10 winter coats. Nine of which would make a poor person much happier than it would sitting in my coat closet.. So tonight, I am going to get rid of all of them (but one).. It really isn’t so easy to do… But I am dedicated to living this lifestyle and I am sure there will be many tough decisions along the way..
It is spring here in New Zealand. I could easily live with 2 pairs of underpants, 1 bra, 2 long tops and 2 pairs of tights/leggings… and my favourite kathmandu Jacket!
It is spring here in New Zealand. I could easily live with 2 pairs of under pants, 1 bra, 2 long tops and 2 pairs of tights/leggings… and my favourite kathmandu Jacket!
Men can get away with 3 fall or winter weight sport coats and one dark suit. And maybe 1 summer weight sport coat and a blue classic blazer. My husband has a Harris tweed, a brown corduroy, a grey tweed, a dark suit, a blue blazer and a summer weight plaid. The oldest sport coat he has is at least 10 years old. Sport coats have to be in basic colors because they are expensive. Dress pants should be dark except maybe in summer. Color is expressed in ties. My husband buys a sport coat maybe every 2 or 3 years when we see one at a terrific bargain. He gets dressed up a lot. We live in the Midwest where people still get dressed up. If we lived in California or Arizona he wouldn’t need so many dressy clothes. Watch the people on news channels not the celebrities for guidance on how to dress.
Years ago, I realized that if I picked 2 neutrals, black and navy blue, every year went through the same cycles, spring was pink, light green or pastels and yellow. Summer was either red, white and blue or coral and turquoise. Fall was browns, oranges, and reds with maybe some jade green. Winter was jewel tones and some metallic. So I worked in an office for years with a few pairs of slacks, 6-7 tops and 3 cardigans. Earrings or scarves or maybe a necklace. Write a chart of all the different outfits you can make out of what you have and unless an item goes with 3 other things don’t buy it. I’ve been retired for years and haven’t had to buy new clothes because my adult children give me the clothes they are tired of. Last month I got a jean jacket, 2 hooded sweatshirts, and a nice sweater. I gave Goodwill a zipper jacket, a coat, and a dressy shirt I hadn’t been wearing. I shop rummage sales and thrift shops for earrings and beads to restring into statement necklaces. No one cares what you wear unless it is truly an old fad, or a color combo like peach and purple in the middle of winter.
This information is amazing. I have always been a purger although I will admit, since becoming a wife and mother (10 years ago), I have more “stuff” than I care to own up to. Lately I have been getting rid of things by the bundles but there is still so much :(
My kids are on board (mainly because they don’t have a choice in this season) now if I could just convince my husband ;) anyway, thanks for this post…
Hi there apt each single one, it genuinely a fastidious for me apt disburse a hasty visit this network sheet it includes serviceable Information.
What an inspiring article! Limiting the colour palettes didn’t occur to me before!
I am not a minimalist by all mean, but would like to share a tip here from my silly mistake – Spare down your wardrobe AFTER the season. On one super-inspired winter night, I decided to slim down my closet, which I did. Winter closet sorted alright, as I knew what I was not wearing at that time. The problem was summer clothes. Summer clothes tend to look cheap and needless in the winter time (is this just me???) next summer, I ended up buying new white t-shirts. It turns out I really did need those 5 similar looking white t-shirts (again, not a minimalist). I recommend not go through your summer closet in winter time and vise versa. Do it so after season by season with consideration, especially you’re not looking for something extreme.
I love this idea.. Certainly my wardrobe will be slim, trim and fresh. Little under-privileged will have a better look.. I am going to implement it immediately.. I am grateful to you for reminding this wonderful thought….
I’m so glad I found this article, really needed this inspiration. I’m a hoarder when it comes to purses, shoes, clothes, accessories, I love dressing up. But 6 month ago I moved to other country for good, so I made a choice to leave behind all the piles of stuff I accumulated over years and have a fresh start. It was very depressing first having wardrobe that fits in a large suitcase. So I asked my parents to ship a box of my stuff. Well, that wasn’t enough. Me and my husband discovered one of those thrift stores that has daily rates from 25 cent to 2 dollars per item. And it started again, we went there almost every week, and a lot of the times I was buying things i don’t need or like or would ever wear, just because they were so cheap. I like hunting for good deals. I’d rather buy 10 ok purses for 10$ instead of one awesome for 100$. I was telling myself I’m not willing to pay that much for one item. But at the same time spending just as much for bunch of things that I didn’t even like that much. But after reading this I decided – no more hoarding. Quality over quantity. And not just quality of things, but quality of life. Today I’m going to pack all the things I don’t need or like for donation.
I’m concerned about where the discarded clothes go – it seems like the minimalist purging approach just adds to the overall waste stream. Are there good ways to make sure that discards are actually used and not just put in the landfills?
This makes so much sense! I have too many clothes and I admit it. I don’t wear more than half of them. What doesn’t help is that my weight fluctuates from time to time, and so tops that don’t fit in the present, I hope will do so in the future. Hence, they end up staying and taking up space. It creates an endless cycle.
However, it really is time for a thorough clean out session.
That’s why having higher quality items that can be altered or adjusted to fit your changing body weight can be incredibly helpful.
It is important, too, to look back at how long the weight cycle is – if you’re holding onto clothing from 5+ years ago, how long will it take to return to that size.
It’s “moratorium”.
