8 Questions to Help you Confidently Declutter Your Wardrobe
If your wardrobe is overflowing with clothes, yet you feel you have nothing to wear, it’s time to learn to let go
I know, it’s not easy to let go, right? Especially if you’ve tried in the past and ended up regretting the decisions you made. I’m sure you’ve blamed yourself and lost your ability to trust yourself again. The result: a wardrobe overspilling with clothes.
But fret not, here are 8 questions I ask my clients when I help them declutter their wardrobes and that you can ask yourself too so you can confidently decide what to keep and what to let go of.
But fret not, here are 8 questions I ask my clients when I help them declutter their wardrobes and that you can ask yourself too so you can confidently decide what to keep and what to let go of.
Question #2: Is it comfortable wearing?
I’m talking about those shoes you can’t walk in or give you blisters, clothes made of scratchy materials, clothes with straps that won’t hold and annoy you… I think you’ll do yourself a big favour by letting go of them.
I’m talking about those shoes you can’t walk in or give you blisters, clothes made of scratchy materials, clothes with straps that won’t hold and annoy you… I think you’ll do yourself a big favour by letting go of them.
Question #3: Does it fit me NOW?
If the item is too large or too small, if there’s too much cleavage, etc. and if it prevents you from wearing it, let it go unless you can get it altered.
If you decide to get it altered, give yourself a deadline. If you haven’t had it done within say two weeks, then let it go.
If the item is too large or too small, if there’s too much cleavage, etc. and if it prevents you from wearing it, let it go unless you can get it altered.
If you decide to get it altered, give yourself a deadline. If you haven’t had it done within say two weeks, then let it go.
Question #4: Does it fit my body shape and colour palette?
If you have no idea, invest some time in learning about the clothes that best fit your body shape and the colours that best complement your hair, eyes and skin tone so you can eliminate the pieces in your wardrobe that don’t.
If you have no idea, invest some time in learning about the clothes that best fit your body shape and the colours that best complement your hair, eyes and skin tone so you can eliminate the pieces in your wardrobe that don’t.
Now if you have a few items that you REALLY love and have problems parting with, put them out of sight on a higher shelf or in a box or basket. Make a note in your diary to try them on in say three or six months’ time. If you’re still not able to fit into them by then, you might want to reconsider whether to keep them or not.
8 ways to maximise a small wardrobe
8 ways to maximise a small wardrobe
Question #5: Does it fit my lifestyle?
Our lifestyle changes over time so it’s important your clothes support your current lifestyle. For example, if you’ve left the corporate world, you probably no longer need many formal outfits. Similarly, if you’re a new mum and spend most of your time in the playground with your young children, you probably don’t need as many smart evening clothes as you used to.
Our lifestyle changes over time so it’s important your clothes support your current lifestyle. For example, if you’ve left the corporate world, you probably no longer need many formal outfits. Similarly, if you’re a new mum and spend most of your time in the playground with your young children, you probably don’t need as many smart evening clothes as you used to.
Question #6: Does it make me feel good?
Even if someone tells you that you look good into something, trust your instincts. Otherwise you’ll end up either not wearing the item or forcing yourself to wear it while having plenty of other pieces in your wardrobe that would really make you feel good. Life is too short; you want your clothes to empower you, not weigh you down!
Even if someone tells you that you look good into something, trust your instincts. Otherwise you’ll end up either not wearing the item or forcing yourself to wear it while having plenty of other pieces in your wardrobe that would really make you feel good. Life is too short; you want your clothes to empower you, not weigh you down!
Question #7: Can I pair it with other items in my wardrobe?
If the answer is no, either get rid of it or create a list of items you need to complete your outfits. But again, give yourself a deadline, and if you haven’t bought the item (to pair it with) by then, take a hard look at it again and decide whether you really need to hang onto it.
If the answer is no, either get rid of it or create a list of items you need to complete your outfits. But again, give yourself a deadline, and if you haven’t bought the item (to pair it with) by then, take a hard look at it again and decide whether you really need to hang onto it.
Question #8: Is it more work to take care of it than I really care about it?
Sometimes we are more reluctant to wear clothes that need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned because of the extra effort it requires. If you don’t like the item enough to take care of it, then it might be a good reason to let it go.
Sometimes we are more reluctant to wear clothes that need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned because of the extra effort it requires. If you don’t like the item enough to take care of it, then it might be a good reason to let it go.
Slowly but surely is the way to go…
Ultimately you want to keep only what you need and love. And fits into your wardrobe. The rest is clutter. It may take you a few rounds to get there, but it doesn’t matter, the most important things is to start because over time, you’re going to learn to trust yourself in making those decisions and it’ll become easier. You’ll also experience the benefits of having a streamlined wardrobe and you’ll be more likely to continue your decluttering journey.
Ultimately you want to keep only what you need and love. And fits into your wardrobe. The rest is clutter. It may take you a few rounds to get there, but it doesn’t matter, the most important things is to start because over time, you’re going to learn to trust yourself in making those decisions and it’ll become easier. You’ll also experience the benefits of having a streamlined wardrobe and you’ll be more likely to continue your decluttering journey.
TELL US
Any question you ask yourself that helps you decide to let go of a piece of clothing in your wardrobe? Comment below so we all can learn from each other!
MORE
Read more wardrobe stories
Any question you ask yourself that helps you decide to let go of a piece of clothing in your wardrobe? Comment below so we all can learn from each other!
MORE
Read more wardrobe stories
Clothes that are out of shape, torn, faded and stained should be no-brainers and removed from your wardrobe. It’s OK to recycle a few old cotton T-shirts as sleepwear or keep an old pair of shorts or pants if you need to engage in some work that may get you dirty. But other than that, the rest can safely go.