Updated: Apr 27
Lost track of what’s inside your bulging wardrobe? It’s time to get organised and declutter with these simple wardrobe edit tips. Following the simple tips in this post will teach you how to start decluttering your clothes and help you decide where to sell things you don't want or pass them on to charity.
In this blog
- How to declutter your wardrobe in 5 simple steps
- Download your FREE decluttering checklist
- Questions to ask yourself as you declutter your clothes
- How to sell your unwanted clothes and make some money for new ones you love
- Top Tips for decluttering your clothes
Set aside some time and space to organise your wardrobe, doing it properly takes a few hours.
1) Before starting, think about your current lifestyle and the type of activities you engage in on a weekly or monthly basis (working from the office/home, going out, leisure activities etc.). Your wardrobe should reflect what you do now - rather than the things you did 10 years ago. It's also useful to think about how you’d like your wardrobe and bedroom to look, browsing through magazines and Pinterest can inspire you & keep you motivated.
2) Gather all of your clothes in one place - I like to put everything on the bed. Sort the garments into categories such as jumpers, dresses and suits. You may be surprised to see how many similar items you own and may even rediscover clothes you’ve forgotten about.
3) T-shirts or jumpers are an easy place to start sorting. Take a good look at the pile and choose your favourite 3 items. Consider why you enjoy wearing them - do they make you feel good, is it the colour you like or something else?
Use a decluttering checklist to guide you through the different categories of clothes and accessories.
Download your FREE copy of the A Life More Organised Decluttering Checklist.
4) Once you’ve selected your favourite items set them aside in a ‘KEEP’ pile and work through the rest of the tops, one item at a time. Hold each item in your hands to decide whether it’s something that you love. If it’s not obvious straight away compare it against your favourite tops to help you make a decision.
Do I love it?
Which of these is my favourite?
Do I need it for practical purposes?
When did I last wear it?
How did I feel when I wore it?
What would I wear to that type of occasion if I don't wear this?
Is it an item I 'avoid' in my wardrobe... why?
Is it in good condition?
There's not enough room for everything.. is this something I love enough to keep?
These questions will help you decide if you want to keep the item - if it's a 'no' then put the item in your discard pile, ready to go to the charity shop or eBay.
5). Once you’ve sorted all your clothes look at your storage space and decide how you want to organise it - not everything needs to be hung. Jumpers, tshirts and jeans can all be folded and put in chests of drawers or baskets on shelves to maximise your storage space.
It's easy to turn your unwanted clothes into cash by selling them on apps like Vinted, eBay or Depop.
Vinted is my go-to app as it's super easy and quick to upload and sell on - they even sort out the postage labels for you. Take a look at my 'How to sell on VINTED' video on You Tube.
If you prefer to use eBay then you can find out how to get the most for the items you sell on it with my eBay selling tips.
What to do with clothes that don't fit? If you have some clothes that don't fit only keep the ones you love. You're going to feel and look fabulous when you reach your target size and will be unlikely to wear clothes that you don't like.
Don’t keep things ‘for best’. If you love it the garment put it in your wardrobe and start wearing it - you’ll feel great every time you put it on!
Don’t keep things ‘just in case’. If you haven’t worn it for years you’re unlikely to again - move it on and use the space for the clothes you love.
Enjoyed this post?
If you still need to maximise the space in your wardrobe? Take a look at my post with 6 simple and affordable tips to increase you storage space.
Or for a bit more inspiration: 5 items you can declutter from your wardrobe without regret
These simple steps can be applied across all areas of your home to create a tidy, simplified & organised life.
Updated January 2024
I’m Sue, a professional home organiser and KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire. I trained with Marie Kondo and the KonMari team and help busy people declutter, organise and simplify their homes so they can get on with the important job of enjoying life.
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