Less Is More: Wardrobe Tips from Marie Kondo & Patrick Grant
- Sue Spencer
- Jul 4
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 5
I'll be honest, I went to Patrick Grant's talk at Winchester Book Festival expecting to hear about sustainable fashion (which, let's face it, we all know is a problem). What I didn't expect was to come away feeling like someone had just held up a mirror to everything I believe about mindful shopping and wardrobe decluttering.
In this blog:
Patrick (best known as a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee) was there to talk about his book, LESS: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish, and his words have stayed with me ever since. Not just for what he said about sustainable fashion, but for how he challenged the way we live, shop, and find joy.
It's reshaped how I think capsule wardrobe creation, the clothes I choose, and even how I view the glossy world of social media influencers. I’d started to feel like I didn’t know my own style, buying pieces that influencers post online and edging closer to looking like a clone. Now I find myself asking deeper questions, not only "Does it spark joy?" but "Why do I want this?" and "What’s the impact of this purchase on the environment and the economy?"
Patrick Grant’s LESS reads like a manifesto for changing the way we manufacture, shop, and live; it’s made me even more determined to help my clients across Hampshire and Wiltshire release the weight of too much stuff.
The KonMari Method and LESS are singing the same tune: more isn’t more. Becoming a more conscious consumer doesn’t just transform your wardrobe or your home, it ripples out, changing how you live, what you support and the world around you.
The Real Cost of a Cluttered Wardrobe
In Less, Patrick Grant pulls no punches about the sustainability crisis in fashion. The fashion industry, he says, has created a culture of constant consumption.
We’re producing more clothing than ever - over 100 billion garments a year globally (yes, really) - and wearing them less. More than 30 billion items end up in landfills each year. The result? Bulging wardrobes, environmental damage and that creeping sense of dissatisfaction that so many of my clients describe when they first contact me about decluttering.
Patrick Grant calls it what it is: a crisis of overproduction and overconsumption. We’re lured into impulse buys and trend-chasing by a retail system and a social media system that thrives on creating a sense of not-enough.
His message is clear:
"We don’t need more.
We need better"
Patrick’s examples hit home in the most familiar ways. One that really stuck with me? Cheap oven trays. You know the ones, so flimsy they ping when they heat up and come out of the oven warped and useless. Been there? I certainly have. You buy them thinking you're being practical or economical, only to end up replacing them every few months because they’re not fit for purpose. Meanwhile, a well-made tray could last decades.
It’s the perfect metaphor for how we shop, whether it’s clothes, homeware, or just about anything else. We’ve been conditioned to accept poor quality as normal, and then we wonder why our things don’t last or bring any real satisfaction. As Patrick points out, this isn’t just about waste; it’s about lost value.
When we change how we shop and choose to invest in fewer, better-made pieces from local or ethical sources, we are doing more than building a wardrobe or home that lasts. We are supporting something much bigger. We’re helping skilled craftspeople stay in business, keeping traditional making skills alive, and strengthening our local economy. That creates a ripple effect:
Better quality
Longer-lasting items
More meaningful work
Stronger communities
What I love about Less is that it isn’t a finger-wagging book. It’s a thoughtful, personal manifesto that blends hard truths with a hopeful message - We can change.
We just need to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the value of what we already own.
You can buy your copy of LESS - Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier here.
The Joy of Wearing (and Living) with Intention
One of the most poignant moments of Patrick's talk in Winchester was when he spoke about what makes him happy - it wasn't buying more stuff.
He talked about the joy of getting dressed in something well-made and well-loved, the satisfaction of mending a favourite jacket and the pleasure of wearing something again and again. He described his small wardrobe and how, despite working in fashion, he doesn't feel the need to constantly own more.
It reminded me so much of what I see when I support clients through a KonMari wardrobe edit. Want to know what the happiest wardrobes have in common? They're not the biggest or the trendiest, they're the ones that feel just right. Clothes that fit your body and your life. Clothes that reflect who you are now, not who you were five years ago and definitely not who Instagram says you should be.
There's something almost magical about the Marie Kondo wardrobe method, when you hold each item and ask "Does this spark joy?", you're not just creating a capsule wardrobe, you're reconnecting with yourself. I've watched clients pick up a dress they haven't worn in years and suddenly remember who they were when they bought it, then gently thank it and let it go. It's about honouring your past while making space for your present.
This is exactly what I mean when I talk about Rightsizing your life, creating a wardrobe (and home) that fits who you are now, not the person you've outgrown.
Intentional Wardrobes: Combining KonMari Joy with Patrick Grant’s ‘Buy Less, Buy Better'
Whilst Marie Kondo and Patrick Grant may have different wardrobes, they share a powerful belief: your home and your clothes should serve your happiness, not clutter your mind. Here's how the two approaches align:
1. Being intentional
Marie Kondo asks, "Does it spark joy?" Patrick Grant asks, "Do you need it? Will it last? Was it made well?" Both questions strip away the noise of marketing and promotions to bring us back to making intentional choices.
2. Quality over quantity
Whether it's the KonMari Method or Grant's "buy less, buy better" mantra, the message is clear: less stuff, chosen well, makes life lighter.
3. Let go of guilt
I often see clients paralysed by guilt over unworn or barely-used items. Both philosophies encourage us to release these things with gratitude. As Patrick says, we've all made mistakes. What matters is learning from them and choosing differently next time. The KonMari Method teaches us to thank items for their service, even if that service was simply teaching us what we don't need - this gratitude transforms guilt into wisdom.
