“You never know what you have until you clean your wardrobe.”
Imagine that whenever you open your wardrobe to get ready, all the clothes come out of your closet or you don’t find anything to wear. Is this your everyday story? If yes, then you are not alone. We all stare at the stuffed wardrobe and still feel like we have nothing to wear.
Quite irritating. Right?
Honestly, a cluttered wardrobe is overwhelming. You lose track of what you have, and getting ready becomes a daily struggle.
However, there is a solution for you: decluttering.
This is not just about making space. It is more about rediscovering your style, letting go of what no longer serves you, and creating your dream closet, which brings you joy.
Buckle up and get ready to tackle your messy wardrobe. Let’s explore some easy, practical ways to declutter and transform your wardrobe into something fresh and inspiring.
What is the 90/90 Decluttering Rule?
If you don’t have any idea about decluttering your wardrobe, then the 90/90 rule is the best method. You must be wondering, what is the 90/90 decluttering rule?
Ask yourself if you’ve worn clothes in the last 90 days or will wear them in the next 90 days. According to this rule, you have to follow three steps:
- Take out all your clothes from the closet.
- Ask the 90/90 to yourself.
- Arrange What’s left.
What are the Benefits of Downsizing Your Wardrobe?
Decluttering, or downsizing, your wardrobe helps you assess what you have and what you don’t. While inspecting your closet, you’ll check if your wardrobe lacks something.
For example, imagine organizing your closet; you may have more casual wear. So, it is time to invest in special occasion attire complimenting your style.
Below are some other benefits:
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Remember to focus on quality while you are organizing your wardrobe. By decluttering, you can eliminate the clothes that do not meet quality standards. Also, if you have a good budget, you can buy quality clothes rather than investing in bulk ones.
Reevaluate Your Style
Are you bored of seeing the same old style in your wardrobe? You can reevaluate your style by downsizing the closet. Decluttering old clothes will help you find new trends and styles that fit your personality.
Make Space for Something New
It is rightly said that until you don’t let go of the old things, there will be no space for something new. So, while downsizing clothes, you must let go of the outdated wear and make space for updated versions of clothing.
Reduce Wardrobe Stress
Adopt a minimalist approach, such as keeping your wardrobe versatile by adding timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched. Simplifying choices saves time, reduces decision fatigue, and boosts confidence, making daily dressing effortless and enjoyable.
Sustainable Approach
Downsizing your wardrobe means promoting sustainability by eliminating old clothes. Keeping the clothes you love and need can reduce your impulse buying, which helps lower environmental impact.
Tips to Declutter Your Wardrobe
Sometimes, having a bulk of clothes can be a bane, as there are some pieces in your wardrobe you might not even remember. But don’t be stressed, as decluttering is not a big chore. You can clear out the extra clothes with the proper organization technique and a few simple steps. Make room for what truly sparks joy and brings out your inner fashionista.
Let’s explore some easy tips to help you get your closet in check:
Divide Your Clothes into Different Piles
Do you know what the secret behind decluttering your wardrobe is? The “Rule of Three” is the answer, which is helpful when decluttering your wardrobe. Firstly, create three piles – Keep, Donate, and Sell. This simple system makes the process less confusing and helps you stay focused.
Below are the methods you can use to apply “Rule of Three” while decluttering your wardrobe?
- No Needed Anymore
Some clothes fade with time, become tight, and, even worse, have torn. At that time you realize that these clothes are not needed anymore. So, while decluttering, you can get rid of such clothes. - Need To be Altered
Sometimes, you buy clothes for which you have wasted a lot of money only to see that dress become a showpiece in your closet. The reason can be that any cloth can be tight or loose, depending on your body type. So, you can use the first rule, i.e., keep the attire for alteration. - Save for Later (Special Occasion)
You all have that dress you loved at first sight and think of wearing it sometime later. But lately, you have not found any occasion to wear that dress. While decluttering your wardrobe, you suddenly get that attire you can wear for Christmas or New Year celebrations. - Can be Downgraded
Sometimes, you have clothes you are tired of wearing for work or any outings, but you are not in the mood to discard that piece. So, you can use that as nightwear. - Love, but How?
There are some items that you have bought because you love them. But because of one reason or another. For example, you have bought a beautiful off-shoulder fit and flare dress but have yet to gain the confidence to wear stunning attire because of shyness or hesitation. - Comfort Issues
Sometimes you have got all the dress, the date, and the venue. However, the only issue arises when you don’t have comfortable innerwear that fits you correctly or face a sudden mood change that you don’t like. - Can Be Used For Layering
Do you agree that there are some clothes in your wardrobe that you don’t want to donate or sell? If so, you can use those layers of clothing to make a new outfit.
