Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Catherine Gordon.
One of the best places to start on the journey toward clutterfree living is in your closet.
Think of it as ‘a room with a room.’ Decluttering this clearly-defined, tiny space will build your confidence and set you on the path to lighter, freer, and better living.
There are other benefits too. A minimalist wardrobe edit will:
- Save you money and time. As you wear more of what you already own, you will spend less time feeling frustrated and exclaiming: “I have nothing to wear!!”
- Give you more confidence in your day-to-day choices as you will mix and match more successfully.
- Create the basis of a ‘capsule wardrobe.’ This is merely an outcome, not a rigid, prescribed goal. A wardrobe edit will help you create your own, unique collection.
Seize the opportunity with this 4-Step Wardrobe Edit.
Stage 1: Ready.
To prepare, ask yourself some key questions:
—What do I own too much of? Keep in mind that most of us wear only 20% of what we have 80% of the time.
—Why have I been holding onto things I no longer wear? Because I think it will come in handy one day… Or I can’t decide what to do with it… Or because of the nostalgic value… Or simply because I spent good money on it… Acknowledge these feelings, then let them go.
—Will I still enjoy fashion after my wardrobe edit? Absolutely! Fashion and beauty writer, Rae Ritchie says you can: “It’s a misconception to think that minimalism and fashion are incompatible. It’s still possible to remain up to date with major trends and have a small capsule wardrobe. You just have to be judicious in your choices. Treat how you dress as a fun creative hobby, a chance to play. With a foundation of versatile basics, you can easily drop in a few items that catch your eye.”
—So, am I ready? If the answer is ‘yes’, move to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Get set.
—Set aside some time, so you can really focus. Bring those old clothes down from the loft and pull out any stowed-away garments from under the bed.
—Have a good collection of hangers ready. Wooden ones enable your clothes to hang well, but you can also buy lovely felt-covered ones. When I decluttered my own wardrobe, I was astonished to discover over 20 yellow plastic dry cleaners’ hangers! Happily, they could be returned for re-cycling.
—Also, prepare some garbage bags.
—Finally, make sure you have access to a good full length mirror for trying on clothes.
Stage 3: Go!
—Review your clothes. Consider your clothes as though they were new items that you were going to buy (and spend a lot of money on). Evaluate each garment and consider the following questions:
- Does this suit me? Compliment my shape? Fit (now – not when you’ve lost 10lbs!)? Work with my current lifestyle?
- Is it in good condition? A color that suits me? Comfortable?
- Am I happy wearing this?
- Have I worn it in the last 12 months?
—Divide and conquer. Make a pile for each of the following 3 categories:
1. Items to keep
Identify, then return these to the closet, arranging by garment type, length or by colour. Hang trousers long to avoid creating a crease at the knee.
Try rolling items to be stored in drawers, KonMari style. Use shoe or gift boxes to store smaller items. As you look into the box, you’ll be able to see everything clearly.
Place hooks on the back of the wardrobe door for accessories such as necklaces.
2. ‘Maybe’ items
Would any of these things work with your ‘to keep’ clothes? Could they be cleaned, altered or mended? If not, relegate to ‘Items to let go’ pile.
3. Items to let go
To relinquish what no longer serves you, give them away, swish them (clothes swap), sell them (eBay/dress agency), donate them, or recycle them.
Stage 4: Maintain.
Now that you have created an edited wardrobe and clearly see what you own (and love), you’ll be surprised how easily you can imagine different combinations and identify any gaps.
To further maintain this edited wardrobe:
Store by season. Divide what you have into seasons. I have a summer/winter wardrobe, so I hang my summer clothes in small closet until I gradually swap them with my winter items when warmer weather returns. Take this a step further and try Courtney Carver’s Project 333, wearing just 33 things over a period of 3 months.
Adopt a ‘one in, one out’ approach. When you need something new, adopt the ‘one in, one out’ approach. As Gretchen Rubin writes in The Happiness Project, “It’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that if you have something you love, or there’s something you want, you’ll be happier with more.” Take the essentialist approach and keep one lovely item rather than several mediocre ones.
Change your mindset. Avoid shopping for specific occasions. Later this month, I will attend a friend’s 50th birthday party. With ‘cocktail wear’ specified, I will wear a favourite dress but certainly won’t buy anything new for the occasion. You know what? No-one actually notices what you’re wearing anyway and your bank balance will thank you for it.