I set a limit of 5 new items a year 5 years ago. I had noticed that by the time I was 40 I had accumulated enough clothes I like to last me a lifetime and that most new purchases were only a slight variation on what I had. I personally am not overly keen on the one in one out kind of philosophy as I am concerned that it can be used as justification to consume more and more stuff whilst creating a mountain of clothes in charity shops encouraging others to consume more than they need. The statistics published re the amount of fabric thrown away annually is as astonishing as I’d expect! The more I have reduced my buying, the more I have considered a purchase a committment and this really helps me make good choices. Despite my ultra tight committment my clothes are very colourful and continue to express my individuality (this is reduced by disposable throw away fashions). I get high levels of positive feedback re my “unique” style which isn’t my main motivator but I thought it worth highlighting to those who express concern that simplicity means boring, unfulfilling and lack of self expression. My main motivation is knowing that despite living in London my mortgage will be paid off when I’m 47 giving me more time to spend doing things I love :)
This article makes more than a few presumptions about where and how other people ought to derive joy. It misses the point, I think, that for many people (me, I’m talking about myself) clothing is an expression of individualism, identity, creativity, and sometimes even art. It’s an opportunity to influence how the world perceives you, in those moments before you’re interacting on an interpersonal level.
One piece of your advice feels sort of misguided : “Wear fewer colors…Choosing to intentionally wear fewer colors means less accessories.” That strikes me as so silly. Neutrals are some of the easiest outfits to accessorize because you get to add punches of color, or do something splendid with monochromes. Plus, dressing in a colorful way can be so beautifully cheerful, and can bring joy to a space. Would you have us all walking around in beige? I don’t get it.
I can get down with a bunch of your other advice, like parting with old things, buying for quality, and shopping ethically. Still, I think you’re not looking outside your own worldview when you’re coming up with some of these suggestions…
Lauren, I agree with you. I use neutrals on the bottom (pants, skirts, capri’s) to incl denim, navy, gray, black. But the tops all go with the bottoms every time & are in my color palate suited to my skin tone (blues, greens, teal, gold, brown,) At end of summer and end of winter, anything not worn that season gets donated. This is a must for everyone . I keep classic style outerwear longer- some for years, in neutrals. No dresses as I’m retired. Several skirts for certain activities. Have several pairs casual shoes in black and a few jogging shoes worn daily. My wardrobe consists mostly of active wear in polyester tops, pants, etc. These poly shirts/tops don’t fade like cotton; luv ’em great in warmer weather.
That statement is very refreshing. I’ve dressed as a minimalist for more than two ddecades. The punches if color that make an outfit are those accessories, or a bright jacket/cardigan which liven up that ‘black outfit’ you find yourself in on a daily basis. My mantra, buy quality and if you truly love the item (after several weeks of wear) consider getting yourself a second, i.e., two pair of the same pump that looks great and feels great two.
Minimal dressing is a touch more difficult for women but achievable. When I worked a corporate job I wore; a tweed skirt suit – black and cream, a black suit and a taupe suit, one LBD, four twin sweater set’s and four pair of shoes. I have many of those pieces today after 15 years they still look great, I don’t often wear them now and BTW I see no reason at this time to donate them because when I need to ‘dress up’ I’m not forced to run out and buy a new item. Hope this helps.
I believe in the ‘less is more’ concept for sure but … I’m not gonna lie….buying a new article of clothing makes me smile and I feel great! Especially if i get a bargain. Just sayin’!!!! ;-)
I do not own very many clothes and I ready to pare down some more after my babygirl is borrn. But I have very hard time getting rid of my weddingdress, every time I clean my closet it just hangs there taking up space. Any advice?
It might help if you imagine another young woman who wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, but has an extremely tight budget. Picture her face as she comes across your dress in a thrift shop – it is more than she ever dared hope for! Maybe you could even pin a note of blessing and encouragement to it for her to find. Instead of gathering dust in your closet, your dress could be part of another joyous occasion.
Have you ever thought of transforming your dress – or parts of it – into something useful? Like a pillow or a fancy dress? My mom kept this really cute dress that was mine when I was 3 and we didn’t have the heart to get rid of it, so I asked her to sew it onto a pillowcase. It is one of the most precious things I own.
in Australia there is a group that collects wedding dresses and converts them into outfits for babies that die. It is called “angel babies”. These people work with hospitals and donate their beautiful outfits to grieving families. I have not done this yet but this is what I intend to do with my wedding dress which has been wrapped up in my wardrobe for over 10 years.
i HATE clothes shopping with a passion, also shoes. NEVER buy a handbag [don’t like handbags]. but my 2 wardrobes are FULL of stuff I never wear cos nothing fits anymore.
everything i wear lives on the outside of the wardrobe cos i can’t GET to the wardrobes. i’m drowning in stuff i can’t wear and don’t use and it just seems to grow tho i’m not buying anything.
it’s all too much.
We all need fewer clothes. It is interesting how much we keep buying and still feel like we have nothing to wear.Here is a post about how to get rid of your closet clutter fast. This proved to be the fastest way for my family. Once you are done with separating the clothes, you can simply donate the boxed clothes.
http://thegreenminimalist.blogspot.com/2014/06/get-rid-of-your-closet-clutter-fast.html
Im not alone! It is so nice to read a post like this and know im not the only person who feels like less is more. Our materialistic world has to change!