If you still want more clarity on decluttering your wardrobe, then you can watch the video below:
Check for ‘multiples’ of the same item
While decluttering your wardrobe, you should check for items with multiple pieces. Sometimes you have more than one white shirt or the same pair of jeans. But still, you wear only one pair of jeans and shirts; rest only cover extra space so donate the ones you don’t need.
Do a Seasonal Swap
As the winter has arrived, it is time for a seasonal swap. You need to rearrange your wardrobe, separate off-season clothes, and replace them with a current-season collection. This way, your wardrobe will remain fresh and organized.
Continue to Test What You Wear
While decluttering your wardrobe, you should check the fits and clothes that have been there for a long time. Right? So, there are some things you don’t wear regularly, so you can discard them.
How to Organize Your Wardrobe After Decluttering?
Now that you’ve decluttered, it is time to organize your wardrobe. Before starting the organization with the selected items, take a moment to identify any new pieces you might need to purchase for the upcoming season, holiday events, special occasions, or casual wear. This way, you can allocate space for those additions in advance and avoid struggling to fit them in after organizing your wardrobe.
Check out this video from Kim Bedene to learn in detail how to organize your wardrobe with 5 minimalist rules:
Follow these steps to organize your wardrobe effortlessly and effectively:
Clean Your Wardrobe
After spending hours decluttering your wardrobe, when you are done decluttering, the first step is to clean your wardrobe. In the whole process of decluttering, you have a clear idea of which things to keep or which to throw away.
Organize all clothes in categories
Keep casuals on one side, party wear on the other, and make room for nightwear. It helps you give a better overview of your styling options.
Keep Things as Per Priority
Another thing you can do is keep things as per priority. Arrange them in a way so that you can get them quickly daily. Even if you are getting ready for any special occasion.
As Per Your Clothing Preference
As an individual, you may have different clothing preferences. For example, if you are more into short dresses, you can arrange them in front of your closet. Or if you are more into jeans and shirts, you can arrange them as a priority.
Keep Space for New Items
Sometimes, while shopping online, you might come across an item from your wishlist that you’ve been searching for at the lowest price. Or, you might be looking for a prom dress with the event approaching soon. So, while organizing, it is important to keep space in your wardrobe for these additions as well.
Make Different Space for Expensive Items
Sometimes, you all make a mistake, i.e., mix and match expensive clothes with basic items. So, remember, while organizing your wardrobe make a different space for expensive items. Also, you can store your precious items in bags or boxes to keep them safe.
Make Decluttering More Organized with Holiday Box
You may agree that in the winter season, you don’t usually get to wear your sandals, dresses, kaftans or dresses. So, instead of making space in your wardrobe, you can create a holiday box with a label where you can put all items from sun hats to floaty summer dresses that you only wear on holiday.
What to do with the Decluttered Clothes?
After all the hectic process of decluttering, it’s time to get rid of clothes that are not in use. Have you thought about what to do? If not, then here we’ll give you some ideas.
Sell Online
As you live in a digital era where everything is available online, you can take full benefit and sell your dress online. For instance, Sometimes you buy a dress you have worn only once, but now you don’t know what to do with that dress. So, you can use different platforms where you can resell your dress at a reasonable or more expensive price.
Donate
Another thing you can do is donate your clothes that are of no use. The dress you consider outdated can be a dream of many needy people. Also, you can donate clothes through NGOs or from some donation booths made by the government.
Recycle
Sometimes, you all have a piece of cloth you don’t want to throw away. So, the best way is to recycle your clothes. For example, if you have a pair of jeans that you don’t want to throw away, turn them into shorts, which you can wear on an outing.
Upcycle or Repurpose
After decluttering your closet, don’t throw away your old clothes. Instead, upcycle your old T-shirts into cleaning rags or tote bags. Additionally, you can change clothes in cushion covers, adding a touch of creativity.
Trade-In Programs
Trade-in programs let you exchange outdated clothes for discounts or store credits at certain retailers. For example, H&M accepts old clothes and offers discount vouchers in return, encouraging sustainable shopping. In another instance, you can consider Emma Watson, known for her eco-friendly advocacy, who has promoted sustainable fashion brands that encourage recycling clothes.
Conclusion
Decluttering and transforming your wardrobe is more important than just cleaning up; it is a journey to explore your style again, promote sustainability, and reduce stress. With practical steps like the 90/90 rule, seasonal swaps, and mindful organization, you can create a closet that sparks joy, making your daily dressing easy that aligns with your lifestyle.