And here's the beautiful thing: when you let go of what doesn't serve you, those items can find new life in the secondhand economy. That dress you bought but never felt quite right in? It might be perfect for someone else. By releasing things thoughtfully, through charity shops, resale platforms or clothing swaps, you're not just decluttering your space, you're contributing to a more sustainable way of consuming.
Take a look at How to Declutter Without Guilt: Tips to Let Go and Simplify Your Home for more guidance on letting go of items that you no longer need.
How Patrick Grants ‘Less’ Changed My Approach to Shopping and Wardrobe Rightsizing
Hearing Patrick speak was a genuine turning point. Not because he told me something I didn't already know but because he made me feel it. The facts about fast fashion are staggering, but what hit home was the emotional and environmental cost of it all - the stress, endless scrolling/shopping and still never feeling "done."
The proof? I recently went shopping with a stylist and for the first time in years, I approached it completely differently. Instead of wandering around hoping something would catch my eye, I went prepared. I knew exactly what was already in my wardrobe, what gaps I needed to fill for a couple of upcoming events, and what would genuinely enhance what I already owned. Every piece I considered had to pass the test: Did it suit me? Was it made from natural fabrics? Could I wear it multiple ways? Was it as sustainable a choice as possible?
It was revelation. I bought less, but everything I chose felt absolutely right. No buyer's remorse, no "what was I thinking?" moments when I got home. Just pieces that slotted perfectly into my existing wardrobe and made me feel more like myself.
This is what happens when you combine knowing your wardrobe inside out (hello, KonMari Method) with Patrick's principles of mindful consumption. Shopping becomes intentional, not impulsive.
It reminded me why I do this work. As a rightsizing expert and KonMari Consultant, I help people transform their relationship with stuff: creating homes and wardrobes that reflect who they truly are, not just what they've accumulated. I know from experience that as you let go of what no longer serves you, you make space for what truly matters.
So many of my clients say they feel overwhelmed by choice and unsure of their personal style. They find themselves buying things to keep up, fill a gap, or soothe stress—but it never quite works. Sound familiar?
By integrating the lessons from Less, I’m helping clients not just declutter and let go, but shift how they shop going forward. The goal isn’t just a tidy home - it’s lasting change. A life where they feel lighter, freer, and confident saying, “No thanks, I don’t need that.”
Wardrobe Decluttering Tips: Your Wardrobe Deserves Better (and so do you)
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your wardrobe right now, here are my proven wardrobe organisation tips to get started:
Gather everything in one place (yes, everything - I know it feels scary, but trust me on this). Marie Kondo insists on this for a reason: you need to see the full scope of what you own. Only then can you ask what truly sparks joy and serves your life now.
Hold each item individually. This is where the KonMari magic happens. Pick up each piece, feel the fabric and notice your body's response. Does it make you feel confident? Happy? Or does it feel heavy in your hands?
Look at what's left. What do you love wearing? What feels authentically like you? These are the pieces that earn their place in your rightsized wardrobe.
Shop more mindfully. Before you buy, ask: "Do I need this? Will I wear it at least 30 times? Is it well made?" But also ask Marie's question: "Does this spark joy?" These questions together are game-changers.
Celebrate the rewear. There's no shame in repeat outfits, I’ve discovered there's freedom in knowing you look great in what you already own.
Curate your digital world like your wardrobe. Unfollow accounts that make you feel 'less than' your mental space deserves the same care as your physical space
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on using the KonMari Method to edit your wardrobe, read my full blog post: Wardrobe Edit Tips - How to declutter your clothes the Marie Kondo way.
Less, But Better
In a world that constantly tells us to want more, Patrick Grant's Less and the KonMari Method offer something radical: ENOUGH.
Enough clothes - Enough stuff - Enough to feel happy, comfortable and free.
For me, this journey has been both professional and personal. It's strengthened my belief that Rightsizing isn't just about space, it's about creating room for the life you're actually living. I'm excited to help my clients experience the shift from overwhelmed to in control, from burdened to joyful.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your wardrobe, you're not alone. If you'd like someone to help you figure out what 'Enough' looks like for you, I'm here to help.
What You Can Do Right Now:
This Week:
Unfollow at least three social media accounts that make you feel like you need more stuff
Try shopping your own wardrobe - create five "new" outfits from what you already own
Read or download Patrick Grant's book Less and consider what "enough" means for you.
This Month:
Do your own mini wardrobe edit: remove everything that doesn't spark joy and pass on to charity or resale sites like Vinted - how to make money when you declutter and sell stuff online.
Try the "one week, one outfit" challenge, wear the same outfit (styled differently) multiple times over a week and notice how freeing it feels.
Discover a sustainable brand or secondhand option for your next clothing purchase
This Season:
Book that wardrobe declutter you've been putting off (I can help with that!) - KonMari Wardrobe Declutter
Before your next purchase, ask yourself: "Why do I want this? Will I wear it at least 30 times
Remember: Rightsizing isn't about having the perfect capsule wardrobe or home overnight. It's about creating the physical and mental space for you to enjoy life. If you'd like support creating a lighter wardrobe and organised home that feels more you, get in touch – sue@alifemoreorganised.co.uk
Hi! I’m Sue, a professional home organiser and KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire, UK. I had the privilege of training with Marie Kondo and by using her methods, I help growing families and empty nesters Rightsize their Homes.
We declutter and organise to clear space and time so they can get on with the important job of enjoying life.
Are you ready to start living A Life More Organised?
For a no-obligation chat about how I can help, please get in touch.
m: 07740 782575 www.alifemoreorganised.co.uk
I'd love to keep in touch - why not follow me on Instagram or join in the conversation in my Facebook group
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