How to Declutter Clothes Once and for All
I find decluttering my clothing one of the hardest decluttering tasks to do. I get this weird attachment to certain pieces. Like the ones I remember wearing on a golf date with my husband 15 years ago. Or the ones I think I'll fit into again one day. Or even the ones that I spent a pretty penny on but hate the way they fit. It's silly really, to hang on to clothing that doesn't fit properly, you don't like, or is outdated. It's easy to replace those things on a budget with items you actually love!
I was talking with my mom the other day about how I was going to be ruthless during my upcoming decluttering session. In a sense, I want to start over. Keep the pieces that I love and that fit me well, but finally say goodbye to the things that make me feel frumpy.
7 Simple Ways to Declutter Clothes
So in a new effort to add only pieces that I LOVE here are 7 questions I ask myself when I declutter clothes:
1. Does it fit?
If the shirt pulls in entirely the wrong areas, it doesn't fit. If I can't do up the zipper on my jeans easily, they don't fit.
2. Have I worn this in the last 12 months?
Chances are, if you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year or more, you're not going to wear it again.
In order to determine if you've worn something in the last 12 months, you could try the backwards hanger trick. When you're hanging up your clothes, flip the hanger around so it hangs (with the clothing on it) backwards on the rack. Every time you pull something out and wear it, hang it back up with the hangers facing the proper way. That way at the end of 12 months, you can see if there's anything you didn't wear because the hangers are still hanging backwards!
3. Will I ever wear this again?
Maybe you bought something for a special occasion you were attending, but don't have much, or any, opportunities to wear it again. It might be time to consider selling it in a consignment shop or even on Kijiji/Craigslist.
4. Is it currently in style/does it represent my style?
I'm sure we've all got those sentimental pieces in our wardrobe that we wore in the "good 'ol days". Well, new "good 'ol days" are upon us and it's time to get with the times by getting rid of those outdated pieces. If it's just too hard, put them in the dress up box for the kids to enjoy!
5. Do I feel good when I wear it?
This is becoming one of the most important questions I ask myself. If I just don't feel confident when I put something on, it's time to really consider putting it in the purge pile. As I mentioned above, it's doesn't do my postpartum body and ego any favours if I'm just wearing something for the sake of getting dressed. Even the hoodies I purchase have to make me feel "cute"!
6. If it's damaged, will I actually find time to fix it?
Enough said. If you don't have time to fix something, whether you want to fix it yourself or go out of your way to take it to a professional, it's time to part ways. That piece of clothing will just nag on you anyways as it taunts you from the depths of your closet!
7. If I were shopping right now, would I buy it?
Often times, I've looked at a piece of clothing and wondered what I was thinking when I bought it. (Most likely it was cheap! Ugh.) So, if you look at your current clothes and see things you wouldn't buy today, maybe it's time to say goodbye.
I sure hope these questions help you decide what to keep and what to let go as you declutter clothes and simplify your wardrobe. From now on, I’m focusing on buying only the pieces I truly love. The ones that fit well, feel comfortable, and make me feel confident every time I wear them.
Sometimes that may mean spending a little more on quality items that actually work for me, and honestly, I’m okay with that. In the long run, buying fewer random $10 purchases here and there will likely save money, reduce clutter, and leave me feeling like a million bucks every time I open my closet.
Do you have any other ways to declutter clothes that you can share with us in the comments? What sort of outrageous clothing are you storing in your closet?
You might also enjoy:
- 15 Minute Decluttering Tasks
- 31 Things to Declutter This Year
- 25 Brilliant Organizing Tips
- How to Organize Closets on a Budget
I really try to be organized, separate seasonal items and even color-code… For some reason I collect dresses! I decided I’ll wear them this summer no matter if I’m going out to lunch or not LOL – I do tend to have one of everything in each color: Tank top, short sleeve + long sleeve in colors I like so maybe that is too much… any additional suggestions? My shopping could be curbed but like others, weight fluctuates or my taste changes then I’m getting a whole new wardrobe! I do donate very often; online shopping has made it too easy!
I have some really nice dresses I know I’ll never wear again but I need to get some money for them. What is the best & easiest way to do that? I am not tech savvy so setting up accounts and knowing who/what is legit is challenging.
Hi Annie, I would suggest bringing them to a local consignment shop! They do all the work of selling them and they will give you cash either right away or once the items sell.
My problem is I fluctuate between 10-15 lbs the year after having kids and then I get a year reprieve and start all over! That extra weight makes a big difference between clothes fitting great, and you hating them. I have a lot of “timeless” pieces that I love, but don’t fit right now. I’m not going to get rid of them until after we’re done having kids because frankly, that’s a lot of money down the drain! For now, they go in a box that I go through periodically to see if any new items fit.
Another idea is you only have 30 items in your closet at a time (including shoes) – this count doesn’t include seasonal clothes for those of us in Canada or undergarments! It’s what you have rotated in your closet that counts. Harder than it sounds!!
After I had our daughter I got more ruthless with clothing too. There’s no point having a closet full of clothes if you don’t want to wear any of it! I’d just like to add that I try the clothes on when I’m not sure. Sometimes I fall back in love with something I was 99% sure I hated.
Boy, do I need this! Too many clothes, but I sure could use the help in clearing this closet of mine out!