Congratulate yourself on a job well done. So, now you’ve taken that first step. You’ve found confidence in your ability to declutter this little ‘room within a room’. Your journey towards clutterfree living has begun!
Most of all, enjoy seeing—and wearing—your favorite items every day.
Maybe you’ll even start thinking about which space to tackle next?
Katy Hope says
I love these tips to help think about your wardrobe. I have found one of the easiest ways to edit is to edit as you wear items placing worn items on the far end of a hanging rod or on an empty shelf and only wearing items once until you’ve gone through your entire closet this way you get a good understanding of what you really like and wear versus the stuff that’s left over at the end. For more on how I do this check out my post at http://www.hopepostkids.com
Dan Erickson says
I’ve been downsizing my wardrobe over the past few years. I didn’t buy any clothes for two years and slowly gave away things I no longer used. Then when I was down to only a few items, I bought a few pairs of pants and a few shirts (all the same basic style and color). I’m still working on the shoes.
Anne Ragan says
Have a look at most religious paintings/images…Jesus never changed his garb in over 30 years ????????
Suzy says
I made the decision a few years ago to only wear black slacks or blue jeans. No skirts. No dresses. Then I got some thinner cableknit sweaters that work for three seasons in multiple colors.
Only black shoes or sneakers. Simple wardrobe. Simpler life. (yes, I had to get a long dress for a family wedding, but it was a tough decision to cave-in to family pressure)
About six months ago, I installed a multi-level closet organizer and was able to cull more clothes while organizing what i have. It was so glorious that I danced around my room while admiring my closet. Stress levels decreased, too. I can see what I have without digging.
David says
Amen, Suzy! Everything i read about paring down my wardrobe proposed a piece by piece approach: go through your closet piece by piece and decide what to keep. But we bought those things for some reason so I barely made a dent in my wardrobe. Then I decided to pick my favorites. I limited myself to three items per garment. Three pair of pants, three shirts, etc. from there I was able to look more objectively at my clothes and decide on a few key pieces like you. Like you I now have a “uniform” and it’s made life so much easier.
Peggy Sabau says
Jamie Lee Curtis stated in an interview that she only wears black and white items. That’s it! Black and White. Because she hates to shop. And she always looks terrific because we are looking at HER and not her clothes. Everything goes with everything else in her closet.
I’m almost there with black, white, navy blue and red only. It really works!
I also have a spare closet in the house where I move the “maybe”clothes; then if I don’t wear them by the time I’m ready to make a yearly trip to Goodwill, off they go!
Sandy says
These are awesome tips to get clutterfree wardrobe. Good post
Daikuro Estrada says
I use a simple “one in, one out” rule. If I buy something, then I must get rid of something. It keeps everything organized and prevents clutter from accumulating.
Vince says
Got a lot accomplished yesterday! Out with the old and in with the new! Looking forward to a great 2017 :)
Clean house!!!
Janet says
Catherine, I really enjoyed this post and am now on your list to receive regular postings and occasional news! I have been dealing with the “keeping things for best” syndrome for as long as I can remember! I buy things I like, but keep them for that special occasion that never seems to materialize. I am now doing a better job of wearing things right away and enjoying them, but your recent blog post is an inspiration to really get my closet organized and functioning the way I would like. Thank you!
Catherine Gordon says
Thank you, Janet! It’s great to have your feedback and I’m so gladness you have managed to overcome ‘Sunday best’ syndrome!
Catherine Gordon says
That is *glad* LOL #autocorrect
Jeffrey Pillow says
I’ve never been a big clothes shopper or fashionista by any stretch of the imagination, but, like most Americans, I had more clothes than is necessary.
Getting rid of my chest of drawers and downsizing my attire (to what many would call extreme if you open my closet) has reduced so much anxiety from my morning routine. No longer do “I have nothing to wear.”
To quote JFM from the Minimalists, now all of my clothes are my favorite clothes.
This includes business clothing, casual, and work-out gear.
Minimizing your wardrobe is a great introduction into minimalism, so if you’re new to this lifestyle, have at it.
Next up: your bathroom and medicine cabinet :)
Frugalinthevalley says
I don’t shop at all anymore, except food and petrol/necessities. I have enough clothes to last me forever and I am unnaturally attached to my 2x pair of black shorts….my mother moans that I look boring, but I don’t care.